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BRAZILIAN COTTON 



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Road Difficulties. Constructing a Bridge for the Motor-cars 



horseback we saw the country thoroughly ; indeed, as the cotton 

 grows mainly in narrow valleys, one can inspect the plantations 

 only by riding a horse or a mule. In this way we travelled through 

 the famous Serido district, riding along valley after valley. 



The method of cultivation is very primitive. In these undulating 

 stretches of country, where rocks frequently come to the surface, the 

 use of ploughs is out of question, consequently the " enxada " or hoe 

 is the only possible agricultural implement used, just as it was 

 hundreds of years ago. 



As in most parts of Brazil, cotton is here also cultivated as a mixed 

 crop. If ever this system can be excused it is here, where many empty 

 patches exist due to the dying off of a tree. Indian corn, beans, melons, 

 are planted here and wherever there is space. This compels the farmers 

 to prune back the cotton trees, which is very good. 



The cotton plantations being along the margins of the river bed 

 in the Sertao, many get alluvial deposits from the flood water ; no 

 manure is applied anywhere. The life of a cotton tree is an uncertain 

 quantity. Some trees were pointed out as being 40 years old and 

 they were still bearing, but the general impression is that 15 years is 

 the limit they ought to be allowed in the field. Trees are pruned 

 back. The branches of the trees often bend down under the weight 

 of the cotton. 



Moco seed which produces the best Sertao and Serido cotton is 

 at times black, at others brownish ; it has a distinct spike with two- 

 ended fork. The name Moco comes from a small rodent of the same 

 name larger than a rat but similar in shape, living in the mountains. 

 The excrements of this animal are like the seeds of the Moco cotton tree. 

 Moco seed has a spike with a two ended fork, sometimes it is brown. 



