279 



Egyptian varieties are pronounced as unsuitable for ele- 

 vations in Nyasaland over 1,000 ft. above sea-level, whereas 

 American varieties produce the best staple between 1,000 and 

 3,000 feet. 



The influence of soil, rainfall, and elevation on quality, 

 length, and strength of fibre is discussed, and the high prices 

 for Nyasaland Upland cotton is attributed to seed selection on 

 estates. 



Plant characters in relation to selection are fully discussed, 

 special emphasis being laid on the necessity for selecting on 

 the estate as against obtaining seed from a distance. 



The undesirable character of boll shedding is considered to 

 be largely hereditary, and types exhibiting this defect can be 

 eliminated by selection. 



Branching characteristics ;of selections are easily established 

 if the seed is pure and a small type of plant is preferred. 



Egyptian seed, unlike most American varieties, gives its 

 best results in Nyasaland in the first year that it is sown. 



Isolation and then multiplication from the single plant have 

 given better results than artificial cross fertilization or frequent 

 importation of seed from America. 



The continuance of Government seed farms is a necessary 

 adjunct to a native cotton industry, and only by continual 

 selection and annual distribution of seed can the cotton in 

 Nyasaland be maintained at its present satisfactory quality. 



THE COST OF LABOUR AS AFFECTING THE COTTON CROP 

 (ESPECIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES). 



By Professor JOHN A. TODD, B.L., 

 University College, Nottingham. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



As an economist, the writer's chief interest 'has always 

 been in the economic side of the cotton trade, with special 

 reference to the cost of production, the recent rise of prices 

 due to the enormous increase of the world's consumption, and 

 the prospects of increase of the world's supplies. 



The possibilities of increase are limited in different countries 

 by different conditions. In Egypt, for example, the limiting 

 factor is largely area, and the possibilities of increased irri- 

 gation, for the area available is entirely dependent on the water 



