106 COTTON 



ably constant. A sudden change in temperature 

 bringing on a cold spell is objectionable, for it 

 tends to check the growth of the plant, ripen its 

 fruit, and influence its final yield unfavorably. 



A LONG GROWING SEASON 



At first cotton grows slowly. In a sense it is a 

 tender plant. A light frost may do little injury; 

 still it shortens the season and this is an undesirable 

 risk. An ideal situation with regard to frost is to 

 have the last spring frost no later than April 1st, 

 and the earliest autumn one no earlier than Novem- 

 ber. 



The Cotton Belt provides the much desired 

 long growing season better than any other area of 

 the earth's surface when other essentials and con- 

 trolling influences are taken into account. 



RAINFALL PLAYS A PART 



More rain also falls in the Cotton Belt than in 

 the northern section of the country. This excess 

 varies from 30 to 50 per cent. The total rainfall, 

 and the time rain falls, have much to do with 

 successful cotton production. 



A moderately well-distributed rainfall is neces- 

 sary during the growing season. A small amount 

 is preferable to an excess, since grass is the bane 

 of the cotton farmer; and grass is favored by much 

 rainfall. When present it adds greatly to the cost 

 of culture. The slow .growth of cotton while the 

 plants are young allows grass and weeds to make 

 rapid headway, and unless costly labor is con- 

 stantly furnished, the tender cotton plants will be 

 choked out in the race for growth and sunshine. 



