RESULTS OF COTTON EXPERIMENTS IN 1911. 21 



New types of Upland cotton, introduced from weevil-infested 

 regions of ]\Iexico and Central America, have been acclimatized in 

 'the United States and have given excellent results in Texas and other 

 Southwestern States. 



One of the new varieties from Mexico, called Durango, is the most 

 promising Upland long-staple cotton for irrigated districts. Long- 

 staple cotton is likely to become one of the most important crops 

 in the irrigated regions of Texas and other Southwestern States. 



Cotton-growing communities have much to gain by cooperative 

 organization for the production and marketing of a single superior 

 variety of cotton. 



An improved method of distributing select varieties has been 

 devised to avoid waste and encourage the production of superior 

 fiber on a community basis. 



The necessity of continued selection to preserve superior varieties 

 has been demonstrated and improved methods of selection have been 

 devised. The value of distinctive characters that enable the plants 

 to be recognized in the field is being taken into account in the breed- 

 ing of varieties. 



Cultural methods are suggested for avoidmg malformations of 

 young seedlings, which often delay the development of the plants 

 and reduce the yield. 



Several methods of utilizing superior first-generation hybrids 

 between Egyptian and Upland varieties of cotton are being tested, 

 including the propagation of such hybrids from cuttings. 



Experiments have shown the possibility of controlling the devel- 

 opment of vegetative branches by thinning the plants gradually 

 and restrictmg the supply of water in the early stages of growth. 

 The Egyi^tian type of cotton proves to be less susceptible to the 

 shedding of the buds and young bolls than the Upland cotton, which 

 is an additional element of security for the crop. 



Differences in habits of growth and methods of picking render 

 the Egyi^tian cotton superior to the Upland t5rpe as a family crop. 



The successful production of Egyptian cotton in Arizona and 

 southern California does not justify expectations of similar results 

 in Texas, where the conditions are essentially different. The Durango 

 variety is preferable for irrigated districts in Texas. 



Approved : 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, April 16, 1912. 



[ Cir. or, ] 



ADDITIONAL COPIES of this publication 

 -t\. may be procured from the SUTERrs'TEND- 

 ENT OF Documents, Govemmont rrtnting 

 Office, Wasiiington, D. C, at 5 cents per copy. 



