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THE ATLANTA SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL. ATLANTA, GA, Tuesday, December 23, 1913
ricultural
and SUCCESSFUL EARIffltG
w Andrew M.^oule
PRODUCERS' INTERESTS NOT CONSIDERED IN THE
HANDLING AND MARKETING COTTON IN OKLAHOMA
This department wilt cheerfully endeavor to furnish any information.
Letters should be addressed to Dr. Andrew M. Soule, president State Ag
ricultural College, Athens, Oa.
THE MENACE OF THE BOLL WEEVIL
T -fOSE who have studied the steady
and relatively speaking uniform
advance and spread of the boll
weevil throughout the cotton growing-
states realize that it has come to stay.
Sooner or later it will eventually infest
all the territory now devoted to tne
growth of co'tton. Reliable authorities
state that it is now as far east as Do
than, Ala., and headed towards tne
Georgia border. It would appear cer
tain, therefore, that it will infest some
of the southwest Georgia counties in
1914, though serious damage from Its
presence will hardly be witnessed be
fore the following year. It behooves
the people of this state, therefore, to
get ready to meet this infestation by
one of the greatest menaces of modern
times to the agricultural and industrial
welfare of the state of Georgia.
In spite of the treasure which has
been expended to study the life history
and habits of the boll weevil no means
completely destroying it in territory
it has once inhabited has as yet been
found. Consequently, it is to become
an active factor of momentous impor
tance to the agricultural interests oi
Georgia in the not distant future.
Since what affects the farmers affects
all, no citizen can escape the result of
any injury which the boll weevil may
Inflict. It is, therefore, a question or
universal and paramount importance.
The life history of the weevil has
now been studied most exhaustively ana
it appears that little is to be gained at
present from further work along this
line. In fighting It the following plan
of action has proven most successrtu
in the territory already attacked as It
represents the observations and experi
ence of many workers and affords the
best basis for predicting a plan on
which Georgia farmers may hope to
meet and combat its ravages most suc
cessfully.
Fields selected for cultivation should
be well drained so that they can be
planted early and the cotton brought to
maturity in the shortest period of time
possible. Stalks in infested fields
should be destroyed before frost ana
rubbish in and about the field burned.
This is imperative as it removes tne
protection which the weevil requires
during the period of hibernation. Brea*
the land as early in the fall as practi
cable and to a good depth. Before plant
ing the ground should be thoroughly
pulverized so as to secure a fine seed
*>ed. Early maturing varieties 1 of cot
ton are of the highest importance. This
does not mean that small boll varieties
need of necessity be used. Early plant
ing is desirable and relatively wla©
planting is an advantage. . Or course
planting should not be done in any
event while there is still danger of
frost. The use of section harrows be
fore planting and after the crop is up
will be found helpful. Intensive fertil
ization and shallow, rapid cultivation
cannot be urged too strongly. When
the weevils appear in the field early in
the season in considerable numbers
hand picking or poisoning should be
Immediately resorted to. When damage
by the weevil is first evidenced by the
appearance of punctured squares attach
a pole to the handle of a cultivator so
as to knock the squares off. Persistent
ly pick up and biirn the infested
squares. Above all, practice crop rota
tion. Diversify and rediversify. Em
phasize and persist in the production
of animals of every class and variety
adapted to Georgia conditions. By this
means the evil influences of the weevil
on our agriculture can be checkmates*
successfully and the invasion of this
pest mitigated in the highest degree
possible.
A successful fight against the boll
♦ weevil appears therefore, to rest in the
first and last analysis on a state-wide
campaign of education which will en
able the farmers to become thoroughly
acquainted with the means which have
been employed n^ost successfully to en
compass the destruction of the weevil
in other states. They must be taught
how to produce, handle and finish live
stock. How to rotate crops, what crops
to grow and when to harvest and mar
ket to the best advantage. To this end
the state of Georgia should liberally
endow thje extension—demonstration
agencies now at work to regenerate the
agricultural practice of £he state. Real
izing the importance of this matter,
the College of Agriculture in co-opera
tion 4 ^ith the United States department
of agriculture has already placed in the
field sixty-four county demonstration
agents. The result of their work is too
$9.50 Christmas Offer
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No excuse for not having a new, comfortable
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Catalog free. Write today for your bed. Refer
ence: Broadway National Bank.
PURITY BEDDING CO., Box 244.C, Nashville
Tenn.
