12 BULLETIN 458, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
sample it is essential that the sampler should understand how to 
remove from the bale the cotton that may be discolored by the bag- 
ging or by dirt or mud, and at the same time he should take out 
any gin fall that may be in the sample, but he must be careful not 
to change the grade of the sample either by rough handling or by 
picking it to the extent that it will not represent the bale from which 
it was taken. When the cotton arrives at the mill or other destina- 
tion and is resampled, if it is found to be not as represented, the 
purchaser will either reject it or make a claim for the difference in 
value between the original grade by which it was sold and that shown ~ 
by the redrawn sample. 
The present method of cutting the bale open and sampling the 
cotton each time a prospective purchaser wishes to examine it is 
an abuse that not only subjects the bale to loss in weight and other- 
wise damages it, but also increases the risk of fire. With the con- 
tinuance of this custom it will be difficult to avoid the resampling of 
cotton, especially of. staple cotton, in view of the fact that there is 
such a Wide variation in the price of such cotton, eccording to the 
length of the staple and its grade. When a.buyer contemplates pay- 
ing a premium for a lot of staple cotton, it will be seen readily that 
his reasons for wishing to sample the cotton beforehand and pass 
judgment upon it personally are justified. 
CLASSING DURANGO COTTON. 
The Durango is a new variety of upland-staple cotton developed 
by the United States Department of Agriculture* and introduced into 
the Imperial Valley during the year 1910 as a long-staple cotton 
suited to the local climatic conditions. The lack of rainfall and 
the long and hot season in this valley make the section ideal for 
the growing of cotton of long staple and of a bright and bloomy 
color, both essential qualities in the manufacture of fine yarn. Of 
the varieties tried, it was found that the Durango cotton responded 
best to the conditions existing in the Imperial Valley; hence this 
variety for that locality is recommended and encouraged by the 
United States Department of Agriculture. 
There are no established types or standards that may be used for 
classing the Durango cotton other than the Official Cotton Standards 
of the United States for grade and the standards for length used by 
shippers of upland-staple varieties throughout the southern staple 
districts, which are 1;% inches, 14 inches, 1,3; inches, 14 inches, 1,5 
inches, etc. The Durango cotton grown by irrigation in the Im- 
1 Cook, O. F., Durango Cotton in the Imperial Valley. Jn U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Plant 
Indus. Circular 111, pages 11—22, 1913. 
McLachlan, Argyle. Community Production of Durango Cotton in the Imperial Valley. 
U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 324, 1915. 
