par iil! 
402 
cent, These are gross profits; but, if the South made her own machinery, furnished 
her operatives, and fed them, they would be net to her. 
The machine has run for five months steadily, giving entire satisfaction, making first 
quality of yarns, which sell readily in market here for 25 cents per pound, paying for 
seed-cotton from 4 to 34 cents per pound. The only objection yet seen to it is that on the 
ist of January it is necessary to hold eight months’ supply of seed-cotton. This requires 
capital, but pays a large interest on it; for the seed-cotton lying in bulk six or twelve 
months greatly improves by the absorption of oil from the seed by the filaments, ren- 
dering them more attenuating or workable, giving them a rich cream-color, saving 
waste from flying in working, and enhancing the value of the staple fully 14 cents per 
pound, while baled cotton deteriorates nearly as much in the same time. These are 
facts which some have long known and profited by as planters. 
The South has many and important natural advantages over the Northeast and Eng- 
land in manufacturing cotton, such as short, mild winters; more reliable water-power ; 
cheaper land, building-materials, fuel, food, and labor ; exemption from strikes ; and di- 
rectreclamation. It would furnish pleasant, remunerative employment to her indigent 
women and children, (unwilling to enter the field in competition with the negro,) and, 
assembling them in villages around factories, would afford much greater facilities for 
physical, mental, and moral training of children, creating a market for edibles, and an 
incentive to farmers around to diversify their products. 
One attachment, with the necessary machinery to convert seed-cotton into yarns 
put up in bales, will require 10 or 12 horse-power to drive and from six to eight oper- 
atives (mostly boys and girls) to attend it, and will work up from %to 1 pound of 
seed-cotton per minute, or 200 to 220 pounds of yarns per day, and will cost, with roy- 
alty, $4,500; two will cost $7,500; and three, abont $10,000. This is exclusive of 
shafting, pulleys, hangers, cans, and belts. 
| NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. 
The fifth annual session of the National Agricultural Congress was 
held in the judges’ pavilion of the International Exhibition, at Phila- 
delphia, commencing on Tuesday, September 12, and continuing Wed- 
nesday and Thursday. Two sessions were held daily on the Centennial 
grounds, and evening sessions at the Belmont Hotel. Mr. W.C. Flagg, 
the president, was in the chair, and Professor George E. Morrow, the secre- 
tary, was in his place. Anaddress of welcome was made by the chief of 
the Centennial bureau of agriculture, Captain Burnet Landreth, followed 
by an address of the president on ‘American Agriculture.” In the 
evening the secretary spoke of the work of the congress, its opportuni- 
ties, and means of usefulness. Mr. Joseph Harris, the New York farmer 
who combines so successfully science with practice, followed with an 
address on the ‘‘Outlook of American Agriculture.” Wednesday morn- 
ing an address on “Agricultural Statistics” was delivered by the statis- 
tician of this Department, and one on “Agricultural Reform,” by Dr. 
Thomas P. Janes, commissioner of the bureau of agriculture of Georgia. 
In the absence of Dr. E. L. Sturtevant, the secretary read extracts from 
his address on “American Agricultural Literature.” In the afternoon 
addresses were made by Messrs. L. F. Allen and X. A. Willard, respect- 
ively, upon “American Live Stock,” and “American Dairying.” Col. 
Thomas Claiborne, of Tennessee, delivered an address, on Thursday 
morning, upon “Our Southern Agriculture;” and later, addresses upon 
industrial education were made by President Welch, of the Iowa Col- 
lege, and Professor Townshend, of the Ohio Agricultural College, which 
were followed by discussions of the practical aspects of agricultural 
education. The subjects presented during the meetings were more or 
less thoroughly discussed, and the usual variety of business was con- 
ducted, including the election of officers, Mr. Flagg being re-elected 
president, and Mr. Horace J. Smith, of Philadelphia, secretary, Professor 
