The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-07-04
Production of Cotton of the World

IF income for that country. The mild
climate is especially adapted TO cotton
enough 10 allow the plant to mature The
gathering Of the croF is not interfered
with BY storms and rain. 50 there IS no
less or damage to the fiber from these
causes. as is often the case in the United
states. Egyptian cotton is characterized
by length, strength, and uniformity OF
fiber. and eXcelS every other variety, eX-
cept sea island.
In Egypt. 1885 coo acres we're devoted
to the cultivation Of cotton in 1910, com
pared with 1.1J1 600 acres in 1909, an in
1909 was the smallest grown in years.
owing TO intiltration, the ravages Of the
boil weevil and other such insects, and
the high prices of grain and clover which
induced the planting Of those crops. A
comparison of the production Of 1909 with
that of 1910. which amounted to 1.o33,o1
crease of GA 900 bales. or Is per cent. The
large yield for Egypt in 1910 broke the
record of cotton production in that coun-
try. and was due chiefly to the very IA
vorable season. the average yield per acre
being 100 pounds in 1910. as against 3l6
in 1909.
Russia's Greatest Crop in 1910.
The production of cotton in Russia in
1910 amounted to 900.0o0 bales Of 800
pounds each. which was more than half
of the annual requirements CT the Russian
mills. The crop was one-fourth larger
than that Of the preceding year. ana was
the largest ever grown in the country.
Nearly the entire production of Russia is
grown i'll TlrkeStan. the FerGhana Valley
alone producing more than one half Of the
total.
Cotton is grown in the various river
valleys and its cultivation is limited to
places accessible to irrigation. The eli
mate is dry. with high summer temper
atures. mild winters and with scarcely
any rainfall during the crop-making
moths, Many of the irrigation works
were built centuries ago. and because of
their inadeuuacy considerable areas suit
able for growing cotton are prevented from
being brought under cultivation. While
only % to 40 per cent of the land is de
voted TO cotton cultivation IT the pres
ent time. it seems probable that this pro
portion can be increased largely when rail
way connections are made with the cereal
producing regions of the country. Land
in the cotton district now in wheat can
then he planted in cotton. and the food
stuffS can be brought in from other sec
lions.
Experiments have been made with a
number of imported seeds, but the upland
American seems to have given the hest
results. A large proportion of the cotton
grown 1T the present time is either OF
the American varieties or new varieties
derived therefrOIn. Cotton is also grown
In TranScaucaSiI, where the area devoted
to it has been estimated at 5000 acres
and the production at 60.oO0 bales Of 500
pounds each.
Condition in China.
The fun production Of cotton in China
can not be estimated accurately, because
large quantities., grown in that country,
are consumed in the homes of the people
without entering into commercial chan
nels or becoming q factor liz the supply
of cotton for mill consumption. Accord
ing to the best advice. it seems probable
that the exports of the crop Of 1910 will
amount to as much as 425 600 bales. com
pared with 10000 bales for the 1909 crop.
The cotton factories in China require
gether with the estimated exports. indi-
Gates the production of about $4,000 bales
from fr e0m 4he crop Of s't islo. n The ' Ghipe ssun roy:
eminent has recently been making expert
ments in growing foreign varieties Of cot
ton. with a view to increasing the pro-
duction.- Cotton grown from American
seed has proven satisfactory. the fiber be
ing of Il better quality than the native
product. IN these experiments the coun-
try is receiving the active cooperation OF
the Japanese, who see an opportunity OF
securing cotton almost equal to the Amer
lean fiber at a lower price and nearer
home.
Methods in Brazil.
The production Of cotton in Brazil in
1910 is estimated at 3G0 900 bales of 800
pounds each. A considerable portion of
the production is consumed in the Brazilian
mills. Extensive areas in the country
are suited to cotton growing. but the
greater portion of the crop at the present
time is grown in the valley of the San
Francisco river. The methods Of cultivat-
ing the crop in many sections are still
crude, although much progress is being
made and better machinery and better
transportation facilities are being pro
yided.
Demand for reru's Cotton.
Cotton has been grown since the earliest
times in Peru. although the production
was never large until within the last ten
Years. In 1902 the crop amounted to So
800 bales Of 800 pounds each: in 1905. 81
0D bales. and in 1910. $4,000 bales. While
several varieties of cotton are grown in
the country. the cotton designated as
rough Peruvian: is best known because
of its use for mixing with wool There is
4 great demand for this variety of cot
ton in all wool-manufacturing countries,
and eSpeciallysin England. Efforts have
been made td~grow this rough cotton in
the United States. but without success.
largely because of climatic condition.
which limit the growth Of the plant to
one year instead of permitting it TO de-
velop during 4 number of years. as in
Peru.
Production in Mexico.