CULTIVATION 29 



cotton, should be followed by one having shallow, 

 spreading roots, such as oats or cowpeas, and that 

 one crop should not be immediately followed by 

 another which draws largely on the same ingredients 

 of the soil. 



The particular crops to grow in a rotation depend, 

 of course, very largely on the country, its local condi- 

 tions and requirements. As an example, however, 

 mention may be made of the three-years system which 

 has been found very beneficial in the United States of 

 America. In the first year, maize is grown with 

 cowpeas planted between the rows ; the second year, 

 winter oats followed by cowpeas for hay ; and in the 

 third year, cotton. In Egypt, rotations of two or 

 three years' duration are commonly practised, the 

 cotton crop being almost invariably grown after 

 " berseem " (Egyptian clover) or a fallow, but occa- 

 sionally after beans. 



Acclimatisation and Improvement of Cotton. There are 

 several means which may be employed in attempting 

 to improve the cotton grown in a country. If 

 there is already a native cotton plant which appears 

 capable of yielding a satisfactory crop, attention 

 should be primarily directed towards the improvement 

 of this variety by careful cultivation and selection of 

 seed. The effect of seed selection on a cotton crop 

 is usually very pronounced, both quality and yield 

 being enhanced. Some improvement can perhaps be 

 achieved by simply picking out large, ripe, well- 

 developed seeds for sowing. Much more, however, 

 may be accomplished by selecting the seed in the field 

 from the most vigorous and prolific plants, or from 

 those plants which show the most desirable qualities. 

 If, for example, it is desired to increase the length of 

 staple, the seeds should be selected from those plants 

 which produce the longest fibre. By repeating this 

 process from year to year, a type of cotton can be 

 established in which the improved qualities will 

 remain fixed so long as care in cultivation and 

 continuous selection of the seed for sowing are 

 practised. 



If, however, the country does not possess a cotton 