FEATHER BED BARGAINS
Send u» 410.00 ami we will ship you one first-class new
40-pound Feather Bed. one pair 6-pound new Feather
Pillows-($2.50), one pairful] size Blankets ($3.00), one
dandy Comfort, full size ($3.00), all for only S10.00. All
new goods and no trash. Biggest Bargain ever offered.
Satisfaction guaranteed. This offer is good for a short
time only to advertise our goods. Mail money order
now or write for circular ana order blanks.
SOUTHERN FEATHER & PILLOW CO.
D«pt. 1234 Qroansboro, M. C.
GOOD COTTON SEED
We have a record of 65 bales on 45 acres tills
season. Fine lot of pure, clean seeds to sell.
$1.00 the bushel. Buy now and get something
good. 1,250 pounds will more than make a 500-
pound bale.
Fort Valley Fruit Farm,
11, Fort .Valley, Oa,
well known to need special emphasis
at this time. These same authorities
established and organized the boys’ and
girls’ corn and canning - clubs, thus
teaching the rising generation how to
pioduce new sources of revenue from
the soils of the state.
The extension department of the Col
lege of Agriculture in co-operation with
the bureau of soils has been promoting
soil surveys that the intelligent fertil
ization of our lands may be carried on
more successfully in the future than
has been possible in the past. The de
partment of animal husbandry is pro
moting the breeding of horses, cattle
and hogs. The pig club work and the
dairy work, for instance, is being car
ried on in co-operation with the Uni
ted States department , of agriculture,
bureau of animal industry. In its ef
forts along this line the college has had
the co-operation of the progressive citi
zens of Georgia, the board of trade,
the commissioner of agriculture, the
stat^ board of education and the county
superintendents and teachers. Practical
ly every one who has given any con
sideration to the matter realizes its
vital importance and the necessity of
preparing for the worst plague which
has ever come upon our agriculture.
Without funds and in abundance the
work can not be maintained and pro
moted on a basis commensurate with
the exigencies of the situation. It is
up to the state and to its citizens to
provide these funds and thus minimize
the damage which the weevil will other
wise inflict upon Georgia. The writer
believes that the funds will be forth
coming through legislative enactment
and through the response t/o this appeal
which the business men of Georgia will
feel constrained to make for the pro
tection of their best interest.
/ * * #
TOO MUCH WEED IN COTTON.
H. I,., of LaGrange, Ga., Writes :* I bare
a tenant who gets on his bottoms a splendid
stand of cotton, heavily fruited with large
bolls, but which rarely opens more than a
few bells to the stalk. The upland sur
rounding the bottoms Is a red clay. Can
you suggest what he may do to get cotton
on his bottoms which will open? Or would
it be best to cut the cotton out on the bot
toms?
It is possible that the soil about
which you inquire is so low in phos
phoric acid that the cotton crop is not
provided with enough of this element to
insure the proper feeting of the plants
and the maturity of the bolls before
they are damaged by frost. We judge
that this land produces a vigorous
growth of stalk and leaf. Such b^lng
the case, we would select a relatively
small stalked sparsely leaf variety for
cultivation on the area in question. We
would plant the cotton further apart
than usual so as to let the sun light and
air in as completely as possible. Do
not use any nitrogen or at least a very
little in the formula applied next year,
but emphasize phosphorus and potash
to some extent. If this land is very
alluvial in character it may not con
tain a sufficient amount of phosphoric
acid and potash. Therefore, we would
suggest that you use a formula con
taining 12 per cent of phosphoric acid
and 4 per cent of potash. Apply 600 to
700 pounds per acre. On some of the
land we would then use as much as
1,000 pounds with the idea of making a
comparison to determine if the heavier
application of phosphoric acid and pot
ash proved more effective than a lighter
application.
If this treatment does not hasten the
maturity of the crop and enable you
to get the bolls open before frost falls
we know of no other practical sugges
tion to make at present for growing
cotton successfully on this land. If
the recommendations made fcfil we would
advise using the area as a hay bot
tom or plant it in corn to be followed
by a winter cover crop such as oats
or oats and vetch. Draining this bot
tom with tile will probably be found
beneficial and you might then easily
grow cotton successfully as the removal
of surplus moisture would tend to
hasten maturity and promote the early
fruiting of the crop.
* * *
AN APPRECIATIVE SUBSCRIBER.
J. F. M., Denton, Oa. writes: I am very
much interested in the great work you are
performing for’ the uplift of the farmers
and their sons of this, our great old state.
I want you to put me on your mailing list
and send me anything you think will be of
interest to farmers of this section of the
state. I wish to get some good variety of
wilt resistant cotton seed. Also a good
early variety of some other kind. I also
wish to secure a variety of corn you think
best suited to this section.
