Imperial Valley press., 1919-11-15
COTTON NEWS
To- Be SPREAD
0VERSOUTHWEST

Definite action to cause wide dissem-
ination of reliable information on cot
ton culture among farmers in the Cali.
fornia-Arizona cotton belt has been
taken by an organization of business
and financial men who foresee the
wonderful possibilities for community
development in the southwest through
the growing of cotton.
The plan is to work in direct cooper.
alton with farmers or through local
organizations in the towns and cities
in the various districts where cotton is
grown or where conditions are favor
able for cotton culture.
The organization, which is known as
the California-AriZona Cotton Develop
ment Committee, has established head
quarters at GA South Spring Street
Los Angeles, where important and re.
liable date is being gathered from every
district in the southwest. Henry S.
Mckee, vice president of the Merchants
National Bank of Los Angeles is chair
man.
Large Increase
From reports now being received by
the committee, it is predicted that
there will be a large increase in cotton
acreage this coming season as many
farmers who never have grown cotton
before are said to have declared their |
intention Of planting this great staple |
product. Therefore, these new growers !
will be given every assistance possible |
to make their first crop a success.
The matter of finance is one of the !
most important to take care of, the |
oOnorniffop iptc mt thot
banks will be better informed this COM
ing season than ever before SO that
they may more intelligently extend
substantial service to the cotton indus
try. Every banking town in the south.
west cotton belt will be directly bene-
fitted by the development of the cotton
industry in their locality it is claimed. |
Another matter of vital Importance
is the proper selection of seed, the COM
mittee points out. In this connection
it is already known that the United |
States department of agriculture is CO.
operating with the farmer by breeding |
pure seed at various points. Two inc-
portant breeding stations have been
in the San Joaquin valley, I
one at Fresno and the other at Bakers
field.
Assistance Given
The agricultural department of the
state university at Berkeley is also
lending every assistance possible by |
gathering and disseminating informa-
ton on cotton culture to all who may /
inquire.
Chambers of Commerce and Boards
Of Trade in the various districts are
asked to appoint cotton committees for
the purpose Of keeping in touch with
the development work. 1t is pointed
out to the commercial organizations
that their respective communities will
be tremendously benefited through the
of the cotton industry, be.
cause cotton is considered such safe |
and profitable crop.
The cotton crop in the California
Arizon cotton belt this season is valued
at approximately $43,O00,O00. With
proper cooperation it is the belief of |
cotton men that enough new acreabe
will be planted next year to bring the
value of next seasons crop up to $780,
900, 900.
Good Prices
There is said to be every indication
that raw cotton next season will CON-
mand good prices. Therefore, it is
urged every farmer in the California,
Arizona cotton belt who is not growing
sotton should have his cotton patch"
or cotton plantation next season.
Many large alfalfa ranchers are said
to be preparing to plant cotton, some
Of them extensively and others on a
smaller scale. The sure and profitable |
returns being realized by farmers now
engaged in growing cotton in the south
west is attracting intense interest from
the Sacramento valley to Tucson, Ariz-
ona, which is the scope of the California
Arizona cotton belt This vast terri
tory is looked upon by expert cotton
men as the greatest potential district |
in the whole world for the production
Of high grade cotton.