| Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Ginning is the process of separating the cotton fibers from the cotton seeds. Perfect ginning operation would be performed if the separation of fibers from seed was effected without the slightest injury to either seeds or to the fiber. A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates the cotton fibers from the seeds, a job previously done by hand. These seeds are either used again to grow more cotton or, if badly damaged, are disposed of. It uses a combination of a wire screen and small wire hooks to pull the cotton through the screen, while brushes continuously remove the loose cotton lint to prevent jams. The term "gin" is an abbreviation for engine, and means "machine". History of Ginning The gin method for seeding cotton can be traced back as far as the first century A... oct 22 2010 ∞
oct 22 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Differences in cotton prices may be attributable to a number of factors. Cotton prices vary, in particular, depending on the variety grown and the quality of the harvested cotton. For examples, ad hoc quotations are set for long-staple Egyptian cotton. In addition, cotton-pricing mechanisms are affected by government support programmes, especially in the United States. Subsidisation regimes in several producing countries have added to the relative fragmentation of price formation for cotton. According to a communication from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council and the European Parliament (COM(2004) 87), due to subsidisation, prices paid to domestic cotton farmers were 90% and 154% above world prices in 2001/02 in the US and EU respectively. It should be pointed out here that there ... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com In industrial uses of cotton, grades defined by the US Department of Agriculture are generally accepted as the world standards for cotton fibre quality. United States Cotton Standards Developments in Cotton Classification Standards Prior to the development of official standards, cotton was marketed primarily on the basis of its variety and where it was grown, although some physical standards for cotton classification (sets of physical samples) were used privately. The United States Cotton Futures Act of 1914 authorised the Department of Agriculture to establish physical standards as a means of determining colour grade, staple length and strength, and other qualities and properties. These standards were thereafter agreed upon and accepted by the leading European cotton associations and exchanges. They were accordingly termed and referre... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The United States and Russia shuffle the first position in the cotton production between themselves. These two, countries are closely followed by China and India while other important producers include Brazil, Egypt, Mexico and Pakistan. United States The most famous cotton growing area in the United States is the 'cotton belt' which refers to a large area from southern Virginia to western Texas, excluding most of Florida but including major parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee as well as the adjoining corners of Missouri and Kentucky. The most important of these in area, yield and production is the Mississippi alluvial plain. The outer limit of the cotton belt corresponds to the 200 day growing season and rough topography in the north, low and uncertain rainfall in the west and poorly drained coastal marshla... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cotton is produced by small trees and shrubs belonging to the mallow family, which also includes hibiscus, okra, and the swamp mallow. The immature flower bud, called a square, blossoms and develops into an oval boll that splits open at maturity, revealing a mass of long white seed hairs, called lint, that cover a large number of brown or black seeds. When fully mature and dry, each of these hairs is a thin flattened tubular cell with a pronounced spiral twist and is attached to a seed. The length of the individual fibers ranges from 1.3 to 6 cm (0.5 to 2.5 in). Shorter fibers that grow from the seeds are called linters. A few species are grown commercially; these range from a small tree of Asia, to the common American Upland cotton, a low, multibranched shrub that is grown as an annual. oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com In the United States, production of the crop for a given year starts soon after harvesting the preceding fall, when many cotton farmers chop or shred the stalks with machines. The residue is plowed under and the land usually left rough until spring tillage. Planting time varies from the beginning of February in southern Texas to the beginning of June in the northern sections of the Cotton Belt. A number of methods, chemical and mechanical, have been used to control weeds and grass, including intensive spraying of herbicide before and after planting. The cultivator, rotary hoe, and flame cultivator are also used to destroy weeds. Nearly all cotton grown in the United States is now harvested mechanically with spindle-type pickers or strippers. Pickers are used extensively in irrigated lands. The picker has vertical drums equipped with wire... