cotton

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state fabric woven from cotton fibers erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers thread made of cotton fibers take a liking to

"cotton to something"

otheruses Cotton is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to the tropical and subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World. The fibre is most often spun into yarnthread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. Cotton is a valuable crop because only about 10% of the raw weight is lost in processing. Once traces of wax, protein, etc. are removed, the remainder is a natural polymer of pure cellulose. This cellulose is arranged in a way that gives cotton unique properties of strength, durability, and absorbency. Each fibre is made up of twenty to thirty layers of cellulose coiled in a neat series of natural springs. When the cotton boll (seed case) is opened the fibres dry into flat, twisted, ribbon-like shapes and become kinked together and interlocked. This interlocked form is ideal for spinning into a fine yarn.

History - in the 14th century]] Cotton has been used to make very fine lightweight cloth in areas with tropical climates for millennia. Some authorities claim that it was likely that the Egyptians had cotton as early as 12,000 BC, and evidence has been found of cotton in MexicoMexican caves (cotton cloth and fragments of bloody fibre interwoven with feathers and fur) which dated back to approximately 7,000 years ago. There is clear archaeological evidence that people in South America and India domesticated different species of cotton independently thousands of years ago. The earliest written reference to cotton is in India. Cotton has been grown in India for more than three thousand years, and it is referred to in the Rig-Veda, written in 1500 BC. A thousand years later the great Ancient GreeceGreek historian Herodotus wrote about Indian cotton: "There are trees which grow wild there, the fruit of which is a wool exceeding in beauty and goodness that of sheep. The Indians make their clothes of this tree wool". (Book iii. 106)During the late mediaeval period, cotton became known as an imported fibre in northern Europe, without any knowledge of what it came from other than that it was a plant; people in the region, familiar only with animal fibres (wool from sheep), could only imagine that cotton must be produced by plant-borne sheep. John Mandeville, writing in 1350, stated as fact the now-preposterous belief: "There grew there India a wonderful tree which bore tiny lambs on the endes of its branches. These branches were so pliable that they bent down to allow the lambs to feed when they are hungrie.". This aspect is retained in the name for cotton in many European languages, such as German languageGerman ''Baumwolle'', which translates as "tree wool".By the end of the 16th century AD, cotton was cultivated throughout the warmer regions in Africa, Eurasia and the Americas.The Indian cotton processing industry was eclipsed during the BritainBritish Industrial Revolution, when the invention of the Spinning Jenny (1764) and Arkwright's spinning frame (1769) enabled cheap mass-production of cotton cloth in the United KingdomUK. Production capacity was further improved by the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793.In the United States, growing the three crops, cotton, indigo dyeindigo and tobacco historically were the leading occupations of slaveryslaves. After emancipation, the share cropping system evolved which in many cases differed little from the systems of slavery.

Production - Today cotton is produced in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia, using cotton plants that have been selectively bred so that each plant grows more fibre. In 2002, cotton was grown on 330,000 km² of farmland. 47 billion pounds (21 million t) of raw cotton worth 20 billion dollars US was grown that year.The cotton industry relies heavily on chemicals such as fertilisers and insecticides, although some farmers are moving towards an organic model of production, and chemical-free organic cotton products are now available. Historically, one of the most economically destructive pests in cotton production has been the boll weevil. Most cotton is harvested mechanically, either by a cotton picker, a machine that removes the cotton from the boll without damaging the cotton plant, or by a cotton stripper which strips the entire boll off the plant. Cotton strippers are generally used in regions where it is too windy to grow picker varieties of cotton and generally used after application of a defoliant or natural defoliation occurring after a freeze. Cotton is a perennial crop in the tropics and without defoliation or freezing, the plant will continue to grow. The logistics of cotton harvesting and processing have been improved by the development of the cotton module builder, a machine that compresses harvested cotton into a large block, which is then covered with a tarp and temporarily stored at the edge of the field.

Uses - In addition to the textile industry, cotton is used in fishnets, coffee filters, tents and in bookbinding. The first Chinese paper was made of cotton fiber, as is the modern US dollar bill and federal stationery. Fire hoses were once made of cotton.Denim, a type of durable cloth, is made mostly of cotton, as are most T-shirts.The cottonseed which remains after the cotton is ginned is used to produce cottonseed oil, which after refining can be consumed by humans like any other vegetable oil. The cottonseed meal that is left is generally fed to livestock.

Fair trade - Cotton is an enormously important commodity throughout the world. However, many farmers in developing countries receive a low price for their produce, or find it difficult to compete with developed countries. This has led to 'fair trade' cotton clothing being available in some countries.

Old British cotton yarn measures -

1 thread = 54 inches (c. 137 cm)

1 skein or rap = 80 threads (120 yards or c. 109 m)

1 hank = 7 skeins (840 yards or c. 768 m)

1 spindle = 18 hanks (15,120 yards or c. 13.826 km)

See also -

Cotton Gin

New Orleans Cotton Exchange

New York Cotton Exchange

References and

Pandemonium hats, handbags and scarves
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Big and Tall Outlet
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Royster-Clark Rainbow Plantfood WEbsite
Rainbow Plantfood is not like ordinary fertilizers. We use an elaborate four-step process to chemically fuse precise amounts of micronutrients to form multi-vitamin granules roughly the size of BB's. Every granule is a complete package of nutrients you need for healthy crops, and all of our granules are uniform in size, shape, and weight, so they spread evenly to maximize distribution.
http://www.rainbowplantfood.com/

