Experimental data are presented on the occurrence of cellulose decomposing bacteria on raw cotton. From all samples of filed cotton investigated, cellulose bacteria could he isolated starting from the moment shortly after the opening of the boll. All species belong to the order of the Myxobacteriales, of which all representatives known to decompose cellulose in the total six species were found to occur. Some of these bacteria are common inhabitants of the soil ; a few others have been rarely observed in the United States.
The decomposition of raw cotton fiber, under the influence of some of these bacteria, is studied in the laboratory
A literature review on cellulose decomposing bacteria is added.
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