Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-15
SOME MARKETING PROBLEMS OF
THE COTTON FARMER

Suggestions on cotton marketing
are pertinent at this time. 1t Is a
relatively low price of the staple
and the uncertainty Of conditions
which will prevail in the not distant
future. We can do much to help the
cotton marketing situation by giving
greater attention to community pro-
duction, to the proper storage of our
cotton in bonded warehouses, and
through the organization of cotton
pools. 1t is also desirable that an
official grader be available to clas-
sify the cotton in each county. l
fear many of our growers do NOT
realize the nature or extent of the
losses which accrue to the cotton
farmer through the carelessness In
handling, sampling and grading of
his cotton. Some Of the facts which
should be given immediate consid-
Grafton follow Read these over
carefully and see what you can do
to aid in arousing a more effective
interest in the matter of cotton mar
keting. in the particular community
the state college of agriculture. the
U S. department of agriculture and
various other agencies are glad and
willing to cooperate with the farm
ers In every possible way to help
them in the solution of this great
H.
fail to call on these agencies. there
fore, If you think they can serve or
advance the interest you represent.
The present system of marketing
involves an enormous waste that re-
fleets on the price paid the producer.
to develop our present system and 1t
Is believed that any radical change
should be slow. AS a preliminary
measure looking to a better market
ing system the following steps should
be taken at this time.
l. Community production Of same
or similar varieties.
2. Grading and stapling according
to United States official standards by
'isinterested parties employed by
ONE farmers organization in COM
unity.
g. Increased storage facilities
where cotton can be stored in bonded
arehouses and a negotiable receipt
eceived
4. Pooling lots of same grade and
taple.
The market price for cotton is usu-
lily based on the character of the
ulk of the cotton received on that
larket, so the first step looking to-
ards better prices should be the or
'anization Of communities for the
reduction Of the same variety; this
ariety to be one adapted to the com
int. Spinners soon learn the charac-
eristics of cotton from different sec
ions and Shun such markets as pro-
luce cotton of inferior quality. Grade
ength, strength and uniformity are
he chief factors determining the
value of cotton. A reputation for
good cotton will always attract buy
ers who are willing to pay the true
value of the cotton.
In a series of experiments conduct
ed by the United States bureau of
markets they found that bale of
cotton in the open lying flat was
damage to the extent of $40 pounds
In eight months, one placed on edge
lost 167 pounds. one placed on edge
pounds. bale place on timbers Oft
the ground and turned once a week
lost 40 pounds, one placed on tim
bers and covered with a tarapulin
lost only IA pounds and a warehoused
bale lost only one pound.
The amount of storage space neces-
sary to care for the crop in a given
market varies considerably, depend
ing on transportation facilities, rate
of movement, ETC., but it is estimat-
ed that provision should be made to
store at least 40 per cent of the cot
ton normally handled by that market
and facilities for a higher per cent
are preferable.
The tablishment of bonded ware
houses under the provisions of the
United States warehouse act offers
the best solution to the warehouse
problem. This not only gives the
grower storage but enables the ware
and better protection. A negotiable
receipt showing grade and staple
which can be used as collateral by
member banks of the federal reserve