128 COTTON 



The seed. Cottonseed oil manufactured from the 

 seed is perhaps the most profitable part of the crop. 

 About forty gallons are obtained from one ton of seed, 

 when it is put under high pressure. The cottonseed 

 oil is used for human food, and for making soap. The 

 seed cake, which is left after the oil has been pressed 

 out, is ground into cottonseed meal, which is a valuable 

 food for stock, and also a soil fertilizer. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What is the rank of the United States as a cotton-pro- 

 ducing country ? 



2. Where is the cotton belt of the United States ? 



3. What climatic conditions are required by cotton ? 



4. What kinds of cotton are grown in the United States ? 



5. What methods are used in planting, cultivating, and har- 

 vesting cotton ? 



6. What products are made from the seeds of cotton ? 



7. What important historical effect resulted from the inven- 

 tion of the cotton gin ? 



PRACTICAL EXERCISES 



1. Secure a branch of a cotton plant, with one or more bolls 

 attached; secure also samples of cotton, cotton cloth, cotton- 

 seed oil, and cottonseed meal. 



2. Germinate a number of cotton seeds and make a study of 

 the young plants. 



REFERENCES 



If you live in a cotton state, write to the Agricultural College 

 in your state for bulletins on cotton growing. 



