116 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



per cent. As this is the second season in which the im- 

 proved cottons will be on the market it is gratifying to 

 learn that the traders appreciate the value of the selections. 



" 2. Broach. — The tendency of the cultivators in this 

 tract is to mix Ghogari with Broach in order to help out 

 the ginning percentage of the latter. Some of the lighter 

 soils might be devoted to the culture of pure Ghogari, but 

 this point will be the subject of further enquiry. Broach 

 cotton seed, obtained from Surat, was distributed by the 

 local Agricultural Association. The members of this body 

 have apparently not supervised the tests so closely as they 

 require and they are only now invoking the aid of the 

 Agricultural Department, as they foresee the difficulty of 

 disposing of their produce on favourable terms without 

 some support in the shape of an official guarantee. They 

 may find a way out, but in the event of an expansion in 

 their task of cotton seed distribution it would be as well to 

 warn the Association to be guided by the advice of your 

 Department. As you remarked, these Associations under 

 proper control may become valuable agencies for the distri- 

 bution and maintenance of selected crops. The Associa- 

 tion ought soon to be strong enough to employ an expert 

 staff to assist them in their operations. Wilt is said to be 

 increasing in this district and is probably due to the con- 

 tinuous cropping of the land under cotton. I understand 

 that the Imperial Mycologist has taken up the investigation 

 of this disease. 



' 3. Nadiad. — Our long-cherished hope that some tree 

 cottons could be profitably grown in the Kaira District has 

 been dispelled. 



Bourbon is too uncertain, as it is likely to do badly in 

 wet years and, being a perennial crop, the land on which it 

 grows, under the careless methods of the cultivators, 

 becomes a jungle of weeds. It also acts as an agent in the 

 propagation of boll worm. Cambodia and Bhuri both 

 promise very well, if slight irrigation (which is available 

 in many places) can be given them at the start. The claims 

 of the local Lalio are strong and are being seriously con- 

 sidered. 



