CHAPTER XXXI. 
COTTON OIL : THE KING FEEDS AS WELL AS CLOTHES 
HIS SUBJECTS 
The cotton oil mill does not take simply the seed 
and grind them, putting them in better form for 
fertilizing and feeding purposes, but it removes 
from the seed the property that for these purposes 
is more objectionable than serviceable. For oil 
in the seed, for feeding to live stock, is unfavorable 
to digestion, especially where any considerable 
quantity is used; in no sense is it of use to the soil, 
nor does it serve as a source of food or show itself 
of any use to the plant. Consequently it is of 
advantage to the farmer to have the oil extracted 
from his seed—the other ingredients being returned 
to him—simply as a means of preparing his product 
for use and leaving out of consideration the thought 
that he is reimbursed for his time and labor. 
THE RISE OF THE OIL MILL 
The oil mill at first came slowly into favor. A 
good many decades ago attempts were made to 
establish mills; for vegetable oils have long been 
in demand; and then, too, there was promise of 
profits in the business. While at first a few mills 
were established by individuals or independent 
corporations, the cotton oil business was developed 
into large proportions by a single large company. 
Naturally, however, the success of this company 
(252) 
