COTTON 255 
concerning cotton and the most important crops 
of the report are mailed to 77,000 post offices 
throughout the United States for public display, 
thus placing the information within the farmer’s 
immediate reach. 
MONTHLY CONDITION REPORT OF COTTON 
The cotton crop must be observed throughout 
its growing period if accurate conclusions are “to be 
drawn in regard to its output. Even then only 
an approximate estimate can be made. Such an 
estimate is helpful to the producer in assisting him 
in disposing of his crop; it helps the spinner in 
making his purchases. Both depend, in some 
measure at least, upon facts not yet accomplished. 
Favorable conditions in June do not mean that an 
unfavorable season may not disturb growth and 
prospects in August or September. 
A farmer once planted for twenty bales. Rain 
came and brought grass and troubles, threatening 
the crop; June had come and scarcely ten bales 
were hoped for. But weather during July was 
favorable—much sunshine during the day and 
little rain at night; the crop flourished, the weed 
became strong, and vigorous—and thirty bales were 
now anticipated. But more rain came, fairly cover- 
ing the ground; unripe bolls began to shed, leaves 
turned in color, the big crop was no longer thought 
of—a yield of ten or twelve bales would now be all 
that might be expected. But better days came in 
August—days more favorable to the crop—growth 
of weed checked itself to correct proportions, the 
old bolls enlarged, and the farmer brightened in 
hope and expectation that results might be better 
than “‘things looked at one time.” September 