Office of Markets Shows How
Cotton ^Growers Sustain
Great Losses Which Might
Be Avoided by Co-operation
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 22.—
'There is not a single important step
or process in the entire cotton handling
and marketing scheme which owes its
origin to a special consideration of the
producer’s interests,” is one of the con
clusions reported by the Office of Mar
kets of the United States Department
of Agriculture in its Bulletin No. 36,
of November 15, 1913, on “Studies of
Primary Cotton Market Conditions in
Oklahoma.” This bulletin can be ob
tained free, as long as the supply lasts,
by application to the department.
These studies began in October, 1912.
They have covered 103 cotton market
towns of Oklahoma, involved the sam
pling of over 3,200 bales of cotton with
records of date, place of sale and price
paid to the grower. They also involved
careful grading and stapling of these
samples and a close comparison between
the prices paid to the grower and the
actual differences in grade. As a re
sult of these studies, the investigators
find that practically every feature of
the handling and marketing system is
retained because of the insistence of
some one of the numerous middlemen
and carriers who have at best only a
temporary interest in cotton. Even the
spinners’ desire for a better bale kept
under shelter until It is shipped to the
mill and with a covering which would
keep the cotton clean and dry is sys
tematically ignored.
These conditions apply to many other
cotton markets in the south. Partly as
a result of the findings, the Office of
Markets is now conducting extensive in
vestigations in eighty typical local mar
keting points throughout the cotton
belt.
The investigation showed the follow
ing conditions: Actual quality above
middling has little effect on the price
paid to the producer, because
(a) In general, the ginners, who buy
a large proportion of the cotton, pay
very nearly the same price for all cot
ton purchased on a given day.
(b) In many street markets, even
where there are a large number of buy
ers, widely differing prices are paid on
the same day for bales of identical qual
ity. There is no uniform price even for
middling cotton.
(c) The differences fixed by Oklahoma
firms allow only about one-half as much
premium for graces above middling as
do the differences of the New York Cot
ton exchange. This, however, should
not be construed as an approval of tne
New York fixed difference system.
(d) In actual street buying the pre
miums paid for bales grading above
middling, are far less than the locally
advertised differences for such grades.
In some cases the bulk of the cotton
is bought as middling for weeks at a
time, when a large majority of the
bales are actually above that grade.
(e) Except in the southwestern part
of the state no attention is paid to
length of staple in fixing the price of
the Individual bale, but certain regions
receive slightly higher prices than oth
ers because of reputed superiority of
average staple.
(f) The cotton trade in Oklahoma rec
ognizes no grade above good middling,
although many thousand bales of high
er grade are produced.
From these conditions it is apparent,
the investigators say, that accurate
knowledge ( of cotton grading is of little
value to the producer in marketing his
individual crop under present conditions.
The prices paid to farmers both for
seed cotton and for lint are too largely
based on a system of averages. This
works great injustice to the producers
of the best grades, and discourages care
ful picking and improvement of varie
ties in length of staple. The greatest
losses to the farmers under the present
system of marketing appear to lie in
their failure to secure the premium for
their high grades which these bales
finally bring.
The farmer is not a party to the neg
lect which results in most of the coun
try damage, but he receives no com
pensation for any extra care which he
may bestow upon the finished bale. No
evidence has come to light that any
attention is paid to the variety of
short staple cotton grown when fixing
the price. In other words, the only
advantage derived by the grower of an
improved variety is the advantage which
may result from Its larger yield per
acre, its higher percentage of lint, or
some strictly cultural characteristic.
RELATION OF PRICE OF MIDDLING
IN LOCAL MARKETS AND
GALVESTON.
To bring out the general relation be
tween the price of middling cotton in
different local markets in Oklahoma
as compared with the Galveston closing
price of the preceding day, four middlng
bales were selected at different times
in fifteen towns, their range of local
price noted and difference from the Gal
veston price determined.
It was found that the range in
price paid in a local market for dif
ferent bales of middling cotton varied
from 75 cents in Duncan to $6 a bale
in Erick, where on the same day $52
and $58 were paid for a bale of this
same grade.
