Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-11-12
AGRICULTURAL.
From the Southern Miss. Planter.
HANDLING COTTON,

HANDLING COTTON.
AS you say, the ublect of Cotton but too
readily suggests itself to the mind OF every
Southerner--and while we may flatter our
selves at having arrived TO some degree of
perfection in the cultivation of The growing
plant, there is one point we must all &C
knowledge has been too much neglected by
our planters. allude to the handling of
Cotton after il is made or gathered from
the fields. The article advises the system
OF hro1ing Cotton into urge piles into
our gins 80 soon as picked, in order 10 IN
dergo the process of heating. It contends
that 1t dlffuses the oil of the seed into tie
lint, thereby producing rich color and
more Substantial fibre. This is an impor-
tant point in the handling of Cotton, and
the views of the writer are so different from
my own, that | cannot refrain from offer
ing you some objections to it. ! regard
this system, as, unfortunately for our own
interest, but too much in practice AT present.
The low condition of our Cotton market, at
the present time particularly, calls for re-
rmatlon among our planters, and urges
upon them the necessity of sending our
crops for sale in better condition. Much
can be said upon this subject-too much is
required, for me to attempt it al present,
ard | shall content myself merely BY stating
my views in relation to the system above
alluded to.
| do net think, then, that the color of Cot
ton is improved by heating, but it is a seri.
Gus injury in many respects. 1t is true
some becomes more vel ow-whilst some
assumes blush cast, Consequently not uni
fOrm--and even that which does become
more yellow, Dies not present the bright
lively color SO much desired. We all
know that there is more or less dirt or dust
in Cotton when brought from the fields
by heating this dirt stains the Cotton, or
rather causes it TO assume dingy, dull ap-
pearance. in contrast with the natural, live.
ly, bright, cream color, which il EXHIBITS
when dried upon the scalfolds The fibre,
too, is iniured--loses its elasticity and
strenglh-becomes dead and heavy in ap.
pearance. admit that it gins more early,
but is that not an evidence of lost strength
IL
posed upon the scaffolds, will draw the oil
from the seed. dissipate the water AIR, diff
fuse the oil into the fibre, much better than
can be accomplished by heat from moisture
the dust will be shaken out, or if not, will
become so dry as not to injure the cotton
before it reaches the gin stand, where it will
be, or should be, entire y separated. Cot
ton which has been heated in piles, will gin
easier and faster, but not so weil--wil be
torn off from the seed in large fakes which
cannot be separated by the brush, each
fibre to ITSELF which causes it to present that
carded appearance which attracts the fancy
of the buyer These are my simple rea-
sons for believing that a thorough course
of drying upon ScaffoidS in the sun is The |
better plan of producing a perfect article
for m rket. BY the Que process we OBJ
tain an irregular yellow color, dull, Iifcless,
dingy cotton-by the other, rich. lively.
bright cream.color, with m lrc elastic lily, as
is plainly discovered at the press, by those
who have tried it. The writer above aiu-
ded to, is also deceived in another fact
He assigns, as reason, that the sun des.
troys the color of cotton, the fact, that cot.
ton picked Immediately after opening, has
the richest color. This is true-and it
loses its color by exposure to the de,os, and
not to the sun. So, also, cotton picked
early in the season has a ricner color thin
hat picked late, and that is owing to the
sun having more MISUNDERSTANDING the
moisture before it has time to bleach the
cotton.
These reflections have hastily thrown
they are now at your dispo.
Sal-should you deem worthy of insertion
in the Southern Planter, may from time
to time give you my views in relation to
other points in the syst, IN of handling Cot
ton. Very respectfully, yours, &c.
HALLER MUTT.
LAUREL Hill, Jefferson Co., April %, AZ.
SALT.