Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-13

n EAEELAA NANNcAASaNA0h VA e-N NNNN~~-~--
reveals the fact that for every IL bales
OF cotton which go into the mills Of Geor-
gfa only ten come out. It is apparent
that this represents a prOdigious waste,
and Il will be interesting TO ascertain just
why this condition exists. A clear insight
into the cause may easily be obtained.
Purchase a scent steel comb and go out
into the cotton field where a good per-
centage OF the bolls are open and select
lock here and there at random Remove
a seed with the adhering lint carefully
and comb cut the lint on either side Of the
seed In nearly every instance the comoed
seed WIN have more or Ian the shape Of
= butterfly: that is. there viii be a number
Of long ffbers at the top and gradually
growing shorter on the lower side II Is
quite evident that no machine can spin
and utilize fibers OF varying length, and
thus the enormous loss now suffered is
easily explained and appreciated by any
one who viii take the little trouble sug-
gested to properly inform himself on this
subject We have been growing cotton
In Georgia for many years, and yet IT is
doubtful II any considerable per cent Of
our people have informed themselves with
reference to the character Of fiber pro-
duced by Individual varieties. Yet the
70 80 E0oAS Us 1AQUN pei NEAN
OF the value OF the crop and the farmer
who produces the cotton naturally loses
this amount OF money. valuing our cot
ton crop at about S125OoO.OOO. which in
view OF the fact that we produced approx
imately zo0o 900 bales last year is not an
unreasonable sum, there was q loss OF at
least 81. 600 on account OF short fibers
on the lower side OF the seed. Think what
Il means to lose anywhere from nine TO
eleven million dollars annually on the cot
ton crop for a period OF 100 years. and
then let us reflect for a moment on what
this money would do for the cotton grow
ers OF the state, and what influence II
would have on developing every interest
OF the commonwealth If it could be saved.
II is fact that the greater part OF this
loss may be saved to the farmers Of the
state. and II is only natural that there
should be a chorus as to how this re-
suit may be brought about The farmer
takes the trouble to comb out the
lint adhering to a few seeds on the vari-
Gus plants in his field will be surprised
TO see that the lint varies in length.
strength and uniformity. In other words.
that the power OF producing a desirable
lint Is hereditary in some plants and not
most uniformly developed lint, the hered-
itary qualities may be transmitted to the
next generation and so on until they
become permanently fixed. and the uni
formfty OF hber become a characteristic
OF that particular strain OF cotton seed.
In other words. IL the farmers OF the
state viii take a little time and trouble
10 select their seed from plants having
the desirable qualities. they can reduce
materially the annual tribute now paid
on account OF producing short fiber. and IL
viii be a question Of a comparatively
short time until the mills in Georgia will
utilize ten and a half TO ten and three
fourths out OF every eleven bales han
died. The method by which the result
may be brought about seems so simple
that most people VIII not take the situa-
ton seriously. II is rather strange, as
shown by an experience OF a good many
years in dealing with agricultural prob
lens. that people will stubble along and
suffer enormous losses when the means
Of conserving the same Is comparatively
easy of application. It is rather peculiar
that we have an admiration for that
which appears to us TO be profound be-
cause we are not acquainted with II, and
how little we appreciate the suggestions
which nature is constantly making to US
as 10 how we may overcome difficulties
which seem unsurmountable at first
glance.
Let US give a little more attention to
this question OF seed selection and let
every farmer this fall examine the fiber
OF his cotton plant as II opens and Sc
iect seeds carefully from those mature
plants which contain the best fiber and
we viii have started a new era in cot
ton production in Georgia that will soon
give the state a reputation superior to
any other section in the country for the
production not only Of fine strong fiber.