The difference between local average
middling prices and the Galveston
price varied from 60 cents in Ryan to
$5.20 in Marietta. There seems to be
no regularity in variations between local
prices and the Galveston prices. In
Norman at different times the differ
ences from the Galveston price was
$1.05, $2.10 and $3.10. All figures are
based on random sampling, but bales
sold in round lots were excluded. The
figures do not represent the extreme
ranges on the days samples were tak
en, as the collectors usually secured
samples before learning the price for
which the bales sold. That the price ot
middling is often more variable than
any other is brought out by the figures
for Correll on November 8, A total of
thirteen bales were sampled. Of these
three w6re middling and the extreme
variation in price among them was $5;
three bales were strict middling, and
the extreme variation in price among
them was $3.76; five bales graded strict
low middling, and the extreme range
in price was $2.50; one bale of good
middling brought $60, the- highest price
among these thirteen bales, but a low
middling spotted, the poorest bale of the
thirteen, brought exactly the same
price.
IRREGULARITIES IN PRICES PAID
IN SAME MARKETS ON THE
SAME DATE FOR IDENTI
CAL COTTON.
The investigation showed that in the
case of strict middling cotton in the
same local market the difference in
price for bales of this grade would
vary from $2 to $7.25.
In the case of low middling cotton
in seven, markets, the price variation
on the same day was from $2.20 to
$12.50 a bale. In the case of strict low
middling cotton the variation ran from
$2/0 to $3 per bale. The following
table shows the variation in high and
low grades and tinges:
HIGH AND LOW GRADES AND TINGES.
Variations
Between
Identical
GRADE—
Place.
Date.
1912
Bales.
Good Middling
. .Purcell.
Oct.
30
$5.00
Strict middling tinged
.. Noble.
Nov.
21
5.00
Do
. .Byars.
do
5.00
Do
. .Durant
Dec.
4
5.00
Do
. .Lawton
Dec.
12
5.00
Low mailing tinged . ■.
. .Madill.
Dec.
20
7.50
Strict good ordinary ..
. .Terral.
Nov.
8
7.00
Good ordinary
.. Mangum
Nov.
7
19.00
Summing up this feature of the in
vestigation it may be stated that the
fluctuations in prices paid for any grade
of cotton from day to day, or during
any one day, exceed greatly those jus
tified by any change in the buyers’ lim
its or in spot transactions in the great
cotton markets.
APPLICATION OF DIFFERENCE
SHEET TO FARMERS’ COTTON.
According to the investigators, the
whole question of the application of the
difference sheet in Oklahoma appears to
be in a chaotic condition. In general
the premiums offered by Oklahoma
firms for grades above middling are
about one-half as great as those of
the New York Cotton Exchange. For
the grades below middling the penalties
are, in a geenral way, almost twice as
great. The results of the investigation
show conclusively that the difference
sheet receives little attention in fixing,
the price offered the grower.
On November 15, 1912, bales ranging
from strict middling down to strict good
ordinary spotted were bought in one
small town at 11.05 cents per pound.
Five days later the extreme range was
$3 per bale, but the investigators found
single bales of strict middling, strict
low middling, and good ordinary each
of which sold at 11.50 cents per pound.
In a neighboring town, with only two
grades between the highest and lowest
bales, the difference in prices actually
paid was $7.26 a bale.
A SPECIFIC APPLICATION OF THE
DIFFERENCE SHEET.
An analysis of the prices and premi
ums actually paid for seven bales of
cotton sold in Shawnee on November 2
shows pointedly the failure of the pres
ent sellihg system to secure for the
farmer proper recognition of superior
quality. This lot of samples was found
to consist of one middling, three strict
middlings and three strict good mid
dlings. The middling bale brought 11.25
cents per pound, which by comparison
with the prices at the ports we must
assume to be a fair price, Shawnee be
ing recognized as a premium market.
Of the three strict middling bales, two
brought 11.25 and one brought 11.35
cents per pound. Of the three strict
good middling bales, one brought 11.25
The wilt disease of cotton is now
known to be one of the most destructive
parasitic diseases which attacks this
crop. The disease does not seem to be
affected matrially by cimatic condi
tions. Plants grown on sandy lands
seem to be somewhat more readily af
fected by wilt than those growing on
heavier types of soil. The principal
method of fighting this trouble Is
through the growth of resistant varie
ties. In this respect the strains of
cotton now generally cultivated show a
wide divergence. The most resistant
strains of upland cotton found to date
are Jackson’s, Limbl’s, the Dixie, the
Dillon and other strains, the general
characteristics of which have probably
not as yet been so well established as
those mentioned. The Jackson and es
pecially the Dillon are probably two
strains which you can plant to good ad
vantage provided you can purchase seed
which has been grown under favorable
conditions, as a selection for resistance
to the wilt disease. Of course you
understand that in selecting for this
purpose the plants should be chosen
from infested fields and from those
areas from which the disease has been
worse. You should not have serious
difficulty in securing a choice strain of
the Dillon variety which is especially
recommended. While there are many
varieties of early cotton there are prob
ably none superior to a good strain of
King, Broadwell or Simpkins. Of course
there are rhany other varieties which
would come under this class and are
worthy of test, but we have found those
mentioned to give good satisfaction
where earliness and other useful qual
ities are taken under consideration.
