12 BULLETIN 146^ U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGKICULTUKE. 
but it would not be advisable to increase the production of these 
extra staples under the present conditions. If all the farmers of any 
island would organize for the purpose of growing one variety on a 
cooperative community basis ^ and then keep their planting seed 
pure and the variety true to type, they would produce a product 
much better suited to the needs of a mill. Manufacturers could then 
rely on a supply of uniform quahty and length and in .sufficient 
quantities to make it worth while to turn their attention to it. To 
make such a scheme feasible it is necessary that the farmer having 
the most desirable cotton sell his seed to his neighbors until everyone 
is supplied. 
Perhaps the most desirable length for CaroUna growers to select is 
about Ij inches, as such a length would remove the islands from 
direct competition with If-inch Georgias and Floridas. However, 
no exact information along this line has been obtainable, as the Caro- 
lina Sea Island is practically aU exported, and this investigation has 
not extended to foreign mills and their requirements in cotton. 
PROSPECTS AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS. 
There are still good varieties of planting seed among the islands, 
there are expert cotton breeders, there are good judges of the length 
and fineness of lint, and there are many good farmers who, after a 
selection has been made, can grow successfully the selected variety. 
It seems that a trial along the line of uniform quality is worth while 
and is practically the only remedy that has suggested itself during 
the study of the Sea Island situation which holds out a hope for a 
successful continuation of production for this important crop. 
In this connection, it is well to bear in mind that no new informa- 
tion has been gained by this investigation as to the probable price at 
which Sea Island will seU in the future. During August, 1913, the 
demand was duU and prices were at or under the cost of production. 
Styles must change or business revive before any great advance in 
price can reasonably be expected. And in the meantime the Sea 
Island farmers must live. They have '^ a heritage from their fathers 
which they are loath to relinquish," but it seems the part of expe- 
diency that they plant a large portion of their farms in food crops, 
set aside pasture lands, and pay more attention to beef cattle, hogs, 
and dairying. Truck farming, if proper shipping facilities can be 
arranged, would doubtless pay well. And while these other Hnes of 
agriculture are being tried out, a small amount of good land should 
be planted in an approved variety of Sea Island in order to keep 
pure seed for another crop in case the price again reaches a level 
Cook, O. F. Cotton Improvement on a Commxinity Basis, Yearbook, U. S. Department of Agricul- 
ture, 1911. Brand, C. J. Improved Methods of Handling and Marketing Cotton, Yearbook, U. S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, 1912. 
