CHAPTER X. 



VARIETIES OF COTTON AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION 



In a previous chapter we have discussed the 

 tendency of all plants and animals to vary from 

 normal characteristics when removed to new fields, 

 different climates, and changed conditions of 

 environment. The cotton plant is especially sus- 

 ceptible to all influences, to such an extent, in fact, 

 that in our country alone there are now more than 

 one hundred and fifty varieties listed. Of course 

 not all of these are true varieties. Often a variety 

 will have one or more names even in the same 

 territory. This state of affairs is confusing and 

 undesirable, but it is not peculiar to the cotton 

 crop. With corn and wheat, in fact with all the 

 prominent crops grown in America, we have the 

 same difficulty, the same multiplicity of names. 



This condition usually arises from the fact that 

 a new character, differing from the normal, is 

 seen in the plant, leading the grower to think that 

 he is justified in giving the variety a new name. 

 With the cotton plant the change may lie in the 

 direction of increased length and fineness of fiber; 

 increased yield of lint, or seed, or both; early or 

 late maturing qualities; a superior character in 

 boll, or a change in physical growth. Still it 

 matters not how superior a new character may be, 

 a local name is not justified until that special 



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