58 



moisture. In the most favorable climes, such as that of 

 Eeegee, Cotton produces flowers and fruits throughout the 

 year, but the principal ripening falls in the dry season. 

 Erom 200 to 300 plants or more can be placed on an acre. 

 As many as 700 pods have been gathered from a single 

 plant at one time, 12 to 20 capsules yielding an ounce of 

 mercantile cotton. Weeding is rendered less onerous by 

 the vigorous growth of the plants. Cotton comes well in 

 for rotation of crops. Major Clarke has aseertained that 

 crossing cannot be effected between the Oriental and Occi- 

 dental kinds of cotton. A high summer temperature is 

 needed for a prolific cotton harvest. Intense heat, under 

 which even maize will suifer, does not injuriously affect 

 cotton, provided the atmosphere is not dry in the extreme. 

 The soil should not be wet, but of a kind that naturally 

 absorbs and retains humidity, without over saturation. In 

 arid regions it is necessary to irrigate the cotton-plant. 

 Heavy rains at the ripening period are injurious if not 

 destructive to the Cotton crop. Dry years produce the 

 best returns, yet aqueous vapour in the air is necessary for 

 the best yield. In colder localities the balls or capsules 

 continue to ripen after the frosts prevent the formation of 

 new ones. Porous soils resting on limestones and meta- 

 morphic rocks are eminently adapted for cotton culture. 

 The canebrake soil of the North American cotton regions 

 absorbs ammonia to a prodigous extent. 



Guadua angustifolia, Kunth. 



(Bambusa Guadua, Humboldt and Bonpland.) 

 New GTranada, Ecuador and probably others of the Central 

 American States. This Bamboo attains a height of 40 feet, 

 and might prove hardy in sheltered places of our lowlands. 



Guadua latifolia, Kunth. 



(Bamlusa latifolia, Humb. and Bonpl.) 

 One of the tall Bamboos of Central America, from whence 

 several other lofty Bamboos may be obtained, among them 

 the almost climbing Chusqueas. This Gradua is stouter 

 than any Indian Bamboo. In tropical America native 

 Bamboos are planted for hedges. 



