Arizona republican., 1919-02-20
TEMPE DISTRICT A LEADER IN DEVELOPMENT OF PIMA COTTON

About twelve years ago the federal government began the work Of de- Ncloping a cotton in the United States which should equal the first grades of Sakillaridis Egyptian cotton. This work was carefully and scientifically followed and finally the Salt River Valley was decided as the best place to develop this type of cotton
 To raise cotton similar to the better grades of Egyptian it was necessary 10 have an irrigated territory and a prac- icaliy rainless period throughout the development of the plan. This section had these essentials and group 3f men willing to make the necessary sac riilcc Co develop the industry. A large per cent of the men who stood loyal Co cotton as an industry for Salt River alley and who worked hand in hand with the government officials through out the period of experimentation were Tempe men, in Tempe the permanent cotton organizations have found their home; Tempe raises the best grade and staple Of Pima cotton.
 The Tempe Cotton Exchange
 some Of the loyal supporters Of the cotton industry joined together in 1913 and m lsl4 they erected a cotton gin V IS through this organization that the
 
 ard Of quality has been maintained. Bencfiting by the experience Of old Egypt and other sections where long staple cotton has been raised these men determined tO work with tho govern nent and maintain the purity of the planting seed. Rouging was practiced on Inc Yuma variety-the first ya- riety of long staple developed in the valley. Following this variety the Pima variety was developed which is ruW tho only variety Of the valley and the variety that Is known as Pima or American Egyptian cotton on the market A large part of the acreage planted Co the Pima variety in 1917 was rouged. All of this rouged cotton was then ginned in the gin of the Tempe Cotton Exchange which makes 60 mixture of the seed impossible. This seed is sacked and tagged as it comes from tho gin Co prevent mixture in storage. This rouged seed is then placed in tho hands of careful farm CTS having good land sufficiently re- mote rom other cotton tO prevent crossing. The fields planted under these conditions arc inspected during the summer and the product of those which are satisfactory i'm every way is ginncd separately In order to furnish planting seed the second year after the rouging is done Thus the plant Ing seed Of 1918 is derived from the Iields rouged in 19l6 This selected planting seed is sold at d price very lllle lu advance Of current oil-mill prices thus removing the temptation to plant unselected seed. Close adherence Co this course has brought about the condition spoken of by government of- ticills that TemI and vicinity has the largest supply of pure cotton in tho world
 In addition to the gin operated by tN" Tempe Cotton Exchange there are TWO other gins in Tempe. one owned pv the Southwest Cotton company and me other by the Tempe Ginning com pany' the former having ten gins and the latter sixteen.
 Arizona Cotton Growers Association
 In the spring of 1914 d central or ganization of an the cotton growers of Salt River Valley was formed with its man oifice in Tempe. It was styled ne salt River Valley Egyptian Cot lon Growers association which name was later changed Co the Arizona Cot Ioh 1IoWers association. The head of nee or thls concern is located on Mill avenue In Tempe. This organization looks after the general welfare of mai ters connected with the cotton indus- Try. The labor situation. so critical ana vital during the past two years mas been it's particular objective II mas handled this problem with ef- nclency and attainment of results that nave been or immense advantage Ia the industry of the valley. It would be impossible to estimate in dollars me amount of good this organization has done to the advantage Of the cot lon industry of the whole valley. fl IS the best example Of community oc. non that has been developed and ac. lc' ding 10 the government officials ar extreme example of the good that com. munity action can attain.
 Bureau of Markets
 X branch Of the United States rov- ernment bureau Of markets is located on NH avenue, Tempe. It is the oh. lect or this branch to serve the cottor industry in the matter of developing marketing. chasing and in every othe, way possible. A system of gradina and chasing las been established bl tho government which is the basis nj the work of this branch. This vorl mas been Of extreme value 10 the in. dustry during it's infant period.
 The American Egyptian Cotton
 Exchange
 Another organization was formed ir the late part Of 1918 to further assis the cotton industry of the valley Again it was the work of the loyal meI of Tempe and again the home of in, American Egyptian Cotton Exchanc, M111ltnnlnlnmtr remDe- Thii