Marketing cotton seed for planting purposes

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

BULLETIN No. 1056

Contribution from the Bureau of Markets and
Crop Estimates

H. C. FAYLOR, Chief

Washington, D. C. Vv April 5, 1922

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES.

By J. E. Barr, Investigator in Marketing Seeds.

CONTENTS.
Page. Page
NOUICES. OF Supply: [422i se Fo) Ss Perel hes Shippin ori ae NS 5 Ssh a er 20
Selection of seed stocks___________ AUinGe kop, aabusal eps Wel See iS ee 20
ELE Pea pl Onecare tit Sa UeH AS SKN LIT wees Se RS RS es Cee ee 21
Eis 0 Th Did Oe a ee Ee ee re 4 Extravagant claims wundesira-
Dehn s ese eet ee. 5 | ON KES aan 2 ee eae ee ae Bas
Recleaning and grading________ le True names for varieties______ 22
Saeking 2-2 ee 16 Renaming varieties ___________ 22
WSHORAG Ossetians es os Se PSC eS 16 Sales on basis of weight vs.
Warehouse should be ventilated_ ef TVGA'S Us 2 Se ee se Ze,
Storing int sacks se ke IeteCeELed COLLOMMSCOG auese eee eee 3
SS fee keh Opes Wy 2 ee es oe HS To NMI y es ee os et Se 23
SCID UNIO KOI eee BS eS ee 18
Causes of low germination_-_~~_ 19
Makin shes tsi awe Le 19

The area devoted to the production of cotton in the United States
annually averages 35,000,000 acres. To plant this acreage requires
approximately 500,000 tons or a billion pounds of seed, about one-
tenth of the average total annual production. It has been estimated
that normally 30 per cent of this total planting requirement is ob-
tained by farmers from commercial sources, 70 per cent being pro-
duced on the farm where used.

The number of persons and concerns dealing in cotton seed for
planting purposes and the total volume of their annual business have
increased steadily. However, comparatively little effort has been
made to improve the commercial and agricultural value of their
stock. It is true that a limited number of growers and dealers are
endeavoring to develop either new varieties or improved strains of
standard varieties; but the possibilities of enhancing the commercial
and agricultural] value of cotton seed by better methods of preparing,
storing, and marketing have been overlooked or neglected. As a

83460 —22——1

9 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

result the average commercial cotton seed of to-day used for plant-
ing does not measure up to a high standard.

The seed dealer’s place in the channels of trade is justified largely
by services rendered in improving the quality of his product. If his
stock is no improvement over the average farmer’s stock, farmers will
continue to be more or less skeptical regarding it, on the basis of the
increased prices usually asked. On the other hand, if commercial
cotton seed for planting possesses superior qualities and honest efforts
are made to prove its superiority, skepticism regarding its true value
will not long remain in the minds of farmers. There is rarely, if
ever, an oversupply of really superior seed and no effort should be
spared by commercial agencies and others to make the term “ plant-
ing cotton seed ” stand for something of infinitely greater agricultural
value than the average cotton seed now used for planting, and thereby
to render a distinct service to the cotton-growing industry. |

The ideal planting cotton seed may be described as seed selected
from cotton that is true to type and pure of variety; well matured;
free from disease and insects or insect injury; delinted; recleaned
and graded; and with a minimum germination of 88 per cent. By
pointing out some of the fundamental points in selecting, improved
methods of preparing and storing, and ways of overcoming or elimi-
nating some of the existing unfair and unscrupulous practices in sell-
ing planting cotton seed, all classes of dealers may be aided in making
their product approach more closely the ideal and farmers may be
guided in determining its intrinsic value when making purchases.

SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

The percentage of the total planting requirement of cotton seed
that is sold commercially varies from year to year and is influenced
largely by one or more of the following factors: (1) Extent of boll
weevil and pink boll worm injury and expansion of the area in-
fested, which creates an abnormal demand for seed of early maturing
varieties grown in noninfested territory; (2) excessive and contin-
ued rains during the harvest period, adversely affecting the germina-
tion; (3) unfavorable weather conditions during the planting sea-
son, necessitating more or less replanting; (4) general prosperity of
the cotton farmer; and (5) spasmodic changes in the acreage. The
percentage obtained by farmers from commercial sources also varies
greatly in the several cotton-producing States, as shown in Table 1:

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eased, and off-type plants.?

