120 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



The region, known as the Cotton Belt, may be seen on the 

 distribution map of cotton production. It is the leading 

 crop of these states, and has become of national importance, 

 because of the value of the production itself (it amounted, 

 in 1915, to over $600,000,000) and because of the great 

 cotton-manufacturing industry which it supports. Cotton- 

 seed products also add much to the value of the cotton crop, 

 amounting, in 1915, to about $180,000,000. Cotton-seed 

 oil has about the same composition as olive oil and has similar 

 uses; cotton-seed cake (the residue after the oil is expressed), 

 because of its high protein content, is an excellent feed for 

 farm animals; even the hulls of the cotton seed serve a 

 variety of useful purposes. 



The history of cotton growing in the South is similar to 

 that of crop farming in the North. Cotton growing began in 

 the Atlantic Coast States. Later, as land became less pro- 

 ductive, it extended westward, finally reaching Texas and 

 Oklahoma. Until recently, continuous cropping has been 

 generally employed with a consequent loss of soil fertility, 

 except where fertilizers are liberally used. The tendency 

 toward low yield due to this practice, and the effect of the 

 cotton boll- weevil and other insects, have made it necessary 

 to modify the older methods. The new practice now being 

 introduced makes cotton one of several crops in a rotation. 

 It includes also restoration of the soil fertility by the use of 

 legumes in the rotation and by the feeding of farm animals. 

 The mild climate and abundant rainfall are favorable for the 

 production of a large variety of forage crops. The use of 

 these, together with cotton-seed products or some other 

 protein feeding material, makes stock raising profitable. The 

 kind of farming that includes a rotation of cotton with good 

 feeding crops not only introduces a new source of profit, but, 