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cotton is a Warm season (tropical) crop.It can be profitably grown in regions with rainfall of 850-1100 mm, but economic yields can not be realized in the region with a rainfall less than 500 mm.50cm of well-distributed rainfall is necessary for higher yields. In general, temperatures above 35 degree C are not desirable for cotton growing, however, when the moisture supply is favourable, the cotton plant is capable of enduring without permanent injury, very high temperatures (upto 43-45 degree C) for short periods. If these high temperatures persist for several days, however, the yields will be adversely affected.High light intensities throughout the growing period are essential for satisfactory vegetative development, for minimal shedding of buds and bolls and hence for higher yields.Cotton Crop can be grown up to 1000m altitude Soil requirements oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cotton is a natural fibre of vegetable origin, like linen, jute or hemp. Mostly composed of cellulose (a carbohydrate plant substance) and formed by twisted, ribbon-like shaped fibres, cotton is the fruit of a shrubby plant commonly referred to as the "cotton plant". The cotton plant, a variety of plants of the genus Gossypium, belongs to the Malvacae family, which comprises approximately 1,500 species, also including the baobab tree, the bombax or the mallow. The plant, growing up to 10 metres high in the wild, has been domesticated to range between 1 to 2 metres under commercial cultivation in order to facilitate picking. Either herbaceous or ligneous, it thrives in dry tropical and subtropical areas. Whereas by nature the plant is a perennial tree (lasting about 10 years), under extensive cultivation it is mostly grown ... sep 14 2010 ∞
sep 14 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The cotton industry is constantly striving to develop new and improved methods for producing quality products at a reasonable price. The cotton industry continues to look toward the future at further improving their product while providing employment opportunities for millions of people in a variety of related areas. Cotton related job opportunities can be found from the farm where the cotton is produced to the department store where the garments are sold. Cotton supports the dairy industry by providing a source of food for the milk cows. Cotton seed can be processed to produce oil for cooking and blending with food products. Jobs can be found in the trucking and transportation industry as it is often transported thousands of miles from the cotton gins to the cotton mills, and then again to the distribution outlets. sep 14 2010 ∞
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Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Previous to the introduction of Modern Machinery, ginning was performed by hand or by machines of a primitive character such as the "Foot Roller" and its improvement the "Churka". As the cotton industry developed, greater production than these were capable of was necessary, and machines driven by power were introduced. Numerous forms of gins have been tried, but at the present time only three are used to any large extent. They are
i. Single acting Macarthy Gin. ii. Double acting Macarthy Gin iii. Double roller Macarthy Gin. oct 22 2010 ∞
oct 22 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.Its production also promotes and enhances biodiversity and biological cycles.In the United States cotton plantations must also meet the requirements enforced by the National Organic Program (NOP), from the USDA, in order to be considered organic. This institution determines the allowed practices for pest control, growing, fertilizing, and handling of organic crops.As of 2007, 265,517 bales of organic cotton were produced in 24 countries and worldwide production was growing at a rate of more than 50% per year. Advantages of Oraganic Cotton Cotton growers who make the transition to biologically based growing practices exp... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com International Cotton Advisory Committee The International Cotton Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as ICAC) is the authoritative forum for international discussions on matters related to the cotton economy. It met for the first time in Washington, D.C. in April 1940. Membership in ICAC is open to all members of the United Nations or of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, expressing an interest in cotton (although any other interested government shall be eligible to apply for membership). As established in Article I of the Rules and Regulations adopted by the 31st Plenary Meeting (June 16, 1972), the functions of ICAC are:
