112 



by Mr. J. R. Bovell who was kind enough to show me the machines 

 in operation and to explain their working in full detail. 



•• As described in the West fmliuii Jiulletin, Vol. IV, p. 317. the 

 Barbados factory consists of six single-action roller Macarthy gins 

 (Platts) and a hand power baling-press. My visit was timed to en- 

 able me to see the factory in full work and the first impression I re- 

 ceived was the business-like character of all the operations. There 

 appeared to be an abundance of raw cotton waiting to be ginned, and 

 the machines were rapidly turning it into clean and marketable pro- 

 duce, in bales of 250 to 300 lbs. each. 



" Mr. Bovell explained that, on the delivery of the cotton, each 

 grower was given a receipt for the gross amount of seed-cotton de- 

 livered at the factory, and when the work of ginning was complete, 

 the grower received a statement showing the net weight of lint and 

 seed produced, after deducting for any loss which occurred in the 

 operation. The cotton is at once baled and addressed ready for the 

 market. It is sent on to the British Cotton Growing Association, 

 which undertakes to dispose of the parcels to the best advantage of 

 the producers. 



" The working of the power gin was thoroughly examined, and 

 the most important features were clearly pointed out to me by 

 Mr. Bovell. There appears to be little difficulty in obtaining oper- 

 atives, and I am informed that they rapidly acquire the necessary 

 skill. Each gin is attended by one man to feed and one woman to 

 pick and dispose of the cotton as it leaves the machine. 



" The seed is crushed by a roller mill and is returned to the 

 growers for cattle food ; most of the present season's seed has been 

 treated in this manner, as it is intended to use imported seed for the 

 next crop. 



" As the full statistics of the Barbados factory will be published 

 in due course, it is unnecessary to enter into details in this report. It 

 may be mentioned, however, that the cotton appeared to be of excel- 

 lent quality, and the manipulation all that could be desired. The 

 soft and silky cotton coming from each machine at a regular speed 

 proved that they were working smoothly and well, and at a rata 

 which caused the single baling press to be kept going at its best speed 

 all the time. 



" Having to pay a visit of inspection to the Tobago Botanic Sta- 

 tion I returned by the Intercolonial Steamer, which enabled me to 

 land at St. Vincent and inspect the factory in that island. Sir 

 Daniel Morris being on board, I was able to accompany him on his 

 visit to the factory, which is situated a short walk from the landing 

 place. The inspection showed an admirably arranged three-story 

 building with six gins at work and plenty of cotton to work upon. 

 This mill. I was informed. is considered by Mr. Seabrook, the American 

 ginning expert, to be fully equal in its arrangements to any in the 

 United States. 



" The factory was in full work. The gins are of three different 

 makes — two Platts, two Dobson and Barlow, and two Asa Lees. The 

 gins, like those of Barbados, are some 40 inches in width, and their 

 capacity has been estimated to be 300 lb. of lint per hour for six gins, 

 or 50 lb. per hour for a single gin. The hand gins imported for use 



