The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-11
PERUVIAN COTTON
GAINS FOOTHOLD
More Than 0ne-quarter Of
Product Now Shipped to
United States.
USED IN TIRE MAKING
Native Planters, However. Are
Slow to Adopt Modern "
Methods Of Trade.

One very important effect which the
trade of the United States has under
gone as a result OF the European con-
fiict IL the acquaintance with Peruvian
cotton which war exigencies have given
our cotton manufacturers For many
years all qualities of Peruvian cotton
have been very well known in the mar
kets OF Liverpool, but II is only In the
last two years that this country has
become a purchaser to any. great extent
To-day we are using from one-Quarter
to one-third of Peru's total output.
Tho chief reason for the growth Of
this importation from Peru is to be
found in the fact that during the war
It was very difficult for US to. secure
Egyptian cotton. This fibre Is very
essential for weaving the cloth used In
the manufacture OF automobile tires. and
when 1t was found that the Metafih
cotton of Peru was very similar to the
Egyptian product a strong demand for
It sprang I'D Immediately. This proved
advantageous TO Peru, for about 80 per
cent. OF the cotton exported is OF this
variety.
AS to whether Peruvian cotton win
continue TO have a good market in this
country no predictions can be made. 1t
depends entirely on The Peruvian
planters In the past they have failed
signally to follow the demands of the
trade, and for this reason their product
has not gained the Importance owed to 1t
by its natural value.
Price Fixing Efforts Fail.
Tho planters have tried to fix the
prices Of their shipments without regard
to the fact that the market price de-
ponds entirely on the demand. They
have insisted that they be consulted by
cable as to the prices they will accept
not realizing that these are subject to
hourly fluctuations in the various mar
, kets of the world. They have also
failed to understand that II would be
better for them IL they would retire
| their lots from the market whenever the
| prices quoted do not suit them, rather
| than to ATTEMPT to impose upon the
purchasers prices not in accord with the
market value OF their product.
Peruvian planters have also failed tc
| follow the example of their Egyptian
| competitors, who always can secure Q
| good market through the care with
| which they classify and grade their cot
| ton. The former sell their output TO for
| eign buyers who classify and grade II
| after having bought 1t and are thus ir
| position TO obtain the highest price
| selling the best grades separately This
| difference in prices would fall to the
Peruvian planters themselves II they
made the grading.
One very important advantage which
might be theirs and which they have
| failed to make use Of lies in their ability
| to sell their cotton at the time of veal
\ when the demand for II is very great
Best Egyptian cotton is scarce from May
| till the end OF August, and this period
Is the best for selling Peruvian cotton
The new Egyptian cotton cannot CONT
upon the market till September, and with
a little effort the early Peruvian OUTPUT
could arrive several months before thai
| date.
CIInnr In AnAin m n ted Mefhnda.