Micro-Determination of Cotton Fibre Maturity in Polarized Light

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Abstract
Recent work described by Pattee1 and based on previous findings by Schwarz 2 and Herzog 3 has evoked a certain amount of comment and criticism. In this brief discussion, therefore, certain data are presented in support of the method proposed by Pattee and in some measure an amplification and clarification of his technique. It is shown that the determination of the degree of maturity of a sample of cotton by means of polarized light has certain advantages over the older swelling technique described by Clegg4 and recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture and the American Society for Testing Materials. It is also shown that the fibres selected by means of their characteristic behavior in the polarizing microscope have cross-sections which are definitely separable by measurement and appearance into distinct groups. Further, it is demonstrated that the wall thickness of the smallest cotton fibre (Sea Island) in the mature state is greater than the wall thickness of either the fully immature or the partially immature fibres of the coarsest type (Indian). Thus the objection to the polarized light method raised by certain workers, namely that the technique will not allow of distinguishing between a small-diameter mature fibre and a large-diameter immature fibre, is shown to be unfounded.

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