SECTION XXV. COTTON 



EVERY nation depends largely upon the southern part of 

 the United States for cotton. The Chinaman, as well as 

 the Englishman, is clothed in American cotton. All 

 classes of people, from beggars to princes, make use of it, 

 and the world is continually calling for more. Foreign 

 countries send more gold into the United States in pay< 

 ment for our cotton than for any other American crop. 



FIG. 92. COTTON LEAVES 

 a, upland ; b, Sea Island. 



FIG. 93. COTTON BOLLS 



a, upland; b, Sea Island ; 



c, Indian. 



The cotton crop of the Southern states, which is usually 

 between 11,000,000 and 13,000,000 bales per year, gen- 

 erally sells for an amount between $600,000,000 and 

 $750,000,000, including the seed. 



The next largest producer of cotton is India. Most 

 Indian cotton, however, is of poorer quality and lower 

 price than the American. Egypt stands third as a cot- 

 ton-producing country. Its product has a very long 

 staple, and sells for a higher price than American cotton. 



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