SEA ISLAND COTTON INDUSTRY. 15 
MIXING SEED COTTON A PERNICIOUS PRACTICE. 
There is a practice quite common in these two States, and perhaps 
in South CaroUna also, of selhng cotton in the seed in small quan- 
tities, even in basketfuls. These small lots are supposed to be 
graded while in the seed-cotton condition and then each grade or 
lot kept separate until it is ginned. If grading is ever attempted 
it amounts to little, and it has become the custom to put all the 
lots in one pile and to gin and bale it, indiscriminately, all at the 
same time. The resulting staple is mixed and far from desirable 
to a spinner, but, strange . to say, such lots of cotton are frequently 
accepted by mills at a price equal to or but shghtly less than a well- 
selected and carefully handled cotton could be bought for. Such 
a statement sounds incredible, but it shows how imperfect are the 
methods by ^vliicli many miUs determine the character of the cotton 
which they purchase. It is a confusing situation to both planters 
and factors and has unquestionably encouraged careless methods 
of handhng cotton. 
CONCLUSION. 
In conclusion it may be said that it is certainly desirable to the 
farmer now growing Sea Island that it should continue to be one of 
his chief money crops, but only on the condition that it be a profitable 
one. It is likewise desirable to the American spinner that he should 
have a double source of supply for his raw material and that he should 
not be dependent on Egypt for all cottons of extra-long staple. This 
applies equally to foreign spinners who have not been lacking in 
appreciation of Sea Island extra staples. Thus, their interests being 
identical in regard to the desirability of continuing the production of 
Sea Island, it seems worth while to make an effort to reconcile differ- 
ences and to reach a working agreement on a ^'live and let live" basis. 
In furtherance of this end it might be advisable for the farmers^ 
organizations and spinners' association to each appoint a small com- 
mittee to meet in conference at an early date and have a full and free 
exchange of views and each learn more of the conditions and needs 
of the other. Doubtless a better understanding could be reached, 
which would lead to mutual concessions and the forgetting of the 
deadlock of 1912-13, and the business of both planter and spinner 
might be greatly benefited by such an interchange of ideas. 
