COTTON SELECTION ON THE FARM. 23 



The best method of estabUshing a standard of selection to be ap- 

 pHed to any particular field, seed plat, or progeny row of cotton is to 

 fix upon groups of the most uniform and otherwise desirable plants as 

 representing the variety in that particular place. 



The cotton plant is extremely susceptible to influences of soil and 

 climate. Each variety shows a wide range of differences under 

 different conditions, and the ])roportion of degenerate plants, those 

 that make definite changes away from the characters of the variety, 

 is also influenced by the conditions under which the plants grow. 



In addition to larger and better crops, farmers who learn the art of 

 selecting cotton can usually gain an advantage from the sale of seed 

 in their own localities. Seed grown in a uniform field in the same 

 locality is always to be preferred to seed from a distance. Even a 

 uniform stock is likely to show numerous variations when grown for 

 the first time under new conditions. 



The breeding of new varieties of cotton is possible for any farmer 

 who learns how to carry on the necessary work of selection, but should 

 be recognized as an entirely different undertaking from the continued 

 selection needed to maintain the uniformity of any existing variety. 

 Only one variety should be admitted into the same field or seed plat. 



It is not desirable to increase the number of varieties in any 

 locality unless new types showing definite superiority can be obtained. 

 Distinct agricultural and commercial advantages would be gained 

 if each cotton -growing community would limit itself to a single 

 variety. 



The popular idea that persistent selection will bring about a con- 

 tinued improvement in a pure-bred variety is now questioned in the 

 scientific world, but this does not affect the agricultural importance 

 of selection as a means of preserving the uniformity and productive- 

 ness of varieties. 



Approved : ' 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, June 10, 1910. 



[Cir. C6J 



o 



