EDITORIAL. 
THE EMPIRE’S COTTON INDUSTRY. 
Frank recognition of the serious position of the cotton industry 
is shown by the emphasis given to a number of important proposals 
submitted by the Board of Trade Committee, which was appointed to 
investigate the best means of developing the growing of cotton within 
the Empire. Since 1917, as is well known, the situation was bad enough, 
but it has become annually much worse. Owing in part to the necessity 
for growing more foodstuffs to meet the needs of the country, the cotton 
crops in the United States and in India have been curtailed, and on top 
of this, the seasons have proved unfavorable; so that there is now a 
very large world’s deficiency. According to.the Board of Trade 
Journal, which publishes a summary of the Special Committee’s report, 
the Committee is confident that if proper measures are taken, it should 
be possible to grow within the Empire, at any rate, a very large propor- 
tion of the cotton it requires. Moreover, the Committee is firmly 
convinced that in many parts of the Empire cotton growing will greatly 
‘increase the prosperity of the Colonies which grow it. Discussing the 
problem generally, it was pointed out that the solution appears to depend 
upon the proper handling of three main questions—(1) The acquisition 
of necessary knowledge, and the supply of men to apply that knowledge; 
(2) the establishment of efficient arrangements for controlling the 
growing of cotton crops, and marketing the crops when grown, so as to 
secure the best results for the growers; and (8) the provision of the 
necessary funds. The establishment of a Central Research Institute 
is the first recommendation. Research is required, not only into the 
true relation between the characteristics of cotton lint and the qualities 
of the finished article, but is also urgently needed into the principle 
underlying the growth of cotton. Two branches of research are there- 
fore required—one into the laws of heredity and their application to 
the development of cotton; the other into the effects and limitations of 
environment. 
COTTON RESEARCH. 
The Empire Cotton Committee lays very great emphasis on the need 
- for making great additions to the Agricultural Departments of all 
British Colonies and Dependencies, particularly where cotton can be ~ 
grown, and the need for pioneer work is discussed. Three classes of 
officers at least are required: men of outstanding ability to conduct pure 
research, men of good scientific qualifications for direct investigations, 
and practical men for pioneer work, and for bringing influence to bear 
on ordinary agriculturists. These classes are additional to administra- 
tive and executive officers necessary to secure proper control of the 
cotton crops under the regulations laid down by the local authority. In 
view of the need for so many highly trained men, the Committee points 
out that there is a preliminary need to be supplied, and that it is advisea 
by competent witnesses that provision must be made for more pure 
research to be done at British Universities, and other place, in such 
subjects as Plant Physiology, Plant Genetics, Mycology, and Entomology. 
At least one professorship or readership in each of these sciences should 
he provided. In addition, provision should be made for a number of 
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