342 
The varieties selected for trial were Allen’s Improved 
(Uganda seed), Nyasaland Upland, and Durango (one of the 
newest American types). 
The relative merits of these are briefly discussed, and a table 
is given showing the yields which were actually obtained. 
The greatest trouble experienced was ‘‘ boll shedding,” and 
this took place on such a wholesale scale on one of the farms 
that practically the whole crop was lost. ; 
The main cause responsible for this loss appears without 
doubt to have been excess of rain and lack of sunshine during 
the time when the plants were flowering and setting bolls—a 
most critical period in the plant’s life. 
It is concluded that the year’s results in that particular 
locality tend to justify the native practice of growing cotton 
only in conjunction with other crops, as the yield is not large 
enough to warrant its being treated as a main crop. 
Attention is drawn to the prevalence of boll-worm and to the 
drastic regulations as to annually uprooting and burning the 
crop, which are necessary if this pest is to be kept in check. 
On the other farm situated near Zaria the results were a 
great deal more encouraging. 
Here the improved Upland cottons gave a cash return per 
acre nearly 100 per cent. in advance of the local varieties, and 
excited the admiration of the natives. 
Enough seed was secured from the farm last year to sow 
750 acres during the season 1914, and it is anticipated that the 
whole of this will be taken up by native cultivators under 
Government supervision, the crop being repurchased to pro- 
vide seed for further extension the following year. 
By this means only can satisfactory progress be made. 
The paper closes by emphasizing the need of more modern 
methods of tillage; it says :— 
“While thus endeavouring to improve the quality of the 
cotton of Nigeria as well as the yield: per acre, we are not 
losing sight of the importance of reducing the cost of pro- 
duction by more up-to-date methods of cultivation. At 
present practically the whole of the arable land of Nigeria is 
turned over by hand, but on the Zaria farm last year a start 
was made in the use of implements by employing cultivators 
drawn by cattle to work the land under cotton. It is intended 
during the coming season to extend this work greatly, and if 
possible to induce natives to cultivate their own land by similar 
means, thus enabling them to employ their time to greater 
advantave than hitherto. 
“By this means alone the agricultural wealth of the com- 
munity might be enormously increased.”’ 
