Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-08
No OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

The Southern people are rapidly learning
that there is a science in agriculture and
that they must take care of their land if
they expect the land to take care of them.
They are consequently demanding better ag-
ricultural implements. But the great de-
mand Of the South is the invention OF a sue
cessful cotton picker. Many models were
exhibited at Atlanta, but none has been
regarded as perfect. The ambitious
genius who invents a machine as complete
In picking cotton as is McCormack's machine
for reaping wheat will make an imperishable
fame and fortune that will exceed that of
the richest man in America. In discussing
the future possibilities of the cotton produc-
ton and the great necessity of a cotton
picker, the Baltimore Gazstte shows that when
it is known that the whole crop of the South
could be produced by few counties in Mis-
sissippi and Arkansas, if the entire acreage
was in cultivation, we may be able to COM
prehend the possible production in the
future, as the demands of the world may
increase in manufactures. From Virginia
to the Southwest, throughout the cotton re-
gion, the production per acre and to the
tation OF the soil to the largest and smallest
amounts of staple. When the boil opens
well, as it does in the most favorable soil and
climate, the crop comes in almost at once.
and great industry is required to secure it
from damp weather, and in sections where
the boil opens in such way that the cotton
must be literally "picked out" with the
fingers, the process is tedious and not very
remunerative. The clean and unstained
condition of the staple are matters of great
moment to the manufacturer, and often |
makes several cents difference in the pound |
in value. No invention has ever yet
been perfected by which the staple |
can be gathered without hand-pick-
ing, and in the hurry of securing the |
largest yield from the fields, especially in |
the present careless state of the labor sys-
TEN, much trash in the shape of leaves and |
stems become incorporated in the staple that
the gin cannot eliminate. This has been for
some time past matter of well-founded and
universal complaint with dealers and manu-
facturers, and it seems that the improvement
contemplated in this great Exposition would
be well represented in one single invention
in this especial connection. 1t is regarded
by those interested in cotton growth the
world over as device as inestimable as the
cotton-gin itself. The success of the cotton
cleaner will draw from the fields a much
larger quantity Of the staple than was ever
known before because the manipulating
will not be conducted with usual
regard to cleanliness, and this success
may stimulate invention to greater efforts 20
ttff'f'fyy- machinery to do the work of human
lands in the gathering. We have seen s
within a few years the same inventive talent
Employed on the perfection of means
o handle the wheat crop from the
process of seeding to the markets of delivery. !
Within something like half century the '
has been substituted by {
Machine that will harvest the heads of wheat =
nd thresh, fan and bag it in the same mcye- |
nent. So we may not be surprised to hear
lext of a successful cotton oleq.erD