COTTON 355 



are inclined to degenerate and produce a harsh short 

 staple. 



(2) Upland cottons grown at elevations over 2,500 ft. 

 produce the longest and silkiest staple, but, unfortunately 

 the weakest. 



(3) Upland cottons grown at elevations of 1,700 to 

 2,700 ft. produce the most satisfactory crops both -i* 

 quality and yield. 



(4) Light sandy soils produce small plants with short 

 harsh staple, but encourage early maturity. 



(5) Heavy clay soils produce large plants with superior 

 lint, but delay maturity. 



(6) Prolonged heat at daily shade temperature of 100 

 to 115 F., when accompanied by drought, tends to the 

 production of short harsh staple. 



(7) Periods at which the thermometer stands below 

 60 F. during the ripening season have a distinct tendency 

 towards the production of weak staple. 



The writer does not contend that the above facts are 

 strictly applicable to all cotton-growing countries, but 

 their consideration is worthy of careful examination as 

 a general guide to selection, and also demonstrates the 

 necessity of encouraging planters to select for the special 

 peculiarities of their own plantations, using as a basis 

 approved seed which has been originally selected by 

 Government and proved as suitable in general for the 

 conditions of the country. 



PLANT CHARACTERS WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION. 

 (a) Flower and Fruit. 



The perfect development of the flower and fruit largely 

 determines the yield of any variety, and in this respect 

 cotton varies exceedingly, some plants having the unfor- 

 tunate habit of shedding the squares, the flowers, or the 

 bolls, and such conditions can be largely remedied by 

 selection. 



One of the most noticeable features in a field of tin- 

 selected Nyasaland Upland cotton is the large percentage 

 of practically boll-less plants, and during propagation and 

 multiplication from individual selections the writer had 



