COTTON, an important vegetable fiber, extensively cultivated in various parts of the globe within the 35th parallels of latitude.
1. Botanical and Commercial Classifications.—C. is the produce of all the species of the genus gossypium, which belongs to the natural order malvacece, and is thus allied to mallow, hollyhock, hibiscus, etc:. the general resemblance to which is very apparent both in the foliage and flowers. The species are partly shrubs, partly herbaceous, and either perennial or annual ; they are natives of the tropical parts of Asia, Africa, and America, but their cultivation has extended far into the temperate zones. They all have leaves with three to five lobes, which in a very young state are often sprinkled with black points, and rather large flowers, which are mostly yellow, but sometimes in whole or in part purple; the flowers very soon fall off; they grow singly from the arils of the leaves, and are surrounded at the base by three large, heart-shaped, cut or toothed, involucral leaves or bracts, partially growing together as one. The fruit is a 3 to 5-celled capsule, springing open when ripe by 3 to 5 valves, and containing numerous seeds enveloped in C., which is generally white, but sometimes yellow, and issues elastically from the capsule after it has burst open. Some of the other kinds have the flowers larger in proportion, and the leaves divided into more numerous and much deeper and narrower lobes, but the general appearance of all is very similar. Difference of opinion exists among botanists as to the number of distinct species, and there are very many varieties in cultivation, the number of which, through climatic influences and other causes, is continually increasing; but there are certain leading peculiarities on account of which some botanists and practical farmers reduce all, at least of the cultivated kinds, to four primary species—viz., 1. Gossypivm Barbadense; 2. G. herbaceum or Indicum; 3. G. Pervvianum; and 4. 0. arboreum. The produce of the first species is the most valu able. The beautiful long-stapled silky wool known as " sea island " is a variety, and is grown exclusively upon the islands and a portion of the mainland of Georgia. South Carolina, and Florida; the saline ingredients of the soil and atmosphere being indispens able elements of the growth. The plant bears a yellow flower, and the seeds are small,
black, and quite smooth, and the wool is easily separated therefrom; but when sown far inland, away from the saline influences of the coast, the seeds increase in size, and become covered with innumerable short hairs. A large percentage of the crops raised in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas. etc., are also varieties of this species, though, owing to climatic influences, the wool is shorter in staple, and less easily separated from the seeds than sea island. The commercial value of the latter kind varies from is. to 3s. per lb., rare specimens sometimes realizing 5s. or Os. per lb. The better descrip tions of Egyptian C. belong to G. Barbadense, and bring 18. to 2s. ad. per lb. iu the Liverpool market. The short-staple varieties, known as New Orleans, Mobile, etc., sell at from 5d. to 10d., extra qualities sometimes bringing is. per lb. G. herbaceum is found in India, China, Egypt, etc. The principal commercial varieties are those known as Surat, Madras, and short-stapled Egyptian. It is a small shrubby plant, bears a yellow flower, the seeds are covered with short grayish down, and the staple produced, though not long, is very fine. Its price varies from aid. to 9d. per lb. A variety is cul tivated in the United States, and the C. known as nankeen is thought to belong to this species. G. herbaceum can be profitably cultivated in colder countries than any other species of C. plant. The third species is a native of South America, and the "green seed " C. of the United States appears to be a variety. The stem reaches 10 to 15 ft. in height, the flowers are yellow, and the capsules contain 8 or 10 black seeds firmly attached together in a cone-like mass. The wool is long and strong-stapled, and in value stands next in order to sea island and long-stapled Egyptian. Maranham, Bahia, and Maceio are varieties which sell in Liverpool at from 8d. to Is. 2d. per lb. 0. arboreum is found in India. China, etc., and, as its name imports, is a large tree-like plant. It hears a red flower, and produces a fine yellowish-white wool. Varieties of it have been long cultivated in the United States, and with the requisite soil and climate, arc said to produce a wool somewhat resembling sea island.