WILD AND CULTIVATED COTTONS 



Inner 

 layer first 

 affected. 



Strength 

 of cellu- 

 lose. 



Influence 

 of cotton 

 on the 



soil. 



The action of the copper salt seems directed primarily on the 

 inner layer of the cellulose and extends through the thickness, 

 causing the secondary deposits to separate from the cuticular wall. 

 Bowman was apparently much distressed that he could not resolve 

 the outside membrane into what he supposed to be its constituents, 

 while he was able by the means indicated to completely break up the 

 cellulose deposits formed within the cell. (Cf. Wiesner I.e., pp. 246-8.) 



These experiments are interesting, and, if applied to the deter- 

 mination of the extent and nature of the deposits produced within 

 the flosses of the various species of Gossypium, might help very greatly 

 in the establishment of standards for comparison and critical study. 



One of the aspects in cotton production vital to success is the 

 strength and quality of the cellulose. By chemical tests useful par- 

 ticulars in that direction may be established, but mechanical means, 

 such as the contrivances discussed by Dr. Bowman, become imperative 

 before any practical experience can be established as to the strength 

 of the various cottons. The breaking-point of the different 

 grades becomes, in fact, a feature of great industrial value. 

 Mr. Charles O'Neill (I.e.) devoted much attention to this subject, 

 and his work should be consulted. He found that Sea Island broke 

 with a strain of 83*9 grains, whereas Surat sustained 163*7 grains. 

 (Cf. Hanausek, I.e.). I regret that I have not the opportunity nor the 

 time to conduct such experiments, and do not think it necessary to 

 republish the results obtained by Bowman and others, since those 

 interested are likely to consult the original publications rather than 

 a mere abstract of the conclusions arrived at. 



McBryde and Beal give (in Charles W. Dabney's ' Cotton Plant ') 

 a special chapter on the chemistry of cotton. This may be charac- 

 terised as a review of the chemical literature assorted under the 

 various parts of the cotton plant such as the entire plant, the roots, 

 the stems, the leaves, the bolls, the lint, &c. Under the last- 

 mentioned heading they say that the lint constitutes 10'56 per cent. 

 of the mature plant. An elaborate table of analyses makes it clear 

 that, if the lint were the only part removed from the soil, cotton 

 would be one of the least exhaustive of farm crops. While McBryde 

 and Beal have produced a chapter of great practical value, the 

 chemistry of cotton has still, however, to be undertaken by original 

 investigators before it can be accepted that we are in a position to 

 understand and identify even the chief commercial grades. 



The cotton fibre has nevertheless been studied by many independent 



