UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
In Cooperation with the 
Gemson Agricultural College 
DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1148 
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Washington, D. C. 
February 1, 1923 
COMPARATIVE SPINNING TESTS OF SUPERIOR VARIETIES OF COTTON 
(GROWN UNDER WEEVIL CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN 
STATES; CROP OF 1921) 
By William R. Meadows, Cotton Technologist, and William G. Blair, Specialist 
in Cotton Testing, Bureau of Agricultural Economics. 
Page. 
Purpose of tests 1 
Importance of pure varieties 1 
Varieties of cotton tested 2 
Origin of the cotton 2 
Classification of the cotton 2 
Mechanical conditions 2 
Page. 
Percentoges of waste 2 
Moisture conditions 3 
Breaking strength of yarns 4 
Irregularity of yarns 5 
Manufacturing properties 5 
Summary 6 
PURPOSE OF TESTS. 
The spinning tests herein described were conducted to determine 
the relative spinning value of cotton commercially thought to be of 
superior character with that of a number of pure strains of superior 
varieties of cotton. All were grown under boll-weevil conditions in 
the southeastern cotton States during the season of 192 1. 1 
IMPORTANCE OF PURE VARIETIES. 2 
Pure stocks of cotton seed produce larger and better crops because all of the plants 
in the field are alike, while in mixed stocks many of the plants are degenerate and 
unproductive and the lint is mixed and therefore of mediocre value. The use oi 
pure seed means larger crops and better fiber. 
The fiber from pure stocks is better not only because of its greater length or strength,, 
but also because the fibers are more uniform, which is the first essential of high 
quality in cotton fiber. 
Good cultural conditions simply give pure seed an opportunity for the expression 
of the full possibilities of the variety. 
By superior varieties we do not necessarily mean long staples. There are superior 
short staple varieties as well as superior long staple varieties. Superiority consists 
of uniformity — uniformity of plants, uniformity of fruiting habit and of fruit; all of 
which results in uniformity in the length and in the character of the cotton, the most 
valuable spinning qualities to be had. 
Pure seed is the first essential to a superior fiber. 
i These spinning tests were conducted under the general supervision of William R. Meadows, cotton 
technologist, and under the direct supervision of William G. Blair, specialist in cotton testing, who was 
assisted by H. B. Richardson, C E. Folk, and E. S. Cummings, assistants in cotton testing. The tests 
were made in the textile department of the Clemson Agricultural College, Clemson College, S. C 
2 From a paper read bv G. S. Melov, investigator in cotton marketing, at the conference of the cotton 
division, New Orleans, La., June 23, 24, 25, 1920. 
27782°— 23— Bull. 1148 
