The Georgia victory school program: victory corps series [1943]

mmntfiim

HHHHI

7 V 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 V'-V 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

7

7

V

7

7

7

7

7

7

7ictcry Corps Series

7

7

7

7

Bulletin Ho. 6

7

7

7

August, 1943

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

V

7

7

7

7

7

PIOKIIiG CQvTOIT

7

7 7

7 7

7

The Training of lara Workers-Course 19

7

7

J'ood Production-War Training Program

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7 7

7 7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

Issued "by

7

State Board of Education

7

M,, D. Collins, Superintendent

7 7 7 7

7

Atlanta, Georgia

7

7 7

V 7

7

7

7 7

7 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7" 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

BUHonBB&nnBB^uHBnaa
X*
Li^

HJIBHHMH

s?

PICKING COTTON

Item

PaSe

FOREWORD

I. IMPORTANCE OS1 PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR PICKING COTTON '

ON GEORGIA FARMS

1

1. Why Should Pupils Work on Georgia Farms

1

2. What are the Man Days of Labor Required to Grow a Crop

of Cotton in Georgia

2

3. What are the Peak Months When Labor is Needed for Growing

Cotton and Other Crops in Georgia

2

II. IMPORTANCE OP COTTON IN WAR TIME

3

1. What is the Value of Cotton

2. What are the Uses made of a Crop of Cotton

3. What Amount of Cotton is Produced for Various Uses

6

k. Where is Cotton Grown for the Various Uses

6

HI. IMPORTANCE OF PROPER PICKING OF COTTON

10

1. What Effect 1ms Length of Staple on Use and Price of

Cotton

10

2. What Effect has Grade on Use and Price of Cotton

11

3. What Other Losses may Result from Improper Picking

practices

n

IV. HOW TO PICK COTTON

l?-

1. What Practices do Farmers do in Picking Cotton

12

2. What Practices in Picking Cotton are Recommended by

Cotton Specialists and Outstanding Cotton Growers..

12

3. How to Provide for Safety While Working on the Farm

14

k. How to Provide for Health While Working on Farms

lb

5. What Rules of Conduct to Observe While Working on Farms,.... lb

V. REFERENCES

^

^^WHH



HHI^^BBBBHBj|0g^H


FOREWORD
Many schools throughout the state have organ!zod Victory Farm Volunteers. These groups have assisted in the production and harvesting of many critical war enterprises.
Last spring schools in thirty counties in the northern part of the state made adjustments in the school terms. These counties have held summer sessions in order to release students for picking cotton and other farm work during the "busy parts of September and October. Other schools are making adjustments in the school program "by operating on a one session "basis during the peak farm labor period.
If high-school students are to make their maximum contribution in the production and harvesting of critical war enterprises they need instruction in the jobs to be done. This bulletin contains suggestions for teaching non-farm high school boys and girls how to effectively participate in the job of picking cotton. The bulletin deals with: (l) The importance of providing additional labor for picking cotton on Georgia farms; (2) the importance of cotton in war time; (3) the importance of proper picking of cotton, and (4) how to pick cotton.
It is believed that this bulletin will provide teachers with worthwhile suggestions in organizing Victory Farm Volunteer groups and giving instruction in this important farm job.
It is believed that non-farm groups who are to assist with this job should spend two to three hours making a careful study of the problems suggested in this bulletin.
V.re are indebted to the Division of Vocational Education, College of Education, University of Georgia for the preparation of this bulletin. Additional publications on other farm jobs will appear as the need arises.
0. C. Aderhold, State Director Victory School Program

HU
JOB -- PICKING COTTON
In teaching high school pupils the job of picking cotton, four main problems are suggested as a "basis for the instruction. They are: (l) the importance of providing additional labor for cotton picking on Georgia farms; (2) the importance of cotton in war time; (3) the importance of proper picking of cotton, and U) how to pick cotton. These are dealt with in this "bulletin in the order named.
I. IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR PICKING COTTON FOR GEORGIA PARKS
Most of the information needed for this problem is given in the bulletin - Victory Corps Series, Bulletin Number 5, April 1943 - "WHY WORK ON FARMS" Some of the high points are summarized under appropriate questions;
1. Why Should Fupils Work on Georgia Farms?
This question may be answered by giving the following from bulletin number 5.
"First, there is a need for producing more and more crops and livestock products for food and fiber in 1943.
"Second, Georgia has a huge acreage of war crops and a large number of livestock and poultry for which labor to harvest the crops is needed.
"Third, the labor requirements are great and during certain months of the year the requirements pile up to a volume that is more than the farmer can take care of.
"Fourth, farm labor has been removed from the farm because of the war, thus producing a need for greater production with a smaller supply of both family and hired labor that has heretofore been available. At the same time farm machinery supply which might otherwise off-set labor shortages has been reduced to less than half for 1943.
"Fifth, this farm labor situation leads toward the following: a reduction of acreage of crops and number head of livestock needed for the war, reduced crop yields, slaughter of breeding stock, stricter rationing, and even a loss of the war and the peace to follow unless something is done about it.
"Sixth, farm work is a splendid way to develop physical fitness in boys and girls. "
More detailed information on this question of why should pupils work on Georgia farms may be found on pages 2 - 22 of the Bulletin - "Why Work On Farms".