WOODEN FURNITURE AND CRAFT PRODUCER INDONESIA
We create furniture and Crafts made from wood and nature fiber.
http://www.dekorasia.com/

PSVintage
With textiles from the 1920s-current, antique jewelry, handbags, and more, PSVintage is a must-see for anyone from master seamstresses to casual fabric and retro shoppers.
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Quilt Expressions
Quality quilt fabric, kits, books, notions and free patterns!
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Rainbow Gifts US [Your gay Art Shop] Original adult GLBT pride art.
RainbowGifts.US Your Gay GLBT Online Shop selling unique Rainbow Fine Art and Rainbow Gifts. Unique gift ideas for every occasion!<br>If you're looking for a gay theme gift and not necessarily a sex toy here is the place. Lots of batik art with gay images.<br>http://rainbowgifts.us
http://www.rainbowgifts.us/

Swing Thing
Jazz bands of 30
http://www.zespoly.com/

www.iltulipanoblu.it
no commercial site, made by an italian quilter, dedicated to the Art of Qulting. Tutorials, free patterns, Forum.
http://www.iltulipanoblu.it/

Jazzy Knits Fashion Accessories
handknit scarves, hats, bags, belts, collars and more individually made colorful fashion accessories.
http://www.jazzyknits.com

9cm
Limited edition t-shirts
http://www.9cm.net/

Needlecrafts and Fabric.
Suppliers of needlecrafts, fabric, hand knitted garments, and quilts.
http://www.sunbeamcrafts.com/

Art of Legend India
We are ISO 9001 certified manufacturer and exporter of handicrafts, jewelry, art paintings, home furnishings.
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OWNER
WHOLESALE BED LINENS
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Margaret Morgan Collections
Photography with images of landscapes, historical sites, still life and animal photographs across US and Uk. Prints available on card stock or matted prints
http://www.morgancollections.com/

CountryCoats.com
Buy your Barbour jackets from the waxed jackets specialist. The Barbour Beaufort, Bedale, Border and Westmorland styles and accessories are available.
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Silk & Velvet Draperies
At Halfpricedrapes.com we are committed to providing the finest quality of velvet & silk drapery to our customers at simply unbeatable price. Along with great products, we also believe in providing best possible customer service and timely deliveries. In our selection you will find the finest quality hand weaved 100% Plain silk, Opulent embroidered, Pin tuck, Checked diamonds, taffeta silk and plush velvet drapes. We take pride in our craftsmanship and guarantee the lowest prices for similar quality drapes available anywhere. Shop With Confidence!
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ALETA natural lifestyle
Company “ALETA natural lifestyle“ was created in 1991 in Lithuania. From the beginning the foundation-stone of firm philosophy was the production of extraordinary beautiful natural products from linen fibers. The close co-operation with many Lithuanian partner enterprises allowed for the company to create various collections from natural products. Those are textile products for kitchen, bath, house and also clothing parts for people, who like linen quality. 28 skilled workers organize the production stategicaly, check the quality strictly and take care of prompt orders process. Our office and store in Germany improves distribution of goods and ensures better contacts with the customers in West Europe. A wide circle of our customers shows the quality and appreciation of Aleta's natural products.
http://www.aleta.lt/

Batik Baby and Girl's Dresses
Custom Handmade Batik Cotton Baby and Girl's Dresses, sizes 12 months to 7 / 8 years. With wooden Buttons, one or two fabrics, can be with more intricate fabric combintions, bodice is lined. Swatches available
http://www.babylovedesigns.com/

Visual Impact Promotions Inc
Providing custom imprinted promotional and apparel items.
http://www.vipinc.ca/

Juli Hunter
New Zealand clothing designer Juli Hunter designs wearables for individuals. Stocists throughout New Zealand. Check out the catalog!
http://www.julihunter.com

The Vintage Shirt Company
Shirts and general mens accessories and from C18th to present day. Stiff collars a speciality
http://vintageshirt.co.uk/

Babe's Fiber Garden, LLC
Manufacturer of Spinning wheels, Electric Spinners, accessarories, Rake knitting looms using furniture PVC. They are function before form products for affordability
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Fabrics for home decor
Fabrics for home decor by Top Designers including Waverly PKaufmann and Duralee
http://tonysfabric.com

Rob's K-9 Bakery
All natural dog treats, catnip, cat grass, organic hemp, cotton, bamboo.
http://www.robsk9bakery.com/

Cotton Bags, Shopping Bags, Promotional Bags
Cotton bags, shopping bags, promotional bags, totes, aprons, scrubs. Logo printing.
http://www.crafts-and-creations.com/

Cotton Inc
USA. Home of the cotton industry. News, magazines and editorials. Information on research, production and uses of cotton fiber. Listings of companies and organizations.
http://www.cottoninc.com/

National Cotton Council of America
For 60 years helping producers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, cottonseed crushers, cooperatives and textile manufacturers in competing effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured markets. Educational materials, FAQs about cotton, news, technical information.
http://www.cotton.org

New York Cotton Exchange (NYCE)
Cotton, citrus, sugar, cocoa, FINEX and NYFE. Downloadable quotes, market reports.
http://www.nyce.com/

Cotton on the Net
UK. Information resource for the world wide cotton community. Searchable database of products and companies, publications, news and forum for members. Free registration.
http://www.cotton-net.com/

King Cotton Magazine
Online collection of news stories and internet links.
http://cotton.net/