Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-02-28
INVESTIGATES
COTTON LAND
RETURNS WITH SEED FOR THE
IMPERIAL VALLEY
PROPOSES TO PLANT 5000 ACRES
AT ONCE
Joseph r. Lotus, Promoting Industry
at e Centre, During Trip East
Buys Machinery to Gin
Cotton Raised

from an extended trip through Arkan-
sas, Tennessee and Texas, where ne
has been making detailed invest1ga-
ton of the cotton business. He is at
the head of the American Nile Cotton
company, which was formed at Ell Gen.
tro in Imperial valley few weeks ago,
and this trip was made for the purpose
of securing machinery for the ginning
plant, which will be erected by the
above company at Ell Centre, and Sc
curing seed which will be sold to the
growers. Something over 5000 acres
have already been arranged for and
there are a number of experienced
men on the ground to take charge of
the work and see that it is properly
carried out.
Mr.. Lotus took with him a number
of samples of the cotton raised in the
valley which created a great deal OF
comment among the southern cotton
growers, as it is said to be very much
superior to anything they can raise in
that part of the country. They had
never raised anything in the south Of
such quality. with such long staple
and with such texture and gloss.
Another point in favor of the valley
cotton is that it is not rain beaten and
discolored as much of the southern
cotton, the rainfall being so light in
that part of the valley it is not neces-
sary to pick the cotton Immediately
after ripening as is the case in the
south.
No Fear of Insects
There IS also no need to be afraid of
the boil weevil or any of the other
insect pests which have devastated the
southern fields. AS there is no rainfall
at all in the summer in the valley and
only an average of two and one-half
inches in the entire year, most of which
falls after January, it will be possible
to give the cotton just the right amount
of water at the right time. 1t is be-
lieved that by giving a minimum Of
water and a maximum of cultivation
that it will be possible to obtain
quality of cotton which is superior to
anything obtainabIe in this country.
Mr. LOTUS arranged for some $50, 900
worth of machinery and got together
select seed for about $500 acres, but
was unable to get Egyptian seed for
more than couple of hundred acres.
File had hoped to secure a large guam
tity of this seed from the Arlington
neighborhood, where a couple hundred
acres were planted last season, but
very little of the product had been
ginned as yet. A large part of the
seed secured was from Georgia, Texas,
Arkansas, mainly of the varieties Of
upland cotton, some of it7the long
staple, the principal varieties purchased
being the Russell Big Boil, Maben and
the Bangs Improved. This seed is ex-
pected to arrive at Ell Centre in about
month and the planting will begin
around FL Centre, Holtville and Calex-
leo as soon as the land can be gotten
into shape.
Will Meet Labor Problem
The labor question is always a bug
bear with the majority who consider
the cotton proposition in the Imperial
valley, as it is not considered possible
to get along without the negro but in
view of the fact that the extraordinary
quality of the soil and climatic con-
ditiOnS will enable them to raise from
bale and a half to two bales to the
acre, whereas in the southern countries
they are satisfied with about half a
bale, it is believed that the margin
of profit will be so much greater than
In the southern countries that it will
be profitable to use white labor should
the Mexican and Indian labor now in
the valley prove insufficient. 1t is also
expected that the new and up to date
machinery which is being installed will
be an Improvement over the crude and
old-fashioned methods employed in
Texas and some of the southern states
and that the economy of these up to
date methods will more than compen-
safe for the difference in the price in
labor.
Another source of profit which should
not be overlooked is the feeding of the
seed to stock along with the alfalfa,
which is abundant in Imperial valley,
for the purpose of fattening for mar
ket. inexpensive crushers will be in
stalled for the purpose Of crushing the
seed so that the stock will eat it. The
seed alone should run about a ton to
the acre.
Mr.. LOTUS and his associates feel
absolutely sure of success as the or
binary cotton which is selling for IL
cents pound brings a profit in the
southern states, where only a part of
bale to the acre is secured, while the
Egyptian varieties will undoubtedly
grow to perfection in this locality. and
In addition to being double the value
OF the ordinary cotton in price it is
absolutely sure of success, as the or
two bales to the acre can be secured