Final answer:
The historical information provided discusses the use of enslaved labor in cotton production and the impact of the cotton gin on the industry but does not give details about mechanical cotton picking in 1960. To determine the percentage of cotton picked mechanically in that year, data from the 20th century is required.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the mechanization of cotton picking around 1960. While the provided information primarily discusses the historical context of cotton production in the 18th and 19th centuries, highlighting the reliance on enslaved labor and the introduction of the cotton gin, it does not directly address the state of cotton harvesting in 1960.
To accurately answer the student's question, one would need to refer to historical data from the 20th century that details the mechanical harvesting of cotton. The transition from manual to mechanical harvesting in the United States took place over several decades, and by 1960, the percentage would have reflected this ongoing change. However, without specific data from that period at hand, it is not possible to confidently provide the correct answer among the choices given.