428 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



70,000 acres were planted and 44,697 bales of cotton ginned. In 1915, 45,000 acres 

 were planted and 2S.110 bales of cotton ginned. In 1916, 93,000 acres were planted 

 and 63,160 bales of cotton ginned. This year there are 110,000 acres planted in the 

 valley on both sides of the line. Ginning has just begun (September, 1917). The 

 crop will be below normal due to the shortage of water mainly caused by the district 

 being kept from constructing a weir across the river. 



This department fully believes that water shortages are things of the past, as 

 construction is going on by the directors of the irrigation district to ever prevent any 

 further shortage. 



During the several seasons past there have been few failures, a number of partial 

 failures, and many successes — the same conditions that exist in all lines of enterprise. 

 The failures were mostly due to poor condition of the ground for irrigation, as well 

 as poor soil for cotton and also to lack of experience. 



As cotton is a sun plant the climatic conditions are all that could be desired, 

 practically no rain, ample water for irrigation, warm nights, sunlight and heat ; in 

 fact, all that seems necessary to produce the maximum yield of cotton for those who 

 know how. On account of the continuous sunshine there is a very long season for 

 picking, or from September to February or March. 



As to insect pests there are a few common insects that do a small amount of 

 damage. Those of enough importance to mention are the tarnished plant bug 

 (Lygua pratensis), cotton leaf perforator {Bucoulatrix sp.). cotton boll worm 

 {Heliothis obsoletu). crickets, grasshoppers and plant lice. These insects do not do 

 enough damage to warrant the use of any control method excepting when the grass- 

 hoppers in some particular locality get too numerous. 



In reference to the very serious insects, the boll weevil and pink boll worm, we 

 have neither. Many parties have said that the cotton boll weevil can not live in this 

 climate, but this department talcs the stand with 'men of knowledge and experience 

 along this line, that it is possible and probable that an insect will live where the host 

 plant lives, therefore, we are not taking any chances and guard all avenues of 



Fig. 136. Imperial Valley cotton in transit to the mills. (Original.) 



