904 



COTTON-SPINNING 



or processes common to all kinds of cotton-spinning. These we shall follow in duo 

 order, pointing out by the wny such modifications of treatment as the chief varieties 

 of raw material and of finished product require. 



The long distances traversed by the cotton in its passage from the field to the 

 factory require that every available expedient be adopted to abridge the cost of 

 transmission. A groat part of the cost consists in the charge for sea freight, which is 

 rvvkoned according to bulk and not according to weight. Hence nearly all kinds of 

 cotton, and especially East Indian descriptions, are compressed by means either of a 

 f-crew or a hydraulic press into an exceedingly small space. The effect of this process 

 is to cause the fibres to bo almost welded together in solid masses ; and when the 

 bales are opened the cotton is seen to lie in hard layers, very unlike the fleecy and 

 cloud-like condition in which it leaves the gin. The first purpose, therefore, to which 

 the use of machinery is directed in cotton-spinning is the loosening or opening of the 

 fibres. With this process is necessarily associated the cleansing of the cotton, the 

 separation from it of as much as possible of the sand and other impurities with which 

 it is often too freely associated, as well as of the seeds, which in a whole or a broken 

 condition have escaped through the gin, and adhere very tenaciously to the fibres. 

 The various kinds of machines in use for these purposes are known as Willows, Openers, 

 or Scutchers. 



Before proceeding to describe this class of machinery, however, it is desirable to say 

 something with reference to the mixing of cotton. Under the head of COTTON we have 

 alluded to the most distinctive characteristics of the principal varieties. But there 

 are many minuter differences in every description, differences of length, strength, 

 colour, texture, and general working qualities, with which only the practical cotton- 

 spinner is acquainted. This is a section of technical knowledge which nothing but 

 experience can give ; and it is a mark of skill to be able so to combine or to set off 

 these qualities against each other as to turn them to the best account. Hence the 

 selection and the proper admixture of various growths and descriptions of cotton is no 

 small part of the work of the spinner. Moreover, it is found in practice that even in 

 the same ' grade,' or quality, there is considerable variation between one bale and 

 another, and not unfrequently even in the same bale. The period of the harvest-time 

 at which the cotton is picked, the kind of weather at the time, the part of the plant 

 on which it is grown, and other circumstances, contribute to diversify greatly the 

 produce of the same plantation. And however carefully it may be classified, im- 

 portant differences will remain. But there is reason to believe that care of this kind 

 is not common. The best method of overcoming these last-named differences is to 

 mix together as large a number of bales and to blend them as intimately as possible 

 by spreading out the contents of each bale on a large stack in parallel layers, in such 

 manner as that when it is raked down from top to bottom a small portion of each bale 

 will come away. By this means the irregularities in the subsequent processes and in 

 the thickness, strength, and evenness of the yarn, will be minimised. 



The freeing of cotton from its grosser impurities is not an easy undertaking, and 

 during the American Civil War when coarse, dirty, and badly-gained growths were 

 forced into consumption, much difficulty was experienced for want of effective cleaning 

 machinery. During this period the Cotton Opener of Messrs. Crighton and Co. was 



545 



introduced, and extensively adopted for the special purpose just named. This 

 machipe is illustrated ip vertical section by. 545, The cotton is fed down the 