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. )

TABLE 1.—Sources from which farmers obtain planting cotton seed and estimated
normal percentage and quantity obtained from each source.

|
(Total quantity proguced onfarm Obtained from Obtained from
set inate a where used. other farmers. dealers.
State.
Per Per | Per
Pounds. con Pounds. | cent. Pounds. one Pounds
|
Serine. AEN 1,755,000 | 47 825,000 16 281,000 | 37 649, 000
North Carolina.......... 54,648,000 69 | 37,707,000 17| 9,290,000, 14 7, 651,000
South Carolina. .......... 100,695,000 80 | 80,556,000 13| 13,090,000| 7 7,049; 000
oh ean 163,614,000 80 | 130,8017000 12| 19,634,000 8| 13,089,000
Florida. Pe ep ee 2,626,000 34 893,000 | 15 394, 000 | 51 1, 339, 000
IMIESSONITEES eens se No 4,736, 000 23 1, 089, 000 13 616, 000 64 3, 031, 000
omiascee os, 29,664,000 70 | 20,765,000 13 | 3,856,000 17 5, 043, 000
Mintatiatec ns 2a 9. 93,786,000 _76| 71,277,000 11 | 10,317,000, 13| 12,192,000
Mississippi..............-- 99,792,000 80 | 79,834,000 10 | 9,979,000 | 10 9; 9797000
iguisiann 50,470,000 76 | 38,357,000 13) 6,561,000) 11 5, 552,000
paged Sioa 314,400,000 56.| 176,064,000 13| 40,872,000 31| — 97,464;000
Muihanials et es 66,360,000 46 | 30,526,000 20| 13,272,000 34) 22,562, 000
Arkansas, (1 -csices0el.. 100,170,000 70} 70,119,000 23 | 23,039,000 7) 7,012,000
pana Se 4,470,000 27) 1,280,000 11 521,000 62 2939/0000
Walitorminl ascea so e 2,980,000 9 268,000 6 179,000 85 —-27533" 000
United States....... 1,090, 436, 000 | 68 740,451,000 14 151, 901, 000 | 18 | 198,084,000
) ? ? ? ? ’ 7 ’

| |
u i |

The percentage shown as obtained direct from other farmers is
considered commercial seed and is included in all references to com-
mercial seed in this discussion. The quantities given in the table
are based on the 1920 acreage and the reported average rate of seed-
ing per acre in each State.

SELECTION OF SEED STOCKS. °

The production of planting cotton seed is so closely allied with the
marketing of it that a line of demarcation between the two activities
is difficult to draw. The agricultural value of the finished product
sold depends in a large measure on the growing crop and the stock
seed from’ which it is produced. The stock seed should compare
favorably with the “ideal.” It should come direct from the origina-
tor of that particular variety, or the conditions under which it has
been handled and propagated since leaving the originator’s hands
should conform with approved methods of growing and selecting
cotton seed for planting purposes.t The dealer should maintain close
cooperation with the grower and have direct supervision over the
erowing crop. To this end advance growing contracts may be ad-
vantageous. Rogueing the fields one or more times prior to and dur-
ing blossoming time is desirable in order to remove ali barren, dis-

The cotton from which seed is selected should be well-matured and
dry when picked. Seed from the top bolls on the plants and from

1 Distribution of Cotton Seed in 1921, U. S. Department of Agriculture Circular 151.
1920.

2 Cook, O. F.: Cotton Selection on the Farm by the Characters of the Stalks, Leaves,
and Bolls. Bureau of Plant Industry Circular No. 66. 1910.

-_

4 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

cotton harvested late in the season, after frosts and storms, almost
invariably is of low vitality and of poor quality for planting pur-
poses. If a field contains a high percentage of diseased plants this
fact immediately disqualifies it as a source of planting seed supply.
Also, any appreciable damage by the boll weevil and pink boll worm
renders cotton seed unfit for planting purposes even in infested ter-
ritory, while quarantine measures prohibit the shipment and sale of
cotton seed from infested areas into noninfested territory.

PREPARATION.