ggBB^^^^HH

BHBBBH^I

-3-

2. Wint. ATA Th* Mor, Tteyq "* T,ahnr Ppqnirfirt t.n (rVCV R QmV Of Gnt,t,nn-
in GeorgiaT
The following table shows the labor requirements for different faro commodities in Georgia.
TABLE I. MAN LABOR REQUIREMENTS POR IMPORTS CROPS IN GEORGIA (Expressed in nan days)

Crops

1943 Acreage

Total Kan Lays

Snap "beans (S. Ga.)

Snap beans (IT. Ga. )

Cabbage (S. Ga. )

Cabbago (N. Ga.)

Cucumbers

Onions

Pimentoes

Potatoes (S. Ga. )

Potatoes (II. Ga. )

Tomatoes

Watermelons

Peanuts

Cotton

(1942 acreage) '

8,300 2,600 2,400
700 4,000 2,500 12, 500 3,500 1,900 4,000 20,000 1,456,000 1,722,000 fiQ,nnn

90,304 28,288 36,000 10,500 44,000 50,000 247,500 34,405 18,677 56,360 100,000 11,065,600 17,220,000

From data prepared by Mr. J. W. Panning, Georgia Agriculture Extension Service.

The data in the table shows that cotton, peanuts, and tobacco in the order named seen to lead in this State. Cotton requires almost twice as much labor as any other crop, and slightly less than all the other crops taken together.
3. WW. AT-P Th" PopTr Mnrrf-h" V*TM l.nhnr IS NftPllpfl fPT GrOWlUg ..Cotton
and Other Crops in Georgia?
TABLE II. PERCENTAGE OP HOURS OP MAN-LABOR POR DIPFERENT ENTERPRISES BY MOUTHS

Enterprise
Cotton per A. Tobacco per A. Peanuts per A. Truck per A. Dairy Cows (per head) Chickens (per 100) Hogs "oer 10 Beef Cattle

pp.r Cent of Hours of Man-Labor Requirements per Month June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

6.5 6.5 18.2 18.2 2.5 1.5

25.8 39.0 13.0 13.0

5.2

15.6 15.6 13.0 5.2 2.6

18.5 11.1 3.7 3.7 3. 7

9.4 9.4 8.3 8.3 8.1 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.3 8.5 9.4

3.5 13.2

3.5 24.4 24.0 13.2 11.2 5.8

9.0 5.8

4.9 4.9 4.9 4.0 5.8 5.8 11.2 11.0

6.9 5.0 5.0 5.8 5.8 5.8

Prepared from data supplied by the Agricultural Economics Department, College of Agriculture, The University of Georgia.

MB^^^HBBii^^B

-3-
The data in the above table enables one to determine the peak labor seasons for the enterprises grown in the community. The labor requirements are greatest for cotton during April, May, September and October. Some other crops such as peanuts and hay compete with cotton for labor during these months,
The table shows that for the state as a whole labor for pickingcotton is needed during September and October, More than one-third of the total labor for growing a crop of cotton is needed for picking during these two months.
II. IMPORTANCE OF COTTON IN WAR TIME
1. What Ts Thg WlT* n-P Ontt.nn?
The following statements taken from the book1"Round the World With Cotton", United States Department of Agriculture, AM, Southern Division, emphasizes the importance of cotton.
"Cotton is the most important cash crop grown in the United States. There is no other agricultural commodity upon which so many American citizens depend for a living,
"It is true that corn, wheat, and hay occupy a larger acreage, but corn and hay are feed crops consumed largely on the farms where they are produced, and wheat provides employment for relatively few people.
"Approximately 13,500,000 people in the United States are directly dependent for at least a substantial part of their livelihood on the cotton crop. This is almost 11 percent of the population of continental United States.
"On 2,000,000 cotton farms of the South and the Southwest there are more than 10,000,000 persons dependent on cotton for the greater part of their income. Cotton textile manufacturing in all its branches provides the support of approximately 3,000,000 citizens. In other work based upon cotton marketing and processing there are about 500,000 -- making a total of at least 13,500,000 persons directly dependent upon cotton for the necessities end comforts of life.
"The cotton crop of 12,399,000 bales harvested in the United States in 1936, including $141,289,000 for seed, yielded a cash return of $905,682,000 to the growers. This exceeded the value of any other crop grown in the Lnitea States except corn and exceeded the combined value of the wheat and tobacco crops of the country by over $30,000,000."
"There are more cotton farms than those of any other type--that is, farms deriving 40 percent or more of their income from cotton.
"Cotton is our most important fiber, and represents 56 percent of all the fiber in the entire world,
"The prosperity of the entire Nation is affected hy the price of cotton and the market for the products of the textile industry."

