2 BULLETIN 324, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The evolution of this particular cotton industry is toward the grow- 

 ing of one superior variety of long-staple cotton exclusively. Of the 

 problems connected with the industry, possibly the most important 

 at this time is that of establishing a consistent production of large 

 average yields of high-quality fiber. 1 The full possibilities of the 

 industry will most quickly become realized by directing community 

 effort toward the stabilization of long-staple cotton. 



It is proposed in this paper to explain what is meant by stabiliza- 

 tion, its bearing on the different interests involved in the production 

 and marketing of long-staple cotton, and the manner in which the 

 stabilization can be brought about. A discussion of the development 

 of the industry is included, for the purpose of making clear the 

 steps that have been taken toward the adoption of a long-staple 

 variety. 2 



HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRY. 



IMPERIAL VALLEY IN CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO. 



The Imperial Valley is a portion of the delta of the Colorado River 

 which extends some 40 miles on either side of the international 

 boundary between the State of California and Lower California, 

 Mexico. Cotton growing, like other agricultural enterprises, is prac- 

 tically continuous across the boundary. The irrigation system car- 

 rying water into California comes through Lower California, and the 

 irrigation water for both sections is taken from the same main canal. 

 Quarantine measures to guard against infestation by destructive in- 

 sects are administered by California State and United States Federal 

 authorities, and are designed to give these officers reasonable control 

 over shipments of seed to and from Mexico, as well as into California 

 from the Eastern States. The interests of cotton growers in Cali- 



1 See the article entitled " Cotton Improvement on a Community Basis " in the Year- 

 book of the United States Department of Agriculture for 1911. 



2 Investigations incident to establishing the long-staple cotton industry in the South- 

 west are carried on under the general direction of the Southwestern Cotton Culture Com- 

 mittee. The following is the personnel of the committee : 



C. S. Scofield, Agriculturist in Charge of Western Irrigation Agriculture, is chairman of 

 the committee and, in addition, has charge of those phases of the work which involve 

 cooperation with the United States Reclamation Service. The author of this bulletin has 

 been Mr. Scofield's field assistant in this work. 



W. T. Swingle, Physiologist in Charge of Crop Physiology and Breeding Investigations, 

 has charge of those phases of the work which involve cooperation with the Office of 

 Indian Affairs. The Cooperative Testing and Demonstration Garden at Sacaton, Ariz., is 

 under Mr. Swingle's direction. 



O. F. Cook, Bionomist in Charge of Crop-Acclimatization and Cotton-Breeding Investi- 

 gations, conducts investigations of the factors involved in the acclimatization of different 

 types of cotton in the Southwest and of the relation of these factors to cultural methods. 

 He has also been active in developing the idea of community cotton growing as a means 

 of maintaining uniform varieties. 



T. H. Kearney, Physiologist in Charge of Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant Investiga- 

 tions, has charge of the breeding work with Egyptian cotton and of investigations of the 

 effects of alkali and other soil conditions upon the production of this crop. 



C. J. Brand, Chief of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, has charge of the 

 investigations in classing, marketing, and transportation. 



