Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-20
AND WASTE.

'Gderation probably few except those who are more or les
directly connected with the business stop to think that
not nearly oil the raw material - It leaves the producers
hands is ultimately woven into cloth. In the fitting Of
the raw material for actual use there is a very consider
able percentage Of waste. and another percentage of what
would be waste were it not for the fact that a great deal
Of skill and ingenuity has been shown in utilizing it in
the form of by-products. Something of what is done in
this direction is indicated in the following paragraphs
from a statement on cotton issued by the Department OF
Agriculture:
e Cotton experts have devised methods for using ev-
erything about a ton of cotton, except the 14s pounds of
dust and dirt, and volatile substances that are thrown
away or vanish in thin air during the process Of manu-
facture. Specialists of the bureau Of markets, United
States department of agriculture, have estimated that
the actual cotton in a ton Of unginned product weighs
only TOO to $50 lbs, the remaining 1880 to 1900 lbs. be-
ing seeds. During the cotton year" ending July 81, 1920,
the average yield for the United States for one ton of
cotton seeds was rs pounds Of ltnters, so2 pounds of oil.
sos pounds of cake and meal and $40 pounds Of hulls. in
addition to 146 pounds Of foreign matter and volatile
These proportions vary from year to year.
Cotton seed was formerly of little commercial value
but there are now some 500 plants in the United States
where it is manufactured. Even after ginning a short
fuzz clings to the seeds. This fuzz is called linters and is
removed before the crushing begins. Linters are used to
stuff such things as pads, mattresses, upholstery. and in
the manufacture OF explosives paper stock; and low
grade yarns. The seeds are crushed primarily for the
Oil, which Is of Importance both economically and CASTRO.
non1ically. Cotton oil may become an important con-
stituent Of shortening, or Of salad dressing, or be camou-
flaged as butter. 1t is~also used in manufacturing soap,
candles, roofing tar and many other things.
The cake and meal which remains after crushing
are used for cattle and poultry feed, fertilizers, dyestuffs.
and small quantities for flour. Even the hulls are uss-
full for fertilizers, cattle feed. household utensils, for
making paper stock, as a basis for explosives, and also
fer stuffing horse collars"
Wool seems to be more variable than cotton in the
matter Of waste Much Of the weight of q bundle Of wool
as it leaves the farm is. just dirt, without value for any
purpose. Fleeces are sold full Of burrs, chaff, etc. and
often Of filth due to being kept in unsuitable quarters.
One farmer tells The Herald Of having seen a consisn-
ment of wool graded Is per cent dirt. and he declares
that this was q moderate estimate. ASIDE from actual
dirt, raw wool contains 4 considerable percentage of
grease which is utilized for various purposes. and there
are other substances which do not belong in cloth, and
which must be removed.
The home preparation Of WOO. 10 almost a lost art,
but there are still among US those who remember
what 4 task it was to. cleanse the wool and
wool was to be used at home more care was
generally used In keeping the fleecas clean, or In cleaning
them before shearinE. There was a preliminary clipping
to remove tag locks and then there was the esrly sum
ner sheep washing, which was q great event for the small
boys.
Clear, warm weather was desired for the occasion.
The flock was driven to 4 convenient creek and was herd
ed into a small temporary yard from which a narrow
chute ran down to the stream. The animals were driven
one by one down this little passage. and were\seized by a
man standing almost waist deep in the warm water. The
protesting sheep was slochcd about in the water. and the
fleece was worked rapidly with the hands. Then the ami
NAL was turned loose to dry in the sun, and room was
made for another. The small boy who could not find an
excuse to stay away from school on sheep washing day
was decidedly lacking IN resourcefulness and in apprecia-
ton Of his opportunities. ....