Imperial Valley press., 1909-05-15
EGYPTIiN COTTON
Results of Experiments in Growing Long-Fibre Plant in Colorado
 River Region.

Experimental cultivation of Egyp- tian cotton by the Bureau of Plant Industry is summarized in the official report for 1908 as follows:
 During the year 1908, 61 1-2 mil lion pounds of Egyptian cotton were imported into the United States. The average price paid for this cotton on the Boston market in 1908 was 1907 cents per pound compared with 11.11 cents for Middling Upland. The to- tai value of the direct importations from Egypt was more than $11 ,560, ,00O.
 Spinning and weaving tests of the fiber produced at Yuma, Ariz, in 1907 were made. by three American mills which use large quantities of import ed Egyptian cotton. The consensus of the reports on these test indicates that the acclimatized Nit Afifi grown in Arizona compares favorably with the better grades of this variety i'm ported from Egypt.
 In 1908 about 40 acres were plant ed to cotton of the Egyptian type in the Colorado River region in southern Arizona and southeastern California. Nearly half of this acreage was on the Pima Indian Reservation at Saca- ton Ariz.
 Direct comparison of the behavior of Egyptian cotton from newly imported seed with that from seed grown for several years in the Southwest gave further evidence of the necessity for acclimatizing this type of cotton be- fore good yields and a high quality of fiber can be secured.
 Considerable diversity in the shape and productiveness of the plants, as we'll as in the quality of the fiber was manifested in various localities in the Colorado River region where the cotton was grown in 1908, although the same general stock of seed was everywhere used. This indicates the need of local adjustment in different parts of the region.
 The highest yield obtained in 1908 was at the rate of 1 1-5 American bales per acre on one-fifth acre plot on the experiment farm at Yuma. At Sacaton the average yield for the 19 acres grown was slightly over one- half bale. Unfavorable weather con- ditions and a temporary shortage of water for irrigation are chiefly re- sponsible for the low yields as com pared with those obtained in 1907.
 The fiber produced in 1908 was on the whole somewhat shorter than that grown in 1907, and the average color was somewhat lighter. The strength and fineness were generally satisfac- tory.
 Experiments at Sacaton with furrow irrigation indicate that at least under some conditions this method may give better results than flooding.
 The development of the branches which bear the bolls and consequent ly the productiveness of the plants, was found to be largely influenced by the time of planting and the way in which irrigation is managed. Early planted cotton gave in all cases the best yields.
 Between the times when the bolls have begun to form and the first crop ripens, water should never be with held so long that the development of the plans is severely checked A steady, even growth is the ideal to be kept in view.
 In the Colorado River region Egyp- tian cotton hybridizes very readily with Upland varieties. The fiber borne by the hybrid plants, although usually of excellent quality, differs in length, color, and texture from that of the pure Egyptian plants and hence injures the uniformity of the pro- duct.
 A good stand and good quality of Egyptian cotton can only be expected on land containing less than one-ha1f of per cent of alkali in the first three feet of soil, although exceptionally re- sistant individual plants will produce a fair quality of fiber in the presence of one-half to 1 per cent.