192 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



at a premium. Short staples noAv bring a premium of $3.65 to $5.00 

 per bale; prices principally clue to enormous low grades in south on 

 account of storms during season of 1913. 



According to advise from Thomas P. Daley, cotton buyer, the average 

 grade of the season is strict middling, the average length is common 

 staple one and one sixteenth ; Durango one and three sixteenths ; Egyp- 

 tian one and one half inehas. There is no danger of low grades for 

 the reason there is no rain to tinge or rust the cotton. 



A few growers have made two bales to the acre, some have made one 

 and a half, and many one bale, which gives an idea what the possibilities 

 are to those who know the business. It is, however, not advisable to go 

 into the cotton growing business on a large scale without experience in 

 the valley. 



The best time for planting is from middle of April to middle of IMay, 

 while it is planted before and after these dates with success. Having 

 a long season for planting and especially for picking (from August to 

 February), labor situation is well handled. 



The cost of raising cotton, for water, seed and labor is $10.00 per 

 acre; rent of land from $10.00 to $15.00 per acre; picking (1 bale to 

 acre) $15.00. The seed will more than pay for hauling and ginning. 



The 1913 crop is selling froiii $60.00 to $75.00 per bale (consisting of 

 500 pounds of lint), or 12 to 15 cents per pound; the profits will be 

 governed by the market price. 



On account of the steady increased demand for cotton goods there is 

 not likely to be any serious drop from the present prices. The 1914 

 crop for Imperial Valley will be about 40,000 acres. 