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oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com People's Republic of China : 25.3million bales India : 20.5million bales United States : 19.2 million bales Pakistan : 11.7million bales Brazil : 7.2 million bales Uzbekistan : 5.5 million bales Turkey : 3.2 million bales Greece : 1.4 million bales Turkmenistan : 1.3 million bales Syria : 1.2 million bales oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Ants Some species of Australian ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are important predators of cotton pests, particularly under raingrown conditions and in lighter soils where ant colonies can establish within the field. However ants can sometimes form associations with aphids, in which they feed on aphid honeydew, and in return, nurture and defend aphid colonies against other predators. During an irrigation event, ants present in the crop will re-locate their eggs higher into the plant canopy. Bacteria Bacterial disease may also affect larvae of various cotton pests such as heliothis. Commonly, bacterial infections can be observed after artificial infection with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner), sold commercially as Bt sprays. Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas Axonopodis ... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The United States and Russia shuffle the first position in the cotton production between themselves. These two, countries are closely followed by China and India while other important producers include Brazil, Egypt, Mexico and Pakistan. Cotton Geography in United States The most famous cotton growing area in the United States is the 'cotton belt' which refers to a large area from southern Virginia to western Texas, excluding most of Florida but including major parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee as well as the adjoining corners of Missouri and Kentucky. The most important of these in area, yield and production is the Mississippi alluvial plain. The outer limit of the cotton belt corresponds to the 200 day growing season and rough topography in the north, low and uncertain rainfall in the west and poorly drained coastal marshla... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Repeated ploughing is necessary to obtain a good tilth. Every effort may be made to secure a pulverized surface. Too much cultivation for cotton is not considered to possess any special benefits. Running of blade harrow two or three times across the field produce a fairly good tilth. After getting required tilth, the land is laid out into ridges and furrows with the help of a ridge plough or a bund former. Ridging of land and sowing cotton on ridges economize the use of irrigation water and the furrows acts drainage channels whenever heavy rains are received particularly in heavy clays. Ridging is very useful for sowing of seed by dibbling and later irrigation and als... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Egyptian Cotton As the name suggests, this fine, lustrous cotton has long and thinner fibers. This cotton fiber is light brown in color and are ideal for making strong yarns. This is the reason why it is one of the most popular types of cotton used for bed sheets, cushion covers, etc. Sea Island Cotton Sea Island Cotton happens to be a 'pricey affair' for its growth and processing in the world of cottons. Its long staple and silky texture make it to be used in the finest cotton counts and mixed with silk. So, whenever you notice the label of 'sea island cotton' on shirt, know that the piece might get a little heavy on your pockets. Get some tips on how to grow cotton. Pima Cotton The pima cotton belongs to the ELS (extra... sep 14 2010 ∞
sep 14 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cotton is produced in many countries, but the northern hemisphere accounts for nearly 90 percent of global output. More than two-thirds of cotton is produced by developing coun-tries. During the last four decades cotton production grew at an annual average rate of 1.8 percent to reach 20 million tons in 2001 from 10.2 million tons in 1960. Most of this growth came from China and India, which tripled and doubled their production, respectively, during this 40-year period. Other countries that significantly increased their share of cot-ton production were Turkey, Greece, and Pakistan. Some "new entrants" also contributed to this growth. Australia, for example, which produced only 2,000 tons of cot-ton in 1960, averaged 650,000 tons during the late 1990s. Francophone Africa produced less than 100,000 tons in the 1960s and now produces ten times as much.... sep 14 2010 ∞
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Nearly all cotton is stored in modules, which look like giant loaves of bread. Modules allow the cotton to be stored without loosing yield or quality prior to ginning. Specially designed trucks pick up modules of seed cotton from the field and move them to the gin. Modern gins place modules in front of machines called module feeders. Some module feeders have stationary heads, in which case, giant conveyors move the modules into the module feeder. Other module feeders are self-propelled and move down a track that along side the modules. The module feeders literally break the modules apart and "feed" the seed cotton into the gin. Other gins use powerful pipes to suck the cotton into the gin building. Once in the cotton gin, the seed cotton moves through dryers and through cleaning machines that remove the gin waste such as burs, dirt, stems and leaf material from the cott... oct 22 2010 ∞
