4 BULLETIN 294, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



LESSON II. 



Subject. — The botany of cotton. 



Topics for study. — This lesson should deal with significant points, 

 such as the morphology and physiology of the plant, including the 

 effect of temperature and moisture on germination and rate of growth, 

 branching habits, cross-fertilization and its effect, the range of type 

 within the variety, and the significant features of well-recognized 

 varieties. Such points as these have a direct bearing upon the lessons 



Fig. 3.— King. 



of judging cotton, seed selection, time and methods of planting, and 

 time and manner of thinning. 



Cotton roots: Dig down around a cotton plant and seo how near 

 the surface the roots grow. Compare tho root system of cotton with 

 corn, and determine the effect of deep cultivation after tho plant is 

 several inches high. 



Stems and branches: Study carefully the different types of branches, 

 their function, and arrangement on the plant, as these are important 

 means of distinguishing varieties and determining productiveness 

 and carliness. 



