The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-03-03


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
cripples the mills abroad and sur
plus here causes the prices to sink
to 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-
cade it increased to S,500,00O 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
lO,401,453 bales. In 1904 the worlds
production had increased to 1897
500 bales, and that of the United
States is 13,444,946 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 $37O,7OS,74O and the
corn crop at S751,22O,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 $1,116,
against $561,100,3S6 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, hav-
ing value of $51S, 372,727 in 1906.
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 1864, and
was exported in 1747. The first manu-
factory for cotton goods was also
built in South Carolina in 1890. The
acreage and production was small
previous to the invention of the cot
ton gin by Eli Whitney in 1894. I'D
TO this time the separation of the
lint from the seed was done by hand.
1t was slow, tedious job, one person
not being able to separate more than
four or five pounds in a weeks time.
The cotton gin consists of number
OF saws set on a cylinder, which is
revolvcd 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 opro-
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 bailing.
The region in which this important
plant may be profitably 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
ern Tennessee and in some parts 81
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 long staple, and the 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
cial position. The short staple. or
green seed, is known botanically as
Gossypium hirsutum, and there is
some dOuAt as to 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 it was found by Columbus i'm
the West Indies, growing wild as
perennial, and was introduced into
the Southern colonies from these
islands
Cotton is, in this country. an an
nuai--that is, the plant grows for
one season only. natures. produces
the seeds to reproduce itself. and
then dies. IL grows something like
a tree. though &c attains "a height of
only from three to four feet. There
is a main stalk and numerous
branches; leaves green and foliated.
The blossoms begin to appear about
eight weeks after the planting. They
arc handsome. ana a cotton field I'm
bloom i5 n beautiful sight, the deep
green Of the foliage making perfect
background for the varicolored flow
crs. These are somewhat similar to
those of the hollyhock, but change I'm
color from day TO day OF their short
existence, and also from hour 20 hour
Of the first day after they open. Upon
opening i'm the morning the flowers
gro of a pale straw color, by noon
time they have become a pure white.
and by the late afternoon they have
changed TO q delicate pink. PurpIes
and yellOws are also seen. The sec
ond day the blossoms are darker fn
color, and about the third day they
withcr and the form" begins to
grow. II the interior OF flower be-
comes wet 80 blasts and no form sets.
For this reason the planter always
wants hot. dry weather for the great
CIR part OF the time while hts cotton