T42 SCIENTIFIC REPORTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



(6) Shan State cotton. The plants are reported to be 

 identical with those of the local cotton wagale, but the 

 quality of cotton is far superior to any of the races found 

 in Burma. The quality of cotton is almost on a par with 

 fine surat and can spin up to 30's. The ginning percent- 

 age, however, is said to be only 28 which is far too low to 

 attract attention, but the percentage of cotton to seed of a 

 sample brought from Aungban (Southern Shan State) and 

 tested in the office laboratory was found to be 33-5. 



(7) Pernambuco cotton (G. brasiliense), kidney or chain 

 seeded. This is not found on a field scale anywhere except 

 that it exists as an ornamental plant in gardens here and 

 there. It is said that a few years ago trials were made 

 with this variety near Moulmein but the cultivation had to 

 be abandoned on account of its failure on a field scale. 



Of these varieties the first, wagale, is the most import- 

 ant, forming the bulk of Burmese cotton. The quality of 

 cotton as determined by Messrs. Tata & Sons is midway 

 between bengal and khandesh. 



Wagyi is no doubt superior in point of quality, but the 

 longer period required by it will not suit a Burmese culti- 

 vator whose land must be got ready in the hot weather. 



Experiments with Egyptian and Upland Georgian were 

 conducted for two or three seasons on the Mandalay and 

 Bugi Stations, but though the germination was good the 

 crop was a failure and the trials had to be abandoned. 



Some authorities maintain that the Burma cotton 

 crop contains a proportion of fairly long-stapled cotton 

 which if carefully picked and grown separately would be 

 as valuable as the best Indian cottons and command an 

 equally good price. 



With this end in view the study of cotton has been taken 

 up seriously by the Department. The Tatkon farm in 

 the Yamethin District and Padu in Saigaing District are 

 both devoting attention to this crop. 



Of the type wagale a large number of single plant 

 selections were made and isolated in 1914 and their ginning 



