APPENDIX. 



THE following communication, recently printed in "The Planters' 

 Journal," Vicksburg, Miss., may add something to the interest of this 

 pamphlet. 



E. A. 

 To the Editor of the Planters 1 Journal, Vicksburg, Miss. 



My recent conversation with you upon the subject of the proposed 

 cotton exhibition and the objects thereof, induces me to present cer- 

 tain points to the members of the Planters' Association, which do not 

 appear to be well understood. 



It seems to be assumed, that, because cotton is sold at a certain price 

 per pound for the gross weight of the bale, therefore the bagging, 

 iron hoops, and sand are sold at the full price of cotton. There could 

 not be a greater delusion. 



When the cotton reaches Europe, the allowance made for tare is a 

 little more than enough to compensate for the bags and ropes, the lit- 

 tle more constituting a sort of guaranty or insurance against the risk. 



In respect to the cotton used in the United States, a careful account 

 is kept at every factory of the amount of waste from bagging, hoops, 

 sand, and heavy waste ; and care is taken not to repeat purchases in 

 places that appear to be subject to any excessive waste from these 

 causes. 



If a careful computation be made, extending over a series of years, 

 it will be found that the average price paid in Liverpool for cotton, at 

 net weight (tare having been allowed for bagging and hoops), is as 

 much higher than the price in New York for cotton at gross weight, 

 as will compensate for the tare, the freight, the insurance, and other 

 charges. 



If cotton were sold in New Orleans, with an allowance for tare 

 equal to the weight of the bags and hoops, the price would be advanced 

 in just the same proportion, or a little more. 



In point of fact, what is paid for is the fibre that is worked into 

 cloth, and nothing else. If the packing of the fibre is bad, a less price 

 is paid for the contents of the bale than would be paid for the same 

 contents properly packed, because all bad packages imply a risk of loss 

 to the consumer ; and the consumer is, in the long run, perfectly sure 

 to get such an abatement on the price he would otherwise pay as will 

 cover the waste, and a little more as a guaranty. 



Every consumer will pay a higher net price for an article so packed 

 as to make him absolutely sure of the quantity and value of the stock 

 that he receives, than he will for one so packed that he is not certain. 



The present barbarous method of packing American cotton costs the 

 cotton-grower, in my judgment, from one to five per cent on the whole 

 crop. 



