HISTORY
In 1788, Governor Phillip brought cotton seeds to Australia, on the First Fleet. It was grown mainly as an ornamental plant. It didn't grow well in Sydney because of the climate. Two Americans, Paul Kahl and Frank Hadley, started growing cotton at Wee Waa, New South Wales, in 1961. In Australia they found that insects were a problem. By 1962, 3 000 hectares of cotton were growing in New South Wales. In the 1960's, the Darling Downs in Queensland became a successful cotton growing area. By 1991, Australia had become the fourth largest cotton exporter in the world.

GROWING
The cotton seeds are planted in Spring. The farmer cultivates the soil and removes weeds as shown in the picture. The farmer plants the seed in long rows using a machine. Then 4 to 14 days later, the seedlings appear.

Seed capsules called "bolls" grow as big as an egg. After a further 35 to 55 days, the bolls burst open and expose the cotton. When most of the bolls are open, the crop is ready to pick. Cotton needs long, hot summers and clear skies. It is watered by irrigation. Cotton must be protected from disease and insects.

HARVESTING
Harvesting occurs in late March and early April. When the bolls burst open, the cotton is ready to be picked. Cotton picking machines can pick 4 rows at a time. The cotton picker catches the fluffy cotton from the shrub and it is sucked into the basket in the cotton picker. When the basket is full, it is emptied into the module builder which is at the end of the cotton field. Then it is ready to be taken to the cotton gin.

GINNING
Ginning separates the cotton fibre from the cotton seed. Then it is combed and cleaned and then pressed into bales for shipment.

USES
The most valuable part of the cotton plant is the fibre which is spun to make material. Cotton is the world's most popular fibre. The most valuable uses are: clothes, bed sheets, bank notes, towels, mops, sewing cotton, furniture covering, curtains, cotton wool, mats and bandages.

BY-PRODUCTS
Cotton is the most remarkable plant. Every part of the plant is useful. Cotton seed is crushed to make oil for cooking, cotton seed meal is used for stock feed and compost for growing mushrooms. The lint or fuzz is used for making paper. On the farm, the stalks are ploughed back into the earth for mulch.

EXPORTS
Australia is the fourth largest cotton growing country in the world. Most of the cotton crop - over 90% - is exported to Asia and Europe. Cotton is Australia's 5th largest rural export. (Over $800 million worth).

CONCLUSION
Cotton has been growing commercially in Australia for only 36 years. Already cotton is the 5th biggest rural export, so in the future, it will produce lots of money for Australia. Some artificial materials have been made but cotton is far the best cloth for use in our climate.

INTERESTING FACTS
Did you know that:
....The cotton plant is a member of the Hibiscus family.
....A single plant can produce up to 75 bolls.
....A bale of cotton weighs 227kg.
....Now cotton is growing in Western Australia.