COTTON. 



177 



All the districts mentioned have an average summer rain- 

 fall of over 18 inches, which, if reasonably distributed, is 

 adequate for the cotton crop. In some, however, the com- 

 mencement of the rainy season may be delayed, and where 

 this state of affairs is apt to occur, winter ploughing should be 

 practised so that full advantage can be taken of the first rains 

 to commence planting. If this is done, the available growing 

 period will generally be found to be sufficiently long for pro- 

 fitable cotton cultivation. Cotton is grown only in the summer 

 rainfall area of South Africa, consequently harvesting 

 synchronises with the cessation of the rainy season, and prac- 

 tically no cotton is damaged by excessive moisture after the 

 bolls open. That cotton is infinitely more drought-resistant 

 than maize should not be overlooked. It is often a successful 

 crop in areas where moisture conditions are too adverse for 

 maize. 



Mists are a rare occurrence in our cotton districts, and the 

 rt^quirements of cotton for sunshine are amply met. 



Soil Requirements. Productive maize soils are generally 

 good cotton soils. Good loam soils, having a texture permitting 

 of the free movement of soil moisture, are the best for the crop. 

 Clay soils, if the drainage is good, when properly manipulated 

 often give excellent results. Cotton is remarkably resistant to 

 alkali, in which respect it differs fundamentally from maize. 



