J/rty 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 383 



the various hibiscus, and many other useful plants. The cotton of commerce 

 is chiefiv deiived from the species Gosypiurit herbaceuni, or green seeded cotton, 

 and the Gosypium nigrum, or black seeded cotton, and the various crosses or 

 hybrids between them. Several varieties were grown at Moree in rows 3 feet 

 apart which distance proved too close on rich soil for successful horse cultiva- 

 tion. As the seeds were not received until November, the plot was irrigated 

 to ensure a quick growth, an average germination of 85 per cent, being thus 

 obtained. 



The varieties were as follow : — 



Varieties. 



Esti- 

 mated 

 Acre- 

 yield. 



Notes on Growth. 



Culpepjier.. 

 Griffon 



Russeirs Big- Boll 

 Jones's Re-improved 

 Tool's Early Improved . 

 King's Early Improved . 



Lewis's Prize 

 Peterkiu's . . 



lb. 

 1,012 3 to 4 feet high ; large dark leaves : shed a few pods. 



986 4 ft. 6 in. high, vigorous, spreading ; light green crumpled leaf. 

 1,420 4 to .T feet high, upright ; leaves large, dark, glossy ; large bolls. 

 1,220 4 to 5 feet high, spreading, prolific ; red stem first pod ; ripe 27th February. 

 1,010 3 ft. 6 in. to 4 feet, similar to preceding ; pods ripened March. 



8S0 3 feet to 3 ft. 6 in., rather dwarf, not so hardy as others; first pods ripe 

 14th February. 

 1,498 4 to 5 feet, vigorous, spreading, and upright ; most prolific. 

 1,108 3 feet to 4 ft. 6 in., vigorous; shed young pods ; black seeds; seijarated 

 easily from lint. 



The following season only two varieties were grown in plots, viz., the long 

 staple Sea Island and the early Carolina prolific. The Carolina proved more 

 prolific than the Sea Island, and ripened practically altogether, which is a 

 most important cj[uality for picking. It was originally believed that Sea 

 Island cotton would not grow or bear successfully any distance away from 

 the coast. At Moree. however, it produced lint which was pronounced to be 

 of most superior quality, and although the yield was only about half that of 

 other varieties, the price obtained would be about double. This variety has 

 also been successfully grown in the Western inland districts of Queensland 

 on a small scale, and as it is much more valuable than the upland type, should 

 be grown wherever it has proved to do well. 



The perennial tree cottons were also tried at Moree, but proved unsuccessful. 

 The much advertised Caravonica variety grew to a height of 8 feet, but was 

 cut back by frosts before bolls ripened. The plants were protected during 

 the winter, but did not start growing until November, and only a fcAv large 

 bolls ripened before frosts in May. The alpaca and silk cottons were the same, 

 but did not grow so high and appeared more delicate. These perennial tree 

 cottons, or Caravonica varieties, are not profitable to grow in New South Wales 

 on account of frost, although in Northern Australia they are most prolific. 

 Of the varieties tested, the Lewis's Prize and Russell's Big Boll can be best 

 recommended for this State. 



Cultivation. 



Cotton will grow in almost any soil, but is more productive, and therefore 

 more profitable, in a deep sandy loam. The Moree soil was a stiff black clay. 