^BUS^^^Bm

^n

i

-4-

2. What Are the Uses Made of a Crcra of Cotton?

"'Round The World With Cotton", pictures the uses of cotton as follows:

"Why is cotton so important? Cotton is important "because it enters

into the daily life of every t>erson in the Nation. It is a necessity of the

(

rich and poor alike. It is found in every home. It is used by dozens of Americas

most important industries.

"Cotton is used in more than. 1,000 ways.

"Perhaps you have never thought of it, hut there has probably never "been a day in YOUR LIPE when you did not use cotton in several ways,

"It makes no difference what you are doing--sleeping, dressing, eating, reading, working, riding in an automohile, going to school, or enjoying some form of recreation--cotton probably enters into the activity.

"Have you ever thought about all the things that may happen to a load of seed cotton as it comes from the fields of our Southern farms? Have you ever considered how far a load of seed cotton may travel? Do you realize how it affects YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS--and even persons who live in far-away
lands?
"Out of the seed, which makes up approximately 65 percent of the cotton by weight, you may have a dressing for your salad, or perhaps you may have some shortening to use in the preparation of your foods. You may even have a spread for your bread. The paper on which you write letters to your friends may be made from Haters--the little fibers that cling to the seed as it comes from the gin. Cotton linters help make possible your entertainment when you go to the picture show, for the action reflected on the silver screen is recorded on one of the many products of cotton. Cottonseed products are used in the making of smokeless powder, house paint and varnish, cattle feed, fertilizer, washing powder, cosmetics, hats, phonograph records, oilcloth and linoleum, and a very long list of other useful articles.

"'Cottonseed,' according to a statement issued by the National Cottonseed Products Association, 'is a veritable Aladdin's lamp whose depths magically yield hundreds of the necessities so essential to our comfort and wellbeing. *
"Did you realize how greatly we are indebted to cottonseed for the many things that contribute to our comfort and happiness? Now let us turn our attention to the fiber, which is sometimes called 'whitegold.'"

"Of all the fibers used in the world, cotton is the most important,

"Wool and silk are older than cotton in the world of commerce with which America has had contacts. These fibers were used in the making of textiles before cotton was available. But when cotton began to be grown in sufficient

&m^^niimmiMma^m^^^^Bm

-5-
quantity to have commercial possibilities it attracted the attention of manufacturers and also the "buying public. This did not please the makers of wool and silk cloth; they fought the use of cotton in every possible way.
"In the period 1933-37 cotton supplied 56 percent by weight of all fibers used in the world; jute, 15 percent. The remaining 29 percent included wool, flax, rayon and rayon staple fiber, hemp, and silk.
"Cotton, jute, wool, heap, flax, hard fibers, and silk are agricultural products. Kayon yarn and rayon staple fiber are synthetic fibers. They^ are made in factories from materials containing what is called cellulose, Which is usually obtained from wood pulp or cotton linters. Hayon represents a comparatively recent contribution to the science of manufacturing. It is significant that these synthetic fibers are increasing in use. In 1936, for example, almost 16 times as much rayon was used as silk. The total rayon consumption is almost 15 percent of the cotton now used in the world."
The pamphlet, "First in War, First in Peace", by the National Cotton Seed Products Association, Inc., gives some use s of cottonseed.
"For livestock producers, it is especially significant that the cotton plant yields about 640 pounds of feed with every 500 pounds of lint (approximately 400 pounds of cottonseed meal and 340 pounds of hulls). In many parts of the Cotton Belt, cotton is the most dependable 'feed crop' as well as the most dependable 'cash crop', and livestock production suffers when adequate amounts of cotton are not produced.
"Oil goes from the mill to the refinery; then nine-tenths of it is made into foods and the remainder goes into other products.
"Cottonseed cake is rich in protein, and livestock feeders buy it as cracked cake or in the form of meal, pellets or cubes.
BA bale of cotton linters makes enough powder to shoot 100,000 bullets; and war, in 1917, gave cotton linters their first opportunity to serve Americana on a large scale. War needs for fun cotton and smokeless powder, and the discovery that linters produced a better gun cotton than any other cellulose, caused production of linters to increase about tenfold in 1917 as compared with 1900.
"War, in 1941, caused the government to encourage maximum production of linters from all the cottonseed available, and to order all linters used by the chemical industry for the production of munitions and other war materials. Linters rank as one of the war's most vital raw materials, and the productive capacity of American cotton growers, and oil mills adds much to the nation s security and power. Even during war, however, men of imagination are visualizing peacetime uses for linters to add to hundreds of uses that have already been established.
"Explosives and other cotton linter products have numerous peacetime uses. Some useful products of linters are: Mattresses, upholstery, absorbent cotton and gauze, wicks, twine and carpets, paper, cellophane, lacquers, and

