CHAPTER XII. 
THE KING’S REALM, THE LAND OF SUNSHINE 
The great cotton producing section of the 
United States lies a little below latitude 37°. This 
nearly coincides with a line drawn from Norfolk, 
Virginia, to Cairo, Ilinois, and marks the northern 
limit of profitable cotton culture. (Of course, the 
cooler mountain region of this section must be 
eliminated.) 
Here then is the Cotton Belt of America, and 
to this region the world looks for its annual supply 
of raw cotton. New areas, favorable to cotton 
production, will be developed, as time goes on, 
but for all time to come the present cotton-growing 
States will likely furnish the greater portion of the 
world’s needs. 
PECULIAR CLIMATE OF THE COTTON BELT 
The Cotton Belt has asomewhat variable climate. 
From its geographical situation it is naturally of 
moderate extremes, and favored by the winds that 
sweep over its territory. That equable tempera- 
ture which characterizes the zone of Gulf Stream 
influences has promoted the growth of the various 
agricultural and_ horticultural industries. Or- 
chards and vineyards thrive in the genial climate; 
trucking crops are nowhere better favored; one can 
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