FIBER-PRODUCING PLANTS 



115 



and delivers it to the press. The ordinary gin usually carries about 

 seventy saws and has a capacity of a bale and a half an hour. 



Bales. There are two kinds of bales in use, known as the square 

 bale and the round bale. This .baling is accomplished by means 

 of heavy pressure through machinery which squeezes or compresses 

 the cotton together so that a great quantity is forced into a space 

 about four feet square and five feet in length. It is then wrapped 

 in coarse cloth and bound up with iron bands or hoops. The square 



Baled cotton. 



bale generally weighs from four hundred and fifty to five hundred 

 pounds, while the round bale is usually limited to two hundred and 

 fifty pounds. The former is extremely unwieldy. 



Cotton Judging. In judging cotton straighten out the lint and 

 note the lengths, and bear in mind that the greater lengths make 

 the larger tufts. Also observe whether the sample is free from 

 dirt and trash and whether it has been damaged by careless ginning. 

 The sense of touch may also be brought into requisition to good 

 advantage. Unfortunately we have no well-defined standards for 



