COTTON. 43 



the plant. When the season has been favourable, 

 the cotton is generally fit for pulling about seven or 

 eight months after it has been sown. This period 

 is, however, well indicated by the spontaneous 

 bursting of the capsule or seed-pod. The planta- 

 tions at this time present a very pleasing appear- 

 ance. The glossy dark green leaves finely contrast 

 with the white globular forms profusely scattered 

 over the plant. In the East the produce is ga- 

 thered by taking off the whole of the pod. In other 

 parts, and this is the more general practice, the 

 seeds and cotton are taken away, leaving the empty 

 husks. The first is, of course, much the most expe- 

 ditious method, but it has a very serious disadvantage. 

 The outer part breaks in minute pieces, and thus 

 mixes with the cotton, which cannot be freed from it 

 without much time and difficulty. 



Whichever method is pursued, this work is always 

 performed in the morning before sunrise, as soon as 

 possible after the cotton displays itself; because long 

 exposure to the sun injures its colour, by giving it 

 a yellow tinge. The pods likewise which are ready 

 for gathering expand in the heat of the day, and in 

 some varieties the seed and its envelope are then 

 detached from the pod, and falling to the ground 

 the cotton becomes soiled and deteriorated. 



In some countries the plant after yielding its pro- 

 duce is every year cut even with the ground ; in 

 others this operation is performed only once in two 

 or three years. 



The cotton shrub does not in general last more 

 than five or six years in full or productive bearing ; 

 the plantation is therefore generally after that period 

 renewed. The seeds may usually be preserved for 

 one or two years, but in some varieties they should 

 be planted almost as soon as they are gathered. The 

 surplus seeds serve as food for cattle ; an oil is like- 

 wise expressed from them which is employed for 



