190 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Egyptian cotton would be paid into the family. The cotton can be 

 rotated with alfalfa with excellent results, and this adds to the value 

 of the crop for the small California ranch. 



Egyptian cotton has been abandoned in Imperial Valley after one 

 year's trial in favor of short staple and Durango, a long staple Upland 

 cotton. This is easily accounted for by the fact that the farming condi- 

 tions in that section are extensive rather than intensive as yet. The 

 large farm is the rule, and Egyptian cotton, as shown, is not adapted 

 to extensive methods. In addition to this, the large number of cotton 

 growers in the valley are accustomed to growing the short staple cotton 

 in Texas or the South, and they find it hard to change, especially as the 

 short staple does so well. 



From an economic standpoint, then, Egyptian cotton is admirably 

 suited to conditions in the sections where the farms are small, land 

 values high and intensive methods practiced. This cotton, or some 

 improved selection, will probably be the variety most commonly grown 

 in those limited sections where physical conditions are favorable — that 

 is, in the Colorado River region and the lower part of the San Joaquin. 



THE DURANGO COTTON. 



Outside of Egyptian cotton, the planting of Durango will probably 

 prove most profitable. This is a long staple Upland cotton introduced 

 by the United States Department of Agriculture in an attempt to get 

 an early maturing long staple cotton for the boll weevil infested sec- 

 tions of the South. The cotton proved to be very well adapted to Cali- 

 fornia conditions, and the acreage in Imperial Valley increased from 

 3 acres to 5,500 acres in three years' time, all available seed being used. 

 The Darango cotton yields practically as well as Triumph, the commovj 

 short staple grown, and has a more upright stalk and less dense mass 

 of foliage, which allows better ripening of the bolls. The ginning per- 

 centage is lower than for Triumph, ranging about 29 per cent as against 

 33 per cent. This increases the cost of picking per bale, as it is neces- 

 sary to pick 1,700 pounds of seed cotton to make a 500 pound Itale, as 

 against 1,500 for the Triumph. The lint has a length of IfV inclies, 

 which commands a premium of from 2 cents to 3 cents per pound over 

 •'.liort staple, making an addition of from $10 to ^'io per bale. During 

 the past year the conditions were perfect for the production of short 

 staple cotton at a good profit, which has influenced many to place the 

 short staple above the Durango. During an average year, however, the 

 difference in favor of the Durango would undoubtedly be marked, 

 especially when the market for this staple is better developed. 



SHORT STAPLE COTTON. 



Short staple cotton is adapted to extensive plantings where bulk and 

 not ([uality is the prime requisite. Mebane Triumph, a short staple, 

 big boll cotton selected by Mr. Mebane. of Lockhart, Texas, has given 

 the best results in Imperial Valley of any short staple crop. Lone 

 Star, developed by Dr. Saunders, of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, has given very good results and has an advantage over 

 Triumph in certain respects. The plant is more upright and has less 

 dense foliage and a larger boll. The fi))er of the Triumph averages 

 an inch in length and sells at a i)remium over much of the short staple 

 cotton of the South, as there is no rain discoloration. 



