The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-12
About Cotton Seed

Many uf our cotton planting readers nave
doubtless heard, in one way or another, that
cotton seed can be turned to account in other
wavs besides using it for manure. They
have heard more or less of cotton-seed OIL.
There is, however, we believe, but little ac-
curate information on the subject among our
people generally. A few facts on cotton
seed and its use will, therefore, not be unac-
ceptable to the readers OF THE News.
1t has long been known that cotton seed
was rich in oleagenous matter, and oil has
been pressed from this seed for number OF
years. In 1860, about 100000 was invest
ed in its manufacture, in the United States.
Now the capital used in the production OF
cotton-seed ell is estimated at $4,000, OOOi
of which amount about one-fourth is en-
ployed in the City of New York In New
Orleans about 100000 is thus used; about
$3.50, Ooo in Memphis and smaller amounts
in St. Louis, Mobile, yicksburg, Galveston
Columbia, and other cities through the
South. OF the extent of this new branch OF
industry some idea may be formed, when We
state that 17,I63 bags of seed averaging
100 lbs, were received in New York during
the first three months of 1870. A large
| amount is exported to England, where it
| has become o regular mercantile articles
quoted daily at the Produce Exchange, and
we see from the Brokers' circulars that the
demand there, either for the oil or the raw
| material the seeds absolutely unlimited
The cotton seed, as it comes from the
gin, has considerable lint on it and a tough,
close-fttins hull. Previous to the war this
hull was seldom taken of, and the lint never;
hence there was o considerable loss OF oil
and an inferior cake produced. The manu-
facture at present is conducted as follows:
The seed, as it comes from the plantation,
is first passed through Inter, thence di-
rectly irto the hulling machine. When sep
arated from the hulls the kernels are ground
and pressed to extract the oil. The presses
used are the improved hydraulic presses,
usually Of three columns or series OF cases
of FIVE each. The cake, after pressure, is
usually shipped in its thin, oblong shape,
but is ground to meal before use. This
pressing produces the crude oil. Its qua
lity, value and color are due entirely to
tie freshness OF the seed, the amount of heat
put on the kernels previous to and during
pressure; also, care in operation and clean
ing OF bags, &c.
There is French process, patented in this
country, in which the oil is extracted from
the seed by maceration in bisulphIde OF car
bon or light hydrocarbons. 1t has not yet
been operated here on large scale, owing
to the enormous rates asked by the paten-
Zee: but it is said firm is this year to erect
works at New Orleans to work under his for
mua. The New York Tribune, in recent
article, gives the following estimate Of the
machinery for factory, furnished by an
expert:
zone press of three tiers OF cases Is each,)
usual size, With ram, bags, squeezers, seed
heater, hydraulic pump, pipe and connections,
driving shafts and gear, seed rollers, stone
crushers with gearing, clarifier, revolving
screen, elevators and power to drive-sl2, 600.
Size and cost of building will vary with amount
of work to be done. Plenty Of airy room is
necessary for storing seed, and if more than
one press is used, still more room; in fact, in
all suchs operations it is better to have too
much than too little room. building 4016O
is small enough, and 60Sl00 is better, and at
least three stories high, with cellar. TIE
prices of machinery vary somewhat, as the
price of iron and actual. operations will de-
velop some things not enumerated above, but
it is far to say one might start on small
scale with $4,000, though it would be best to
nave $40, 900 more in reserve for the purchase
of seed.
THE above machinery will do n business Of
about $50 gallons of oil per "a working hours.
This would require a consumption of 10 tons
OF seed at 35 gallons per ton. The yield Of oil
varies from 35 to 40 gallons TO the ton ofrough
seed of 1000 lbs.
10 tons of seed cost at Memphis or Or.
leans. ns.................... ..'..... SAsu
Operating q hours, about. ..............: 20
Interest, say. ............''.'.',. ~
$50
81 tons OF cake. Memphis price......s IS
300 pounds nut ..............'.'..'' Wv m
$50 gallons OF OIL. Observation-Disclosures. -
s3lO-
Profits. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. SlGo
These estimates are from the actual opera
70 .,L; In ,,ob how