22 BULLETIN 1056, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



TRUE NAMES FOR VARIETIES. 



The number of variety names used by growers and dealers in sell- 

 ing planting cotton seed during comparatively recent years runs into 

 hundreds. Over 50 variety names are employed by dealers at present. 

 A number of these names, however, are merely trade names and do 

 not represent a distinct variety. The diversity of designations for 

 the same variety is still further increased by applying various de- 

 scriptive terms. For example, the King variety is found to be listed 

 in 12 forms as follows : 



King. King's Extra Early. 



King's Early. King's Early Improved. 



King's Improved. Re-Improved Early King. 



Early King. Faultless Bred King. 



Improved King. King's Improved Extra Early. 



Re-Improved King. King's Extra Early Big Boll. 



The names of many other varieties are altered in much the same 

 manner. A farmer in the market for cotton seed would have dif- 

 ficulty in determining from such an array of titles when he was 

 getting the best value or the highest grade of seed of the desired 

 variety. To apply complex adjectives to the true variety name not 

 only confuses but in some cases may mislead the buyer. Sometimes 

 dealers use only such descriptive phrases as " Big Boll Early," 

 " Early Prolific," etc., without tying them up to the variety name or 

 indicating in any way what variety is represented. Such practices 

 should be discontinued. 



RENAMING VARIETIES. 



The practice of renaming varieties of cotton has been greatly 

 abused. To grow or purchase cotton seed of a well known or com- 

 mon variety or of mixed varieties, and sell it under an unknown 

 name with glowing descriptions, implying that results hitherto not 

 attained may be expected, is a policy to be condemned. Practices of 

 this kind serve only to bring the planting cotton seed business into 

 disrepute and tend to discredit the honest efforts of conscientious seed 

 breeders and dealers. The latter should be encouraged because the 

 development and distribution of new varieties and improved strains 

 maintain or raise the standard of cotton production to a great extent. 

 When seed of a new variety of cotton is offered to the public, its 

 origin, method of developing, tests made and results obtained, its 

 soil, climatic, and regional adaptations, and the reputation of the 

 originator are factors which should be considered in passing judg- 

 ment on its true value. The seller should see that these facts are 

 stated fully and accurately and made available to the buyer. 



SALES ON BASIS OF WEIGHT VS. MEASURE. 



The sale of planting cotton seed on the basis of weight rather than 

 measure is strongly urged on all persons or concerns handling this 

 commodity. It seems inconsistent, to say the least, for planting cot- 



