34 A STORY OF COTTON 



If there IS a vegetable oil, it is not visible, and it is not sus- 

 ceptible to identification, by the means of touch. 



The subject of, an oil influence as a deflector of water, is 

 one, that WE are not able to INTELLIGENTLY discuss, but, 

 is only mentioned, as the fact is often used, in argument, that 

 this SO-CALLED oil or oily condition, is ONE of the factors 

 that naturally assists in deflecting the water from the bale, 

 and prevents its absorption when a bale of cotton is exposed 

 to water. 



Our lack of knowledge, on this particular subject, necessi- 

 tates our analyzing the subject of "DAMAGE BY WATER," 

 with this feature ENTIRELY set aside, and the analysis as 

 given, will consider the bale with this feature, ELIMINATED. 



When water comes in contact, FOR THE FIRST TIME, with 

 the surface of a bale of dry cotton, that is 34% covered with 

 jute bagging and 66% exposed, the water that comes in contact 

 with the bagging is readily deflected by the strands of the bag- 

 ging and also by the cotton proper. 



The water, that wets the bagging for the FIRST TIME, is 

 deflected, on the same basis as any NEWLY WOVEN bagging 

 of the same character, when new and dry, will deflect, for a 

 time, and until its pores are open, and the strands have been 

 once THOROUGHLY wet. 



After one or two showers, or, if in constant contact with 

 water, the strands of bagging expand, and, after each wetting, 

 become more easily and more QUICKLY wet throughout; 

 THEREFORE: 



The 34%, of bagging covering of a bale, after having been 

 wet SEVERAL TIMES, becomes an ABSORBER, on the same 

 basis as does a dry sponge, after being wet several times. The 

 water passes very rapidly INTO the strands, and saturates 

 the cotton under EACH STRAND, where the moisture remains 

 a VERY GREAT LENGTH OF TIME. 



Naturally, this moisture is not as susceptible to drying out 

 on the under side of the strands next to the cotton fibre, where 

 the air is not free to circulate, as is the case with the moisture 

 on the top of the strand exposed to air always and, at times, 

 to sunshine. 



