342 



The varieties selected for trial were Allen's Improved 

 (Uganda seed), Nyasaland Upland, and Durango (one of the 

 newest American types). 



The relative merits of these are briefly discussed, and a table 

 is given showing the yields which were actually obtained. 



The greatest trouble experienced was " boll -shedding," and 

 this took place on such a wholesale scale on one of the farms 

 that practically the whole crop was lost. 



The main cause responsible for this loss appears without 

 doubt to have been excess of rain and lack of sunshine during 

 the time when the plants were flowering and setting bolls a 

 most critical period in the plant's life. 



It is concluded that the year's results in that particular 

 locality tend to justify the native practice of growing cotton 

 only in conjunction with other crops, as the yield is not large 

 enough to warrant its being treated as a main crop. 



Attention is drawn to the prevalence of boll-worm and to the 

 drastic regulations as to annually uprooting and burning the 

 crop, which are necessary if this pest is to be kept in check. 



On the other farm situated near Zaria the results were a 

 great deal more encouraging. 



* Here the improved Upland cottons gave a cash return per 

 acre nearly 100 per cent, in advance of the local varieties, and 

 excited the admiration of the natives. 



Enough seed was secured from the farm last year to sow 

 750 acres during the season 1914, and it is anticipated that the 

 whole of this will be taken up by native cultivators under 

 Government supervision, the crop being repurchased to pro- 

 vide seed for further extension the following year. 



By this means only can satisfactory progress be made* 



The paper closes by emphasizing the need of more modern 

 methods of tillage; it says: 



' While thus endeavouring to improve the quality of the 

 cotton of Nigeria as well as the yield: per acre, we are not 

 losing sight of the importance of reducing the cost of pro- 

 duction by more up-to-date methods of cultivation. At 

 present practically the whole of the arable land of Nigeria is 

 turned over by hand, but on the Zaria farm last year a start 

 was made in the use of implements by employing cultivators 

 drawn by cattle to work the land under cotton. It is intended 

 during the coming season to extend this work greatly, and if 

 possible to induce natives to cultivate their own land by similar 

 means, thus enabling them to employ their time to greater 

 advantage than hitherto. 



" By this means alone the agricultural wealth of the com- 

 munity might be enormously increased." 



