New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-29
COTTON PICKING BY MACHINERY.

A REMARKABLE SOUTHERN INVENTION.
PROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE. !
CHARLESTON, S. c., June 25.-A recent in
yention which promises successful TO revolutonize
the chief industry of the Southern States and to nave an
important bearing leading branch OF American ana
English manufactures is about 10 he subjected to ex~
tensvc and thorough tests the result of which VIII be
awaited with This device aims to do Tor cot
ton what reapng machine does for wheat and other
small grains: harvest matured crop much more
quickly and cheaply than possible by hand labor II
1t succeeds doing this II will not be surprising the
new invention gives TO material prosperity OF the
Cotton States something Of the same impulse which the
less lent the development and wealth OF the
grain growing West and Northwest One might even
venture 10 say II this machine proves to be what It's
inventor expects its influence the destiny OF the South
will be scarcely less than that OF the invention OF the
cotton gin on the institution OF slavery.
Ingenuity has long been at work TO construct a ma
chino which will harvest cotton successfully. NO less
than ninetysx inventions besides the one mere referred
10 have patented but all of Them apparently have
be on failures inventor Of this however de
cares that the FIRST which discrminaes between the
pen and unopened bols and leaves the plant unharmed
after the has been puckcd This Is so nearly IKE
the exercise OF human intelligence and skill that In
purely mechanical cOntrvance II wOnld be incfedlbe
without full and fair demonstration Mrs Haynesworth,
sister OF President Arthur while in South Carolina few
weeks ago. saw this machine and spoke OF 1t as the
eighth wonder OF the world"
young South Carolinan. named Mason, has been
studying subject for niue Not sntil 1882
however did he hit upon the essential principle OF his In
vention. OF his !machines was sufficiently complete
last autumn for trial. in cotton field near SUMTER B.
C. Its practical was IL IS said. then demon
strated although the principle was not yet as ehectvey
applied he desired Plenty Of capital has been at his
disposal; and for nine months Mr.. Mason has been IN
dustrously experimenting 70 secure greater efficiency
strength ghtnes and simplicity In Construction and to
He feels confident b the machine Is
nearly quite perfect though he is conservative In his
statements Ten machines, suited t0diferent localities
modes Of planting, varieties OF cotton, and other con-
ditions, have been built for trial this
opens ia Texas in July which is earlier than In
South Carolina or Georgia; and the first tests will be
made In the westernOst Of the Gulf States with such
prou p;ness that IL Mr. Mason discovers chance to make
further he do so before cotton picking
becomes general elsewhere State authorities all
the South have given notice 10 the Southern Cotton Har-
yeser Company which Is back OF Mr. Mason, that fields
will nj the various State fairs this year for
practical exhibitions OF this invention, and that gold
medals will be awarded for all successes Little has
peared In the newspapers about the Invention yeti but
Widespread interest Is evnced by nterrogatve letters
from ALI parts Of the country and especially from plant
,,.,
8 the probable price Both for his own credit ana
profit Mr. Mason wishes to that his invention
kerfect before he gives II 70 the world But from what