Vol. XV. No. 367. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



167 



it had been found that by the halo method tlie average 

 lengths were 2 mm. shorter in every case than the pulling 

 methods, a point which can be allowed for. The halo 

 method was much more rapid than the pulling method. 

 In combing, more fibre is removed from the seed than one 

 is warranted in regarding as waste. The difficulty had been 

 got over by holding the seed by the lint, and in that way the 

 weak fibre was broken and was not merely pulled from the 

 seed. This latter method made a very considerable difference 

 in the determination: it worked out .something like 50 per cent. 



The President pointed out that Balls' method lost sight 

 of the variation that might occur as the result of short fibres. 

 Balls' method might be advisable for Egyptian cotton, but 

 some explanation is wanted as regards its applicability for 

 Sea Island cotton. In practical experiment station work he 

 thought the only three things that it was necessary to do in 

 selecting types of cotton for pure strains were, the deter- 

 mination of length, the method of doing which they had 

 just, discussed, — the amount of available fibre, and the 

 lint index. After referring to the correlation that occurs 

 between lint index and lint percentage, he called atten- 

 tion to the question of strength. A\'hen the spinner referred 

 to strength, the idea of real breaking strain was not 

 involved. Strength from the spinner's point of view was 

 not the break itself but the manner of the break. Then 

 there was another point, namely the difference between 

 the strength of the individual cotton fibre and the strength 

 of one yarn spun from it, each being of an entirely 

 different nature. If cotton spun well it would be good cotton, 

 if it did not spin well it would be bad cotton. Similarly, 

 when the spinner talked about fineness, he did not mean 

 fineness in the ordinary sense of the term, he meant cotton 

 that would spin fine yarn. 



As a result of a question put by Mr. Maloney (Nevis), 

 the President pointed out that a cotton fibre is seldom broken 

 in pulling. The tensile strength of cotton is greater than the 

 tensile strength of steel. When yarn is broken, what happens 

 is that the fibres lose their grip and are pulled away from each 

 other. He then asked whether, in aihiition to the determi- 

 nations that had been decided were necessary and desirable, 

 anyone present wished to suggest any additional ones. 



Mr. Jackson (Antigua) asked whether it would be possible 

 to add spinning tests. This was discussed later. Dr. Tem- 

 pany suggested that it would be unwise to discard the 

 brokers finger test which had been used in the Leeward 

 Islands, and with success. Hon. J. S. Hollings then made 

 observations concerning lack of uniformity of twist caus- 

 ing unequal distribution of strain. The President thought 

 it would be a wi.se decision to continue to employ the broker's 

 finger test as suggested by Dr. Tempany. Mr. S. C. Har- 

 land (St, Vincent) said, provided the selected cottons were 

 also subjected to spinning tests, he agreed with the .sugges- 

 tion. But he thought it would be very unwise to reject pure 

 selections which had been spun and produced superior yarns 

 of cotton that were already graded as good. In this connex- 

 ion reference was made to Balls' remarks on 'ugliness' in 

 samples of cotton. There appeared to be considerable 

 danger that good cotton might be underestimated by the 

 grader through too much weight being given to 'associative' 

 features. 



The Hon. R. L. Warneford (.Antigua) asked whether 

 cotton was judged and sold by the final spinner's test or 

 the finger test. In answer, the President said it was sold 

 practically on the finger test, but there was reason to believe 

 that cotton bought by the spinners did not always come up 

 to their expectations in spinning. The reverse might also 

 occur. The President thought that it was extremely necess- 



ary to introduce spinning tests. It appeared that model 

 machinery of a laboratory type could not be devised for 

 testing the spinning value of cotton. The spinning could 

 only be done satisfactorily on a large scale, and experiments 

 in a mill were difficult to perform owing to interruption in 

 working being very inconvenient. The spinners, moreover, 

 had not yet appeared to realize the need for spinning 

 tests, and were not over sympathetic towards them. But, 

 largely through the influence of Mr. -I. McConnel, he thought 

 that this would change; in fact it was obvious that the 

 spinners were coming round to' the scientific aspect of 

 things, as was indicated by their having secured the services 

 of Mr. Balls as adviser. 



The President said he thought it would be useful 

 if the spinners would furnish him, as Comissioner of 

 Agriculture, with information as to the results of spinning 

 difference marks of cotton sent from the West Indies. 

 Mr. S. W. Howes (Montserrat) said he was sure the majority 

 of planters would appreciate such action very piuch. The 

 President then proposed that, as a result of the discussion, 

 he, speaking on behalf of cotton growers, should make 

 representation to the British Cotton Growing Association 

 that they should aproach the Fine Spinners and endeavour to 

 learn from them detailed information as to the behaviour 

 in the mills of the particular marks, and forward this to the 

 (Jomuiissioner of Agriculture. This information would be 

 regarded as strictly confidential, and would be communicated 

 to the grower of the particular cotton al:)out which information 

 had been obtained. 



The Resolution was put formally, and the Conference 

 signified unanimous assent. 



{To be continued.) 



SEA ISLAND COTTON MARKET. 



Messrs. Wolstenholme and Holland, of Liverpool, 

 write as follows, under date April 17, 1916, with 

 reference to the sale.s of West Indian Sea Island 

 cotton: — 



Owing to larger arrivals there has been a better business 

 in West Indian Sea Island cotton since our last report. The 

 sales amount to about 3.30 bales, and are comprised of Nevis 

 Ud. to \Gd., St. Kitts 16c/. to '20d., St. Vincent ■20d. to 2.3d, 

 •Jamaica 13c?., and Stains from Id. to I'M. 



The market is firm, but owing to the limited demand 

 for luxuries, there is very little enquiry for yarn made from 

 this class of cotton, and the spinners who are purchasing are 

 putting it away, mostly for twelve months. 



The Report of Messrs. Henry W. Frost &, Co., 

 on Sea Island cotton in the Southern States, for 

 the week ending April 15, 1916, is as follows:— 



ISLANDS. As the crop has been entirely disposed of, 

 there being no unsold stock either here or on plantation, this 

 market is closed until the next season. The quotations are 

 only nominal, but represent the closing prices paid. 



We quote, viz.: 



Extra Fine 3lc. = 20^d. c.i.f. & 5 per cent, 



Fully Fine 30c. = 20d. „ „ „ „ 



Fine 29c. = 19|d. „ „ „ „ 



Fine off in class 28c. = ldd. „ „ ,, „ 



This report also shows that the total exports of 

 Sea Island cotton from the United States to Liverpool 

 and Manchester up to April 1.5, lOlO, were 658 and 

 443 bales, respectively. 



