CHAPTER X. 
VARIETIES OF COTTON AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION 
In a previous chapter we have discussed the 
tendency of all plants and animals to vary from 
normal characteristics when removed to new fields, 
different climates, and changed conditions of 
environment. ‘The cotton plant is especially sus- 
ceptible to all influences, to such an extent, in fact, 
that in our country alone there are now more than 
one hundred and fifty varieties listed. Of course 
not all of these are true varieties. Often a variety 
will have one or more names even in the same 
territory. This state of affairs is confusing and 
undesirable, but it is not peculiar to the cotton 
crop. With corn and wheat, in fact with all the 
prominent crops grown in America, we have the 
same difficulty, the same multiplicity of names. 
This condition usually arises from the fact that 
a new character, differing from the normal, is 
seen in the plant, leading the grower to think that 
he is justified in giving the variety a new name. 
With the cotton plant the change may lie in the 
direction of increased length and fineness of fiber; 
increased yield of lint, or seed, or both; early or 
late maturing qualities; a superior character in 
boll, or a change in physical growth. Still it 
matters not how superior a new character may be, 
a local name is not justified until that special 
(85) 
