Cotton Growing in Arizona 275 



American Egyptian cotton and therefore can be grown further north 

 and at higher elevations. The soil requirements and the preparation 

 of the seed-bed should be the same for the two classes of cotton. 



Because of its shorter growing season short-staple cotton can be 

 planted one to three weeks later than American Egyptian. A smaller 

 amount of seed is required per acre — fifteen to twenty-five pounds being 

 sufficient. 



The thinning of short-staple cotton should be done when the plants 

 are four to six inches high, and the plants are usually spaced from six- 

 teen to twenty-four inches in the row, with rows three and one-half 

 feet apart. With very rich soils, both the spacing between the plants 

 in the rt)\v and the distance between rows is increased. 



The general principles applying to the irrigation and cultivation 

 of American Egyptian cotton apply to short-staple cotton. 



SUMMARY 



In growing cotton, good seed is extremely important. 



A rich sandy loam soil, well supplied with humus, is ideal. 



Early, deep plowing and thorough preparation of the land are 

 i 

 necessary. 



The seed-bed should be wet to a deptli of four to five feet. 



Plant early, but not until the ground is sufficiently warm to in- 

 sure good germination and thrifty plants. 



The character of the land should govern the rate of thinning. 



Cultivation should begin as soon as the plants are through the 

 ground well enough to mark the row. 



Proper irrigation is the most important single item in the growing 

 of cotton. 



x\fter planting, withhold irrigation as long as possible. 



Prevent excessive growth. 



The terminal bud should be kept growing slightly in the lead of 

 the flowers on the fruiting branches. 



In picking, keep the cotton clean. 



Volunteering cotton does not pay. 



Report trouble with disease or insect pests to the Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, or the State Entomologist. 



Do not allow the soil to become depleted ; practice crop rotation ; 

 maintain a balanced agriculture. 



