8 BULLETIN 294, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



uniform point of dryness; after which the lint should be removed 

 from the seed by hand, then each carefully weighed and the per- 

 centages calculated. 



4. Quality op Lint. 



Quality of lint is assigned a possible rating of 21 points on the 

 score card. These are divided as follows: Strength, 5 points; 

 length, 5 points; fineness, 5 points; purity, 1 point; uniformity 

 as to length, fineness, purity, and freedom from faulty fibers, 5 

 points. Of course, these scores are only intended to offer means or 

 standards by which the different exhibits may be compared. There- 

 fore, when there are points about which there seems to be uncer- 

 tainty the most perfect sample can well be given the highest score 

 obtainable for that point. Then the others should be rated as they 

 approach the standard fixed by this better sample. Thus, for the 

 longest lint give five points and the same for the finest; also, that 

 showing the greatest degree of purity and also for the greater uni- 

 formity. Then, as other samples fall short in any one of all these 

 respects cut accordingly. 



Exercises. — Combing and mounting (fig. 4) samples of seeds from 

 bolls of different varieties will be instructive to pupils. 



References. — Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 222 ; Farmers' Bui. 591 ; 

 cotton score card published by the State agricultural college; State 

 cotton growers' association, if there is one. 



LESSON IV. 



Subject.— Selecting seed. 



Topics for study. — Qualities desired in the plant. Four defects of 

 boll to be looked for in selecting seed for planting. In how many 

 directions does the cotton selected for judging purposes need im- 

 provement? Discuss how these improvements may be brought 

 about. What constitutes good seed for planting ? Where to obtain 

 the best possible seed. How to gather seed for planting. Methods 

 of separating large and small or heavy and light seed. Growing 

 improved varieties, advantages, money value. 



Exercises. — Let the pupils pick the cotton from 100 plants of 

 poorest or least productive ones and weigh. From this weight 

 determine how many plants of this type would bo required to give 

 a yield of 1,500 pounds of seed cotton or one bale of 500 pounds of 

 lint. Then have the pupils pick the cotton from 100 of the best 

 plants found in some cotton patch. Determine the number of bolls 

 they contain, the average number per plant, the number required 

 to give 500 pounds of lint, the number of plants required to produce 

 this yield. 



