180 CHAPTER XI 



A uniformity of output is of the utmost importance ; cottons 

 to be ginned must not be mixed indiscriminately. To ensure 

 uniformity, the seed cottons should be graded so that only those 

 of the same style should be ginned together. This grading 

 should take into consideration the length of the lint, its cleanli- 

 ness and colour. Cotton should not be ginned when moist, as 

 this results in entangled masses ; the velocity should not be too 

 high as this produces gin-cut staple; " neps," small matted 

 dots, while frequently found in cotton picked when immature, 

 may also result from poor ginning. 



Importance of Uniformity. — Not only are the require- 

 ments of the yarns and fabrics produced to-day highly spe- 

 cialised, but the machinery employed is also very specialised. 

 Each count and quality of yarn requires its particular type of 

 cotton, consequently cotton lacking in uniformity is never sold 

 to advantage. Since textile machinery is so delicate that it 

 must be adjusted to the style of cotton employed, and since each 

 mill confines itself to specific count and quality of yarn, it is 

 apparent that large quantities of the particular grade and staple, 

 i.e., " even-running " lots, will be valued highly by the 

 spinner. 



Baling. — After ginning, the lint is baled to a density pre- 

 ferably of 30 to 32 pounds per cubic foot, each bale weighing 

 approximately 500 pounds. 



Classification According to Staple and Grading. — 

 Grade values represent the cotton fully with reference to its 

 cleanliness and discolouration. " Staple, which is expressed in 

 inches or millimetres, is a separate consideration, and accord- 

 ing to length and strength modifies the grade value by adding 

 to or taking off."^ The staple classification also involves a 

 consideration of the strength of fibre. Long stapled and 

 strong cottons are usually sold at a good premium. 



" There are seven gra.des of cotton, named as follows : 

 fair, middling fair, good middling, middling, low middling, 

 good ordinary, ordinary. 



" Cotton is graded according to its superficial appearance, 

 which is influenced by colour, foreign matter and quality of 

 ginning."^ Good cotton should be white or bright or creamy, 

 and free from any discolouration. In inferior grades dull 

 white and grey, and even a reddish cast as well as a slight 

 bluish cast are found. Particles of leaf, stems, broken seeds, 

 nep, sand, etc., are present in sample, and naturally the 

 smaller the quantity the better the grade. Cotton properly 

 ginned is smooth and of good appearance. The grade is 



