10 BULLETIX 1056, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
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 PEE TON OF SEED. 
One of the most important factors in delinting cotton seed 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 60 pounds is a safe 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 
short and to make the seed as near uniform in appearance as is 
possible without injury to the germ. Seeds delinted lightly and 
heavily, compared with gin-run, 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 
broken should be less than 1 per cent. (See illustration of cut and 
broken seeds in fig. 5.) 
