THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF COTTON. 121 



Some three years ago, I offered a near neighbor, and a dear 

 friend, all my improvement, if he would take the trouble off 

 my hands ; and I will do so to any planter who will assure 

 me of his devotedness to this matter. The man who is gov- 

 erned only by cent, per cent, will not do. I plant this year 

 near 200 acres, or perhaps over, of select seed. I think I 

 make by it ; selling seed is too small a business yet to be 

 called the " celebrated cotton-man of Edwards, Miss.," is 

 enough to induce any one to persevere. 



All this, by the way. Ridicule may turn some men from 

 principle ; it only has the effect on myself to let the writers 

 and speakers see that, though not felt, it is not through want of 

 perspicuity. 



We will plant as nearly an entire crop as we have good 

 seed, with the Cluster cotton seed ; this is the original name, 

 but known now by as many names as there are persons who 

 desire to make money by selling seed. We will plant Silk 

 (called McBride by some), 100-seed, Sugar Loaf, Dean, and 

 small parcels of others. The Cluster, or Banana, has been 

 much improved. The best now on sale is Boyd's Prolific. 

 From this I have culled very carefully for three years, I 

 think, and, by way of keeping solely for home use, I call them 

 Home-seed; many, who have seen this selection, deem it bet- 

 ter than the original accidental variety, for I learn from Mr. 

 Boyd that it was an accidental stalk. Silk is perhaps better 

 for all descriptions of land ; many of my friends prefer it to 

 Banana, objecting to the latter on poor, and on rich fresh 

 land ; on the first, the forms dry up ; on the latter, breaks 

 down this latter can be remedied by topping, say one to two 

 feet off. Sugar Loaf is best upon new ground, rich, sweet gum 

 land. I have made over 41,000 Ibs. the first year land was 

 cleared, from twenty-four acres of land. JOO-seed still retains 

 its position on rich, fresh land, 

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