Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Special Correspondence Public LEDcRa.l
WASHINGTON. May 19.--Hon. Casey
Young has succeeded in getting 5000
appropriated by the government for
experimenting with the improvement
and varieties of cotton. When we
reflect on the immense losses the cot
ton grower has sustained during the
best part Of a century from the raw
ages of the cotton worm and other in
sects, it is surprising that no syste-
matte investigation has been carried
out by the government. Now
that some steps have been taken in
this important subject, it is hoped
that Mr.. Young's wise action will be
not only appreciated by the people Of.
his district, but that it will lead to
practical results of paramount consid-
GRAFTON throughout the cotton growing
regions. The loss from cotton worms
in one year is officially estimated at
Sl5, 900, 900, in certain sections. But
Nh. Young's appropriation will be de-
voted rather to experiments for i'm
provingt ofcotton
and to fully appreciate what may be
done in this direction, one need only
to visit the agricultural department,
where the cotton collection includes
among the vegetable fbres, specimens
from nearly every cotton growing
region on the face of the earth, the
largest series being four hundred
samples from Egypt, About one
hundred and fifty specimens of Amer
lean cotton are shown as lint while
another series illustrates the manu-
facture of cotton in this country.
from the "homespun" Of one hundred
years ago to the finest products of the
Manchester, N. H., mills-"peeler''
cotton being shown step by step
through the various stages of manu-
facture. Samples are also exhibited
as manufactured by the government
mills in Japan, and as rudely pre-
pared by the natives of Chico, United
States of Colombia. 1t is essential
that we experiment with this staple
which enters so largely into the agri-
cultural and commercial interests of
our country. 1t will soon be neces-
sary that the planter know the ave-
rage yield and the relative merits of
the different cottons, not only of
America, but of other countries,
else we may soon be behind in
the quality of the staple we grow.
especially must we be forced to such
experiments and investigations where
our lands are getting poorer, and
other nations seek an advantage by
improving the quality of their product
as well as the soil on which the cot
ton is grown. For instance, of the
several varieties of cotton seed dis
tributed by the department of agri-
culture, reports from Louisiana state
that the "McClendon Mammoth is
the most prolific and gives the finest
quality OF staple of any planted there.
One report, from Mississippi. on the
results with the Mammoth Prolific"
states that it was planted on clay soil,
May LIST, four quarts seed-nearly all
germinated-grew and stood up well,
eighty pounds seed cotton and
twenty-five pounds lint for the seed
sOwn; the staple longer than common,
of a rich creamy color. and easily
picked, it being in every respect a
good, superior variety. One party in
Texas reports that Myers seed is pre-
ferred for its large bolls and for
standing up well. Another reports
hat the Mammoth Prolific is the
best for Texas. Still another reports
that the Mammoth Prolific" planted
april 18th, ON black land-70G square
yards-gave $50 pounds of cotton
seed of good quality, go bolls weighing
one pound. This is reported to give
in that state the largest yield of any
five Of the varieties sent from the de-
of agriculture.
| have mentioned these facts to
show how as yet we know compare
lively nothing of the respective adapt
ability, quality, merit and yield of the
varieties of cotton that must be Sc
lected and grown in the respective
Of the south. Soil, climatic
influence and other features will have
to be studied, experimental with and
analysed, ere we can establish facts
necessary to that degree of enlight-
ened skill and labor which will assur-
eddy attend the successful and profit
able cultivation of cotton in America.
From this it will be seer that Mr..
Young is about to inaugurate one Of
the wisest and most needed measures
of experiments ever suggested or made
for the benefit Of the agricultural in
Of the country. And for this
he merits the continued admiration
Of his people.
gATruc Moupnau /