Washington telegraph., 1855-10-24
Varieties Of Cotton,

The different kinds Of cotton which are
imported and used in Great Britain have
been examined under the microscope by
Dr. Ure and 1ir T. Wilson. To their ob-
servations we are indebted for the following
measurements
In examining a sample Of cotton, it is
usual to take portion of it between the
fOrefinger and thumb. and LAYING the por-
tons as they are successfully drawn out
back again, on and parallel TO the filaments
from which they have been drawn out
and repeating this process several times,
small tufts are formed, in whichthe respect
i've lengths Of staple may be observed.
The fbres Of cotton, when drawn out from
the mass in which they appear entaugled,
display 50 many irregular twists as to give
them 4 jointed appearance, and. as Mr E.
Wilson observes. in this state they resem-
be string of oval beads, pointed at each
extremity, and connected by their points"
The entire fibre appears to taper finely
to both ends. that which IS adherent to the
seed being somewhat the tbickest Under
the microscope the fibre IS observed to be
continuous, moderately twisted, fat, ribbon
Ike. clear and transparent IL the middle
and Obaque towards each margin The e.
ner and more uniform the fibre, and more
incline to twist, the better is it suited for
spinning into fine yarn. But If TIE 6brss are
short, broad and formed Of fimsy ribbons,
they are less suited for machine spinning.
though they may yet as before mentioned
be twisted into thread by the delicate fin
gers of the Hindoo.
The value Of cotton depends upon the
length, strength, and fitness. as well as on
the softness and quality of the fibre But
these essential qualities are modified by col
OF and cleanliness. that is, free from knots
and Impurities. SO that there may be less
in spinning. Formerly color had great in
fuence, but now the great distinction is in
long-stapled and short stapled. The DIFF
ferent kinds Of cotton differ from each 9th
er not only in the above properties, but
also in considerable differences In quality
between different samples of the same kind
of cotton The finest quality OF Sea Is
land is sometimes worth three times as much
as the common quality ofthe same class. The
variation of quality in most Of the other de-
nominations is from 20 to 25 per cent, and in
noae of them is more than 80 per cent. =
These are sometimes divided into three or
four qualities. as ordinary, middling. fair.and
fine. 1T other times these are still further
sub-divided, as into inferior, ordinary, mid
ding, good-lniddling. middling-fair. fair,
good fair. fine. Except the better quail
ties of Sea Islands there is no sort OF cotton
which is now confined in It's use to any Pc
culiar or exclusive purpose. BY mixing
different sorts together, and by careful man
agement in preparing the mixture for spin
ming, the manufacturers can now make
substitute for almost any particular kind Of
cotton. except the very best. 1t is only
requisite to add, that the long-stapled cot
tons are generally used for the twist or warp,
and the short-s:apIed for the weft''
SEAIsLAND, or long-stapled cotton, the
most highly esteemed Of the cO.tons. is re-
markable for the length and fneness of Its
fbre, as for It's silky sofness. Among
white cottons it IS distinguished by Slight
veilowish tinge Of color. This kind sells in
England from eighteen pence to two shil-
iings, and has sold as high as Ave and sew
en- shiIlings pound The quantity is lin
tied, from the peculiarity Of physical cir
cumstanceS required Ior lis pFouuctlon--
The fbres are equable. about one and II
in length, and examined under the micro
scope. about 1-2000th of an inch in diane
ter, formed Of fat;ened cylinders transpar-
ent in the middle, o5aque towards the mar
Gin. and more or less twisted. DIR. Ure has
observed some kinds crimped transversely
with irregular bandages, and some with
/ hinsy ribbons and warts which adhere to
the sides of the filaments, called neps by
spinners. Mr Wilson describes the Sea Is
+ land as thick and narrow, but looking the
finest of all as seen with the naked eye
This kind is employed foT spinning the fin
est yarns.
UPLAND, or shoTt-staple cotton. under
which names are now usually included the
produce of the interior Of Georgia and Car