H^H^HH^HHnHnSBBHBH^^n

-6-
enamels, aid plastics for automotive and electrical parts, fountain pens, toilet ware, jewelry, safety glass, notion picture films and phonograph records.
3. What. AnnilTi+. n-P Hn-t-.+.nr, i R PrnrhlP.ftr! for YArimiR UfiflR?
These statements from "'Hound the World With Cotton" give a picture of the production of cotton.
"In 1937-38, the world's cotton production, including China, reached a new peak. In that year 38,650,000 hales were grown. This crop was almost 7,000,000 tales larger than that grown the previous year, and with the exception of the previous year's crop and that of 1926-27, was larger "by 10,000,000 "bales than any other crop ever recorded.
"Not many years ago, the production of 20,000,000 hales was regarded as a large world crop. But production has teen increasing markedly for more than 50 years. Many Aaericans believe that the expansion of cotton growing In foreign countries is a recent development. Cotton growing has teen increasing throughout the world for many decades. For 20 years prior to the "beginning of the World War (1914) foreign cotton production had teen increasing at an average rate of 150,000 tales each year. The well established trend was accelerated in the decade teginning with the cotton year 1928-29.
"In 1906-7, the world produced its first crop of cotton in excess of 20,000,000 tales. For 20 years following this date the average world production remained fairly constant. But in the 10-year period from 1920-29 to 1937-38, the average for the world's crop was almost 28,000,000 tales.
4. Where Is Cnt.t.rn G-rnv.m fr.v thn V.-rious Uses?
In "'Round the World with Cotton" we find the following information:
"While there are 60 or more countries in which some cotton is grown, only 5 other than the United States are of great importance in cotton production. These are Brazil, China, Egypt, India, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Of the 19,000,000 tales produced in foreign countries in 1937-38, these 5 countries produced all except atout 2,750,000 tales."
The picture for these 5 countries nay te summarized as follows:
India: "For many years there has teen little change in the quantity of cotton produced in India. There are reasons to assume that cotton production will not materially increase tecause the land area is limited; there is need for food for the growing population.

HHHnHHunHBBBnBnHB^^nHnaiuuHUBn

-7-

"India is favorably located for selling cotton to the countries of the Far East, which have large populations and a growing textile industry.

"The quality of Indian cotton is poor.

primitive.

"The yields per acre are very low and the faming methods

"The caste system makes it difficult to Taring about changes in India. This applies to the introduction of new and improved farming methods as well as to other economic and social changes. *aA so long as the system prevails it may "be assumed that little change will take place in agricultural practices.

"To feed India's 375,000,000 people, a very large part of the farm land must "be devoted to the production of food crops, thus limiting the acreage that may he devoted to cotton."

China; "China usually ranks third among the cotton-growing nations of the world, her production for many years "being exceeded only by the United States .and India.
"The trend in cotton production in China was upward for a numher of years prior to the Japanese invasion.

"The trend in cotton manufacturing is upward. Chines cotton mills supply most of the cloth used in China.

"The Government has an aggressive cotton program looking to expansion and improvement of "both production and manufacturing.

"China is quite largely a self-sustaining cotton country, "but under favorable conditions, could grow more cotton than is used at home."

Egypt; "Egypt produced more than 2,000,000 bales of cotton in 1937-38, ranking fifth among the cotton-growing countries of the world.

"The cotton of Egypt is outstanding in quality, nearly all being classed as long-staple cotton.

"Practically all of the cotton grown in Egypt is sold to other countries. An unusual demand for this cotton exists due to its long staple which makes it desirable or essential for*certain textiles.

been since 1862.

"The trend in cotton production in Egypt is upward and has

"The natural conditions for growing cotton in Egypt are favorable as is evidenced by the fact that this country has the highest acre yields among the cotton-growing countries of the world.

