Arizona republican., 1919-02-20
LONG STAPLE COTTON
 IS WONDERFUL GIFT

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 the past few years has been such that the cotton industry now ranks among the biggest of Arizona's industries. Rich unspoiled soil of the finest sort as we'll as long hot growing season make Arizona ideal for cotton culture. Climatic and soil conditions here have proven as agreeable if not more so than the noted soil and climatic condi- lions of the famous Nile country in Egypt.
 The cotton industry has obtained firm footing in the Salt River Valley. and indications prove that it will re- main one of the firm established in- dustries of the state. At present, un- der the Roosevelt dam project there are between 45,000 and 50,000 acres planted in cotton: at Marinette there are 2,500 acres: at Chandler, 6,000: at Avondale. 5000: at Buckeye, between 5000 and 4,50O; at Laveen, 1000: at Higley, 200: at I.ehi. 800; at Florence. 700; at Casa Grande. 2.300; at Sacaton l,500. and at Yuma, 1000. making a grand total for the state of nearly SO,- 900 acres devoted to the cotton in dustry, which should produce some 3s,O0O bales of first class cotton, ac- cording to government estimates.
 Adequate ginning facilities have been provided for the growers throughout the state. In the Salt River valley the Southwest Cotton company has gins at Phoenix, Mesa. Tempe, Chandler, Glen dale, while the Arizona Egyptian Cot ton company has a 16-stand gin at Phoenix, the Tempe Cotton Exchange has a 10-stand gin at Tempe and the Attaway-Phelps company operates a 12-stand gin at Mesa. Other gins are established at suitable points through out the state.
 Besides the lint, there are numerous other valuable products obtained from the cotton crop. Several companies are operating in the Salt River Valley extracting oil from cottonseed. This is an important source of revenue to the state. Utilizing the linters from the cotton seed, a mattress and uphol- stery company is in operation at Phoe- nix Another much-needed industry which has developed in the valley in connection with the cotton industry, is that of stock feeding. An unusually weFl-balanced fodder for cattle. horses sheep, swine and poultry is made from the cottonseed after the oil has been extracted, furnishing a tremendously valuable asset to the valley.
 The increase in acreage from 34.000 last year to S0,000 this year, illustrates the cotton situation in tho Salt River Valley to nicety. Proven absolutely as good. if not better. than the Egyp- tan and Sea Island varieties by recent government tests for threads, textiles and airplane fabrics, the future of the cotton industry here seems absolutely unlimited.
 Government cotton classers report that the length of the staple is running longer than 1t did last year, and in this regard it should be mentioned that the only competitors with Arizona Pima cotton in length of staple are the Sea Island and tho Sakellaridis cottons.
 The crop of Sakellaridis cotton can not De depended on owing to poor im- portation facilities and cotton pests. therefore although the quality is ex- ceiient many American mills prefer to use tne more dependable Sea Island or American Egyptian cottons.
 In comparing the Arizona Pima cot Ion with the Sea Island variety. if should be remembered that in recent laboratory tests made by the govern : ment on Sea Island and Arizona Pima cotton. the Arizona variety has been proven the stronger in fiber. There fore the Arizona product, from an in- dications, should receive the better consideration on the markets.
 As a crop rotator for alfalfa. nothing seems to i'll the bill so nearly as cot ton. Alfalfa for many years has haer grown in the valley for feeding pur- poses. and will continue to be an i'm . portant crop as long as the dairy and cattle industries flourish. However it has been proven time after time thai crop rotation Is the most profitable way to. f1xua- and when an alfalfa field be- eQ1s<s ela- experts. consider it ideal for