We would recommend the growth of
prolific varieties of corn in most parts
of Georgia, except where the soil is un
usually rich as in extensive bottoms.
Among the varieties which have given
excellent results here at the college are
Marborough’s, Hastings and WhAtley.
Tliese are all relatively small two-year
sorts. The corn is quite flinty and
the cob is white* on the two first named
varieties, but red on the Whatleys.
These strains cultivated side by side
in our demonstration field fpr several
years have given good results and made
satisfactory yfelds on soils of only fair
fertility and under the varying climatic
conditions which have existed during
the past several years. We think you
will find a good strain of seed of any
of these varieties satisfactory for your
conditions.
* * *
WILL A SMALL DAIRY PAY.
W. C. Powell, Pansy, Ga.. writes: I con
ceived the idea about three months ago that
a small dairy run on a high plain In con
nection with my farm would be profitable.
My purpose is to sell butter and send it by
parcel post. I have done this much so far.
I bought a DeLaval separator as per your
suggestion, also ten of the best cows in
this section (natives). I built a good cow
house with ten stalls. Have contracted fir
thirty tons of cotton seed hulls and twen
ty tons of cotton seed meal and am now
about ready to go to work. I have hired a
good industrious man to attend to my dairy,
but would like to know something about
the best rations for my cows.
There should be a good opportunty
for the dairy business in your commun
ity as the demand for good butter is
very keen and likely to continue so
for a long time to come. The reasons
are under-production in proportion to
the consuming population. A fine quali
ty of butter should sell at 40 cents. Of
course much of it does not bring over 25
cents or 30 cents, but this is probably
the fault of the producer rather than
anything else. As to the practicability
of shipping butter by parcel post, there
will naturally be some reasons for doubt
in saying whether the butter might be
too long in transit for the customer to
get it in good condition as to texture
and flavor. Possibly some other method
of delivery can bo arrived at which
will be more satisfactory, though now
as the parcel post is to be extended in
proportion to size and weight of pack
ages you" might be able to handle your
packages well through the mail.
You have done well to purchase a sep
arator and to build a good house for
your cows. You now need facilities for
cooling, and handling your cream , to
advantage after you have separated it.
A spring house with running water will
answer well for this purpose. You
should aim in the future to grow feed
for your cows and not find it necessary
to buy roughage in particular. Meal
and hulls should do well for your cows.
You should feed the meal at the rate of
three to five pounds per head per day
with as much hulls as they will eat up
clean. This will vary from fifteen to
twenty pounds, depending on the size
of your cows. Do not feed too much
meal, and If you can provide a cereal
pasture during the winter: it will be to
advantage to do so. The dairy business
requires great care as to sanitation and
dispatch in the handling of the products,
and especially Is this true in warm
weather. Good houses for housing
your cows, the cooling of your cream
and the churning of the butter are all
essential.
* * *
WANT TO TAKE A SHORT COURSE.
W. G. W., Reeves, Ga., writes: Would
you be so kind as to inform me -what short
courses, if any, you offer which would be a
benefit to one who is iutensely interested
in better farming methods in Georgia. We
ar e incorporating a small agricultural school
at this place which is designed to serve the
more mountainous districts of this section.
In view of this we would be glad If it were
possible for us to get more closely In touch
with your work. Any information you can
give me will be appreciated.
The College of Agriculture offers a se
ries of short courses which would be of
great benefit to*one interested in better
farming methods. These courses com
mence on January 6th and will continue
through the 23d of the month. Tne
courses deal with cotton industry, in
cluding a study of soils, fertilizers, im
plements related to cotton growing, dis
eases, insects and the grading and hand
ling of cotton. There is also a course
in cereal production. This discusses
the insects injurious to grain, methods
of seed selection, crop rotations and the
judging of cereals. There Is also a
course in live stock farming which in
cludes a consideration of feeds and feed
ing, the breeds and breeding, diseases of
animals and the treatment of the same.
