20 PACKING AND MAKKETING OF COTTON. 



is ready for market. One of these gin compresses can be installed for 

 $1,500 to $4,500. There are several different makes of gin compresses 

 in operation. At a large plantation visited, located on the Mississippi 

 River and embracing about 9,000 acres, and on which two gin com- 

 presses are installed, it was stated that the weight of the burlap and 

 steel ties used, which constitute the tare, is 12 pounds. The bur- 

 lap covering measures 4^ yards, is 46 inches wide, and weighs 16 

 ounces to the yard. The ties and buckles, seven in number, each 

 weigh 1 pound. Allowance is made for variations in the weights 

 given. The established tare on the bale recompressed at the large 

 compresses is 22 pounds for mills in Southern States, 24 for New 

 England mills, and 6 per cent, or 30 pounds, for foreign mills. The 

 tare on the Egyptian bale is 22^ pounds. This bale weighs approxi- 

 mately 750 pounds and carries 11 heavy ties. The tare of the 

 Indian bale, which weighs 400 pounds, is 9^ pounds. The latter is 

 48 inches long, 22 deep, and 17 wide ; the former is 51 inches long, 31^ 

 deep, and 22 wide. 



RECOMMENDATION OF SPINNERS. 



European exchanges adopted the 6 per cent tare in consequence 

 of the character and weight of the covering generally used in 

 the United States. Whether this tare is greater than it should 

 be is a disputed question, and one that gives rise to much irritation 

 and controversy. Investigations at Liverpool and other European 

 cotton centers show that while in individual cases the 6 per cent cl^im 

 is too high, on the whole it is rather below than above the average 

 weight of covering placed on American cotton sent to foreign markets. 

 There is little doubt that the Liverpool Cotton Association, which 

 is the leading and controlling exchange in Europe, and whose 

 influence is felt in the United States, would rescind the 6 per cent 

 rule and agree to purchase at net weight if the gin compress system 

 should come into general use. This is indicated by formal action 

 on the part of European associations in considering this question. 

 In 1907, nearly five years ago, at the conference held at Atlanta, 

 Ga., between a large delegation of the International Congress of 

 Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations and lead- 

 ing cotton producers of the Southern States, after considerable dis- 

 cussion, the foUowirig resolution was adopted : 



We condemn tbe bagging now in use; first, because of its rough and coarse 

 nature it invites rougli treatment; segond, it does not bold tbe marlss; third, 

 on account of its great weight and bulli it entails heavy loss in freight. We 

 therefore recommend the use of a light burlap or covering made of cotton, such 

 as osnaburg, 10 ounces weight per yard, 40 inches wide. We recommend that 

 all planters, wherever practicable, put in as rapidly as possible gin compresses, 

 and in billing of cotton the Egyptian character of bale be adopted, the ties of 

 the Egyptian type, the weight of the bale 500 pounds, the density 35 pounds, 

 and the bale to be marked upon- both ends with weight, grade, and staple. 



At the meeting of the International Federation held last jear at 

 Barcelona, Spain, the question of purchasing net weight was dis- 

 cussed and the following resolution was adopted : 



That this congress confirms the convenience resulting from the net-weight' 

 cotton contracl, and urges the members of each affllialed associntion to bey at 

 least a portion of their cotton requirements on its basis, the congress being 