Cotton seed, unlike most other leading field seeds, continues to be
sold and planted in a rather crude physical condition. Dealers seem
to overlook the fact that commercial cotton seed of the most carefully
_ selected and improved strains can be made of still greater value from
the farmers’ point of view by the use of modern machinery in gin-
ning, delinting, and recleaning and grading. The commercial ad-
vantages of better preparation are measured by the agricultural
advantages accruing to the farmer planting the better prepared seed.
If it does not mean a larger net profit to the farmer by promoting
more economical production or a greater yield, the increased cost is
not justified. On the other hand when it is evident that a process
or method of improving the physical condition of cotton seed en-
hances its value for planting purposes, it is incumbent on the dealer
to use the process. A reduction of 100,000 tons of cotton seed in the
annual seeding requirement and a saving of 30,000,000 pounds of
linters, now a total waste, for industrial purposes, would result
through the more thorough and uniform removal of the surplus lint
and the culling out of all extraneous matter and small and light-
weight inferior seed by the application of such methods as are now

available.
GINNING.

The first mechanical operation affecting the appearance and physi-
eal condition of cotton seed is ginning.* Improvements in ginning
machinery during recent years enable the operator to produce much
cleaner seed than formerly. Most of the sand, dirt, burs, and other
foreign material is removed automatically. The most modernly
equipped gin plant, however, will not turn out seed in the best con-

dition unless a thoroughly competent operator is in charge and unless.

the cotton to be ginned is fully matured and dry. There are thou-
sands of gins in the cotton belt but relatively few skilled operators
who appreciate the importance of improving the physical condition

* Taylor, Fred, Griffith, D. C., and Atkinson, C. E.: Cotton Ginning Information for
Farmers, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers’ Bulletin 764. 1916.

Sl lle

~~

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 5

and preserving the varietal purity and identity of cotton seed to be
used or sold for planting purposes.

No attempt should be made to gin cotton that is “ green” or that
has become damp, as it is difficult to prevent the seed from such cot-
ton from becoming “ heated” in storage. An important precaution-
ary measury which always should be kept in mind is the prevention
of the admixture of varieties at the gin. Before changing from one
variety to another the roll box should be emptied and, together with
the flues, feeders, conveyers, bins, should be thoroughly cleaned.
This factor has been discussed fully in a previous publication of the
United States Department of Agriculture.*

~DELINTING.

Delinting is one of the most important factors essential to the
preparation of the ideal planting cotton seed. It is evident that any
process which removes the surplus lint without impairing the germi-
nation is of prime importance in the improvement of cotton seed for
planting purposes and the same interest should be manifested in de-
linting as in maintaining the purity of variety, trueness to type, or
other factors pertaining to the cotton from which the seed 1s selected.

From a commercial point of view, delinting offers dealers an op-
portunity to improve the quality and intrinsic value of their product
and to maintain the grade of it at a higher level than the average
farmer’s stock or what is termed “ gin-run”’ seed.

AGRICULTURAL ADVANTAGES.

The delinting process offers decided possibilities for bettering
agricultural practice. It promotes a uniform stand of plants by en-
abling the seed to germinate more quickly and with the aid of less
moisture. In “ gin-run” seed, regardless of variety or strain, there
~is usually a wide variation in the quantity of lint left on the in-
dividual seeds, as is shown in figure 1, @ and c. When planted, the
seeds with the shortest lint on them come into closer contact with the
soil moisture and germinate more quickly than those containing ex-
cessive lint. The delinted seeds, containing a small, uniform quantity
of very short lint or fuzz (see figure 1, 6 and d), germinate at prac-
tically the same time and produce a more nearly perfect stand of
plants at least two or three days earlier. This is of value in growing
cotton in the presence of the boll weevil because every day gained
in getting the plants above the ground increases the prospects of
obtaining a profitable yield. Delinting materially assists in the
emergence of cotton seedlings. In germinating the seed is forced up

*Saunders, D. A., and Cardon, P. V.: Custom Ginning as a Factor in Cottonseed De-
terioration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bulletin 288. 1915.

