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Monday, November 1, 2010

In Them Old.... Cotton Fields Back Home





About 3 miles from our farm there is a large field of cotton
nearly ready to pick.

It's not a sight I'm used to seeing and it never
fails to amaze me.

According to Wikipedia - "cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a BOLL around the seeds of the
cotton plant.
The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in
seed dispersal".

Who'd have thought that something like this...




Could be made into something like this...


Internet

or these...


Country Living

I haven't seen them harvest the cotton yet
but this is what they use
nowadays...


John Deere

Pretty cushy work sitting in an air conditioned
cab listening to a stereo on a comfy seat.


At one time picking cotton was back breaking work.


Internet


If you've ever seen the movie
PLACES IN THE HEART
Starring Sally Field
you'll remember just how hard it was on the
hands and back.


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This is what all that cotton looks like once it's cut...


Bigbonton

Looking at that big white bale
it's hard to believe that they make things like

this from it...

Lulu's Vintange


Internet


Internet

I'm referring to the jeans here!

Anyway...they'll soon be cutting the cotton in the field down the road and once again the field will be bare.

BUT
It won't be long until the fields around us will be covered
with something else white and fluffy.

I'm not quite ready for that yet...are you?

Have a great week.

Maura :)








10 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Hi Maura,

Since moving from Northwestern NJ we really, REALLY miss the 4 seasons. We love the snow and cold weather. The first time I saw a field of cotton I was amazed - never having seen it before. Thank you for sharing.

Hugs,
Joyce

Verde Farm said...

Neat post Maura (I've missed you this week). That giant square of cotton is amazing. Had no idea that is how they stored or stacked it after picking. I can't even imagine doing all that by hand. The older generations just had a different work ethic than today's and I think it was a good thing. I am not ready for that other white stuff either :)
Happy Monday, Amy

Missouri Gal said...

Oh I am Maura! I love the snow and so does my dog.
I lived in a cotton area and whatever they sprayed, de-foliage I think, wreaked havoc on my sinuses.
Happy Monday!!

Finding Pam said...

Maura, being from the South that is all we saw growing up. A lot of crafters use the left over bols for making wreaths. Have you ever seen the cotton gin? It will be covered with cotton pieces as well as the landscape.

We are enjoying a few days of cooler temps, but I think fall has missed us. So I wonder if this will be another crazy weather year.

Beautiful photos and lovely post.

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

I have never seen a cotton field... so neat.

Rural Rambler said...

Very interesting post Maura. Love Places in the Heart and Sally Field. Love Murphy's Romance too. I can't even think about the back breaking work to pick that cotton back in the day! I am NOT ready for winter, I want this Fall to last for good bit longer!

Dog Trot Farm said...

Last year, on our way to the Panhandle of Florida I spied my first cotton field. Truly an amazing sight. I had my husband stop the car so I could pick a bit of cotton to take home to Maine with me, no easy feat. Thank you for such an interesting post.

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

I've seen cotton trees but have never seen it harvested. How neat to see the cotton bale!
Staci

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Maura,
This is fantastic. I've never seen cotton up close like that on the plants. I didn't realize it looked almost like a walnut before it opens up. And that bale of cotton, wow!

Cotton is truely one of my favorite fabrics, hands down. It makes fabulous sheets, clothing, towels and of course... lightweight white curtains billowing in the breeze!

Somehow I always pictured cotton being harvested in the middle of the heat of summer? Not sure where I got that idea.

Thanks for giving us a peek into something most of us will never see in person. Enjoy the week,
Chris

Anonymous said...

hallo, here, in Italy I don't know if there is a cotton field.In my town,in the north of Italy near Brescia, called Iseo lake there isn't a cotton field and I'm very happy to see one of this on your blog.Thank you! kisses,kiki

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