Arizona republican., 1921-11-24

The discussion going on in various parts of the valley as to the advan- tages of planting short staple cotton is gradually convincing the more thoughtful farmers that the present is very bad time to make change. There is a thoroughly awakened ln- terest in Pima cotton, which there is every reason to believe will steadily increase.
 The group of men. representing the department of agriculture, who for nearly 20 years have been associated in developing the remarkable type of Pima cotton. are reasonably clear headed, fair minded men, wishing to dictate to no one, but ready to offer their experience in the right spirit or service to this community. A short time since The Republican pub lished and article from T. Ii. Kearney on this subject anu the following article has recently been prepared purely from a local standpoint by O. F. Cook, of the de- partment of agriculture, who can be classed as a focal resident owing to his frequent visits to the valley and being so thoroughly in touch with it's aaricultural conditions:
 The question of bringing other va rfeties of cotton into the Salt River valley seems to turn more largely upon habits of thought or customs of other cotton growing regions than upon consideration of the actual facts. It is the state of mind of some cf the farmers that needs to be changed, rather than the variety of cotton. It is natural that some farm CTS should expect things to be done in the same way in the Salt River valley as in other cotton growing re- gions, instead of looking into the local development of the Pima cotton Industry, with it's special conditions and requirements. On this basis the most practical advice that can be given is that the cotton problems be studied more carefully by those who feel themselves attracted to the idea of planting Upland cotton, instead of Pima.
 Dr. Kearney has given us enough facts fin the statement On Peril of Abandoning One Variety System of Cotton Growing published in The Republicans issue of No vember 13. Of course, nobody can tell what the price of any kind of cotton will be a year hence, but the case for Upland cotton is stated very fairly by Dr. Kearney-if anything, too favorably. Certainly there is no prospect of any general advantage in changing to any Upland variety. What has to be resisted now is the speculative tendency to rush away to something else, to change the sub -5ect, instead of facing the facts. The all-cotton farmers of last year are likely to be the no-cotton farmers of this year, and the short-cotton farmers of next year. Paint them a rainbow and a pot of gold, and they l.. 4Ixr 4I1 lated peas few years ago. They gre ready for any new venture that strikes theirs fancy as good lead'' to a quick fortune.
 Patent Medicine
 Some people treat themselves with home remedies, some buy patent medicines and some consult physi- clans. If our case is difficult the physician may send us to special fst to make a sure diagnosis and give us the full benefit of the healing rrt If we buy patent medicines it is not to poison ourselves, but in the hope of being cured cheaply, of saving the expense of doctors and specialists though we know it is folly to tamper with nostrums instead of seeking competent medical advice. A pie turesque vendor at the street corner gives an eloquent account of a new medical discovery, good for any dis ease, and persuades us to take a bot tie of his wonderful brand of tap water, instead of going to the doctor
 If a man were to pay regulal physician to study and treat his case and still go on buying and swallow. ing patent medicines, he would b. considered very foolish. Planting short cotton in the Salt River valle, is much like buying medicine in tn street and disregarding the advice 0 Specialists who have worked on ou case. Years of special study hav' been given to the problems of i'm provement of the cotton industry and the behavior of many differen varieties of cotton under our Arizon; conditions has been tested Yet som