CHAPTER XXXI. 



COTTON OIL : THE KING FEEDS AS WELL AS CLOTHES 

 HIS SUBJECTS 



The cotton oil mill does not take simply the seed 

 and grind them, putting them in better form for 

 fertilizing and feeding purposes, but it removes 

 from the seed the property that for these purposes 

 is more objectionable than serviceable. For oil 

 in the seed, for feeding to live stock, is unfavorable 

 to digestion, especially where any considerable 

 quantity is used ; in no sense is it of use to the soil, 

 nor does it serve as a source of food or show itself 

 of any use to the plant. Consequently it is of 

 advantage to the farmer to have the oil extracted 

 from his seed the other ingredients being returned 

 to him simply as a means of preparing his product 

 for use and leaving out of consideration the thought 

 that he is reimbursed for his time and labor. 



THE RISE OF THE OIL MILL 



The oil mill at first came slowly into favor. A 

 good many decades ago attempts were made to 

 establish mills; for vegetable oils have long been 

 in demand; and then, too, there was promise of 

 profits in the business. While at first a few mills 

 were established by individuals or independent 

 corporations, the cotton oil business was developed 

 into large proportions by a single large company. 

 Naturally, however, the success of this company 



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