The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-10-31

Of raw material for the manufacture
OF textile fabrics.
The production OF cotton in this
country has assumed vast proportions
since the Civil War. The markets Of
the world are controlled by the Amer
lean cotton crop. A shortage here
crippies the mills abroad and a sur
plus here causes the prices TO sink
to a lower level. In 1880 the produc-
ton In the United States was in round
numbers 100000 bales, OF 500
pounds each, During the next de-
oade It Increased to $500, 900 bales,
and still another 100000 bales
from 1890 to 1900. In 1900 the
worlds production was 15,S93,591
bales, Of which the United States con-
tributed practically two-thirds, or
1O,401 1853 bales, In 1904 the worlds
production had increased to 1887
$50 bales, and that Of the United
States is 1S, 444,946 bales.
There is only one other crop grown
In this country which exceeds the
cotton crop In value, and that is In
dian corn, or maize, the great Ameri-
can cereal. In 1900 the cotton crop
was valued at S370,708,740 and the
corn crop at 1851, 22O,O34, or about
twice as much. With the increase in
the production Of cotton during the
next FIVE years corn also kept pace,
and in value retained the same ratio,
Its value being S1,116,696,738,
against 1851, 100,3S6 for cotton.
Only one other crop approaches or
compares in value with that Of cotton.
This crop, which is wheat, is only
slightly less than that Of cotton, hay-
ing a value Of $518,372,727 in 1905.
The cultivation Of cotton in the
United States dates back almost to
the discovery Of the country by Col
umbus. He found a certain species
growing in the West Indies. It is
mentioned In the Colonial records Of
South Carolina as early as 1854, and
was exported in 1747. The frst manu-
factory for cotton goods was also
built In South Carolina in 1870. The
acreage and production was small
previous TO the invention Of the cot
ton gin by Ell Whitney in 1874. Up
to this time the separation of the
lint from the seed was done by hand.
II was a slow, tedious job, one person
not being able to separate more than
four or Ave pounds in a weeks time.
The cotton gin consists Of a number
OF saws set on a cylinder, which is
Tevolved rapidly The mass Of cot
ton is pressed against the saw teeth,
which in revolving pull the lint from
the seeds to which it is attached, and
the teeth, playing between steel bars,
allow the lint but not the seeds to
pass. Below the saws is a set OF stiff
brushes, which revolve in the oppo-
site direction, brushing the lint from
the saw teeth. There is also a fan
or blower attachment TO take the
light, soft lint away from the gin
and TO the press for battling.
The region in which this important |
plant may be probably grown is re-
stricted by climatic conditions to the |
Southern States. The chief cotton |
growing States are North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas;
however, only certain parts Of these
States are suited in climate and
other characteristics for It's produc- |
ton. There is also considerable cot
ton grown in Northern Florida, West
ern Tennessee and In some parts OF |
Arkansas, Indian Territory and Okla
homa. The remaining portions OF |
these States are not suited to cotton |
culture.
There are two kinds OF cotton
grown in the United States-the Sea
Island. or lsng staple, and she up
land, or short staple The latter is
grown most extensively, and forms
the bulk Of the product, though the
former holds an important CONNER
eisl position. The short staple. or
green seed, is known botanically as
Gossypium hirsutum, and there is
some doubt as 70 the place OF Its
origin. Some say It is a native Of
India, and was introduced into this
country by seed brought from Eng
land, while other authorities assert
that II was found by Columbus in
the West Indies, growing wild as
perennial, and was introduced into
the Southern colonies from these
Cotton is, in this country, an an
nuai--that il, the plant grows for
one season only, natures. produces
the seeds to reproduce itself, and
then dies II grows something like
a tree, though It attains height OF
only from three to four feet There
is main stalk and numerous