Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-12-22
Varieties


varieties has entirely changed the
prospects Of production Of long staple
fiber in the American cotton belt, both
inside and outside the areas infested by
the boil weevil. The old long-staple
varieties, such as Allen, Sunfower,
Florodora, and numerous others, were
often so late in maturing that they
could not be considered safe crop ex-
cept in the more southern districts, and
even there the yield frequently were
very small. The chances of good crops
were still further reduced when the
weeylls came. and most of the long
staple planters turned to short staples
or abandoned cotton altogether.
The new long-staple varieties have
no relation to the old ones. They
were developed from different stocks
and have distinct botanical characters
and habits of growth. In their general
appearance. size of bolls, and ability to
mature in short seasons they are much
more like the short-staple varieties.
None Of the agricultural drawbacks of
the long-staple varieties applies to
these new sorts, which are being
planted to advantage in many parts of
the Cotton Belt. The best prospects OF
utilization lie with organized commun-
tiles devoted to the production of a
single variety, because it is only in
ouch communities that stocks of pure
seed are likely to be maintained. This
precaution is especially necessary with
long-staple cotton, in order to preserve
uniformity and thus secure the highest
prices for both the line and the seed.
Descriptions of New Varieties.
Four early-maturing long-staple va
rieties bred by the Department of
Agriculture are now grown on COM
mercial scale. Three of these, Column
bia, Foster, and Durango. have been
sent out through the Congressional
Seed Distribution, while a fourth va
riety, called Express, is being planted
Under special conditions in the bottom
lands of Mississippi.
The Columbit variety also known as
Weber, has proved to be well adapted
to South Carolina and adjacent states
1t was developed by selection from an
Eastern short-staple variety, and is as
early and prolific as most of the East
ern short-staple sorts. The staple has
length of 1 3-16 to l 5-16 inches, I'M
form, and of good quality. The center
of production is in the region of Harris
vile. in Darlington county, South Car
Gina, where the variety was pred. Co
lumbia has also done well in western
Tennessee, but is not advised for the
drier conditions often encountered
farther west, though often giving good
results in favorable seasons. The tend
ency under the western conditions is TO
produce very dense foliage and mature
only small crop.
Other Varieties Developed.
Foster is a medium long-staple va
riety producing fiber of from / 1-S to
3-S inches, early enough to give
profitable yields under boil weevil con-
ditions. 1t has been grown very sue
cessfully in Mississippi and Louisiana
and appears to be the best substitute
for the old late-maturing "Peeler" va
rieties in the region where these were
grown.
Express was developed in northern
Texas and is an extra-early variety
but no general distribution was made
on account of features that seemed
likely to attract unfavorable attention,
such as small bolls, low percentage Of
lint and lack of uniformity. Never
theless, good results have been report
ed in Mississippi, and the variety mag
have value for rich bottom lands.
where cotton usually grows rank and
ripens late, but 1t is not recommended
for other parts of the country.
Durango is newly acclimatized
Mexican variety, bred at first in