6 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

through the soil on the cotyledons of the cotton seedlings and a closely
delinted seed offers less resistance than gin-run seed. Also the
united action of the young plants, resulting from the simultaneous

q FY S
_ ~
toy

Fie. 1.—Cotton seed. aand ec, Gin-run; b and d, delinted. All natural size.

germination of the delinted seeds, enables them to break through
soil that has been compacted by rains with comparatively little dif-
ficulty and helps to insure a stand of plants under adverse conditions.

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 7

Deliting effects an economy in the use of cotton seed, as planting ma-
chines will distribute a smaller quantity per acre more uniformly.
It will eliminate the necessity of a force feed in planting machines
and facilitate the single-seed distribution and the planting of cotton
seed in hills. The thin uniform stand, made possible by the use of
delinted seed, also may help to simplify the culture of cotton by what
is known as the single stalk method*® which, repeated experiments
show,® produces the highest yields and earliest maturity.

Fic. 2.—A type of machine used in delinting cotton seed.

COST OF DELINTING.

The cost of delinting, which on first thought may be expected to ke
excessive, is small per unit. It necessarily varies with the capacity
ef the plant and the quantity of seed handled or the number of days
the plant is operated during a season. A plant may be installed in
a dealer’s warehouse and operated separately or installed and oper-
ated in connection with a ginnery. The kind of machine used is the
same as that for delinting cotton seed for oil manufacture and is

5 Cook, O. F.: A New System of Cotton Culture and its Application, U. S. Department
of Agriculture, Farmers’ Bulletin 601. 1914.

@Cardon, P. V.: Experiments with Single-Stalk Cotton Culture in Louisiana, Arkansas,
and North Carolina, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bulletin 526. 1918. Meade, R. M.:
Single-Stalk Cotton Culture at San Antonio, U. S. Department: of Agriculture, Bulletin
219. L915. .

8 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

illustrated in figure 2. Based on careful estimates submitted by -

manufacturers, the initial investment in machinery for a plant hav-
ing a capacity of four tons per 10 hours should be about $3,000.
This amount would cover the purchase price and cost of installing

the machinery, consisting of two delinting machines, press, and the ~

necessary conveyers, elevators, and transmission equipment. The
cost of the motor or other source of power is not included. Such
a plant requires from 15 to 20 horsepower to operate it and a motor

of this size may be purchased at around $500, bringing the initia!

outlay up to $3,500. The cost of buildings has not been considered

CONVEYOR TO
DELINTERS

a= os

CONVEYOR FROM

SEED SUPPLY 7

Lath ieees [io] ese
[Ss CONVEYOR TODELINTERS
LJ = =

BUCKET -

ONVEYOR FROM DELINTERS
CONVEYOR FROM, TO RECLEANER AND GRADER
SEEO SUPPLY

FRONT ELEVATION END ELEVATION

Fic. 3.—General lay-out or plan of two-unit delinting plant. Note: No attempt is made
here to show the details or to suggest a fixed plan of installation. Manufacturers
no doubt will be glad to cooperate with prospective buyers in working out the most
economical and efficient plan of installing and operating such machinery under varied
conditions and for any special requirements.

in connection with these estimates. Many dealers in planting cotton
seed already have warehouses or gin buildings in which the machin-
ery may .be installed, possibly with slight alterations. The same
capacity plant installed in or in connection with a ginnery costs about
$500 less because all parts of the equipment, the press for example,
are not necessary. Figure 8 shows a general layout or plan of a
2-unit delinting plant. |

A plant of this capacity in operation 125 days of 10 hours each in
in a season would delint 500 tons at a net cost of approximately $d
per ton of delinted seed. In arriving at this figure, the cost has been
distributed among the various factors as follows:

a i ee |

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 9

Labor cost, 2 men at $2.50 per day, daily $5; per ton_-_-_-__-_-_-______- $1. 25
IPOWeLn costs Gaily. -S6%, PET tone es Se ee eS 1.50
Dockage per ton, linters removed, 60 pounds; dirt, trash, 90 pounds;

total 150 pounds at $40 per ton (value of the gin-run or undelinted

SCG tee eae ie a ee Negima Neer ie eee re ee ue OS He oe Se 3. 00
Depreciation at 10 per cent, $350; per ton____------.--_---_-_--_-_--- . 70
Interest on investment at 5 per cent, $175; per ton____-----_-_--_----- . oo

