20 BULLETIN 121, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



These tests show that careful breeders in the Carolinas are pro- 

 ducing cotton fully equal in almost every respect to average Deltas 

 of the same length. They also show that several strains now grown 

 in commercial quantities in the Southeast are less wasty than aver- 

 age Deltas, although not so strong. These varieties are earlier, have 

 larger bolls, and are usually more prolific than Delta types. 



These uniform varieties are the result of intelligent breeding 

 work. The importance to the spinner of such work can hardly be 

 overestimated. It suggests the wisdom of more direct dealing be- 

 tween spinners and careful producers, that the latter may be guaran- 

 teed suitable premiums for their superior products. 



It is possible that there was some peculiarity in the season of 1912, 

 either in the Delta or in the Southeast, which caused these tests to 

 give exceptional results. Material is now in hand for more compre- 

 hensive tests on bales of several varieties grown in 1913. If the re- 

 sults of later tests confirm those already made, the wisdom of basing 

 mill purchases on variety as well as upon grade and apparent staple 

 will be fully demonstrated. 



The greatest care on the part of buyers in " stapling " cotton will 

 not reveal the difference between two samples which contain 10 and 

 20 per cent of comber wastes, respectively. If two competing mills 

 were continuously supplied with these two qualities, the difference 

 might easily mean wealth to the one and bankruptcy for the other. 

 The methods now employed by the best cotton breeders enable them 

 by field inspection to judge the uniformity of the cotton more accu- 

 rately than can any buyer or spinner by examination of samples 

 from the bale. 



We seem to be rapidly approaching the time when it may be pos- 

 sible to standardize our pure varieties. If the spinner is wisely to 

 serve his own interests he must modify his buying system in such a 

 way as to see that superior varieties are recognized as varieties, not 

 merely as cottons of a certain length or coming from a certain terri- 

 tory. Such recognition will stimulate pure-seed work and better 

 cultural methods. 



The system now prevailing in the primary markets does not assure 

 the grower sufficient recognition of an exceptional product. The in- 

 difference of spinners to the improvement of our marketing system is 

 the chief obstacle to a rapid increase in the production of pure-bred 

 staple cottons of superior uniformity. 



o 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1914 



