UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY REPORT. 49 



of seed, in a climate congenial to its growth. It is a very- 

 general law of nature, that the offspring inherits the good or 

 bad qualities of its parent ; or, in other words, that like pro- 

 duces like. This is more particularly true, when applied to 

 the vegetable kingdom. This section of country is not re- 

 garded as the best adapted to the growth of the cotton plant. 

 The best efforts at selection from our own seed might not, 

 'therefore, be entirely successful, but still the Committee re- 

 commend it, as the best counter-agent against the degeneracy 

 of climate as the best means of preserving the seeds in their 

 primitive purity. The Committee would therefore, also, ear- 

 nestly recommend the frequent renewal of seed from the Petit 

 Gulf countries. In the selection of seed from our cotton, it 

 should be made from the second crop of, or middle bolls the 

 bolls on the lower limbs being generally small, and the seed 

 more or less defective. The season for the growth of cotton 

 is too short in this latitude to admit of its attaining to perfect 

 maturity. Early planting is, therefore, very important. The 

 planting should be so early, if practicable, as will just enable 

 the young plant to escape the blight of frost. It is true, that 

 sometimes late cotton, owing to the seasons, is most product- 

 ive, but the chances are clearly against it. 



The preparation of land for cotton, should claim the early 

 attention of the farmer or planter, in several points of view. 

 It increases the productiveness of the land, and consequently, 

 the amount of the crop ; it abridges the quantum of labor ne- 

 cessary to its proper cultivation ; and it is requisite for the 

 reception of the seed. The Committee deem it unnecessary to 

 enter into the minutiae of this subject, as both its importance 

 and process are well understood, but will proceed to remark 

 on the mode and manner of obtaining a good stand of cotton, 

 without which it would be impossible to make a full crop. 

 Besides the selection of seed, and preparation of land, before 

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