CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 
97 
and the follower ascends or descends into tlie box, as the 
case may be, to the edge of the side doors, which are then 
thrown open ; the ends and edges of the bagging are gath- 
ered together and stitched with twine, and the ropes passed 
through the grooves and tied. The movement of the screw 
or lever is then reversed, the pressure removed, and the 
bale taken out. Instead of rope, hoop iron is used to a 
great extent by our planters. They are coated with paint 
to prevent rust, and are fastened by means of rivets passed 
through holes punched at proper distances. It is be- 
heved by many that the hoop iron will, in a few years, 
entirely supersede the use of rope. 
The motive power, in most of our gin houses, consisJ§^ 
of four mules, hitched to a horizontal lever, passing throu^'h: 
a vertical shaft, upon which is constructed the large centel 
cog-wheel. The cogs are made to play into a wallowerloR 
vertical spur-wheel, on one end of a horizontal shaft, to met 
opposite end of which the band-wheel is attached ; a gum 
band, about a foot in width, connects this with the trundle- 
head of the gin stand, and puts the machinery in motion. 
On some plantations steam is used instead of horse power. 
Bales are put up so as to weigh about 500 lbs., though 
the commercial bale is estimated at 400. After being 
marked and numbered, the bales are hauled in wagons to 
the most convenient depot, from whence they are shipped 
to market. 
SECTION IX. 
THE MARKET, 
Cotton is usually consigned to a merchant in a city or 
large town ; and the planter can use his discretion about ita 
sale. He may instruct his merchant to sell immediately, 
5 
