EXTENSION OF COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. 3 



each farmer is likely to plant a different kind of cotton, the varieties 

 can not be kept pure. The fiber deteriorates in quality and declines 

 in market value. New varieties are introduced frequently, but these 

 soon deteriorate through admixture and the neglect of selection. 

 No general or permanent improvement can be expected as long as 

 the condition of unorganized communities and miscellaneous plant- 

 ing continues. 



NEW TYPES OF COTTON AVAILABLE. 



As a result of experiments conducted by the Department of Agri- 

 culture for several years past in the Southwestern States, the 

 Egyptian type of cotton has been acclimatized and superior varieties 

 have been bred, which are now being raised on a commercial scale in 

 the Salt River Valley of Arizona. During the same period numerous 

 experiments have shown that the Egyptian cotton is not well adapted 

 to replace the Upland type of cotton, either in Texas or farther east. 

 Susceptibility to injury by drought and disease both appear much 

 greater under conditions in the cotton belt. The need of a longer 

 growing season is another serious handicap for the Egyptian type 

 of cotton in the eastern United States and would exclude it from 

 competition with Upland cotton in all of the regions that are infested 

 by the boll weevil. 1 



Even with the same long-staple variety grown in California as in 

 the eastern districts, there may be no direct or injurious competition. 

 The conditions of soil, climate, and water supply in California are so 

 different as to give the iint distinctive qualities, and there is less 

 danger of the annual fluctuations in yield and quality of fiber that 

 have made it unsafe for manufacturers to rely upon eastern long- 

 staples exclusively. The production of Durango cotton in the Im- 

 perial Valley, by giving it a recognized place in the market, has 

 served to stimulate the planting of this variety in eastern districts. 

 This relation would doubtless continue even if the production of 

 Durango cotton in California were greatly increased, for there seems 

 likely to be a very large demand for this type of cotton if only it 

 can be produced with such regularity that manufacturers can rely 

 upon adequate supplies being available. The possibility that produc- 

 tion might be increased more rapidly than the demand must be 

 recognized, but it does not appear to be a present danger in view of 

 the special scarcity and high prices of the Egyptian cotton. 



As eastern varieties of cotton have not proved to be well adapted 

 to conditions in the irrigated districts of the Southwestern States, 



1 Thus, there are natural limitations to competition in either direction. The Egyp- 

 tian type is sure to be preferred in the Southwestern States as long as higher prices 

 make its cultivation more profitable. If other types are grown they are likely to be 

 of the same general commercial character as the Egyptian, with fiber of special qualities 

 that can not be produced to the same advantage in the Southeastern States. 



