So, to protect his investment, Prince took his chances, preferring to sell a slightly smaller harvest than lose it to the weather, he said. But that's part of farming. Buehring, who in cooperation with Prince maintains 19 acres of cotton land used to evaluate different varieties of seeds, said 96 percent of the county's cotton has been harvested. He said cotton plants need moisture early in the season to sprout growth, but that they are vulnerable to rain just around the harvest because the lint fibers are exposed. Cotton is a marvelous natural fiber. . . .
Rain washes some of the luster out of the lint.
It's been a lucky day. I'd rather have those from time to time. The rains worried other farmers who planted late as well. Preserving cotton quality Prince and the other farmers were scrambling to avoid the tropical wave from the Gulf of Mexico that brought scattered showers Tuesday afternoon. Losing quality' Like many farmers this year, Klostermann planted in late February, allowing him to harvest completely by Aug. 1.