46 The Bulletin. 



selecting seed at random at the gin shonld not be followed, for it 

 cannot possibly be known whether the seed secured in this manner 

 were produced on stalks that bore few or many bolls. If seed of the 

 former kind are obtained, then the tendency of these seeds when 

 planted will be to produce a small yield, and vice versa. Again, in 

 securing seed from the gin it is generally deferred until late in the 

 season, and usually seed from the last picking are obtained, which 

 are the poorest seed. It is generally conceded by the best cotton- 

 growers that the best seed are from the middle picking. 



In selecting a variety of cotton one must not be guided entirely by 

 total yield of seed cotton, as often between two varieties producing 

 about the same yield the one with the smaller yield should be chosen 

 because of its greater production of lint, which sells for from eight 

 to fifteen times as much per pound as seed. 



