Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-12-08
From the New York Dry Goods Reporter.
Cotton ManufatureS,-NO l.

Cotton Manufatures.-NO. L.
In treating this subject aim will be to present the
views of some of best practical manufacturers and
shall not scrupe to avail ourselves of any inorma
ton which be obtained believing that secrecy which
for long period yelled this branch of industry was
unfortunate for its growth-and that no impulse can be
given towards the extension of manufacturing in this
country, efectual the general dissemination of
practical knowledge on the subject. And while we
may adopt those theories Of Baine Ure and other Sci
entifc WRITER'S which experience has proved practical
shall not consider it necessary give authorities
but hold ourselves responsible for the correctness of the
views advanced.
In order to understand the theory and practice of Cot
ton Spinning, not only thorough appreciation must be
had of the peculiar operations and capacity of each
chine for working cotton, but of the characters
tics of the fibre should be known. The commonly re-
ceved opinion that there boards the fibre which act
ing each fament gives it the property of cohesion
and thus renders it susceptible Of being spun into firm
uniform tWlsts-ls erroneous. 1t derives this pro-
perry according to the best authorities from the smooth
ness tenacty, fexibity elasticity peculiar length and
spiral form of the flament.
The Investigations of scientific show, that when
the cotton is viewed through powerful microscope it
appears to consist of transparent CLASSY tubes atened
and twisted round their axis section of the fila
ment resembles in degree figure g. the tube orr
ginally cylindrical having collapsed most in the middle
forming scnli-tubes on each side, which gives to the
fibre, when viewed in certain lights the appearance of
fiat ribbon with hem or border each edge. 1t has
|
UNFINISHED cylindrical tubes which never twist after
wards if separated from the plant and the twisted and
corkscrew form of the amen is the peculiar character
stic OF the fully ripe and mature pod. Now, in the
process of manufacture the cotton should be submitted
to any operation which will destroy any of their char
acteriscs, it will prevent successful spinnng-whch is
the basis of all the subsequent operations in manufacture
ing Or if the ament OF the fibre does not possess the
properties of the fully ripe cotton the result will
be seen and this popularity accounts, in great de-
uhJp jC
qualities of cotton 1t is important fact that the
most slightly and clean cotton does not always make the
best thread. This is much better understood by the
English than the American spnners hence the former
take from very little OF the staple cassed above mid
dlngs-a grade which do not generally use except
in low numbers The OF this grade in finer numbers
involves the idea of greater preparation In this depart
ment sadly deficient, and it is one in which the
English manufacturer has decided advantage US.
They not only possess the best possible preparation for
cleaning the low cotons, without injury the fibre
any of its peculiar qualities, and making it equal to the
higher casshcatons at very much less cost-but they
have system of mixing different staples the short East
India with the long staped Orleans, all of which we
shall have occasion to discuss hereafter.
The object of the first process in working cotton is to
overcome as tar possible the results Of packing and
COMPRISING, which have been found necessary to ac
tate the transportation of the article and bring it back
to its original state in the mature boil thus
freeing it from the matted and entanged mass and the
collections of any foreign substances with which acct
dent design has enveloped it. 1t the staple could be
transferred from the fields to the manufactures without
this operation OF packing, it would be found to be well
prepared for that which at present is considered the
second operation or process in cotton spinning In the
earlier history of manufacturing this opening of the
| ton accomplished in very simple manner, by beat
| ing it with switches, and the fbres were efectuay
opened to separate easily the sand and seeds fall
ling down between the cords which the cotton was
ad-the cords being fixed at both ends and parallel with
the two sides of wooden frame designed for that purpose
Thus the cotton cleaned eectuay and prepared for
the spreading machine But it involved great deal of
labor various machines invented, which obviated
the expenses but the most perfect equaled the
efficiency of the switches while many absolutely destroyed
the staple for all fine work. Subsequent inventions and
improvements have been introduced so that the work
is comparatively well done but have no hesitation
in saying that at least one half of ali the mills in this
country open and clean their cotton in such manner
to destroy more less of the staple, and thus weaken
the strength Of the yarn and in this the system
could be superseded by hand teasng to great
advantage.
The second operation is designed to form lap or rib
band of cotton into given length and breadth, in
uniform body of equal thickness to enable the cardng
engine, with its reversed action of opposite surfaces
studded with angled wire hooks-or Simply brushes OF
iron wire fixed in leather applied to sets of cylindrical
| and plain surfaces-to commence the third process
which is to open and arrange the flaments engthwse
to each other, and as parallel possible This work
imperfecty done by this machine is completed by the
drawing and doubling This together with the twist
uniform thread comprehends the whole art of Cotton
| Spinning, which we shall treat in their order
A Tonl