36 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



naked, black, ovate in shape and present a smooth surface. 

 The lint is long (1J^ to 2 inches), silky, pure white, and 

 rather easily removed from the seed. 



It has been claimed by some authors that Sea Island 

 cotton is indigenous to the West Indies, especially Barba- 

 dos. However, the recent and thorough studies made by 

 Watt indicate that Sea Island cotton is a " modern devel- 

 opment" and that there is no evidence to show that it is 

 indigenous to Barbados. On the other hand, Watt makes 

 reference to the fact that this species of cotton is so closely 

 associated with Gossypium vitifolium, a vine-leaved, long- 

 staple cotton of South America, as to suggest that the 

 indigenous habitat is somewhere in South America. 



40. Peruvian cotton (Gossypium peruvianum). This 

 is a South American cotton but comprises most of the 

 important varieties now grown in Egypt. It is met with 

 in nearly all important cotton growing countries. .Within 

 recent years certain varieties of this cotton, notably Mit 

 Afifi, Yuma, and Jannovitch, have been successfully grown 

 in the Colorado River region in southern Arizona, and in 

 southeastern California. 



The plants of this species resemble Sea Island cotton 

 in habit of growth. They are rather tall and produce long, 

 flexible branches. The flowers are sulfur-yellow. The 

 seeds are large and, unlike Sea Island cotton, are covered 

 with a distinct gray or greenish fuzz, although in some 

 varieties the seeds are reported to be naked. The lint is 

 intermediate in length between American upland cotton 

 and Sea Island cotton, and is usually of a yellowish or 

 brownish color. A few varieties of Peruvian cotton pro- 

 duce white lint and are thought to have descended in part 

 from Sea Island cotton. 



41. Indian cotton (Gossypium obtusifolium). This 