Special work is also offered in poultry
culture. For boys and girls there are
corn and canning club courses, while for
the horticulturists a special course has
also been provided, including a study of
the various fruits, orchard management,
insects and diseases affectir*" fruit and
practical demonstrations of spraying
and pruning.
These courses are free save for rail
road fare and board and lodging while
here. A registration fee of $1 is charged,
which does not pay for the lecture sheets
which are furnished each student. Do
you not think the state has provided
liberally for the practical training of
her farmers by offering this splendid
series of short courses under the direc
tion of Competent experts at a cost to
the individuals of from $15 to $25. Sure
ly it will pay one interested in the de
velopment of agricultural school to take
full advantage of the opportunities
which these courses offer to them.
and two brought 11.35 cents per pound
each.
Now, assuming that one farmer pro
duced all these Pales, he actually lost on
the three strict middling bales $1.35, as
compared with what tne local differ
ences would have allowed him. On the
three bales of strict good middling
wnich by local custom would be graded
only as good middling - , he received $3.05
less than he was entitled to even under
local differences. ±ie actually received
a total of only $1.50 in premium above
.middling price on the whole six bales
of hign-graue cotton. If tne New York
difference sneet had been applied, al
lowing the premiums presumably paid
Dy the mills lor suen cotton, this
larmer should have received $3.60 in
premium on* his three strict middling
bales and $10.20 in premium on the
three strict good middling bales, or
total of $13.8o above the price of mid
dling lor his six bales, instead of the
$l.bu which he actually received.
Summing up this whoie matter of pre
miums ana penalties tne report contin
ues, we may say that the larmer sells
his cotton subject to comparatively lit
tle variation in price in consequence of
variation in grade, but that he is sub
jected to a process of averaging to
which he is not consciously a party,
which is based upon no dennite consid
eration of his rights or interests and
which must inevitably be so adjusted
as to leave a hidden profit for the buyer,
This system of averages is arrived at
by a rule ol’ thumb, is never reduced to
writing, and is subject to no supervis
ion or adjudication.
Averaging prices on the original pur
chase of cotton is a vicious practice
because it is impossible to distribute
equitably its benefits and burdens. By
this sytsem the careful and progress
ive are regularly penalized for the ben
efit of the indifferent and thriftless.
GROWERS LOST $20,000 IN PREM
IUMS ON ONE GRADE.
For some reason not satisfactorily
explained, the cotton trade in Oklahoma
recognizes no grade above good mid
dling. All strict good middling and
middling fair bales are expected to be
graded and sold as good middling. The
reason for this practice is alleged to be
That the higher grades are not produced
in sufficient volume to permit full car-
lots to be concentrated for shipment.
Consequently , small dealers or fanners
can not get a cent above good middling
price for strict good middling bales,
even when their actual grade is admit
ted by the cotton merchant.
As the result of the sampling, the in
vestigators estimate that the crop of
Oklahoma for 1912 contained some
19,000 bales of strict good middling
cotton on which the New York differ
ences would entitle some. one to a to
tal of over $20,000 in premiums above
the price of good middling.
No one in the state who was interview
ed admitted having received a cent of
this premium.
COMPETITION AMONG BUYERS DOES
NOT AFFECT ‘THE PRIMARY
MARKET.
“Cotton growers,” according to the
bulletin, “very generally measure the
desirability of a market by the numi
ber of cotton buyers therein. Our work
gives us no ground for accepting this
view.”
The bulletin then cites investigations
at nineteen points in which the average
price per pound paid for a lower grade
cotton was mor’e than the average price
paid for certain higher /grades of
cotton on the same day. This condition
was found in about one-fourth of the
markets in which extensive sampling
was undertaken.
In speaking of the effect of compe
tition, the bulletin states:
“Mountain Park has only two buy
ers, but Mangum has twenty-seven
street buyers and we must assume that
everything which competition can do
to force proper respect for quality is
done in Mangum. By what operation of
the competitive principle does not happen
that a low mddling bale can be bought
for $1.55 less than the average price of
four ordinary bales, when by the pub
lished differences of the trade it should
bring $13.75 more than an ordinary
bale? #
“A study of these facts leads to the
conclusion that prices on indiivdual
bales are fixed by some consideration
into which local competition for the
cotton does not enter appreciably. In
a majoirty of cases the actual grade of
the particular bale does have a real
influence on its price, but not to the
extent that it does in later transactions
between dealers. Most of the buyers
are the subordinates of middlemen. A
multiplicity of buyers means that just
so many more men are living on the
profits made on the cotton of the com
munity after the farmers have parted
with it.”
