Comparison of Mechanically Drawn Samples with Cut Samples for Evaluating Cotton Quality

Excerpts from the report: The manufacture and use of mechanical cotton samplers began in 1955. By the beginning of the 1961-62 ginning season, 195 mechanical samplers had been installed. This indicates that some producers and marketing firms have accepted mechanically drawn samples, and that they apparently feel this method of sampling offers opportunities for improvements in cotton packaging and merchandising methods. However, many industry leaders are opposed to mechanical sampling of cotton for various reasons. Some may have a natural tendency to resist changes and adjustments in operations associated with technological developments. Also, many firms are uncertain as to whether grade, staple length, and other quality characteristics based on a mechanical sample differ significantly from those based on a cut sample from the same bale. To help resolve this uncertainty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a study in the fall of 1959 to obtain basic information on the comparative quality measurements of mechanically drawn and cut samples from the same bales. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) compare mechanically drawn samples with cut samples for determining initial grade, staple length, color, and other quality characteristics of cotton, and (2) ascertain the usefulness of mechanical samples stored 2 years for evaluating quality changes in bales also stored for a period of 2 years.