COTTON SEED SPECULATIONS. 123 



One word as to selecting seed. A contributor of yours 

 from Texas, is very correct as to the plan to be followed in 

 making the best seed. It is what all planters should do, who 

 desire to promote our cause. There is something else needed, 

 and more than one in a hundred possess. Not alone the de- 

 sire and care, but discrimination, judgment. "We can tell that 

 one article is not good, productive, &c., but to select the best 

 is difficult. Frankly do I confess to want of that faculty, and 

 have therefore preferred to rely upon the selection of others, 

 and to labor to keep up that quality. It is sometimes good 

 economy to buy a pair of pigs, even at $50, than to spend 

 time and means to bring up to same perfection. This no one 

 can deny. Why not the same of cotton, corn, oats, &c. It 

 is the duty of every planter to strive to add to the knowledge 

 and resources^of our cause. We may fail, but the reward is 

 sure honest intention. Success to your efforts ; may they 

 be satisfactory to yourself, and a blessing to our land and 

 nation. Ytmrs, &c., 



Edwards, Miss., April 10, 1855. M. W. PHILIPS. 



SECTION XIII. COTTON SEED SPECULATIONS. 



MR. EDITOR: I have noticed, in several of the last Nos. of 

 the Cultivator, descriptions and recommendations of a variety 

 of new sorts of cotton seed. I have also noticed this in the 

 different papers of this State. There is, at this time, a greater 

 variety of cotton seed in this State, than I have ever known; 

 and I think that I may with safety say, that most of them 

 were introduced for the purpose of speculating. In this, I will 

 be condemned by many, but by only those who are engaged 

 in it. 