THE INFLUENCE OF STAPLE ON
PRICE IN OKLAHOMA.
A section of southeastern Oklahoma
extending from Durant to Fort Towson
produces staple cottons similar in qua!
ity to those marketed at Paris and
Clarksville, Tex. Outside of this terri
tory practically no attention is paid to
the length of staple in determining the
price which will be paid to the pro
ducer.
In a general Way the eastern half of
the state is believed to produce a bet
ter staple than the western half, and
instances have been known in which
New England buyers, have stipulated
that the cotton must originate east of
the Santa Fe railroad, when the very
types which they had accepted were
drawn from bales produced in the west
ern part of the state.
In order to show just how little dif
ference in staple there is between cot
ton from the eastern and western parts
of the state, the investigators stapled
samples from over 3,000 bales with the
general result that the regions in the
eastern part of the state which have a
reputation for good staple were found
to have an aotual average advantage of
about one-sixteenth inch. Outside of
the small district previously mentioned,
it is probably safe to say that there
are no two compresses in the state the
cotton from which will show an aver
age difference of much over one-six
teenth of an inch throughout the sea
son. In addition to discussion of these
subjects, the bulletin also deals with
the practice of selling cotton on the
seed.
Chapters are devoted to the market
ing of “bolly” and “gathered” cotton and
to the system whereby growers of di
versified products, having but a few
bales of cotton to sell, sell exclusively
to general merchants. The merchant,
because he buys cotton as a means of
collecting open accounts and securing
general trade, gauges his offer by the
value of the farmer’s good will rather
than the exact grade of cotton. This
mixing of bill collecting and cash trad
ing with cotton selling is destructive
to close discrimination between grades
and a scale of prices based on the real
value of the cotton.
The fluctuations of prices in primary
markets also are considered and the fig
ures indicate rather pointedly that the
grower does not reecivew by any means,
Didst Ever Hear Tell
Of the Dasheen? 'Tis
Very Fine Food, Indeed
Secretary Houston
New Vegetable Is
for Turkey Dressing-Tastes
Like Boiled Chestnut
Declares
Delicious
PEORA, Ill., Deo. 22.—H. L. Now-
ingr a fowl, or how to stuff a Christ
mas turkey,” recently has given experts
in the federal department of agricul
ture food for thought, with the result
that Secretary of Agriculture Houston
has issued a formal statement dealing
with this all-important gastronomic
Problem.
The following Is recommended by Mr.
Houston as being the last word in tur
key stuffing:
Two parts of riced dasheens.
One part of bread.
One egg
Butter to correspond in quantity to
the dasheens and bread.
Salt, pepper, sage and onions.
It ts a simple little recipe^—all but
the dasheens, which really form the ba
sis of the whole. Comparatively few
have heard anything of the dasheen,
and fewer still are familiar with its
fine qualities or the many uses to
whicn it may be put.
Secretary Houston, in his statement,
devotes many words to a discussion of
the dasheen, which he regards sis a
-‘most delicious vegetable not only for
turkey stuffing, but also for independ
ent preparation. They may be boiled,
roasted, baked, fried as fritters, used
for salads, biscuit, pies, muffins or
griddle cakes.
The dasheen is not a new vegetable.
It is as old as the hills, and it grows
in hills. But it was introduced in
America only recently, and Secretary
Houston has been so favorably im
pressed with It that he is now devot
ing himself to encouraging Its cultiva
tion generally.
A SUPERIOR FLAVOR.
The flavor of the dasheen Is superior.
It tastes something like a boiled chest
nut, and resembles in appearance an
undersized cocoanut. The dasheen came
originally from China. Its name seems
to indicate, says Mr. Houston, a cor
ruption of the French “de Chine.” It
was transplanted from China to South
American countries, but the department
of agriculture has discovered that it
will prosper in oru southern states.
In growth the dasheen is not unlike
In appearance the plant known famil
iarly as the " elephant’s ear,” but the
resemblance stops there. The tops of
the dasheen make delightful greens for
cooking.
The department of agriculture has
the full benefit of a rise in prices at the
port. There seems to be no exact con
nection between the Galveston prices
and the local prices; when the trend is
upward the local prices advance rather
slowly, without any definite ratio to the
prices In Galveston.
REMEDY FOR CONDITIONS.
The report finds that:
No relief from this Condition can be
expected while grading is wholly in the
hands of the buyers. As long as this
is the case the cotton will never be
closely graded until after it has left
the growers’ possession.
