Ltnters

LTNTERS

The first ginning of cotton from the field gives cotton of normal staple, but short hairs are still attached to the seed and these are removed by a second ginning and are termed linters. These are too short in staple for spinning, and some is used for wadding for cushions, mattresses, etc. Considerable quantities are pulped and subsequently made into writing paper, rayon, explosives, varnishes, twine, wicks, etc. Linter fibre varies considerably in length, and ranges from ¹/₈-in. to ¹/₂-in. It is similar to immature or undeveloped cotton fibre, being light and weak in body and staple. The extraneous matter contained in linters is composed principally of broken hulls, small motes, a large amount of lint dust, and some oil. The colour of linters varies considerably, the principal shades being grey, yellow, green, greenish-yellow, and brown. White is rarely obtained.