COTTON-SPINNING 963 



space between the roller and beater, and D is a doffer to take the clean cotton off tho 

 roller. At the time when the nipping blaclo N approaches the roller B, it is moving in 

 the same direction, and at the same surface speed ; and as it approaches it nips upon tho 

 fibre, or locks it fast between its edge and the strip of leather on tho roller ; the beater 

 u then comes up quickly, and pushes off tho seed a short distance, thus separating 

 tho fibre when it is held close up to tho seed, and obtaining it, necessarily, of its full 

 natural length. 



It will be inferred from the description of this invention that it answers one of 

 the essentials of a good cotton-gin in that it inflicts little damage iipon tho fibre. 

 There is, however, in this case as in others tho practical difficulty that those who 

 have to use the machine have too little skill and intelligence to use it profitably. A 

 further obstacle to the adoption of the bee t inventions when they happen, as is usually 

 tho case, to be somewhat complex, is the great distance of the cotton-fields from 

 engineering establishments, and the consequent impossibility of promptly executing 

 tho needful repairs. 



Enough has been adduced to show that the operation of cotton-ginning, simple as 

 it may appear to be, occupies a prominent place in the chain of processes by which this 

 natural product is at last made useful for the service of mankind. It is also evident 

 that the various means at present within reach for effecting the separation of the fibre 

 from tho seed are all more or less objectionable. The great losses arising from bad 

 ginning can scarcely be appreciated by those who are not practically acquainted with 

 the various qualities as they come to market. We may observe, however, that tho 

 Report of the Commissioners appointed to examine and value the samples of cotton 

 exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862 estimated the average loss from this 

 source at 2~67d. per Ib. 



COTTON GUN. See GUN COTTON. 



COTTON-SEED. The practical utility of cotton-seed for any other purpose than 

 the limited one of reproduction or for manure has until quite recently been almost un- 

 known. In the United States it was occasionally used for fodder, and cattle were very 

 fond of it. It was found, however, that unless given in very small quantities and only 

 occasionally, the shorter fibres still left on the seed after the ginning process proved 

 very unwholesome. Means have been found, however, for removing this difficulty, and 

 the cotton-seed is now taking high rank, amongst agricultural products, as the source 

 of no less than three valuable commodities, viz. : Oil, cattle-food, and paper material. 

 The method of treatment as practised in tho United States is as follows : first, 

 Re-ginning, by a special apparatus which entirely clears off the short fibres from the seed, 

 making them available for paper manufacture ; secondly, Decorticating, by which the 

 external husk is removed, and this again, after decomposition, is utilised as manure ; 

 thirdly, the kernel is subjected to the process of Crushing. The products of this last 

 operation are a valuable oil and a cattle-food cake, both of which have now taken 

 their place as important articles of commerce. After re-ginning, the seed consists on 

 an average of one half hus"k and one half kernel. The kernel yields when crushed 

 about one third crude oil and two thirds cake. 



Some idea of the wide field opened up by this new branch of manufacture may be 

 formed from a rough statement of the quantity of seed available for its purposes. Taking 

 the American cotton crop at 4,000,000 bales or 800,000 tons annually, the production of 

 seed, on an average of estimates, may be put down at three times as much by weight, 

 or 2,400,000 tons. Allowing one half this quantity for waste and resowing, there re- 

 main 1,200,000 tons of the American crop for manufacturing purposes. The available 

 yield of the crop of India, Egypt, Brazil, and other countries can scarcely be less than 

 two thirds of this amount. We thus arrive at an estimate of 2,000,000 tons as the 

 annual supply of cotton-seed capable of being turned to valuable uses, most of which 

 is now being wasted. The quantity of cotton-seed imported into the United Kingdom 

 almost entirely for manufacturing purposes was in 1871, 174,392 tons, valued at 

 1,526,652*.; in 1872, 167,936 tons, valued at 1,404,724*.; and during 1873,207,755 tons, 

 valued at 1,608,975/. 



COTTON-SPINNING. The many varieties of cotton with which tho tropical 

 world abounds, and the widely-differing purposes for which each, according to its 

 peculiar fitness, is destined, have led to considerable divergence in the methods of 

 manufacture. The treatment suitable for the shorter and rougher stapled cottons, 

 or for their conversion into bagging, candle-wick, or the coarser kinds of clothing, is 

 obviously very far removed from the processes proper to the finest New Orleans, whose 

 clear and silky fibres fit it for the manufacture of velvets and cambrics. Still further 

 removed is tho treatment necessary in spinning Sea Island, which is used in the pro- 

 duction of the most delicate muslins and laces. To describe with minuteness every 

 part of tho many kinds of operations comprised within these extremes lies obviously 

 beyond the scope of this article. There are, nevertheless, certain well-marked stages 



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