MARKETING COTTONSEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES \) 
handled, keeping in mind the fact that 125 days is about the maxi- 
mum season's length and that the output of the plant may be doubled 
by operating two shifts, or 20 hours. 
If a plant is installed and operated in connection with a ginnery 
the cost of delinting is a few cents per ton less, chiefly because of the 
relatively smaller investment, which reduces slightly the interest and 
depreciation, all other factors remaining practically the same. If 
the seed as it comes from the gins contains an appreciable quantity of 
stones and dirt, it may be found advisable from the standpoint of 
economical upkeep of the delinting machines to install a cleaner 
through which the seed should pass before entering the delinters. ^ A 
cleaning machine of this kind that will do effective work in removing 
stones, metallic substances, dirt, and loose lint from the seed, reducing 
the frequency of filing the saws and producing a higher grade of 
linters, may be purchased at relatively small cost. In the absence of 
such a machine similar results may be obtained by equipping the 
delinting machines with magnets at a cost of $30 to $35 for each 
machine. 
LINTERS CUT PER TON OF SEED 
One of the most important factors in delinting cottonseed for 
planting purposes is the quantity of linters that may be removed per 
ton, or how close the linters may be cut without injuring the germi- 
nation. The exact quantity can not be fixed, because it will vary with 
the condition of the seed as it comes from the gin and to some extent 
with the different varieties. Usually more linters are obtained from 
seed ginned early in the season, when the cotton is somewhat green, 
than from seed ginned later, or when the cotton is matured and dry. 
The normal rate of delinting by the cottonseed-oil mills is about 75 
pounds per ton. 
During the season 1916-17, because of the abnormal demand for 
linters for munition manufacture, an average of about 150 pounds 
was cut. This shows the possible extent to which the seed may be 
delinted, but such drastic action is liable to injure the germination. 
Probably 100 pounds * is a safe maximum rate of cut when the seed 
is intended for planting purposes. The appearance and condition 
of the delinted seed is the most reliable indicator as to whether the 
lint is being cut close enough. The operator can ascertain after a 
few minutes' run whether any of the seeds are being injured or 
whether surplus lint is being left on them, and he can easily and 
quickly adjust the delinters so as to cut at the proper rate. 
The efficiency of this operation, as in ginning, depends to a great 
extent on the experience and skill of the operator and the proper 
care and adjustment of the machinery. The object is to cut the lint 
as closely and to make the seed as nearly uniform in appearance as 
is possible without injury to the germ. Seeds delinted lightly and 
heavily, compared with ginned, are shown in Figure 4. Injury may 
be detected by noting whether the hulls of any of the seeds have 
been cut through or broken by the saws. The seeds thus cut or 
8 Barr, J. E. delinting and recleaning cottonseed for planting purposes TJl S 
Dept. Agr., Dept, Bui. 1219. 1924. .;. ■ 
92548°— 26— 2 
