35 



Second, It is passed through the breaker lapper or picker, to re- 

 move seed, sand, and heavy dirt. This machine usually contains two, 

 sometimes three metal beaters, revolving at a speed of twelve to six- 

 teen hundred times per minute. The blades of the beaters move four 

 thousand to six thousand feet per minute. 



Third, It is passed through the finisher lapper or picker, con- 

 taining two, sometimes three beaters, to complete the work of clean- 

 ing and make a lap suitable for the first card. 



In England the method sometimes varies from thisj the cotton being 

 passed through a succession of three machines, each containing one 

 beater. 



Combined in or with these machines are numerous devices or ap- 

 paratus to aid in the removal of the dirt, consisting either of mechani- 

 cal appliances, or long trunks with grates or grids at the bottom, 

 through which the cotton is blown, the dirt sifting out and passing 

 through the grids into a trough, from which it is removed. 



After the process of preparation, the cotton is usually carded twice 

 in this country ; in England once, but on a larger card. The true ob- 

 ject of carding is to lay the fibres parallel, and to remove short or 

 imperfect fibre. The card is not the machine that ought to be greatly 

 relied upon for the removal of motes ; but, in point of fact, a large 

 quantity of motes and leaf pass the most effective systems of opening 

 and picking, and are partly removed upon the card. 



Now, let it be observed that each one of these processes does more 

 or less injury to the cotton fibre. Every beater weakens the staple. 

 Every inch of carding beyond what is needed to lay the fibres parallel 

 ought to be avoided. Let it be further observed, that a single treat- 

 ment at the right place will remove substantially all the immature 

 seed that has passed the grids of the cotton gin, all the sand, and all 

 the heavy waste. Let it be noted that the multiplication of beaters, 

 and the excess of carding, are for the purpose of removing motes, leaf, 

 shives, and other light particles of trash that make specky cloth. Then 

 bear in mind that a very large portion of these motes get into the cot- 

 ton in the gin-house, or from the dust and dirt that blow about it, or 

 from the coarse bagging put upon the cotton, or from the mud and 

 dust to which the bales are exposed. Let all these points be considered, 

 and my statement will not appear extravagant, that the larger portion 

 of every cotton crop is depreciated ten per cent for want of skill and 

 care in the primary treatment, which primaty processes constitute the 

 most important branch of the cotton manufacture. . 



It is often said that cotton well ginned is half carded, and cotton 

 well carded is half spun. 



I have spoken of the possibility of the cotton -growers adding a 

 cent a pound to the value of the larger part of the cotton crop, and 

 not at the cost of the consumer, but by the saving of waste. 



The advantage to the consumer would be in part only the reduc- 

 tion in the cost of picking and carding, but mainly in the greater 

 strength of the yarn, and therefore a greatly increased product in 

 spinning and weaving. 



