Opening.=--The name of the next process, viz., "opening," has been given
it because its primary function is "to open" out the cotton to such an
extent that the greater bulk of the seed, leaf, sand, and dust is
readily extracted. The details of this machine and indeed practically of
all machines used in cotton spinning, vary so much with different
makers, that it would be utterly out of place to deal with them here, so
that it may be said at once, that all such points are entirely omitted
from this treatment of the subject.

The essential and principal portions of the machines are practically
identical for all makers, and it is with these only that it is proposed
to deal, taking in all cases the best present-day practice.

The opener, then, is a very powerful machine, being in fact the most
powerful used in cotton spinning, and the most important feature of the
machine is the employment of a strong beater, to which is fitted a large
number of iron or steel knives or spikes. These beat down the cotton and
open it at a terrific rate, the beater having a surface speed of perhaps
4000 feet a minute. Various fans, rollers, and other parts are employed
to feed the cotton to the beater, and to take it away again after
treatment. It will perhaps best serve the purpose of our readers if the
passage of the cotton be described through an opener of the most modern
and approved construction, dealing with the subject in non-technical
terms.

With this object in view, take for example what is termed "The Double
Cotton Opener" with "Hopper Feed Attachment." This machine is shown in
Fig. 13.

Image: FIG. 13.--"Double opener" with "hopper feed."

The Hopper Feed is about the most recent improvement of any magnitude
generally adopted in cotton spinning mills. It is an attachment to the
initial or feed end of an opener with the object of feeding the cotton
more cheaply and effectively than it can be done by hand.

It may be said to consist of a large iron feed box, into which the
cotton is passed in considerable quantities at one time. At the bottom
of the feed box, or hopper, is a travelling apron which carries the
cotton forward, so as to be brought within the action of steel pins in
an inclined travelling apron or lattice. This latter carries the cotton
upwards, and special mechanism is provided in the shape of what is
termed an "Evener roller," to prevent too much cotton going forward at
once.

The cotton that passes over the to