Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-05
STAPLE GROWN
IN IMPERIAL
COTTON GOODS SHOWN BY
LOFTUS COMPANY
PRODUCT is DlSTINCTlVELY
CALIFORNIAN
Exhibition Demonstrates Fact That
Another Opportunity Is Being
Developed in This
State

Cotton cloth, towels and tablecloths
made from staple grown in the Imperial
valley is on exhibition in the windows
of the j. r. Lotus company, rs west
Sixth street. The product is distinct
ively Californian, because the cotton
was grown in this state, ginned, mllled
and baled here, and made into the fin
ished article at the California Cotton
Mills company's plant in oakland. 1t Is
the first time in the history of the state
and the first time in the history of the
United States, when such an eXhbit
has ever been made in any common
wealth outside the so-called cotton belt
In the window there have been placed
samples of the seed plant. cotton-boll-
closed and open-cotton ginned and ul-
ginned, and the finished product. The
exhibit is but an added evidence of the
wonders of the state, and proves con-
clusively that whatever may be pro-
duced in any state may be found III
California.
Cotton Acreage Increases
At present there are 1900 acres under
cultivation for cotton in the Imperial
valley. Next year, according to Mr..
Lotus, there will be $4,000 acres planted
to cotton. The yield is about one and
half bales to the acre. Each bale is
worth an average of $50. There are
100000 acres in the valley capable of
cotton cultivation, which if planted
would mean a production of S45,0O0,OOO
new wealth for California alone. While
100000 acres of cotton is not great,
when compared with the total acreage
of the cotton belt. still it means a
great deal to California. The cotton
shortage this year is estimated at
5000, 900 bales.
Imperial valley cotton is the cleanest
and worth more to textile mill than
any other cotton grown, according to
James Rutherford, one of the officers Of
the Oakland mills. He declared yes
terday that most of the staple grown
in the cotton belt is dirty and discol-
ored from rain and dust, rendering a
large portion of every bale unfit for
use in highgrade cotton goods. Inn
periai valley cotton is pure white, and
not one bit of 1t is discolored because
there is no rain and practically no dust,
The fiber of Irlperial valley cotton is
stronger than that grown from the
same seed in Texas. only Texas seeds
have been planted in the valley, and it
is said that after the seeds become
acclimated the cotton will be longer and
stronger in fiber. and hence worth a
great deal more than any cotton grown
in Texas.
High Price Secured
The entire yield of the Lotus farm, |
situated half way between El Centro
and Holtville at Meloland. brought 1872
cents a pound, f. o. b. El Centre. This
IS considered a high price compared
with the prices in the cotton belt. White
labor is used in picking the cotton, the
laborers receiving better wages than
are paid in the south.
Cotton day will be one of the features
of the Imperial valley fair. to be held
December to II. Cotton day will be
observed December II.
A modern gin and compress have
been erected on the LOTUS farm. So
that all the cotton grown in the valley
will be made ready for market without
delay. 1t is believed that a new indus
try will result from the growth Of cot
ton in Imperial valley, and will open
up a wonderful field for investment
and occupation.