Agriculture and Cotton Production Quiz

<p>Cotton lacks systematic preparation and grading. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Arizona, California, Kansas (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>65% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Other crops are systematically prepared for market. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$600,000,000 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>75% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>400,000 bales (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$559,000,000 plus $42,000,000 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>16,109,349 running bales (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>23.73 cents (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sea island cotton (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>18.8% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$81,000,000 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$559,000,000 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The owner’s actions regarding sampling (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Climatic conditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To sample the cotton for sale (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is carelessly prepared and inadequately covered. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Both were compressed without any sampling. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It may lead to damage during handling. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>9.69 cents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It significantly increases the bale's weight without proper care. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Southern section (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Using standard quality covering for bales (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They are almost perfectly packed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To provide additional strength and coverage (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It could sustain damages from moisture and rough handling. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Application of new and better quality bagging (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It allows them to assess quality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A collection of samples at season's end. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They may receive lower payments for cotton. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A flat fee per bale irrespective of quantity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$5 per bale. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It decreases due to space economy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Recompressed bales take up less space. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Factors can misreport the grade of cotton sold. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It provides expert knowledge for grading. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The requirement to deliver cotton for sale. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Interest rates usually exceed 8%. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They often show signs of damage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Farmers lack the expertise to challenge grading decisions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Failure to adopt modern methods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Employing various types of cheap, used materials (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Difficulty in organizing collective reform efforts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is financially beneficial for them (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By selling the seed at market prices (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Indifference and opposition to change (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decreased fiber quality (A), Damage from pests (B), Increased moisture content (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cotton is not compressed tightly enough (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Consumers wanting lower prices (A), Spinners facing production challenges (B), Farmers seeking fair compensation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Change is critical for the welfare of all involved (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They limit their profit margins (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Resistance to modernization (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased likelihood of cotton damage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All stakeholders involved in handling cotton (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To reduce the size of the package (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The bales exhibit a ragged condition. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It has reduced tensile strength. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Water for prompt service (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Insurance and drayage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is converted into yarn. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It exposes cotton during compression. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It does not support weight effectively. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Larger bales are less efficient to compress. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It bulges out at the sides during compression. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The value significantly decreases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It causes physical damage to the bale. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>$5.00 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>When transported by boat. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cotton is the most valuable agricultural product in the US, only surpassed by corn.

Cotton cultivation is limited to specific regions in the US.

Corn is grown in all states, making it a widespread agricultural product.

Both corn and cotton are significant crops in terms of quantity and value.

The process of preparing and marketing other crops, like wheat, hay, and sugar, is efficient and well-organized.

Cotton's preparation for the market lags behind other crops in terms of efficiency and standardization.

Competition plays a crucial role in driving efficiency and innovation in the agricultural sector.

The lack of strong competition in the cotton market contributes to its outdated practices.

The global demand for cotton is consistently high due to its use in textiles. The need for cotton is a major driver of its production and trade.

The US dominates global cotton production, supplying about 75% of the world's needs. This dominance is due to favorable natural conditions and large-scale production.

Despite its importance, the way American cotton is packaged and marketed is outdated and inefficient, leading to waste, disputes, and higher costs.

Compared to the standard practices for other commodities, the handling and preparation of American cotton for export is significantly less organized and efficient.

International buyers are forced to accept American cotton as it is, despite its shortcomings, due to the lack of alternative sources for enough high-quality cotton.

The US cotton crop generated a significant portion of national revenue in 1911, contributing $517,000,000 to foreign trade. This emphasizes its economic importance.

Despite having a large and valuable market, the US cotton industry faces significant issues related to packaging, marketing, and logistics, impacting its efficiency and competitiveness.

The US cotton crop in 1911 was the largest ever recorded, exceeding the production of previous years by a significant margin. This reflects the growth of American cotton production.

Sea island cotton, a variety known for its superior quality, made up a small but significant portion of the 1911 cotton crop. This highlights the variety within cotton production.

The average price of upland cotton varied throughout the early 20th century, influenced by factors such as supply, demand, and global market conditions.

Egyptian cotton, known for its specific qualities, fetched a higher price compared to upland cotton at the Boston market in 1912.

The average price of South Carolina sea island cotton dropped in 1911 due to storm damage, illustrating the vulnerability of this crop to weather-related issues.

The combined value of cotton and cottonseed products in 1911 amounted to a substantial sum, highlighting the significant economic contributions of this crop beyond the fiber itself.

Despite the potential for expansion, the cotton production in 1911 was limited to a small fraction of the land capable of growing cotton in the US.

The substantial gap between the cotton export value and the balance of trade in 1911 emphasizes the vital role cotton played in the US economy.

Cotton is seen as crucial for US industries and international trade, yet its handling and marketing remain outdated.

