Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

a

Kal
ARs.3377

July 1957 ARS-33-41

United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service

SIMPLE DEVICE FOR OPENING COTTON BOLLS

Edgar W. Clark, Entomology Research Division, and
P. L. Netterville, Plant Pest Control Division

Considerable time is required in opening mature cotton bolls,
especially in connection with pink bollworm and stink bug investi-
gations. Usually the base is cut off the boll and each carpel slit from
tip to base so that the locks can be taken out in their entirety.

This work can be materially facilitated by a simple inexpensive
device of the nutcracker type. The base is a piece of wood 2 by 4 by
15 inches cut to give a place to fasten it to a table on each end and
give clearance for the operator’s knuckles. The lever is a piece of
wood 13 by 3 by 15 inches shaped to form a handle at thevfree end.
The fulcrum consists of a 23- by 23-inch butt hinge fastened to the end
of the lever and base in such a way as to give about 3-inch clearance
between the two blocks. About 23 inches from the hinged end are two
opposing holes the shape and size of an average cotton boll and about
3 inch deep.

U. S. DEPT. OF ACR. LIBRARY
BELTSVILLE BR.
LIBRARIAN Des

19.24 -

33

$5 PLANT INDUSTRY STA.
BELTSVILLE, MD.

There are two possible modifications that can be made. If clearance
for the fingers is wanted, either the holes can be made nearer one edge
or a Slot can be cut to the holes to accommodate the thumb and fore-
finger. If a larger number of bolls are to be processed for examina-
tion, a counter can be attached to the side of the base and actuated by
means of a finger mounted on the lever. This addition will automatically
record the number of bolls cracked and greatly simplify the operation.

It has been found that a bench top makes an efficient base when
portability is not essential. The lever is secured so that the handle
projects over the edge, thereby giving knuckle clearance.

The bolls opened by this device are in even better condition for
examination than those opened with a knife, and ten times as many
can be opened in the same length of time.

This device was first suggested by W. E. Conn of the Plant Pest
Control Division (retired).

Agriculture - Washington