3/0 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



ing methods. The seed cotton is fed from a hopper into the 

 breast where the revolving saws operate upon the seeds, re- 

 moving the lint. When the lint is removed the seeds drop 

 through an opening, while the lint is removed from the saws by 

 means of a revolving cylinder studded with 25 to 30 rows of 

 bristles. At the same time this cylinder causes a draft of air, 

 which condenses the lint against a revolving and perforated 

 cylinder whence it is removed in a continuous sheet and con- 

 veyed to the press. 



470. Bales. The standard square bale of cotton as it is first 

 baled, or as it leaves the gin, is 54 inches long, 24 inches thick 

 and 42 to 46 inches wide and has, therefore, a density of about 

 14 pounds per cubic foot. These bales, as they are sold by the 

 planter, are shipped to the compress where they are re-pressed, 

 the width being reduced to 20 inches so that the final bale is 

 54x24x20 inches, and has a density of about 30 pounds to the 

 cubic foot. Numerous attempts have been made to make a 

 bale at the gin of sufficient density for final shipment, and at the 

 same time not injure the staple. The form of bale which has 

 been most used for this purpose is the 25o-pound cylindrical lap 

 bale. The lap of lint as it comes from the gins is pressed 

 around a rod under high pressure. This cylindrical bale is 40 

 inches long, and has a density of about 30 pounds per cubic 

 foot. 



471. Presses. Ginnery presses for making the standard 

 square bales may be divided into three kinds: screw presses, 

 hydraulic presses, and direct steam presses. Screw presses may 

 be run by mule, horse, water, steam, or other power, and when 

 each plantation did its own pressing, this was the common 

 form. In hydraulic presses the hydraulic pump forces the water 

 or oil against the vertical ten-inch cylinder and plunger at a 

 pressure of about 600 pounds per square inch, or about 47,000 

 pounds per bale. 



