The Improvement of Cotton by Seed Selection. 513 



it will soou be discovered that differences can be seen in the leaves, 

 stems, and branches. In a well-selected and uniform variety grown 

 under the same conditions, the plants will be very similar in habit 

 of growth, shape and size of leaves, and hairiness. The length of 

 stalk, joints, and branches will be more or less similar, and about 

 the same height above the ground. When one plant is seen in the 

 field with a marked difference in any of the above characters, it should 

 be closely examined*, and, if undesirable, discarded. 



Selection by leaf and stalk characters is much more effective than 

 by boll, seed, and lint characters, because most of the inferior plants 

 can be pulled out early in the season and before they have had an 

 opportunity to spread their [xdlen. 



Seed Cotton- showing leuglh of fibre: (1) from Uganda ; (2) from Improved 

 Banci'oft ; (3) from King. 



No. 4 shows: Ql) seeds covered with white fuzz ; (2) seeds covered witli green fuzz ; 

 (3) seeds partly covered with white fuzz : (4) seeds almost naked, only tips 

 covered with fuzz : (.")) small black naked seeds. 



When all the undesirable plants have been discarded, and as soon 

 as the earlier bolls have reached full size, the second stage of the 

 selection work is begun. This time the selection is done by boll 

 characters. By examining the bolls it will be seen that not only will 

 small and large ones be found on different plants, but they will also 

 have dift'erent shapes, such as round, narrow, and long bolls. Their 

 colour will vary from a dull green to a deep green. There will be 

 differences in the surface of the bolls, some being smooth and others 

 having a rough appearance. The quality of the lint can also to a 

 certain extent be judged in advance by the shape of the boll. The 



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