Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-02-23

VARIETIES OF CorroN.-The different kinds of
cotton which are imported and used in Great Brit
ain have been examined under the microscope by
DR.: Ure and by Mr.. Z. Wilson, To their observa-
tons we are indebted for the following measure
ments. In examining sample of cotton, it is usual
to take portion OF it between the forefnger and
thumb, and laying the portions they success
fully drawn out back again on and parallel to the
famen,s from which they have been drawn out
and repeating this process several times small tufts
are formed, in which the respective lengths of sta
pie may be observed
The flores of cotton when drawn out from the
mass in which they appear entangled, display so
many irregular twists as to give them iointed ap-
pearance and, as Mr.. E. Wilson observes, " in this
state they resemble string of oval heads 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 some.
what the thickest. Under the microscope the fibre
is obscrN ed to be continuous, moderately twisted,
flat, rbbon.lke, clear and transparent in the middle
and opaque towards each margin. The finer and
more uniform the fibre, and inclined to twist,
the better it is suited for spinning into fine yarn-
But If the tibres are short, broad and formed of
fmsy ribbons, they are less suited for machine
spinning, though they may yet, as before mention
the Hindoo
The value of cotton depends on the length,
strength and finenss, we'll on the votness and
equality of the fibre. But these essential qualities
modified from by color and cleanliness that is,
freedom from knots and impurities, SO that there may
be less waste in spinning Formerly color had great
influence, but now the great distinction is in long
stapled and short stapled. The different kinds of
cotton differ from each other 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 Island is
sometimes worth three times as much as the COM
mon quality in the same class. The variation of
quality in most denominations is from the 20 to 25
per cent, and in of them is more than so per
cent" These sometimes divided into three Of
four qualities, of ordinary, middlng fair and fine
At other times still further sub-dividcd, to
INFERIOR ordinary, middling fair, fair, good fair,
good and fine, Except the better qualities of Sea
Islands, there is sort ofcotton which is now con-
fined in its to any peculiar exclusive purpose
By mixing different sorts together, and by careful
management in preparing the mixture for spinning,
the manufacturers can now make substitute for
almost any particular kind of cotton, except the
very best It's only requisite to add, that the long
stap!ed cottons generally used for the twist or
warp, and the short stapcd for the welt.
Sea Islands or long stap'ed cotton, the most high
" esteemed of the cottOns, is remarkable for the
length ard fneness of its fibre, as for its silky soft
ness. Among white cotton it is distinguished by a
slight yelowish tngc CT color. This kind sells in
England from eighteen pence to two shiliings, and
has sold high five and seven shillings pound
The quantity is limited from the popularity of phys
fibrcs are cquabe, about II Inches in length, and
examined under the microscope, about 12000th Of
an inch in diameter, formed of fiattened cylinders
transparent in the middle Opaque towards the
gin, and more less twisted. DR.. Crc has OBJ
served some kinds crimped transverscly with rryg
ular bandages, and some with himsy ribbons and
warts which adhere to the sides Of the fi!ancnts
called neps by spinners Mr.. Wilson describes the
Sea Island thick and narrow, but looking the fl
nest of all as seen by the naked eye. This kind is
employed for spinning the finest yarn
Upland, short staple cotton, uncer which
names usually included the produce of the
interior of Georgia and the CaroIinas, well of
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana Tennessee. 1t used
to be, and sometimes Is still call Bowed, from the cot
ton of Georgia having beer. formerly cleaned with
the Indian cotton bow. Though shorter in the sta.
pie and unequal, this is white in color, much cs-
teemsd, and forms the bulk of the cotton Of COM
merce. The staple is one inch to and q quar-
ter inches in length. The best kinds are fit for
spinning high as No. so, some higher; the shor-
ter kinds are worked up into No. so. and othe coar
yarns; but mixed with good Egyptian or with
Pernambuco cotton, even these can be spun into
higher numbers. Under the microscope the hbres
appear less twisted than others, cynlidric f.
bres with many twists, of the width of about
l-14OO,h Of an inch; thin and broad.
Egyptian.-Thc best Egyptian cotton ranks next
to Sea Island in quantity and length ofstaple though
it is not usually well cleaned 1t only about
the year 1912 that the Pasha began the cultivation,
by importing seed from America and the Mcditera-
mean and from Brazil. These different kinds may,
therefore, he met with in cultivation there,
though the Sea Islands yield the best kind of cot
ton, called Maho which is used here like that kind
for the finest yarns. 1t has staple of II to II
inches in length, from l.l6OO;h to i-2O0th of an
inch in breadth, uniform, spiro-cylndrca thin and
broad Some excellent cotton has been sent from
Port Natal; that from the Island of Bourbon used
to be much esteemed. Some has also come from
the west of Africa.