46 A STORY OF COTTON 



cotton to the producer, due to increased freight charges, would 

 be proportionately less. 



In the ordinary re-compression of cotton, a pressure of 

 approximately 1,800 to 2,000 tons is applied to the bale. 



When a bale of cotton is between the platens of a compress, 

 of ANY MAKE, and the pressure of approximately l,cS00 to 2,- 

 000 tons is exerted, the bale, WHILE IT IS UNDER THIS 

 PRESSURE, is then re-compressed to a density of approxi- 

 mately 55 POUNDS to the cubic foot. 



The bands, having each turned four corners of the edges 

 of the bale, it is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to draw them 

 taut, by hand. 



While still under the pressure of 1,800 to 2,000 tons, EIGHT 

 STEEL BANDS are usually passed through the channel open- 

 ings of each platen and around the bale. 



The ends of each band are united, or MADE ONE CONTIN- 

 UOUS BAND, by means of an iron cotton tie or buckle. 



The foregoing process accomplished, we have before us a 

 STANDARD BALE OF COTTON between the platens of a 

 powerful compress, and re-compressed to a density of approxi- 

 mately 55 pounds to the cubic foot, completely surrounded by 

 eight iron bands, or straps, that do NOT lay close to the bale. 

 The bands form eight elliptical iron belts, awaiting the expan- 

 sion of the bale, when the pressure is released, which expan- 

 sion, forces the straps to automatically tighten and lay close 

 to the bale, at release of the pressure. 



The releasing of the 1,800 to 2,000 tons of pressure, and the 

 expansion of the bale of cotton, till checked by contact with 

 the iron straps, INCREASES the bulk of the bale approxi- 

 mately, ONE-HALF, and necessarily decreases the DENSITY 

 of 55 pounds to the cubic foot approximately, ONE-HALF. 



The bale, after having expanded sulTiciently to accommodate 

 itself to the loose bands that encircle it, will usually show a 

 density of, from 22^2 pounds to 25 pounds to the cubic foot, 

 as computed by the measurements for the ascertaining of the 

 cubical contents of a bale of cotton, in accordance with the 

 rules of the SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GULF STEAMSHIP 

 CONFERENCE, that are now in force. 



The measurements of a bale of cotton may show an "OVER- 

 ALL" cubic density of only 22^2 pounds to the cubic foot. 



