[Pre-1860 heirloom.] 'Nankeen' is a short fiber, naturally brown cotton that has been grown since the Civil War. The lint is a non-fading attractive dark copper color that actually becomes brighter as it is washed. The seed retains the lint making it easy to spin off the seed. Branches of the plant are longer and thinner and leaves more finely divided than other cotton. Unlike modern hybrids, its blooming cycle is longer, it grows well in poor dry soil, is hardier than modern breeds, and appears to have slightly better insect resistance. 'Nankeen' is planted as an ornamental in some parts of Louisiana. This variety also makes a fine addition to flower arrangements. The white and pink-red blooms start in mid-summer and run until late fall. We include additional fascinating history of the story of the 'Nankeen' shirt with each packet of seed.

HISTORY: Naturally colored cottons were grown by the slaves prior to the Civil War. In many instances, slaves on plantations were not permitted to grow the white cotton of their masters. Brown cotton was the most commonly grown, but there are other naturally colored cottons such as green, blue, yellow, and pink cottons, and they all have their own subtle beauty. These heirloom cottons are now difficult to find. They have fallen out of favor because the fibers are shorter and not as suitable for spinning and dyeing as modern white cotton. Since naturally colored cottons are now quite rare, we are attempting to locate and preserve other authentic heirloom varieties. Note: Everyone should grow and harvest a long row of cotton at least once in their lifetime so as to understand what the plantation slaves had to endure while harvesting cotton. The bolls are borne on the plant at a back-bending level, and the bolls are sharp. Plucking cotton from numerous bolls hurts the hands. Imagine doing this all day! CULTURE: Cotton is an annual plant that requires a long, warm, growing season to mature properly. It does best on fertile soil with plenty of moisture. In zones 8 through 10 it can be sown directly after the last frost. In zones 5 through 7, start seed indoors and transplant out after the last frost. Seed germinates in 7 to 21 days at 70 F. Plants take about 150 days to mature a crop of bolls and grow to a height of 48 to 60". Medicinal: Like other mallows, the herbaceous part of the plant is rich in muco-polysaccharides. Cotton seeds have been used in the southern states for intermittent fever and to increase the milk of nursing mothers. The root- and stem bark contains an odorless, insoluble resin that deteriorates with age, and therefore only newly harvested material should be used. The root and stem-bark was used primarily by slaves, as a powerful abortifactent in place of the more dangerous ergot. Needless to say, its use is contraindicated during pregnancy. One of its constituents, gossypol is used in China as a male contraceptive.