produced that in weaving it was used 

 only for the weft (transverse thread), 

 while linen, woolen or worsted yarn was 

 used for the warp (longitudinal thread), 

 in order that the cloth might have suffi- 

 cient durability. During the middle of 

 the eighteenth century the machinery for 

 spinning was much more imperfect than 

 the machinery for weaving. As a conse- 

 quence, it became necessary to produce 

 better spinning machines. In 1767 Har- 

 greaves invented the ''jenny" which spun 

 eight threads at a time. In 1769 Ark- 

 wright invented the ''waterframe," or 

 ''throstle," by means of which a much 

 firmer yarn was produced. In 1785 Dr. 

 Cartwright invented the "power loom," 

 which far surpassed any previous spin- 

 ning machine. Other improvements were 

 added from time to time, culminating in 

 our highly perfected modern machines, 

 which would require volumes for a com- 

 plete description. We have machines 

 with thousands of spindles. It is pos- 

 sible to weave a thread one thousand 

 miles or more in length, yet weighing but 

 one pound. 



The raw cotton must be subjected to 

 various processes before it is ready for 

 spinning. The bales are opened and the 

 cotton sorted, so as to insure a uniform 

 quality. It is then passed through a 

 scutching, willowing or cleaning ma- 



chine, where all impurities and undesir- 

 able foreign particles are removed. Next 

 it is passed through a carding machine, 

 which straightens out the fibers and lays 

 them parallel. It also passes through 

 the spreading machine, roving machine 

 and finally to the spinning machine. 



The finer yarns are spun from Sea 

 Island cotton, from which fine muslins, 

 laces, etc., are made. This cotton has 

 long fibers. The good qualities of short 

 cottons are used in the manufacture of 

 cambrics, calicoes, sheetings, shirtings, 

 etc. Inferior grades of cotton are used 

 for coarse yarns in the manufacture of 

 coarse fabrics. Cotton is also mixed 

 with wool. Yorkshire broadcloth is said 

 to be about half cotton. From warps of 

 cotton and wefts oi wool or worsted (a 

 variety of wool) are formed Orleans 

 cloths, Coburgs, mousselines de laine, 

 damasks, etc. There are also fabrics 

 composed of silk and cotton, linen and 

 cotton, alpaca and cotton, etc. It is used 

 in the manufacture of cotton thread' for 

 sewing and pack thread for tying bun- 

 dles, and other cordage. 



Description of Plate. — A, B, branch of 

 cotton plant; i, sepal; 2, flowering bud; 

 3, petal; 4, 5, stamen; 6, pollen grain; 7, 

 pistil; 8, 8a, 9, flower; 10, 11, 12, im- 

 mature fruit: 13, ripe fruit; 14, 15. seed. 

 Albert Schneider. 



THE CLOUD. 



I iM-ing fresh showers for the thirsty flowers. 



From the seas and the streams ; 

 I bear light shades for the leaves when laid 



In their noonday dreams. 

 From my wings are shaken the dews that waken 



The sweet buds everyone, 

 When rocked to rest on their mother's breast 



As she dances about in the sun, 

 I wield the flail of the lashing hail 



And whiten the green plains under; 

 And tlicn again I dissolve it in rain 



And laui^li as T j^'iss in Ihnnder. 



-Shelley 



23(. 



