• Cotton is a vegetable fibre obtained from the cotton plant, ( Gossypium )
• The cotton shrub grows to about 40cm high
• Cotton grows in tropical and subtropical areas
• The flowers of the cotton plant are either red or yellow
• Soon after the petals fall off a drop shaped capsule forms
• When the capsule matures it opens into four parts showing the cotton ball
• This is then harvested
• The next step is husking, which separates the fibres from the seeds
• The cotton is then carded and combed to eliminate all impurities
• The average is 4000 fibres per seed
• The standard length for manufacturing to yarns is 2.22 – 3.18cm |
|
• The first written reference to cotton is in India in 1500BC
• 100 years later it was written in Greek history about Indian Cotton
• During the medieval time cotton was known as the Imported fibre in Northern Europe
• The invention of the Spinning Jenny in 1764 revolutionised the cotton industry
• Today cotton is produced in many parts of the world including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and America .
• Most farmers now cultivate special cotton plants grow more fibres
• The cotton industry relies heavily on fertilizers and insecticides
• One of the most destructive pests to the cotton plant is the ‘Boll Weevil'
• Most cotton is now harvested mechanically
• Cotton has to go through a number of processes before it is made into a garment
Ie. Ginning, spinning, weaving, de-sizing, scouring, bleaching, mercerizing, dying and finishing
• The cotton seed that remains after ‘ginning' is used to produce ‘cottonseed oil' which after refining can be used in cooking like other vegetable oils
• The cottonseed meal that remains is often used to feed livestock. |
|
