BESULTS OF COTTON EXPEETMENTS IN 1911. 11 



Thus it is seen that the packages sent out in tlie past have been too 

 large for some purposes and too small for others. The crop raised 

 from a peck of seed can hardly be discarded as a mere casual experi- 

 ment, but is usually too small to receive separate treatment in gin- 

 ning and marketing. Unless the first planting of a new variety is 

 isolated from other cotton, the seed should be discarded and another 

 beginning made, preferably with seed enough to plant at least a small 

 isolated lield and produce at least one full bale of the improved fiber. 



It has become evident that two or three distributions of a few 

 superior varieties are likely to be of much more use than single dis- 

 tributions of a larger number of varieties. The chief object of such 

 distributions is not to increase the number of varieties, wliich is 

 already too large, but to secure the widest utihzation of the best 

 varieties. To accomplish this purpose it is necessary not only to 

 breed new varieties, but to maintain the select stocks for a period of 

 years, at least long enough for the public to become acfjuainted with 

 the variety and for local breeders and seedsmen to develop supphes 

 of good seed. 



The problem of distribution is obviously to get more of the select 

 seed into the hands of men who are sufficiently interested to make 

 use of it as a means of establishing the culture of the new variety in 

 their local community. To avoid the present waste of seed in the 

 general distribution it has been recommended that the packages of 

 seed used for this purpose be reduced to 1 ciuart. This smaller amount 

 wdll serve the general purpose of affording the farmer an opportunity 

 to become acquainted wdth the new variety and to decide whether 

 he cares to adopt it. 



The seed saved by reducing the size of the packages in the general 

 distribution is to be used for a special distribution of larger amounts 

 of seed to a limited number of farmers who report the best results 

 from the first small package and who are ready to give special atten- 

 tion to the new variety in order to keep the seed pure and market 

 the improved crop separately. In the distribution of the larger 

 packages preference should be given to districts or communities 

 that are favorably situated and well organized, so that they can 

 devote themselves to the production of a single superior variety. In 

 addition to the reports that are furnished regarding the results of 

 the first planting, farmers are to be asked to send small samples of 

 the cotton they have raised. This method will secure more definite 

 information regarding the behavior of varieties in different parts of 

 the cotton belt and make it possible to place the special distributions 

 to the best advantage. Well-organized communities are also to be 

 encouraged as far as possible by expert advice and assistance in grow- 

 ing, selecting, and marketing the improved varieties. 



[Clr. 96] 



