The Enquirer

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.

SIR- When useful knowledge is conveyed to a country or people like ours, the examples are followed and frequently great improvements made thereon--If you agree with me, that the following information will be useful to the Public, you will please give it a situation in your paper, which will cause it to be spread to a great extent.

In my observations in our native State I have seen, and heard much said, upon the subject of extracting seed from Cotton by the machinery, which has been in operation in this State, for several years. The prevailing opinion has been and correct, too, that the staple of the Cotton has been much injured by the operation, which has been the effect of cutting the staple and making it too short, as to render it of much less value, than when the staple has its natural consistency.

This has been charged to the form of the teeth of the saws, which revolves between iron bars, those saws are mostly placed near to the bars to prevent the seed from passing through with the Cotton, and often, or, perhaps in no case, has there been a machine constructed, so as to prevent the saws and teeth from friction against the bars, which cuts the staple in the same manner, and upon the same principle, that the staple would be cut by a pair of shears, whilst one lever stationed and the other vibrating to perform the operation. Thus the Cotton is caught in this acute angle, and cannot escape until there is a separation of the fibre. If the mechanists will use due caution in the construction of the engines, and form the mechanism, so as to prevent the saws from revolving too near to the bars, the Cotton will be preserved and will be much more valuable.

Your most obt.

RICHARD HARRIS.