THE COTTON PLANT. 23 



The hair does not, however, grow out straight, but 

 coming in contact with other hairs, and the sides 

 of the capsule or fruit, it becomes twisted ; thus 

 acquiring the appearance first described, of two 

 cords twisted together. This twisting is undoubt- 

 edly the great fact that makes the cotton hairs of 

 value to man. There are many hairs, such as 

 those of the cotton-grass and the bombax, which 

 are as long, and apparently as strong, as those of 

 the Gossypium, but which, failing in this irregu- 

 larity of their surface, are utterly incapable of 

 being twisted into a thread or yarn." 



Of the seeds discarded by the cotton gin, a small 

 proportion are needed for sowing. The remainder 

 were formerly used for enriching the land. They 

 are now, however, turned to better account. The 

 oil which they contain, cotton-seed oil, is valuable 

 for cooking purposes ; it forms a good substitute 

 for olive oil, or for lard ; it is also excellent for 

 making soap, and for mixing paints. * The com- 

 pact mass which is left, after the oil has been 

 pressed out, is sold as cotton-seed cake, and fed to 

 cows and sheep. 