^HuBBBBBBBUIiUIUBUfllSI

-8-
"It is not likely that cotton production in Egypt will increase in the future as it has in the past for several reasons: Primarily, food production requires an important amount of available land; then, too, cotton can he frown only on land irrigated with water from the Nile. Since this water can he carried only to the delta and the valley and since practically all ot this land is already in production there is not likely to he any material increase in Egyptian production. It is possible, however, that modern methods and the con atruction of great dans in the AnglO-35gyptian Sudan may result in increased production in this section of Africa."
The Soviet Union: "In 1938-39, the Soviet Union produced about four tines as much cotton as in the 1910-14 period. The 1933 production represented about 97 percent of the cotton used by the textile mills of the Soviet Union.
"The policy of the Soviet Union, as expressed in the 5-year plans, is to make the country self-sustaining in the natter of cotton production and cotton manufacturing,
"The changes in the organization and methods of farming have been largely responsible for the progress that has been made in cotton production. The use of large machinery and the establishment of collective farms, along with Government supervision and control of farming programs, are the most important factors involved.
"The cotton-growing regions of the Soviet Union are areas with little rainfall. Most of the cotton is grown under irrigation. It would appear that some of the new regions into which cotton has been extended are not favorable for cotton production as compared with other countries of the world where cotton is grown, yet remarkable progress has been made.
"Russia and the Soviet Union formerly bought cotton grown in the United States. In 1929 the purchases of the Soviet Union amounted to <p8l16 hales. But, if the production level can he maintained near that of 1938-39, it is not likely that the United States can sell cotton to the Soviet Union.
Brazil: "Cotton acreage and production are increasing very rapidly in Brazil, especially since 1933-34.
"A new cotton-growing section is being developed in southern Brazil and new land cleared for cotton production.
"Brazil has nore land to put into cotton than we have in the United States, hut both population and capital are limited, and transportation is not well developed.
"The population of Brazil is small in relation to the land area but is increasing, and an effort is being made to bring farmers into the country from the other nations of the world.
"The cotton produced in the State of Sao Paulo is similar in quality to that produced in the United States, and is being produced under encouragement of the government.

^Hu^^nm^n

ll.llirw

-9-

"Tbe Government has, on occasions offered export premiums to the cotton exporters of Brazil, which stimulate* cotton growing rather than the production of coffee, and other crops. Coffee exports are controlled by the Government,
"Cotton rather than coffee is expanding. The major part of the cotton grown in Brazil goes into the channels of world trade. Great Britain, Germany, and Japan are the largest buyers of Brazilian cotton.

grown.

"There are about 60 countries in the world in .which cotton is

"Six countries -- (l) United States, (2) India, (3) China, (4) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, (5) Egypt, and (6) Brazil--produce about 90 percent of the world's supply.

"In addition to the six countries previously listed, other important producing countries are (l) Peru, (2) Argentina, (3) Mexico, (4) AngloEgyptian Sudan, (5) Turkey, and (6) Uganda.

"The Cotton Belt of the United States is the largest continuous area of land in the world used for cotton production.

"The Cotton Belt of the United States extends from Virginia to Texas and up the Mississippi River to Cairo, HI. It is about 1,600 miles long and, on the average, about 300 miles wide.

"The Cotton Belt may be divided into three sections: (l) The hu-id re-ion, or the part formerly covered with forests; (2) the sub-humid region, or'the part formerly covered with grass; and (3) the arid region, where irrigation oust be practiced.
"In general, the Cotton Belt has tended to move westward. The States west of the Mississippi River now produce more than 50 percent of the cotton crop of the United States!1

"Most of the cotton grown in the United Stater? is produced in 10 Southern States. These States arc Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,_anc Texas. In addition;"cotton is grown in Arisona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, and Virginia."

The United States Department of agriculture inVgricultural Statistics. 1941", gives the following comparison of different states in the United States on cotton acreage and production.

HHnun^^^n^uBB^BiiE^nnHm

^OHB^^H

-10-

TABLE III. COTTON: ACBEAGE *ND PRODUCTION OF LIST III 500-POUND BALES, AVERAGE, 1929-38, AKEUAL 1939 AHD 1940

State

TTarvfisti ifi

Average 1929-38'

1939

1940

Average 1929-38

Prorhioti on 1939

1940

( 1,000 (1,000 (1,000 acres ) acres) acres)

(1,000 "bales)

(1,000 (1,000 tales) "bales)

United States Missouri Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Tennessee Alabama Mississippi Arkansas
Louisiana Oklahoma Texas New Mexico Arizona California All other

33,166
382 65
1,143 1,571 2,59 5
106 914 2,720 3,301 2,785 1,524 2,863 12,584 114 187 267
23

23,805 377
32 737 1,218 1,929
68 707 2,020 2,540 2,125 1,120 1,784 8,520
93 188 327
20

23,861 408 32 829
1,234 1,935
65 715 1,961 2,500 2,061 1,130 1,822 8,472 107 220 348
22

13,547

11,817- 12,566

.

