49 



this is 6 per cent on $500, consequently in a scale-infested locality land is 

 worth less for citrus production, other things being equal. 



8. Join a local marketing association and co-operate with the neighbors in 

 frost fighting, insect and disease control, and in other ways for the general good 

 of the neighborhood. 



9. Write freely to the College of Agriculture for advice and enroll for the 

 Correspondence Course on Citrus Fruits. 



COTTON RAISING 

 By W. E. PACKARD, Agronomist in charge of Imperial Valley Experiment Farm 



Cotton raising is at present confined to Imperial County and a small acreage 

 in the Palo Verde Valley of Eiverside County. El Centre and Calexico are the 

 chief cotton centers. Cotton can be raised in any of the interior valleys of 

 the state where irrigation water is to be had and where there is assurance of 

 freedom from cold coast fogs, but it should not be planted on a commercial 

 scale unless cheap experienced labor is available and ginning facilities are 

 secured. 



Three general types of cotton are grown the short staple, medium long 

 staple, and long staple. It is highly desirable that one type be selected in any 

 one section, as promiscuous plantings cause deterioration by cross pollination. 

 The short staple cotton is the most commonly planted, as the market is estab- 

 lished and less care is required in growing. The short staple has an average 

 length of one inch, which is one-eighth inch longer than the average in the South, 

 and yields from three-fourths of a bale to two bales per acre, with a ginning 

 percentage of 33 to 34 per cent. The price varies from 8 to 14 cents per pound, 

 with an average of 11 cents. 



The Durango cotton, a medium long staple variety coming from Mexico, has 

 an average length of one and three-sixteenths inches. It yields from one-half 

 to two bales per acre, a bale to the acre being an average. The ginning 

 percentage of this variety is low, averaging from 29 to 31 per cent. The price 

 is from 2 to 4 cents per pound higher than the short staple. 



The long staple or Egyptian cotton has given good results, but its cultivation 

 has been discontinued for the present on account of unsatisfactory labor and 

 market conditions. The Sea Island cotton has not proved a success. 



In securing land for cotton planting, hard stiff clays or land containing an 

 excess of alkali should be avoided, although cotton will stand more alkali than 

 any of the common field crops. Medium heavy or medium light soils give the 

 best results. Old alfalfa land is very well adapted to cotton. 



Cotton is planted any time after the danger of frost is over to the first of 

 June, April being the best month. The usual practice is to flood the field 

 thoroughly early in the spring. The land is then disked to kill the weed 

 growth and later furrowed from 3 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 10 inches apart with 

 a lister. After furrowing, the land is irrigated and the seed drilled in from 

 one and a half to two incnes deep on the top of the ridges. The seed is usually 

 irrigated up. The land is sometimes harrowed after seeding with very good 

 results, especially where the soil tends to crack or crust. Plowing is of course 

 very beneficial. 



