COTTON GIN AND PACKING SCREW. 295 



were probably the first screws ever used baling cotton. What- 

 ever doubt may exist in relation to Bull's claim to the inven- 

 tion of the gin, there is but little doubt but that he is entitled 

 to the credit of the first packing screw. 



Col. Dawson, of the Sulphur Springs in Meriwether county, 

 remembers when Edward Lyon, who had been in Bull's 

 service, built the first gin in Wilkes county. He thinks this 

 occurred in the year 1806 ; and he remembers that Gilbert 

 and Pruclen had the first screws for packing cotton i-n that 

 county, which were located in Washington, and made of cast 

 iron. There are many Georgia who remember when the 

 wooden screw was introduced. Previous to that time, nearly 

 all the cotton made was packed in round bales without the 

 agency of the screw. Such screws as were in use were made 

 of cast iron. 



Your correspondent does not seem to be aware of this fact, 

 and I think it probable that the two he found on his planta- 

 tion had been long since discarded and their place supplied 

 with the safer and more economical wooden screw. He refers 

 to their durability as a recommendation. It is true that no 

 limit can be prescribed to the duration of cast iron, but in the 

 shape of a screw it is, because of its brittleness, liable to break 

 in exerting the immense power which is required of it in 

 packing a bale of cotton, and when it does break it gives no 

 premonition of the danger which menaces every one within 

 reach of it. The age of cast iron screws has passed away, 

 and I do not think that your correspondent, even with the 

 aid of Mr. Finley, can revive it. 



Pike County, Ga. ; 1856. ANTIQUARY. 