270

37

437

388

13

25

658

457

739

820

871

966

1,175

915

1,010

34

11

21

472 1,200

449

509

785

779

1,619

1,582

1,250

1,283

1,413

1,501

709

745

456

812

526

802

3,876

2,846

3,234

99

102

128

154

202

195

315

443

545

15

20

18

U. S.D.A., Agricultural Ste tisties,1941.

Argicultural Marketing Service. Production figures conform with census annual

ginning enumerations, with allowance for cross-State ginnings, Stat e figures

rounded to thousands and added for United States total.

III. IMPORTANCE OF PROPER PICKING OF COTTON
Tho practices used in picking cotton has a narked effect on the quality of cotton and consequently its uses and price. The quality of cotton is determined largely by two factors - length of staple, and grade of cotton. The length of staple is determined "by: variety of cotton grown, fertilizer used, fertility of soil, and cultivating practices. The grade of cotton is determined "by: color of lint, smoothness of lint, foreign matter in lint, etc.
Little can be done a"bout the length of staple at picking time. However, much can be done about the grade of cotton "by using good practices in picking.
1. ghn* T\ffp+. * Lflngtii of StmVlfi on Uflfl and Prir^ of Cotton?
By staple is meant the length of the cotton fibers of ginned cotton. The length of staple may vary from 26-32 to 34-32 of an inch and longer.

^HH^^^a^^^KBBBBnBm^HflHl

-11-
Textile nills are constructed to handle cotton fiber of different staple lengths. Different staple lengths are adapted for making various kinds of finished products. Longer staples (one inch and longer) are necessary for extra good and strong cotton materials. There is a need and a tendency for farmers to improve the staple of cotton.
The price for a given market varies according to the length of staple --when other factors are constant. The quotation on a certain market on August 31, 1343 was: "one inch middling, 2l cents per pound; 15/16 inch middling, 2t cents per pound."
2. Vnnt Tiffnnt. Kg G-raHp On \Uo rmft Price, of Cotton?
Grade of lint cotton is determined "by the color, smoothness, freeness from trash and dirt, etc. Some of the grades according to the universal standards for American upland white cotton are from "best to poorest; middling fair; strict good middling, good middling, strict middling, middling, strict low Middling, low middling, strict good ordinary, and good ordinary.
The uses of cotton varies with the grade. Middling cotton or "better is used in making fine yarns. Below middling is used in making cheaper yarns.
This fact is responsible for the variation in price paid for different grades. According to the government schedule for the 1943 crop - middling grade cotton, one inch staple is 25 points on to the base price, while strict low middling, one inch staple (just one grade below middling) is 95 points off the base price. This gives a difference of $1.20 per hundred pounds of lint or $6.10 per bale for the two grades.
The lower grade may be produced by improper picking practices, such as picking cotton that is not wide open; picking cotton while wet with dew or rain; stepping on damp cotton with dirty shoes; picking trash along with the cotton, etc. Of course, storms and rains on open cotton causes a poor grade. Often lack of labor causes cotton to remain in the field until the rains fall on it.
Farmers, ginners, and buyers have been made more conscious of the harmful effects of poor cotton picking and ginning practices. Cotton improvement plans are being formulated and practiced by growers and ginners. Cotton pickers occupy an important place in making this cotton improvement plan effective.
3. W>a,t Other LnsHPH Mn.y Result fmrt TnpropRr Pi okirr Practices?
Each year losses occur due to the presence of rocks, nails, etc., in the cotton. The eaws of the tin are damaged when such foreign matter gets into them. Sometimes the gin equipment is damaged to the extent that hours of operating time is lost. Fire is a common result when rocks and steel objects get into the gin.
Each year bales of cotton and cotton storage houses .-re destroyed

BiH^HHUHHHin^nEBE5S3SS^m s&s

i^^u

H

-13-
because sone pickers were careless enough to throw a lighted natch or cigarette on or near the pile of cotton. A flane can sweep over a pile of cotton almost instantaneously.
IV. HOW TO PICK COTTON
1. What Prar.ti^g Dn Fanners Do in Pir.tinf Cotton?
The practices in picking cotton that are used "by the-test cotton growers of the community are helpful in discovering the practices that pupils should use. Therefore, answers to the following questions should he secured from farmers of the comnuaity or farm "boys in the school.
What Kind of "pick sacks" to use? What Kind cf Container to Empty the Sacks of Cotton on to? What Tine of Bay to Begin Cotton Picking? What Kind of Bolls of Cotton to Pick? What Anount of Trash and Other Foreign Matter to Renove from Cotton
While Pieking? What Anount of Spreading of Cotton on Sheets to do? When to Weigh the Cotton? What to do with Cotton Sacks and Sheets at the Close of the Day? What Safety Precautions to take While on the Parn? What Rules of Conduct to Observe While Picking Cotton?
2. What Practices in pinVing C-t.ton P.TP Rep.nnnfinrip.d by Cotton J?:;iJarlists and Outstanding Cotton (/rowers.?
The following procedure for picking cotton represents the opinions of many specialists and outstanding cotton growers,
a. Prepare "pick sacks" before going to cotton farn.
(1) Use fertilizer or feed sack, or nake sack using strong sheeting cloth.
(2) Make shoulder strap three to four inches in width using strong cloth. Several overlapping layers of cloth nakes a well padded shoulder strap. The length of the strap should be such that when attached to the sack the top of the sack will fit the side of the person, six to ten inches below the
am.
(3) It is often necessary to turn the top of the sack down to shorten it so that it will not touch the ground while in use. This prevents the bottom of the sack fron wearing out in a short tine.
b. When pupils arrive on the farn cotton sheets on which to empty "pick sacks" full of cotton should be obtained fron the farmer.

