SEED AND PLANT DISTRIBUTION. 63 



The following method of selection La recommended for keeping up 

 the quality of the variety: 



1. T<> obtain seed for the main crop. — Pull up and destroy all dis- 

 eased or inferior plants and all hybrid or barren stalks, saving seed 

 only from good plants in the general field. 



2. Tosecun an improved stock for future planting. -Select from the 

 genera] field a few plants of the greatest excellence, marking them with 

 a cloth. Leave these unpicked till the middle of the season, then com- 

 pare them critically with reference to bearing, length, and quality of 

 staple, resistance to wilt, etc., and choost from this number a single 

 plant which combmes the most desirablt qualities. Save all the seed 

 carefully and plant separate from the main crop the next year, one 

 seed in a hill, to secure as great a yield as possible. This cotton 

 planted by itself each time will give sufficient seed the third year to 

 plant the whole crop. This selection should he carried out every year. 

 The, propagation from single plants insures a uniformity that can he 

 scared in no other way. 



This is the method practiced in the Sea Islands, and if it were done 

 in Georgia and Florida there would lie less trouble with the "running 



out'' of the cotton. 



W. A. ( >RTON, 



j {jssistant Pathologist. 

 Approved: 



A. F. Woods, 



Pathologist <on/ Physiologist. 



REPORT RESULTS. 



Special attention is called t<> the fact that this is a new variety ofgrt at 

 value, and that it can not be bought in the market at < my price. For 

 tit is reason fanners receiving this seed should plant it with care and save 

 the seed. 



It is desired to know the results of all trials of the Rivers cotton, 

 and every farmer who receives seed is requested to return the accom- 

 panying- card with his name and address, signifying his willingness to 

 report at the end of the season. Blanks will then be sent out to be 

 filled and returned. The Department wishes to continue the work of 

 originating and distributing wilt-resistant varieties adapted to the 

 requirements of the various cotton-producing sections, and the active 

 cooperation of farmers will be of great assistance. 



A. J. PlETERS, 



Botanist in Charge. 

 Approved: 



B. T. Galloway, 



< 'hief of Bureau. 



