272 GENERAL SCIENCE 



The fibre of cotton is contained in the ripened seed-pod 

 ("boll") of the plant. These fibres at their inner ends are 

 attached to the seeds of the plant. The invention of the 

 cotton gin by Eli Whitney for the successful separation of the 

 seeds from the fibre made cotton production on a large scale 

 possible, and with cheap labor highly profitable. The rise 

 of slavery in the United States as a civil and political insti- 

 tution accompanied the development of the cotton-growing 

 industry. 



The fibre of the flax plant, unlike that from cotton, is 

 obtained from the stem. If kept water-soaked sufficiently 

 long, the material between the fibres dissolves or rots away. 

 The fibres are then sorted, and the coarser ones are used for 

 twine. Others are used for canvas and tent cloth, while the 

 finest of them are used for handkerchiefs, or in making 

 laces and embroideries. Jute, hemp, and other like tropical 

 plants yield a coarser fibre of large usefulness especially for 

 binding twine, rope, burlap, matting, and the cheaper grades 

 of carpet. 



From the seeds of the cotton plant great quantities of 

 cotton-seed oil are produced. This has a large use in soap 

 manufacture, and in the making of those table products 

 which take the place of butter and lard, such as oleomargarine 

 and cottolene. It is also used as an adulterant of the more 

 expensive oils, including olive oil for table use. The cotton 

 seeds after the oil has been pressed out of them are ground 

 for cotton-seed meal which is used as a food for cattle. From 

 flaxseed is obtained linseed oil widely used in paints. It 

 can be readily spread by a brush in a thin even coat over 

 woodwork and metal surfaces. Upon exposure to the air, 

 and as result of chemical changes that occur, it forms a 

 tough glossy waterproof covering. This holds firmly within 

 it any of the several chemical compounds used to give "body " 

 to the paint, as well as any coloring material used for color 