BHnn^HH^HM^^^nnmnBBHHHi^n^nBB

-13-
c. Cotton pickers should not enter field until dew and water have dried fron the cotton. According to cotton specialists and "buyers, the grade is lowered when danp cotton is picked and ginned. Often $1 to $5 per bale is lost "by poor grade caused fron ginning wet or green cotton.
d. Cotton picked early in the day should Tie spread on the sheet and not packed. This practice will allow any excess moisture that nay be on the cotton to dry off. Also packing danp cotton with soiled shoes or feet stains the cotton which causes a lower grade.
e. Only the wide open bolls of cotton should he picked. Green cotton lowers the grade of the lint. Also green seed will nold and rot which reduces its value and nay destroy its usefulne ss for naking oil that is nucli needed for food.
f. All of the cotton should he pulled fron the hurs. Pieces of locks left lathe "bur cause a great loss to the farner.
g. Trash fron the hurs, and leaves fron the stalk should not he picked in with the cotton. According to cotton "buyers, trash, dirt, parts of hurs, and other foreign natter in the cotton caused hy careless picking will lower the grade. This practice causes a poorer price and linits the use of the lint.
h. Cotton should not he dropped on the ground while picking. Only three or four picked tolls should be held in the hands before they are placed into the pick sack,
i. Socks and other hard foreign natter should not be thrown or dropped into the cotton. These materials danage cotton gins and nay even cause fire while the cotton is being ginned.
j. Care should be taken to prevent knocking off green bolls and breaking off linbs of stalks while walking through the field,
k. Matches and cigarettes cause much loss and damage to cotton fron fires, They should not be used around sheets of picked cotton and piles of cotton in storage houses.
1. Cotton on sheets or in storage houses should not be tranpled on.
m. At weighing tine the cotton pickers should nake ready by "tying un the opposite corners of the sheets of cotton and picking up any cotton that has fallen"on the ground. Trash and foreign matter should be carefully removed fron 3uch cotton,
n. Pickers should help weigh the cotton and load it on to the truck or wagon. The weights should be kept for paying off tine.
o. It is usually customary that pickers are paid for the picking

-14-
at the ends of the day's work.
p. Pick sacks and sheets should "be placed where they nay "be easily found for the next day's work. If sacks are provided "by the picker they nay be taken hone at the end of the day. Otherwise they should he left with the owner.
q. Other practices in picking that are suggested "by the farmer and supervisor should "be followed "by pickers.
3. Hnvr tn PrnvHp, fnr fipffity Wijip Y^in^ TM tho Fn.rn.
The following incident fron "Safety Guide" "by Department of Public Service, General Mills, Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minnesota, places enphasis on safety.
"HE FORGOT
He "brushed his teeth twice a day. The doctor examined him twice a year. He wore rubbers when it rained. He slept with the windows open. He stuck to a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables. He relinquished his tonsils and traded in several wornout glands. He golfed, "but never more than 18 holes. He never smoked, drank, or lost his temper. He did his daily dozen daily. He got at least eight hours' sleep every night.
The funeral will "be held next Wednesday. He is survived "by 18 specialists, 4 health institutes, 6 gymnasiums, and numerous manufacturers of health foods and antiseptics. He had forgotten about trains at grade crossingsi"
"Less thought has been given to accident prevention in farming than in any other occupation. Farm people need to become 'safety-minded.'"
The following safety precautions are taken from "Safety Guide" and from a manuscript prepared by the Department of Physical Education, The University of Georgia.
a. Prevent Falls:
More than 96,500 people are killed or injured each year "sy falls on the farm.
(1) Do not climb ladders unless it is necessary then inspoct rungs first.
(2) Do not climb into hay lofts. Loose boards and hay shutes may cause falls.
(3) Falls from wagons, trees, haystack, etc..frequently occur.