Co-operation among growers, if prop
erly organized, would probably furnish
some measure of relief, but under pres
ent conditions a rather expensive selling
department will furnish sample drafts
sary.
The department of agriculture stands
ready to advise the growers in their
marketing enterprises, whether in Okla
homa or elsewhere. A pian of co-opera
tion is now being tried out in Arkansas
In grading and marketing cotton. THe
departmet will furnish sample drafts
of by-laws and constitutions that should
be of practical use for organization. All
communications regarding this matter
will receive careful attention if ad
dressed to the Offic* of Markets, U. S.
Department of Agriculture. Washington,
D. C.
been forced to reply to the inquiries
from central and northern European
countries that the dasheen cannot be
grown successfully where the summers
are not tropical. In fact, the dasheen
cannot be grown with commercial suc
cess where the frostless season is less
than six months, and a longer season Is
desirable. Contrary to the belief of
many people, the United States Is a
country of tropical summers, and the
dasheen has been grown successfully as
far north as Norfolk, Va.
From the Carollnas southward the
dasheen may be cultivated with a high
degree of success in any rich, sandy
loam or soil, where there is plenty of
mosture and heat. It will not grow In
soil suitable for cotton, but may be
#rown In er.-- suitable for potatoees.
The Importance of the dasheen to the
southerner lies particularly In the fact
that it matures in the fall, whereas the
main potato crop in the south matures
in the spring, and in winteh the south
ern states have to obtain their potato
supply from the north.
If dasheens were grown and properly
appreciated, there would probably be
little need for the south ever to buy
northern-grown potatoes for food.
HOW TO COOK DASHEENS.
Dasheens, large or small, may be
baked like potatoes, In a quick oven.
They should first be washed and scrub
bed to remove the fibrous part of the
skin. When practicable to do so It is
often desirable to scrape the dasheens
before baking, as they are then more
convenient for eating and the soft
crust which forms when they are prop
erly baked is particularly delicious. The
corms may be cut in half from top to
base to lessen the time needed for bak
ing. The time required Is about tha
same as for potatoes of the same size.
They should be served hot. Season with
Salt and plenty of butter, and pepper
If desired. Gravy instead of butter may
be used.
The dasheen when properly baked
and served is mealy and the flavor is
much like that of the white potato, but
more or less suggestive of chestnuts.
If not overbaked, the skin when prop
erly scrubbed or scraped beforehand will
be found of delicious flavor. As the
dasheen is drier. than the potato It re
quires more butter.
This vegetable is already a staple
article of food for millions of people
In tropical countries, although Ameri
cans have not yet evinced much inter
est in it. In general It may be used
in the different ways In which the white
potato Is used. It may also be candled
like the sweet potato. The flesh, when
cooked, is frequently somewaht gray
or violet, but this does not affect the
flavor.
The office of forlegn seed and plant
introduction. United States department
of agriculture, Washington, D. C., will
gladly furnish information to -commer
cial growers of vegetables throughout
the south as to how the seeds and roots
of the .dasheen may be procured for In
troduction. ■ The department Is glad
to furnish those interested its bulletin
entitled “Dasheen, A.Root Crop for the
Southern States." The housewife will
find many recipes In It for preparing
savory and delectable dasheen dishes,
particularly one which she may use In
preparing a filling for her Christmas
turkey—provided only that she can get
the dasheens. »
LAWYER HURLS HIMSELF <
BEFORE TRAIN AND DIESi
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 22.—‘‘Fill-”
lan, a prominent attorney of this city,
committed suicide by throwing himself
In front of a Burlington train at Oalva,
Ill., fifty miles from here last night. A
warrant for his arrest had been is
sued charging him with having forged
names to a note for $3,000, which ho
gave to a Peofia bank for security for
a loan. When -Edward A. Smythe and
James Rae, of this city, were indicted
tor complicity In the alleged dynamiting
operations of the Iron workers, Nowlan
was engaged to defend them as well as
the defendants from Rock Island and
Springfield.
Truck
Fertilizers
yield enormous profits if you use the right
kind, containing 10 to 12 per cent
POTASH
or about twice as much Potash as Phosphoric Acid.
| Potash improves the yield, flavor and shipping
quality. If your dealer does not carry such brands,
ask him to do so or to carry Potash Salts so that
you can increase the Potash yourself
We will sell you Potash Salts in any quantity
from a 200 pound bag up.
, Write ns for prices end for pamphlet
on Truck Farming
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42 Broadway, New York
Chicago. McCoanick Block
New Orleans. Whitney Central Bank Bldf.
Atlanta, Empire Bldg.
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