30 Bulletin 85 



Table IV Acreage and Yields of Long Staple Cotton 



Acreage Balt9 Ginned 



1913 1 5,000 1 - 2,030 



1914 1 11,500 I 6,060 



1915 i 3,300 I 1,145 



1916 1 7,300 I 3,260 



1917 ' 32,000 *13,500 



* Approximately. 



It will be noted that average yields are not extremely high. On 

 the other hand, it must be remembered that long staple cotton pro- 

 duction in this section of the country is still in an experimental stage 

 with respect to individual experience. This was especially true in 

 191 7, when an imusual acreage was planted. A large part of this 

 cotton was cultivated by growers who had had little or no experience 

 in cotton culture. A few cotton growers had produced short staple 

 cotton in the Southern States, but even this did not materially assist 

 them in handling the problems of long staple production. The cotton 

 producers have not yet found themselves and it will doubtless take a 

 number of years' practical experience on a large scale before they will 

 be able to make the most of natural advantages. All things considered, 

 however, they have produced an excellent crop in spite of their in- 

 experience. 



For several years prior to 191 7 there had been a steadily de- 

 creasing acreage of short staple cotton. In 191 7. however, the danger 

 of attempting simultaneous production of both long and short staple 

 cottons was thoroughly brought home to the growers and no short 

 staple cotton was planted at any point in the Valley. Two varieties of 

 long staple cotton were grown in 191 7. Of the total acreage of about 

 32,000 acres, approximately 6,700 were of the Pima type, while the 

 remainder was of the Yuma type. Both of these cottons had been 

 grown in previous years in the Valley. Practically all of the long- 

 staple cotton produced prior to 191 7 was of the Yuma type, while 

 Pima cotton had been produced only in a small way. Both of these 

 cottons have been developed through the efforts of plant breeding 

 experts of the United States Department of Agriculture. The acre- 

 age of Pima cotton in 191 7 represented the first widespread production 

 of this variety. Pima cotton was developed at the Government plant 

 breeding station at Sacaton just south of the Salt River Valley and 

 was experimentally produced for several years prior to 191 7. In the 

 latter year a sufficient quantity of pure bred Pima seed was available 



