COTTON 255 



concerning cotton and the most important crops 

 of the report are mailed to 77,000 post offices 

 throughout the United States for public display, 

 thus placing the information within the farmer's 

 immediate reach. 



MONTHLY CONDITION REPORT OF COTTON 



The cotton crop must be observed throughout 

 its growing period if accurate conclusions are to be 

 drawn in regard to its output. Even then only 

 an approximate estimate can be made. Such an 

 estimate is helpful to the producer in assisting him 

 in disposing of his crop; it helps the spinner in 

 making his purchases. Both depend, in some 

 measure at least, upon facts not yet accomplished. 

 Favorable conditions in June do not mean that an 

 unfavorable season may not disturb growth and 

 prospects in August or September. 



A farmer once planted for twenty bales. Rain 

 came and brought grass and troubles, threatening 

 the crop; June had come and scarcely ten bales 

 were hoped for. But weather during July was 

 favorable much sunshine during the day and 

 little rain at night; the crop flourished, the weed 

 became strong, and vigorous and thirty bales were 

 now anticipated. But more rain came, fairly cover- 

 ing the ground ; unripe bolls began to shed, leaves 

 turned in color, the big crop was no longer thought 

 of a yield of ten or twelve bales would now be all 

 that might be expected. But better days came in 

 August days more favorable to the crop growth 

 of weed checked itself to correct proportions, the 

 old bolls enlarged, and the farmer brightened in 

 hope and expectation that results might be better 

 than "things looked at one time." September 



