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1 Sepr., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 2038 
as to almost conceal the original distinctive features of each species. Broadly 
speaking, we distinguish Sea Island by the clean black seed and extra long 
fibre; the Egyptian by its shorter fibre and brown or sometimes pale-green 
seed with the lint adhering somewhat. The Upland variety is the shortest 
staple with a grey seed, but is sometimes black in such varieties as the Okra, 
the fibre adhering closely to it. 
An American authority expresses the opinion that the Upland cotton is a 
hybrid produced by blending the properties of several species under the 
cultivation of a long series of years. All who know American practice are well 
aware of the importance cotton-growers attach to such experiments, and we in 
Queensland can note the advance in quality of cotton grown to-day by 
comparison of that produced here thirty years ago. The species mentioned as 
growing in the cotton belt of the United States are given as Gossypium 
herbaceum, L.; G. roseum, Tod.; G. nankin, Mey.; G. mexicanum, Tod.; G. 
maritimum, Tod.; G. hirsatum, Mil.; G. barbadense, Lin. G. herbaceum, the 
short-stapled variety, is the plant most favoured for cultivation, by reason of its 
more prolific yield and adaptation to regions where the Sea Island and Egyptian 
varieties from climatic causes do not prove profitable. So hardy is this plant 
that its cultivation is of the simplest; more especially is this observed in the 
Central and North Queensland coastal districts, where it- grows uncared. 
for once the seed is sown. The difference in growth of the shrub easily 
distinguishes the Upland from the other two varieties, the former being much 
more dwarfed than the others. Sea Island and Egyptian bushes often attain the 
_ height of 10 or 12 feet, and make spreading bushes. The Upland confines 
itself to a modest 4 or 5 feet bush, at the same time developing a denser foliage 
than the other sorts. This dwarf habit lends itself as more favourable both in 
regard to tillage operations as well as to the removal of the crop. 
In the Central and Northern coastal districts, the Egyptian and Sea Island 
sorts, in conjunction with the Upland varieties, might well be tried. The 
specimens which | have seen growing in our Northern districts give no room 
to doubt but that the long-stapled sorts will do well as far as growth is 
concerned. ‘The excessive rainfall in these areas will somewhat militate: 
against achieving the best success; and the question resolves itself into the 
experiment of ascertaining if, by planting the crop at favourable periods, the 
ripening stage may be carried beyond the rainy season. In the event of this 
being practicable, there should be no apprehension as to successful cotton 
cultivation in our Northern regions. Thus far our practical knowledge of 
districts suitable for this crop is as yet but very meagre. Save for a few 
isolated patches on the Darling Downs, a few experimental plots North and 
West, from which I haveat various timesreceived fair samples of cotton, Queens- 
land, with the exception of the Hast and West Moreton districts, represents 
untried localities. ‘There is every reason to believe that in the interior and 
drier parts this shrub will thrive, more especially as its drought-resisting 
qualities surpass most crops in ordinary cultivation. In deciding on varieties 
to plant, the planter must be guided somewhat by climatic influences. Long- 
stapled varieties do better in the Northern and more humid parts, and the short- 
stapled varieties do better in Southern and Western areas. 
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 
The cotton shrub being a plant depending a great deal on its tap root, 
which observers will note is the first prominent indication of vitality in the 
newly bursting seed, moderately deep tillage becomes necessary in order to 
get the best results. Of course, if grown in a deep, friable soil, so vigorous is 
the root extension of the shrub that in the short space of a few weeks the tap 
root penetrates to a depth much beyond the depth usually ploughed. This is 
undoubtedly one reason why the shrub is able so well to sustain the drought 
conditions often prevailing. This deep tillage is an advantage ; nevertheless, 
this aspect in past practice did not receive more attention with our local 
cotton-growers than was usually given to maize or other crops. 
