OTHER FARM CROPS 559 



field and cross-fertilize with the good plants the whole stock may be 

 seriously injured. A single season's neglect may destroy the bene- 

 fits of many years of careful work. (B. P. I. B. 66.) 



EGYPTIAN COTTON CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



The Egyptian varieties are apparently best adapted to culture 

 under irrigation in regions where there is practically no rainfall 

 during the growing season. The only part of the United States 

 where these conditions exist and where at the same time the summers 

 are long and hot enough for profitable cotton culture is the extreme 

 Southwest, from western Texas to southern California. 



Since this type of cotton will continue to produce bolls and ripen 

 fiber until a hard frost occurs, it is obvious that the largest yields can 

 be obtained in regions where the autumn temperatures are highest. 

 It must therefore be concluded that the greatest success with Egyp- 

 tian cotton is to be expected in southern Arizona and southeastern 

 California a conclusion that is supported by the experience so far 

 gained. The valleys of the Salt River and of the Colorado River 

 (Yuma Valley) in Arizona and the Imperial Valley in California 

 have been found to be admirably adapted to the production of this 

 type of cotton. 



The variety of Egyptian cotton that is most used by American 

 manufacturers is Mit Afifi. The grade most largely used averages 1% 

 inches in length and furnishes numbers of yarns up to 70's and 80's. 

 Jannovitch, and to a small extent Abbasi, averaging 1^ to 1% 

 inches in length of fiber, are used as a substitute for the lower grades 

 of Sea Island in manufacturing fine yarns (100's and upward). A 

 small quantity of the inferior Ashmuni variety is imported. 



There are four principal reasons for the extensive use of Egyp- 

 tian cottons in the United States: (1) They are best adapted to mer- 

 cerizing and other processes that give a high finish to the cloth and 

 cause it to resemble silk; (2) their exceptional clearness (freedom 

 from nep) and luster, as well as their capacity for taking dyes, fit 

 them for mixing with silk and for filling sateen, India linens, and 

 similar goods haying a brilliant surface; (3) the brown color of Mit 

 Afifi fiber allows it to be used without dyeing in manufacturing goods 

 such as Balbriggan underwear and lace curtains in which the ecru 

 shade is desired; (4) they can be used for the manufacture of sew- 

 ing thread and other articles which need to be very strong and for 

 which no other type of cotton but Sea Island is suitable. Owing to 

 the higher price of the latter, Egyptian cottons can in many cases 

 be advantageously substituted. (B. P. I. B. 128.) 



HANDLING THE CROP. 



After devoting his best energies for a whole season to the produc- 

 tion of a fine crop of cotton, the farmer must still continue his vigi- 

 lant oversight until the staple has left his hands. There are many 

 ways in which it may be injured and its value reduced. All defects 

 in the cotton are ultimately charged to the farmer's account and re- 

 duce the price paid to him. By a little care much of the waste can 

 foe avoided; hence strict attention should be paid to these factors. 