STN Gy Lei peered ni Se oa 6. 80
Less value of linters removed, 60 pounds at 34 cents______________-__~- 2.10
Net cost of delinting 1 ton of gin-run resulting in 1,850 pounds of de-

SUC | af SPECEY 0 [Sa a eI A EN PUN Sag) eel ey AP le ea 4.70
Net cost of delinting 100 pounds of delinted seed___-_________________- . 254
Neticost of delintine 1 ton of delinted seeds 282) 8s 5. 08

It should be understood that these figures are given only as an
indicator of the approximate cost and of the factors which must be
taken into consideration in determining the cost. The relative im-
portance of these factors will vary from time to time. It will be
noted that “dockage” appears to be the greatest item of cost. In
addition to the linters removed there is always more or less loss in
weight of the seed through the removal of dirt and trash by passing
through the delinting machines. The total dockage must be charged
for at the value of the “ gin-run” or undelinted seed. In the example
- given this value is assumed to be $40 per ton. To reduce this heavy
charge against dockage there are 60 pounds of linters to which are
assigned a market value of 34 cents per pound, or $2.10.

To offset further the loss of 150 pounds per ton dockage which has
been charged to the cost of delinting there is the fact that the number
of seed per pound increases in an equal or a greater proportion than
the percentage of dockage. In this case the total dockage is 7.5 per
cent, while the number of delinted seed per pound is approximately
8 per cent greater than the number of gin-run seed. ‘Vhe greater >
number of seed per pound increases the commercial value and plant-
ing capacity per unit. |

A plant of one-half this capacity may be installed at $700 to $1,000
less. The net cost of delinting cotton seed in such a plant when
operated 125 days per: season is about $7.50 per ton, or approxi-
mately 50 per cent greater than in the larger plant. The capacity of
plant to be installed by a dealer will depend upon the volume of seed
handled, keeping in mind the fact that 125 days is about the maximum
_ season’s length and that the output of the plant may be doubled by
operating two shifts, or 20 hours.

If a plant is installed and operated in connection with a ginnery,
the cost of delinting is a few cents per ton less, chiefly because of the
relatively smaller investment, which reduces slightly the interest and
depreciation, all other factors remaining practically the same. If the

83460 —22——2

10 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

seed as it comes from the gins contains an appreciable quantity of
stones and dirt, it may be found advisable from the standpoint of
economical upkeep of the delinting machines to install a cleaner
through which the seed should pass before entering the delinters. A
cleaning machine of this kind that will do effective work in removing
stones, metallic substances, dirt, and loose lint from the seed, reducing
the frequency of filing the saws, and producing a higher grade of
linters, may be purchased at relatively small cost. In the absence of
such a machine similar results may be obtained by equipping the
delinting machines with magnets at a cost of $30 to $35 for each

machine.
LINTERS CUT PER TON OF SEED.

One of the most important factors in delinting cotton seed for
planting purposes is the quantity of linters that may be removed per
ton or how close the linters may be cut without injuring the germi-
nation. The exact quantity can not be fixed because it will vary with
the condition of the seed as it comes from the gin and to some extent
with the different varieties. Usually more linters are obtained from
seed ginned early in the season when the cotton is somewhat green
than from seed ginned later or when the cotton is matured and dry.
The normal rate of delinting by the cottonseed-oil mills is about 75
pounds per ton.

During the season 1916-17, because of the abnormal demand for
linters for munition manufacture, an average of about 150 pounds

was cut. This shows the possible extent to which the seed may be

delinted, but such drastic action is liable to injure the germination.
Probably 60 pounds is a safe rate of cut when the seed is intended for
planting purposes. The appearance and condition of the delinted
seed is the most reliable indicator as to whether the lint is being cut
close enough. The operator can ascertain after a few minutes’ run
whether any of the seeds are being injured or whether surplus lint
is being left on them, and he can easily and quickly adjust the
delinters so as to cut at the proper rate. .

