4 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



direct, but even the lint, on the peculiar character of which the com- 

 mercial value of the crop depends, appears to find its chief use to the 

 plant in excluding the weevil larva? from the seed. Our Sea Island 

 and Upland varieties have been raised for long periods 'in regions 

 where the boll weevil did not exist and, as was to have been expected, 

 are largely lacking in protective features. The Kekchi cotton, on the 

 other hand, which has continued its development in a weevil-infested 

 region under the protection of the keleps, has by far the largest 

 number of weevil-resisting characters. 



The fact that weevil-resisting adaptations really exist, as shown in 

 numerous instances in the present report, emphasizes the necessity of 

 a thorough study of our cultivated cottons for the purpose of taking 

 advantage of any and all protective characters. 



It is possible, as Mr. Cook suggests, that the Guatemalan variety 

 of cotton which he has discovered, and which has such a- surprising 

 number of weevil-resisting adaptations, may not prove suited to culti- 

 vation in the United States, but even in that case the value of the 

 present paper on weevil-resisting characters would not be diminished, 

 for it will serve as a help to all who may engage in seeking and 

 developing such characters in the types of cotton now cultivated in 

 our country. 



Respectfully, B. T. Galloway, 



Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



