COTTON 
255 
concerning cotton and the most important crops 
of the report are; mailed to 77,000 post offices 
throughout the Umited 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 iif accurate conclusions are to be 
drawn in regard t<o its output. Even then only 
an approximate esltimate can be made. Such an 
estimate is helpful Ito 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, ujpon facts not yet accomplished. 
Favorable conditioms in June do not mean that an 
unfavorable seasoni may not disturb growth and 
prospects in Auguslt 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 nourished, the weed 
became strong, and vigorous — and thirty bales were 
now anticipated. But more rain came, fairly cover- 
ing the ground; unmpe bolls began to shed, leaves 
turned in color, the big crop was no longer thought 
of — a yield of ten oir twelve bales would now be all 
that might be expe<cted. 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 