The efficiency of this operation, as in ginning, depends to a great
extent on the experience and skill of the operator and the proper care
and adjustment of the machinery. The object is to cut the lint as
short and to make the seed as near uniform in appearance as is

possible without injury to the germ. Seeds delinted lightly and |

heavily, compared with gin-run, are shown in figure 4. Injury
may be detected by noting whether the hulls of any of the seeds have
been cut through or broken by the saws. The seeds thus cut or
broken should be less than 1 per cent. (See illustration of cut and
broken seeds in fig. 5.)

ce ee ti aapaeaiecemaaceininettiil

I,

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 11

Fig. 4.—Cotton seed: a, Gin-run; b, delinted lightly ; c, delinted closely, but no seeds cut
or broken and very little of the black or slick hull showing. All natural size.

WEIGHT AND SIZE OF DELINTED SEED.

Delinted seed, although containing more seed per pound, is not so
bulky as gin-run seed. For example, 30 pounds of gin-run seed may
fill a bushel measure and contain 120,000 seeds, whereas this same lot

12 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUJ ‘TURE.

of seed when delinted would weigh about 2732 puu.us and measure
only approximately four-fifths of a bushel. However, it would still
contain the same number of seeds (1° ,vJ0) and have the same or a
greater planting capacity. Also it should be remembered that if 30
pounds (a bushel measure) of gin-run seed contain 120,000 seeds,
30 pounds of delinted seed contain approximately 130,000 seeds and
have a proportionately greater planting capacity, although they may
not fill a bushel measure. The number of seeds per pound or per
bushel varies with the different varieties of cotton, some of which
have much larger seeds than others, but a given number of delinted
seeds, regardless of variety, weigh from 5
to 10 per cent less and are from 10 to 20

of gin-run seeds of the same variety.

APPEARANCE OF DELINTED SEED.

The delinted seeds have a more brown-
ish appearance than gin-run seeds and
Br ee or aee some may be so closely delinted that the
5G NGREE) GS black hull shows partially as illustrated
figure 6. Rarely, however, do they have

the appearance of “slick seed” and there is no basis for the conten-
tion that the slick appearance of the seeds would cause farmers to be
skeptical regarding the purity as to variety. Neither can delinting
be construed as a cloak which might be used by unscrupulous dealers
to hide inferior qualities. On the other hand, it should help indirectly

to minimize the number of dealers in this class or reduce greatly the

comparative volume of their business. The poorest quality of gin-run
cotton seed sold for planting purposes would be improved by delint-
ing and subsequent recleaning and grading. It is not intended that
delinting should take the place of breeding, selecting, or any other
phase of improving the value or productiveness of cotton seed, but
that it should supplement these methods and make the most care-
fully bred or selected cotton seed of still greater value for planting
purposes.
RECLEANING AND GRADING.

Modern.and specially designed machinery is provided by all pro-
gressive dealers for recleaning and grading seeds of grains, clovers,

grasses, and other field and forage crops, but seed of cotton, the all- ©

important money crop of the South, has not received in this respect
the attention by commercial agencies that it deserves. This indiffer-
ence may be partly because of the fact that the necessity for and
value of recleaning and grading cotton seed have not been realized

per cent less bulky than an equal number ©

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 13

fully ; consequenvlf progress in developing machines for the purpose
has been slow. Also cotton seed as it ordinarily comes from the gin
still contains sufficient lint to‘}*vent the seeds from separating read-
ily. This makes recleaning and’grading difficult and probably ac-
counts for a number of unsuccessful attempts to operate various
machines now on the market. If properly delinted, however, as de-
scribed on page 10, the surplus lint is removed, leaving the seed in
such a condition that recleaning and grading is greatly facilitated.

Fic. 6.—Cotton seed: a, Gin-run; b, closely delinted, showing black hull of seeds.
Natural size.

The low average yield per acre is the greatest factor affecting the
profitableness of the cotton-growing industry. Any practice result-
ing in an increased yield with only slight additional cost tends to
lower the net cost of production per pound. In experiments con-
ducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry,’ graded seed produced
from 88% pounds, or 8.25 per cent, to 103 pounds, or 10.9 per cent,
more seed cotton per acre than ungraded seed. In preparing the
seeds used in these experiments for grading it was necessary to roll

7 Webber, Herbert J., and Boykin, E. B.: The Advantage of Planting Heavy Cotton-
seed, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers’ Bulletin 285. 1907.