-15-

(4) Care should "be observed in riding trucks or busses to and from work,

b. Use Machinery Carefully:
Do not stand near farm machinery that is in use. When using the machinery:
(1) Replace all sharp tools in tool house after using, (2) Inspect seats on tractors and other machinery regularly, (3) Stand "behind a sickle, not in front of it, (4) Discard ties or other loose clothing when working around
revolving wheels or gears. (5) lever leave implements in gear when not in use. (6) Never leave motors running when driver is not in seat
or using the motor. (7) Never allow children to ride on running hoard or swing
on side of machine or wagon.

c. Watch Out for Farm Animals:

(1) Do not enter a pasture where hulls are kept. (2) Speak to horses before approaching them, (3) Inspect harness and saddles frequently when using them.
(4) Do not tease dogs, and other animals. (5) Do not go near sows, cows, etc., with their young. "Shey
may act viciously to pretect them,

d. Avoid Poisonous Animals, Plants, etc,,:

(1) Do not \tfade in streams infested with moccasine snakes. (2) Do not walk in tall grass and snakey places, (3) Learn to identify poison ivy, and other poisonous
plants. It is best not to enter wooded areas, (4) Do not handle strange packages. They may contain calcium,
arsenate, paris green, or other poisons.

e. Prevent Pires:

(1) Dry wooded areas and grass land burn readily. put out fires,
(2) Do not smoke in barn or near hay stacks. (3) Do not smoke near cotton,

Do not

f. Miscellaneous Safety Rules:
(1) Crawl safely through barbed wire fences. (2) Do not touch electric fences. (3) Do not stand under a lone tree during a thunder storm.

^^HHHHEH^HHSSZ

mnramo
-16-
(4) Do net touch wire fences during a thunder 8torn, (5) Do not take shelter from a storm in shed or rotten ham. (6) Stop "before crossing railroads and highways. (?) Do not touch electric wires that have fallen. (8) Be sure a First Aid Kit is available at all tines.
These rules should he added to by the pupils.
4. How tn Prmrtdp fnr H^lf.h WM1 R Wnrktnr nn FarnflT
Cotton pickers nay not he accustonod to working in the hot sun or nesting the other inconveniences that go with working on farns. The following are sone rules that nay he followed hy workers.
a. Do not get too hot. Take it easy for the first day or two if the weather is hot.
h. Do not drink nuch water ihile working.
c. Drink only clean pure water. It is often desirable to take a thernos bottle or jug of water from your hone.
d. Do not swim in contaninated ponds. Do not swim at all while overheated.
e. Lunch should be wholesome and light, f. The following ten general rules of health safety are given in "Safety Guide."
(l) Go less, sleep nore; (2) ride less, walk nore; (3) talk less, think nore; U)seold less, praise nore; (5) waste leas, give nore; (6) eat less, chew nore; (?) clothe less, bathe nore; (8) idle less, play nore; W) worry less, laugh nore; and (10) preach less, practice nore.
g. Other rales should be added to by health teachers and pupils.
The following may be helpful in arriving at the attitude to take while working on farms.
a. The farmer and his family usually live on the farm. The hone, landscaping, private property, etc., should receive the sane consideration that you would want one to give to yours.
b. Avoid loud talk, slang, etc., c. Do not raid the orchard, vineyard, pecan trees, etc. The

i^i^uanumnnBim

-17-
farner will give you fruits and nuts if he wishes for you to have then. These are sources of income and food for the families on the farm.
d. Do not play over the fields. Cotton is easily knocked from the burs and other crops may he damaged.
e. Do not pull green cotton "bolls from stalks.
f. Respect the farmer or supervisor who will teach you the necessary skills. Learn all you can and do a good joh.
g. If working in a group, respect the rights of others.
h. Other suggestions may he added "by the pupils and teachers.
V. REFERENCES
1. State Department of Education, Atlanta, Georgia, Victory Corps Series, Bulletin, No. 5, Why Wnrfr nn Fn.rr.s.
2. U. S. D. A., A. A, A. Southern Division, Washington, D. C., 'flom^ thp, World With Cotton.
3. National Cotton Seed Producers association, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Jli rat. in WP.T -- First, in Tp.n.r.p..
4. Department of Public Services, General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota,
Snfpty Qni.-ifl for the- Fam nnfl Hnr.p; Front.
5. Georgia Agricultural Extension Service, Bulletin Ho. 469, XLot.tor ,On! turn In Georgia*.
6. United States Department of Lahor, Washington, D. C., Folder No. 27, January, 1943, HaTiartioua Occupations.
7. United States Office of. Civilian Defense, Washington, D. C., Yolvmt.ftflrfi in thp. Sr.hnnl n, Decemher, 1942, 0. C. D. Publication No. 3619.

BHBHBBB