EDITORIAL. 
COTTON RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. 
Under the scheme promulgated by the British Department of 
Science and Industry, a Cotton Industry Research Association has 
been established. The attention of this Association will be directed 
to the development of cotton-growing within the Empire, to all that 
relates to the chemical side of the industry, and to manufacture. The 
comprehensive objects can be best described in the official terms of the 
Association, viz. :— 
“To promote research and other scientific work in connexion 
with the production of cotton and its utilization:in industry, 
and, generally,.in connexion with any branch of. trade or. 
commerce producing, using, and handling cotton, whether in a 
raw or manufactured state, or producing machinery, accessories, 
substances, or appliances to be employed in the production of 
cotton or its utilization in industry, and to provide and spend 
money as may be thought necessary or convenient for these 
purposes, and to encourage and improve the education of persons 
who are engaged, or are likely to be engaged, in the industry.” 
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has agreed 
to contribute £5,000 per annum for five years on the condition that 
the Association raises a similar sum. If more is*contributed by the 
Association, an equal amount will be added by the Government. The 
Federation of Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers’ Association, the 
Employers’ Federation of Dyers and Finishers, and the Federation of 
Calico Printers are actively co-operating in the work. Applications 
have recently been invited for appointment to the position of Director 
of British Cotton Industry Research Association, at a salary of not 
less than £1,250 per annum. 
COTTON INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. 
Since the establishment of the Union, the cotton industry in South 
Africa has made considerable progress. The latest available figures 
show that over 7,000 acres are under cultivation, mainly in the Rusten- 
burg and Waterberg districts. The yield of seed cotton has increased 
from 41,000 Ibs. in 1910-11 to 700,000 Ibs. in 1916-17. During the 
same period the yield of lint has increased from 13,000 Ibs. to 
233,000 lbs. Later results are not quite so good, owing to the damage 
by the boll-worm and by frost; had conditions been favorable, the 
yield of cotton, according to the estimate of the Rustenburg Farmers’ 
Co-operative Union, would have been between three and five million 
pounds of cotton. 
It is felt, however, that, in spite. of the growth of the cotton 
industry, the methods adopted in treating the cotton seed do not enable 
the growers to realise the fullest possible value of their product. The 
Rustenburg Farmers’ Co-operative Union applied some time ago to 
the Industries Advisory Board for financial asistance in the proposed 
erection of an oil-expressing plant. A Committee of the Advisory 
Board visited Rustenburg in December, 1917, to investigate. The 
Co-operative Union proposed that the oil press should be erected by the 
Government, and controlled by the Union on the pound for pound 
principle. 
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