CULTURE OF DUKANGO COTTON IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY. 11 

 DETERMINING WHEN TO IRRIGATE. 



The grower should watch the growing tip of the cotton plants for 

 indications that the plants need water. While a general mlting in 

 the hottest part of the day does not necessarily mean that the plants 

 are suffering for water, wilting of the young leaves of the growing 

 tip or stoppage of gi'owth is usually a clear indication that the plants 

 are getting too much or too little water. Long-staple cotton will be 

 most successfully grown by those who apply water when the plants 

 indicate that they need it in order to make uninterrupted growth. 



PLANTING IN FURROWS AND VOLUNTEERING. 



Plantmg in shallow furrows may find its place m cotton culture 

 in the Imperial Valley in connection with the volunteermg of the 

 crop. The soil gradually worked toward the plants in the process 

 of cultivation will cover the lower buds of the stem, so that when 

 cultivation is completed in midsummer one to three of the buds 

 "will be completely protected. This protection should preserve the 

 buds from killmg frosts m the whiter, so that prompt and uniform 

 volunteering can be brought about in the spring by turning the 

 soil away from the old stumps. Otherwise, volunteering is a slow 

 and uncertain process. 



CLEAN PICKING. 



Cleaner picking and handlmg of long-staple cotton should be prac- 

 ticed more than has been the custom in connection with short-staple 

 cotton. The advantage of clean grade has been appreciated in 

 the sales of short-staple cotton during the past season. It is even 

 of greater comparative value m the case of long-staple cotton, as 

 low grade occasions greater comparative loss in value in long-staple 

 than in short-staple cotton. 



Cleaner picking can be insisted on. The seed cotton in the field 

 can be dumped on big canvas wagon sheets instead of on the ground 

 to gather more trash and grit, or mto wagons standmg in the field, 

 and it can be covered at night to exclude blowmg sand. Any expe- 

 dient used to provide higher grade cotton is of distinct advantage 

 to the grower. 



CENTRALIZED GINNING. 



If a central ginning plant is provided for ginning Durango cotton 

 exclusively, it will be very desirable that all Durango cotton in the 

 valley be sent there. The equipment should be suited to handling 

 the long-fibered cotton in a way to preserve its value and to turn 

 out high grade. Less difficulty will be found in preserving clean 

 stocks of seed, a more uniform and superior bale can be turned out, 

 and centralization will facilitate sale. All these items are of advan- 

 tage to the grower. 



[Cir. 121] 



