Department of Agriculture 



GROWINCx SEA ISLAND COTTON UNDER 

 FLORIDA CONDITIONS 



Introduction 



Since the publication in April, 1937, of a report of the 

 Works Progress Administration describing the experiments 

 and demonstrations relative to the rehabilitation of Sea Island 

 cotton in Florida much additional information has been se- 

 cured by the Entomologist in charge. Planted acreage has in- 

 creased from a few hundred acres in 1935 to approximately 

 25,000 acres in 1938. The Sea Island market has been reestab- 

 lished with both domestic and foreign mills bidding for baleage 

 of this once "lost industry." 



Largely through the free poison and molasses furnished 

 growers during the State-wide Poison Programs of 1937-38, 

 plantings have been made over the entire area from about 

 Melbourne-Hillsborough Counties on the south to as far west 

 as Pensacola. Gins have been erected to take care of the staple 

 in practically all centers of production with approximately 18 

 gins now in operation. 



Good grades and staple have been produced in all areas 

 planted to Sea Island. In the rolling hill section around Talla- 

 hassee the cotton produced has been of excellent staple and 

 character. The same result has been secured in the DeFuniak 

 Springs-Baker area. 



Since prospects for profitable upland cotton culture in Flor- 

 ida are now almost nil due to the heavy surplus and the lost 

 export trade, Florida cotton growers are giving more and 

 more thought to the culture of Sea Island. 



The principal drawback to profitable Sea Island production 

 in Florida is the boll weevil. However, the "Afternoon Method 

 of Weevil Poisoning" developed by the WPA Entomologists, 

 combined with extremely early planting dates, practically in- 

 sures a profitable crop where the acreage planted can be prop- 

 erly poisoned and harvested. As an additional cash crop for 

 small farmers. Sea Island cotton makes an excellent running 

 mate for other cash crops such as bright tobacco, hogs, etc. 



