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18,000 Pound Cotton Bale - Cotton Harvest - Marana, Arizona
Not all cotton is created equal. The length of the fibers of the fluffy bud of the cotton plant determine the quality of the finished product. A cotton bud with fibers about one inch long is short staple cotton—fine for all purpose use. The last decades of the 1800s saw the rise of Egyptian long staple cotton. Grown in the hot, dry climates of Egypt, its longer fibers added durability and a soft, silky feel to fabrics. High end manufacturers coveted Egyptian cotton’s long fibers over the homegrown short staple varieties, and in a short time, Egyptian cotton had made a name for itself. Industry, too, favored Egyptian cotton for the durability its long fibers provided. American growers tried to domestically cultivate several versions of long staple cotton. Pima cotton is a result of these efforts.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Photo credit: © Phil Degginger / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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