THE FIBERS OF LONG-STAPLE UPLAND COTTONS. 5 
degrees of this tying or curling together, as seen when greatly mag- 
nified. In figures 1 and 2 single and united fibers, respectively, of 
natural length are shown, but the diameters are of necessity much 
greater than normal, owing to the exceeding fineness of the fibers. 
» The drag of cottons showing the longer fibers previously described 
gives a more extended, elastic tension than is manifest among the 
short-staple varieties. It is probable that breeders may find this 
character a useful one in indicating a tendency toward increased 
length, fineness, and crinkliness of staple in the individuals in which 
it occurs most noticeably—an indication of better spinning quality. 
It isimportant that | 
breeders and grow- 
ers of long-staple 
cottons should know 
that these apparently 
longer fibers are no 
indication of true 
lack of uniformity. 
The presence of these 
fibers in the lone- . 
staple Upland varie- 
ties has quite univer- 
sally led to the erro- 
neous belief that such 
cottons are rather 
inferior in uniformity as regards length of fibers. The Griffin cotton, 
in particular, recognized in other respects as the best long-staple 
Upland cotton grown, has always been described as decidedly unsatis- 
factory so far as uniformity in length of staple is concerned, since the 
drawing out of fibers from adjacent seed is a marked characteristic of 
this variety. 
A knowledge of the true nature of these longer fibers will clear the 
reputation of some of the best long-staple Upland varieties of a seri- 
ous fault hitherto wrongly attributed to them by all breeders and 
growers. 
21521—Bul. 111—07——2 
Fig. 3.—Cotton fibers tied together, very much magnified. 