Cotton's journey from farm to mill is burdened by inefficiencies, unlike other commodities.

The poor packaging of cotton bales, often using old materials, hampers its quality and presentation.

The act of pulling samples from bales for quality inspection damages the bales and reduces cotton's value.

Farmers are not fully compensated for their hard work due to the inefficient cotton market.

The outdated methods of cotton handling increase costs for spinners and consumers.

The resistance to change comes from established players benefiting from the current outdated system.

The farmer delivers seed cotton to the ginnery, where it's ginned and baled into a 'plantation bale'.

The ginner uses cheap materials for baling, including reused bags, resulting in poor quality packaging.

The cotton is then sold to merchants or buyers who further inspect and sample it, further damaging the bale.

The bale is sent to a compress for recompression, but the damage from sampling remains, and more sampling may occur.

Merchants and factors benefit from the practice of pulling samples, hence its continued use.

Cotton is often stored improperly, exposed to elements in warehouses or on open streets.

The practice of sample pulling is deeply ingrained in the industry due to tradition and profits.

The lack of proper protection and handling of cotton results in significant losses for all parties.

The practice of intentionally exposing bales of cotton to moisture to increase their weight. This is often done by placing bales on the ground, exposing them to dampness, or in locations that collect moisture.

Bales are deliberately placed in areas where they will easily absorb moisture, such as depressions in the ground.

The process of cotton absorbing moisture, which can increase the weight of the bale.

Buyers can detect when cotton bales have abnormally high moisture content.

The act of cutting holes into bales to extract samples for inspection or sale.

Holes cut into bales to remove samples can expose cotton fibers, making them susceptible to damage and lowering the bale's quality.

Cotton bales are frequently handled by hooks, which can tear the bagging, especially flimsy ones.

Bales that have been poorly packed and are exposed to rough handling can reach their destination in a damaged condition.

The bale is compressed and patched, but then resampled twice.

The practice of covering bales with new, high-quality bagging after an initial sample hole has been made.

The process of reducing the size of a cotton bale, typically done to make it easier to transport and store.

Secondhand jute bagging, often used to cover cotton bales, is a significant factor in the poor condition of American cotton bales.

Using new jute bagging on each bale would improve the overall condition of the bale and provide better protection during handling.

The process of sorting and reusing old bagging involves sewing pieces together, creating rolls, and even converting it into yarn for new cloth.

The tensile strength of secondhand bagging decreases with each reprocessing, making it increasingly fragile.

Compresses often use patches of both new and old bagging to repair damaged cotton bales.

Sugar bagging, another type of secondhand material, is also used for baling and patching cotton.

The average cost of transporting a bale of cotton from the farm to a compress is estimated to be $5.

The water route, although more expensive, is often preferred for transporting cotton due to its faster delivery time.

Hauling the bale to the gin, ginning it, bagging it, and transporting it to the compress are all elements of the cotton marketing process.

A bale compressed by a shipper with proper patching, covering the sample holes.

A bale compressed and patched with secondhand bagging, usually to reduce costs.

A very long and wide, spongy bale, often poorly covered and difficult to handle.

A bale that has been compressed and then further cut for samples, showcasing the inefficient handling of cotton.

A standard, box-shaped bale, often with poorly-covered cotton.

A representative sample of cotton taken from a bale, used to evaluate its quality. It's a critical tool for buyers and merchants.

Cotton samples collected at the end of the season, forming a significant portion of the total cotton traded. This is a distinct market.

The reduction in weight of a bale of cotton due to the removal of samples and other factors during handling and transportation.

A system where a merchant or factor provides supplies and loans to a farmer in exchange for a share of their cotton harvest. This often results in unfair terms for the farmer.

The commission charged by a factor for selling a farmer's cotton. This adds to the overall cost for the farmer.

The price charged by a factor for storing and insuring a farmer's cotton, adding to the overall cost for the farmer.

The financial advantage that a cotton merchant gains by reporting a lower grade for a farmer's cotton than the actual grade, resulting in a reduced payout for the farmer.

The process of classifying cotton into specific quality grades, using an expert knowledge of various factors.

The cost of transporting cotton from the farm to the market, including ginning, recompression, and transportation by rail or ship.

A large, irregularly shaped bale of cotton, ideal for initial packaging but not for efficient transportation.

A smaller, more compact bale of cotton, achieved through recompression, made for efficient transportation by rail or ship.

The process of re-compressing a flat bale of cotton into a smaller, denser bale to reduce shipping costs.

The loosely woven jute covering used for wrapping a bale of cotton, which is often damaged during sampling and handling.

Pieces of jute bagging added to a bale of cotton to cover holes and gaps created by sampling and handling, sometimes added to increase the bale's weight.