COTTON CULTURE. 143 



feel, and can be blended with silk in composing fabrics 

 that appear little inferior to those made exclusively from 

 the thread of cocoons. When matted together, it pro- 

 duces a wad or padding, only a little inferior to wool, in 

 warmth and elasticity. A firm and lasting vegetable fibre, 

 it is capable, like hemp and Manilla grass, of being 

 wrought into cords and ropes which, for evenness, pliabil- 

 ity and strength, are equal to anything made of those 

 materials. 



As a material for beds, let us compare it with the arti- 

 cles in general use, and learn, first its qualities, and then 

 its relative cheapness. 



When made into mattresses, the objection, and the only 

 objection urged against it is, that it is liable to wad, or 

 bunch up, and thus present an uneven, and hence an un- 

 pleasant surface to the sleeper. 



Ordinary cotton, as it comes from the gin, is liable to 

 this difficulty. But if the fibre is combed out in long 

 rolls, as in the cotton batting extensively used for cover- 

 lids, and laid in crosswise, one layer crossing the other at 

 right angles, until the required thickness is attained, and 

 the mattress well tacked or stitched together, so as to hold 

 the contents just where it was laid, no such difficulty 

 arises, and the mattress thus made is equal to wool in 

 softness. It is a little less elastic, but as an ofiset, this cot- 

 ton being vegetable, is perfectly sweet and wholesome, free 

 from all animal odors, not liable to become infested with 

 moths and other vermin, and acquires no unpleasant or 

 musty smell, as many other substances do that are used 

 for beds, and especially feathers. 



Thirty pounds will make a good-sized double mattress. 

 At ten cents per pound, which is about the cost of raising 

 cotton by free labor, the filling for a cotton mattress costs 

 three dollars ; the cover about two and a half; the mak- 

 ing-up a dollar. Thus, for six and a half dollars, the cot- 

 ton grower can supply himself with a bed, equal in dura- 



