A Scientific American article of February 24, 1900, describing the round-lap (round-bale) method of baling cotton as an alternative to the square bale. It explains how the presses form a continuous bat from the gins and wind it around a steel core, and covers the Bessonette and Standard presses, bale sizes, operating times and power needs, and a sample plant at Weldon, N.C. It also lists the claimed advantages (density, shipping economy, lower fire risk) and the objections (fiber crushing, oil soiling). Illustrated with photographs of presses and bales.