DESCRIPTIOrf OF THE COTTON PLANT 15 



con- 

 ex- 



FiG. 4. — Flower of upland cotton, from 

 the side, showing the position of the small 

 calyx-lobe opposite the smallest bract. 



system of air-passages, each leaf cell is, in a somewhat 

 intricate manner, 

 brought into 

 tact with the 

 ternal air. 



14. The pedun- 

 cles. — The pedun- 

 cles Sre small stems 

 connecting the flow- 

 ers and later the 

 bolls with the 

 branch. Their 

 length varies, with 

 the variety of cot- 

 ton, and also in dif- 

 ferent parts of the 

 same plant. In American upland cotton the length ranges 



from one-half inch 

 to two inches. 



There seems to be 

 a relation between 

 the length of the 

 peduncle and 

 "storm resistance" 

 in cotton. The 

 length should be 

 such as will permit 

 the boll to hang 

 with its tip down- 

 ward, so that the 

 leafy bracts, or in- 

 volucres, will protect the lint from rain. The pe- 

 duncle should not be so long as to cause it to bend 



Fig. 6. — Bracts of upland cotton inclosing 

 bud, showing twisted teeth. 



