358 



[November, 1912. 



COTTON. 



Long-staple Cotton as an Irrigated Crop. 



The possibilities of producing long-staple cotton are worthy of a 

 careful consideration and the popular idea has been that the production 

 of a long, strong fibre was necessarily limited to regions with a humid 

 atmosphere. In reality, however, the production of fibre of high quality 

 does not depend upon atmospheric conditions, at least to any such extent 

 as has been supposed. A high degree of atmospheric humidity is un- 

 necessary so long as the soil affords an adequate and readily available 

 supply of moisture. A dry atmosphere is injurious if it renders the 

 supply of moisture in the soil inadequate and thus reduces the plants to a 

 condition of drought. It is possible, with the soil of a right texture and a 

 supply of moisture, to produce cotton of a high quality and this has been 

 conclusively shown in experiments with Egyptian cotton in Arizona and 

 South California. 



The general tendency in irrigated districts is the excessive use of 

 water, the ability of the cotton plant to resist drought being under- 

 estimated. The crop is easily injured by the use of too much water, 

 especially in the earlier part of the growing season. 



To raise short-staple Upland cotton on irrigated lands where Egyptian 

 or long-staple Upland cotton can be grown is a waste of agricultural 

 resources. It is admitted that short-staple cotton can be produced and 

 marketed with less difficulty and by more careless methods. 



Conclusions. 



Improved varieties of American Upland cotton bred by the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and sent out through the Congressional Seed Distri- 

 bution are being utilized for the improvement of the cotton industry. 



One of the new varieties from Mexico, called Durango, is the most 

 promising Upland long-staple cotton for irrigated districts. 



Cotton-growing communities have much to gain by co-operative orga- 

 nization for the production and marketing of a single superior variety 

 of cotton. 



Cultural methods are suggested for avoiding malformations of young 

 seedlings, which often delay the development and reduce the yield.— Cir- 

 cular of U. S. Department of Agriculture, July, 1912. 



CHINESE CABBAGE. 



Seeds of two varieties of this vegetable were forwarded from Pera- 

 deniya to the Government Stock Gardens in March last, the seeds being 

 distributed through the Ceylon Agricultural Society among nineteen 

 School Gardens. The following thirteen schools reported that the growth 

 had been satisfactory : — Yatawatte, Idamegama, Morape, Nugawela, 

 Palugama, Munwatte, Panwila, Mahamedegama, Teldeniya, Alawatugoda, 

 Tenna, Welimada and Gunnepana. 



The plant is a very acceptable addition to native food crops and is 

 appreciated as such. 



