The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-07-01
mn the Jl1Clnnatl "I'Ilcc JuIIeI
COTTON SEED OIL,
And other Preductt,ns efde Refuse Of the
Cotton Plant.

In all article, whiEh we puDlSne0 IN our
naper last Fall, we stated that the manu-
facture of Oil from Cotton seed had been
commenced by the proPrietors of one of our
Oil mills. The business is being carried on
very successfully, and the Oil is coming
into general use.
Edgar COnkling, Esq, one Of our enter
prising citizens, has now in operation a Sc
rics Of successful experiments, not only in
reference TO a new and simple mode of ex-
tracing the Oil in its pure state from Cot
ton seed. but as regards the application of
the residue of the seed, after the Oil IL ex-
tracted, to other important and useful pur-
poses. The matter is fraught with impOr-
lance, and if Mr.. Conkling's theory CON
tanned in the following communication which
we find in the New Orleans Picayunc, be
correct, and Of which we can have but lit
tle doubt, We hope it VIII be fully develop
I'd in this city. We have the men and the
capital to do it, if il can be done, beyond
doubt. Mr.. Conkling says:
Il am satisfied that the value Of cotton
seed fibre; Of oil til~t may be made from
the seed for burning, lubricating and per
haPs painting, and for soaps, of the refuse
cake, fOr-distilling, feeding cattle and hogs,
manure, and even for gas. is equal in value
annually to that of the cotton crop. 1t is
subject have given good deal of atten-
ton to. Soap may be made directly from
the seed by boiling it in the alkalies oils
may be extracted in pure state, with a
full yield and free of coloring matter with
out the costly method of compression and
when extracted the seed may be distilled,
rs it has the essential properties, contain
ing III per cent. of grape sugar, thus dis
placing so much grain of use for food The
railroad office of this city lights its office from
gas made from cotton seed cake. The seed
Itself is richie. for the purpose
NO one item of residue, going TO waste
in this country, will compare in utility and
value to cotton seed; and, with little at
tention on the part of those interested and
capable of approaching it, the South in
few years may reap fifty millions annually
of nett receipts from working It up. A re-
Gent number of the Scientific American"
says that when cotton sold for six cents
per pound large amount of it was used
for making paper. The waste cotton fibre
is equally good for this purpose, and can
he secured by the use of machinery, as
supported by me in the May number of the
Tennessee Farmer and Mechanic" In
paper, oil and soap, the South can thus
beat the world in quality and value, if it
choose"
The Picayuno nppcnds some remarks, a.
follows:
Our readers are already aware that |
company has been established in this CITY |
for the purpose of manufacturing rope and |
yarn from the fibrcs and bark of the cotton |
plant. The terms of the charter cf the |
manufacturing company leave it open
to them to devote their attention to 9th |
or branches Of manufacture also and it |
would appear peculiarly fitting that they
should enter upon such as may spring from !
sources so closely allied to-nay, to a GER /
tain extent identical with-thqt to which !
they have particularly resolved on attend |
ing. We would therefore invite their at
ton to the ENORMOUS revenue which il Is al |
legged upon apparently conclusive grounds. !
may be Melted from produce Of the cotton
plant ut present thrown away as a refuse. !
The seed produces, as Mr.. Conkling
says, one of the most valuable oils, both for
and lubricating purposes.
ranking in both respects equal to sperm
oil. The proportion it yields is said to be
about 30 per cent. and the 20 per cent res
Idue Is all good oil cake. The total guam
tity of seed being 2,239, 500, 900 pounds.
the oil produced would amount to gu $40
)oo pounds, and the oil cake to ,567. 500
200 pounds. Estimating the value per
pound of the oil to be not more than that of
the cheapest grease, it would be worth s67,
l9l'OoOi and valuing the cake at one half
he rate at which other oil cake sells. that
would to worth 81. s39,S)O.
Here then, estimating tho values at ex-
lew rates, ne have a revenue
II Sl35' OOO'OOO literally being thrown away
Yearly. Allow that one half of ia pre-
Z
owed up in the course of manufacture, and
till there would be sixty five millions and
half left for nett profit.
The Manufacturing Company have al
eady directed their attention to vet anoth-
It product of the cotton plant, as we COM
nenced by remarking; but it appears that
HIS too is extremely valuable for pape.-
making purposes as well rs for those to
Thtch they appear more particularly in
ending to direct it. We would invite their
ttention, as well as that of our readers =
enerally, TO the subjoined remarks from
&c New York Day Book, on this point:
Specimens Of the bark stripped from cot
IN stalks have been exhibited to paper
at the North, and were con- Y
dered equal to good rags worth six cents
'r pound. or about $3.50 per ton, and &ere o
-OEounced the hast substitute f,r r,rr- &c -