228 



CLOTHING AND ITS USES 



this being done by a process known as ginning. Cotton 

 fibers are smaller than woolen, and under the microscope, 

 have a twisted appearance. This twisting helps in the 

 manufacture of cotton cloth. Cotton fiber contains fewer 



air spaces than woolen, 

 and therefore cotton 

 cloth is cooler. 



Experiment. To distinguish 

 wool from cotton by the 

 "burning test." 



Materials: Cotton and wool 

 string. Forceps. Burner. 



Method: Set on 'fire a string 

 of cotton and one of wool 

 at the same time. 



Observation and Conclusion : 

 Which burns more 

 rapidly? Which burns 

 with more flame? Ob- 

 serve the odor from each. 

 Tell how to distinguish 

 cotton from wool by the 

 " burning test." 



Linen, Flax, a little 

 plant with a well-known 

 blue flower, produces all 

 of our linen. The fiber 

 comes from the stems, 

 which have to be rotted 

 under water, beaten to 

 remove the woody tissue, spun and woven into cloth. 

 This industry formed a very considerable place in the lives 

 of the Belgians, French, and Russians who lived in the area 

 devastated by the World War. The present high price 

 of linen is due very largely to the destruction by the 



Flax grown for fiber. 



