THE CONTROL OF COTTON WILT AND ROOT-KNOT. 11 



Two distinct lines of work arc undcM- way. The first is tlic dis- 

 semination of information on wilt and root-knot and their control. 

 The second seeks to provide for the local production of an adequate 

 supply of the resistant varieties of both cotton and cowpeas, the 

 permanent maintenance of their quality, and the production of still 

 better strains. This is to be accomplished by cooperation with pro- 

 oTessive farmers in the wilt-infected territory. 



THE COOPERATIVE BREEDING PLAN. 



Experience has shown that most farmers lack the time or oppor- 

 tunity to do careful seed breeding and that consequently there is a 

 large and steady demand for improved seed. It will be especially 

 so with the resistant varieties, and it is beheved that the production 

 of sucli seed will constitute a specialized business in which a limited 

 number of farmers will find it profitable to engage. 



To assist in the development of such a hne of work, and to insure 

 the production of a supply of high-bred wilt-resistant seed of known 

 origin, a plan of cooperation between the United States Department 

 of Agriculture, the State agricultural officials, and the farmers who 

 desire to make a specialty of such breeding work has been formu- 

 lated and 20 or 30 men in each State (Georgia and South Carolina) 

 have already become interested m the work. The farmers sign 

 agreements mth the Department and State representatives, promismg 

 to secure proper seed, to follow the breedmg methods outlined, to 

 exercise the necessary care to maintain the purity of their seed, and 

 to offer it for sale at a reasonable price, not to exceed an amount 

 previously agi'eed upon. They also agree that they will not seU 

 seed not grown by them unless so stated. The Department and State 

 representatives provide the cooperative breeders with small quanti- 

 ties of select planting seed or refer them to farmers from whom select 

 seed can be purchased at a reasonable price, not to exceed SI. 50 a 

 bushel. They visit the breeders during the season to advise them 

 regarding the best methods of breeding and to inspect their crops. 



Two grades of selected seed will be recognized: "Registered seed" 

 and "im])roved seed." Such men as attain the highest standard in 

 their breeding by carefully following the individual-selection and 

 progeny-row methods recommended and whose seed is of high grade 

 win be granted a diploma and allowed to sell their crop as ''regis- 

 tered seed." Other breeders who are found to be mamtaining the 

 standard of their varieties in wilt resistance, yield, and purity, but 

 who are not yet following the required breeding methods in detail or 

 doing progressive bree(Hng will be given a certificate of recognition of 

 quality and their seed wih })e designated ''im])r()ved seed." These 

 <.hpl(jmas and certificates will be given oid^' after thorough inspection 



tClr. 92] 



