12 



ered and the seed carefully selected and planted the follow- 

 ing season. The seeds were again gathered, carefully 

 selected and planted the third season. The fiber of the last 

 planting was then subjected to the most rigid examination 

 under the microscope and submitted to severe tests to de- 

 termine its valuable and weak properties. 



The strands of fiber, as already stated, are elongated tubes 

 growing from the outer surface of the seed coat. In their 

 young state they are filled with a fluid, but as maturity ad- 

 vances this fluid disappears, the walls of the tube col- 

 lapse, and a twisted form is assumed which is more and 

 more complete as the development of the tube approaches 

 perfection. The value of the staple is largely controlled by 

 the degree of this twist ; and this property also enables the 

 spinner to manipulate the fiber to the best advantage. 



Now, in as much as the fiber is a portion of the seed coat, 

 the full and perfect maturity of the seed will also produce 

 in the staple a complete twist and maximum degree of 

 strength. The plant, therefore, in all its stages should be 

 closely watched and carefully studied in order to fully un- 

 derstand its peculiar properties — what characteristics are 

 desirable and what are objectionable. Two varieties of the 

 same species, well understood, should be blended, in the 

 manner alread}^ indicated, so as to intensify the desirable 

 traits and greatly diminish the inferior qualities. For in- 

 stance, if the male organ on one plant matures fine grades 

 of pollen, and the female organ is healthy and well devel- 

 oped on the other, the blending of the two will tend to im- 

 prove the resulting form. A careful selection of the seed, 

 planting only the best, will still further aid in producing 

 superior results. 



In conducting the experiments at Auburn special import- 

 ance has been placed on eliminating all objectionable and 

 Aveak forms, as progress is made, and in intensifying the 

 strong features until the best types are firmly established. 

 The fact has been borne in mind at all times that no satis- 

 factory results could be secured from this work unless the 