oct 22 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The World Bank Group has undertaken cotton-related activities in several developing countries. Traditionally, the Bank's involvement has taken the following forms: lending to support the cotton sector-for both investment and technical assistance-either from IBRD loans or IDA credits; and policy advice through economic and sector work, usually linked to policy reforms associated with quick-disbursing loans and credits. Lending and Technical Assistance Projects The World Bank has approved a number of cotton-related investment and adjustment op-erations. Two operations were approved during the 1990s. Approved in 1994 for a total of US$14 million, the Cotton Development Project in Uganda sought to improve performance in the cotton industry through liberalization of cotton processing and export marketing; establish an efficien... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The major end uses for cotton fibre include wearing apparel, home furnishings, and other industrial uses (such as medical supplies). The cotton fibre is made primarily into yearns and threads for use in the textile and apparel sectors (wearing apparel would account for approximately 60% of cotton consumption). Cotton is also used to make home furnishings, such as draperies (eventually the third major end use) or professional garments (about 5% of cotton fibre demand). Besides traditional uses and as a result of different finishing processes that have been applied to the cotton fibre, cotton is made into specialty materials suitable for a great variety of uses. Cotton fabrics with specialty applications include, for example, fire-proof (flame resistant) apparel, which is suitable for professional uses and provides effective protect... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Afghanistan Planting Period : April - May Harvesting : Oct - Dec Staple in mm : 26-28 Variety : Acala Argentina Planting Period : Sep - Oct Harvesting Period : Feb - June Staple in mm : 24 - 28 Variety : Toba Australia Planting Period : Sep - Nov Harvesting Period : Mar - June Staple in mm :24 - 29 Variety: DPL Brazil Planting Period : Oct - Nov Harvesting Period : Mar - June Staple in mm : 26 - 28 Variety : IAC Burkin oct 8 2010 ∞
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oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cottonseed mills, in the late 1800's, used manual powered mechanical pressure to squeeze the oil from the seed. This was very labor intensive and at best recovered only one-half the oil contained in the seed. Today's mills are either screw press or solvent extraction types. The oil is removed from the meats leaving only 1-2 percent oil in the meats. With the production of 790 lbs. of cottonseed per bale of cotton lint, modern mills can extract 140 pounds of cottonseed oil. This essentially doubles the oil production efficiency of the older mills. Processing of cottonseed in modern mills involves a number of steps. The first step is its entry into the shaker room where, through a number of screens and air equipment, twigs, leaves and other trash are removed. The cleaned seed is then sent to gin stands, similar to those in cotton ... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Successful cultivation of cotton requires a long growing season, plenty of sunshine and water during the period of growth, and dry weather for harvest. In general, these conditions are met within tropical and warm subtropical latitudes in the northern and southern hemispheres. The U.S. Cotton Belt stretches from northern Florida to North Carolina and westward to California. Production of Cotton Before cotton can be processed into the many products it becomes. It must be planted, irrigated, nurtured with fertilizer, protected from unwanted weeds, grasses and insects and harvested. This usually means loosening the soil to the depth of 1 to 2 ½ feet with tillage equipment. This will allow water and cotton roots to penetrate the soil and support the plant. A seedbed (the row in which the cotton seed will be planted) is prepared by listin... oct 8 2010 ∞
oct 8 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com The world annual yield production of seed cotton has increased in a constant manner since the early 1960s (with an annual average around 2.2%). Yields in seed cotton rose from 0.86t/ha in 1960/61 to 2.14t/ha in 2006/07. While during the 1960-1980, yields in developed countries were on average more than twice and a half those of developing countries, since the beginning of the 1980s the gap has increasingly narrowed, up to a ratio of 1.4 in 2005. Much of the rise in developing countries' share can be attributed to improved yields in China, mainly as a result of investment in research and innovation. Cotton fibre yields have also followed the same path than seed cotton yields. Over 1960/61-2006/07 period, fibre output per hectare (world average) grew from 0.3 tons to 0.8 tons. A world average around 0.86 tons is forecasted fo... sep 14 2010 ∞
sep 14 2010 + Posted by www.textilesindepth.com Cotton is a natural vegetable fiber of great economic importance as a raw material for cloth. Its widespread use is largely due to the ease with which its fibers are spun into yarns. Cotton's strength, absorbency, and capacity to be washed and dyed also make it adaptable to a considerable variety of textile products. Cotton was cultivated by the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization between the Fifth millennium BC to fourth millennium BC. The Indus cotton industry was well developed and some methods used in cotton spinning and fabrication continued to be used until the modern Industrialization of India. Well before the Common Era the use of cotton textiles had spread from India to the Mediterranean and beyond. Cotton has been spun, woven, and dyed since prehistoric times. It clothed the people of ancient India, Egypt, and China. Hu... sep 14 2010 ∞
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