202 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXV, No. 4 
io mm. in length. The length of the floral bud in these young squares 
varied only slightly, the average length being about 6 mm. Daily meas¬ 
urements were taken during the development of the bud until it flow¬ 
ered. The interval between the time when the bud was 6 mm. in length 
and the time when it flowered was found to be about 15 days. No case 
was found in which this interval exceeded 15 days and only 3 buds out 
of 24 flowered in a shorter interval. 
The mean length of floral buds was computed from the daily measure¬ 
ments of all buds. From these data, which are presented in Table VIII, 
the mean daily length of the bud may be determined for a period of 15 
days preceding bloom. From the differences between the lengths of the 
bud on successive days, the average daily growth rate can be computed. 
From the fifteenth to the tenth days preceding bloom, the average daily 
growth of the bud is approximately 0.5 mm. After the tenth day, the 
daily growth rate increases slowly until the fourth day before the open¬ 
ing of the flower, at which time the mean length of the bud was 14.28 
mm. Growth is rapid thereafter. The mean length of the bud on the 
day preceding bloom was 24.37 nun., representing a total increase in 
length of the bud of about 10 mm. during the last 3 days before bloom. 
The rapid growth of the bud during the last few days is due to the 
enlargement of the corolla and the inclosed staminal column. 
The size of the floral bud is of importance in connection with studies 
of boll-weevil infestation. It is believed that the buds are not large 
enough to breed weevils until they have attained a length of about 
6 mm. Squares with buds smaller than this have the bracts closely 
appressed and seldom are entered by the weevils. Also, the buds are 
too small for the full development of weevil larvae. 
Although records were not kept on the date of appearance of squares, 
it is believed that the first stage recorded in Table VIII represents about 
the tenth day after the appearance would have been recorded. On this 
basis the first 10 or 12 days of square growth may be considered as 
affording no opportunity for the development of a new generation of 
weevils. Following this period, the square develops through a period 
of 15 days, during which time it is of sufficient size to permit a larva to 
develop. 
Table VIII .-—Growth of floral bud of the Lone Star variety shown by the daily increase 
in length , Greenville, Tex., IQ22 
Number of 
days preceding 
bloom. 
Mean length of 
floral bud. 
Number of 
days preceding 
bloom. 
Mean length of 
floral bud. 
Mm. 
Mm. 
15 
6. 02 
7 
11. 17 
14 
6 - 57 
6 
12. 22 
13 
7- 2 i 
5 
13. I 
12 
7.62 1 
4 
14. 28 
11 
8.36 
3 
15. 6 
10 
8 . 96 ! 
2 
17. 7 
9 
9.67 
1 
24 - 37 
8 
io- 3 | 
I 
