The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-26
ON A BUSI-
NESS BASIS
Government Cotton Grader TIC
BE Paid BY Those Who Re-
quire His Services

The county, Of sumter having de-
! clincd to make IN appropriation To
assist in the maintenance of the
government cotton grader at Sumter
and for the expenses of keeping up
the necessary office force. rent,
and other expenses, it has been dccid
ed by the officers OF the Tri-CuuntY
Cotton Marketing Association to en-
dcavor TO keep government grad
er here and TO keep the offices open
by charging the small sum OF ten
tCEts per bale for grading 10 be paid
ny the cotton producers who have
thci cotton cut graded; staplcd. and
, ."rOrdcd. Zach OF the state cotton
W. Chous"@ in Sumter county will be
asked $50 to contribute ten cents
per bale for every bale stored in these
warehouses.
The government grader at Sumter
Will guarantee that all cotton grad
cd by him will be delivered from the
warehouses OF the county strictly to
grades, and If it is desired Will per-
SOnally be present when cotton is
withdrawn to see that the warcR cuses
deliycr the cotton as per government
graders record
The government cotton grader a,
Sumter has proved of much value to
thousands Of cotton farmers through
out Sumter. Lee, Clarendon and Viii
liza maburg counties Judging by the
thousands who have cotton graded
and who expressed themselves rs be-
ing satisfied that this is great edu-
ing arranGement for cotton produc-
crs. The history of the government
cotton grader in Sumter is as fol-
lows: In 1914 the Sumter Cham Der
Of Commerce requested Congressman
y. j.. Lever TO have the department
of agriculture supply Sumter with a
graocr the Chamber of Commerce
providing for the first year the Of
fee room and fixtures and other as
$ stance. AS suggested by the farm
.r>tCnsiOn division Of Clemson Col
lego the Chamber of Commerce or
ganiZed what is known AZ the 'Tri-
County Cotton Marketing Associa-
ton" composed OF members and di-
roctors from Sumter. Lee, and Clar-
endCn counties. For two years the
turc betrayed the expenses of the
graders salary, the other expenses
such as office rent, janitor, clerk, etc.
being paid partly from annual dues
of one dollar from the members, and
money received from cotton sam
pies donated by the cotton sellers
Recently n farmer was offered Is
CortS for a hale of cotton. The Sum
ter government cotton grader got him
twcnty cents for the cotton after
properly grading it, .
About two years ago the United
States department Of agriculture re.
Quired an appropriation from the
county of sumter o. a Guara ntee rom
some one that part Of the graders
salary would be paid by local inter-
ests
From September 4th. 1920 to Jan
uary 10Th, 1921 the Sumter grader
has cut. stapled, and graded thirteen
thousand bales of cotton and recorded
same.
hundreds of Intelligent cotton
growers have said that the govern
mCnt's disinterested, expert, efficient
grading has taught them a great
deal about marketing their cotton
and that they saved from one and
half to four dollars per bale by haV-
ing their cotton properly graded. re-
corded, tagged, and ccr,iiied to on
their cotton warehouse certificates
when stored and borrowed on. or
when sold Immediately after govern
ment grading.
The cotton growers will do well
to back up the government cotton
grader and keep this necessary OIL
cial on duly.
The United States department Of
agriculture and the county Of Sum-
ter have done their full duty in es-
tablishing this important position and
t. is up 10 the cotton producers to
have their cotton graded and to keep
mp this institution which means 50
much to them.
The officers OF the Tri-COunty Cot
ton Marketing association are j. NJ.
kOlb, presidents; J. Frank Williams.
secretary: q. A. Lennon. treasurer.
Every farmer who joins and pays one
dollar helps TO keep up an import
ant and money saving institution in
this association. Any one, however.
may have his or her cotton graded for
ten cents per bale whether members
of the association or not.