CHAMBERS' PREMIUM ESS AY ; 19 



In the early pickings, when the seeds are green, some 

 sunning is indispensably necessary ; but after more maturity 

 and dryness, very little will be required. This must be de- 

 termined very much by circumstances; but dew -or rain- 

 water should always be removed, by drying upon the scaf- 

 fold, before the cotton is bulked in the house. With proper 

 care and attention, great improvement may be given to the 

 complexion of the staple by a little heating in the bulk, ex- 

 tracting the oil from the seed, and imparting a slight cream 

 to the color. This process, however, must be conducted with 

 great caution and care, lest the heating proceed too far, and 

 injury be done. It is easily checked, by stirring and exposure 

 to the air. It is an advantage to all cotton to lie in the bulk 

 before ginning, and we doubtless often lose much of this 

 benefit for want of sufficient house-room. Indeed, I think it 

 a very common error, in our plantation arrangements, not to 

 build houses for this special object. The cotton, when gin- 

 ned, ought to be so dry, that the seed will crack when 

 pressed between the teeth. It is often ginned wetter, but 

 just as often, the cotton samples blue. A gin should be 

 used which will neither cut nor nap the cotton, but send out 

 the fibre straight and smooth, so that when the samples are 

 drawn, they will have the appearance of having been carded. 

 This is greatly promoted by the largely increased number of 

 brushes now added by the best manufacturers. 



The packing should be in square bales; and, without 

 reference to freight, or any of these mere incidental influ- 

 ences, I think the weight of the bale should be fixed at 

 about four hundred, or four hundred and twenty-five pounds ; 

 to be in two breadths of wide bagging, pressed until the side 

 seams are well closed, or a little lapped, and then secured 

 with six good ropes, the heads neatly sewed in, so that when 

 complete and turned out of the press, no cotton should be 