14 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

them in some finely pulverized material sprinkled with water to
paste down the surplus lint or fuzz so that they would separate read-
ily. The addition of water and any foreign material, however, in-
troduces a possibility of error in the grading because in some cases
it changes the relative weight of the individual seeds. The mechani-
cal process of removing the surplus lint or fuzz with delinting ma-
chines, as already described, conditions the seed for any recleaning
and grading operation without permitting this element of error, and
without making it necessary to dry the seed.

MACHINES USED.

There are several machines in limited use for recleaning and grad-
ing cotton seed. One type is a modified air-blast cleaner or fanning
mill equipped with specially designed screens. A small-sized machine
of this type, operated by either hand or power and having a capacity
of 3 to 5 tons per 10-hour day, may be bought at from $50 to $60.
A machine of larger capacity may be had if desired. Some of the
earlier machines consisted principally of a revolving screen through
which the seed passed and which was supposed to remove all dirt and
other extraneous matter and small inferior seeds. Another more ex-
pensive machine, combining both the revolving-screen and air-blast
principles, is in use by a few dealers. A large capacity cleaner, al-
ready described on page 10, is used in oil mills to remove stones,
metallic substances, dirt, and loose lint from cotton seed before it
enters the delinters, but this machine does not grade or separate the
seeds in any way. All light and inferior seeds are not necessarily the
smallest and an air-blast separation is essential if the seeds are to be
eraded according to their specific gravity. |

DOCKAGE IN RECLEANING AND GRADING.

The percentage of good seed lost or culled out in recleaning and
oerading is very small. The percentage of total dockage (ditt, trash,
-and hght and inferior seeds) removed will vary with the cleanness
and uniformity of the seed. Most of the dirt and trash, however, are
removed by the gins and delinters and the dockage in recleaning and
grading delinted seed consists principally of small and light-weight
seed. If the cotton seed has been carefully selected and properly
ginned and delinted, the dockage in recleaning should not exceed 5
per cent. The dockage, however, is not a total loss, because the seed

thus culled out may be sold for other purposes at slightly less than

the original cost.

Several instances are reported where dealers have discontinued
recleaning and grading after a short time because of the seemingly
excessive dockage and heavy loss of apparently good seed. How-
ever, the removal of the chief hindrance to this work by delinting
and the continued improvement in machines designed to perform it,

el a,

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR ‘PLANTING PURPOSES. 15

Fie. 7.—Cotton seed and classes of dockage removed in recleaning and grading. (a) Gin-
run seed; (0) delinted seed, not recleaned; (d) delinted seed, as in (0), but recleaned
and graded, all trash, dirt, and light-weight, immature, or otherwise inferior seeds, as
shown in (c), being removed by recleaning and grading machine, leaving every seed
a potential plant. These samples were taken from a ginning, delinting, and recleaning
and grading plant in regular operation. In recleaning and grading delinted seed (b),
resulting in the quality of seed shown in (d), the total dockage by weight was about
4 per cent. (Natural size.)

¢

16 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

should be a strong incentive for dealers to reclean and grade all
planting cotton seed sold by them. The results of the operation
should be seeds that are perfectly clean, more uniform in weight, and
higher in germination, and that contain a relatively larger quantity

of the stored nutriment necessary for the development of vigorous, |

rapid-growing, disease-resisting, and high-producing plants. Dirty,
trashy, immature, or otherwise inferior seed have no place in the
economical production of cotton, and the dealer will not offer for
sale and the farmer will not buy such seed if they have the best
interests of the cotton growing industry at heart. Figure 7 contrasts
the appearance of gin-run, delinted, and recleaned and graded cotton
seed and shows the classes of dockage removed by recleaning.

SACKING.

It is economy to sack cotton seed as it comes from the recleaning
and grading machine. Storing it in bulk and sacking later necessi-
tates rehandling, and two men will be required to do the work,
whereas, if the recleaner and grader is equipped with a simple
elevator and bagging attachment, one man can sack the seed as fast
as it comes from the machine. An automatic weigher and bagger
may be used profitably where large quantities of cotton seed, either
alone or in connection with other kinds of seed, are handled.

New bags, either cotton or burlap, should be used. If cotton bags
are preferred, it is not necessary that they be of the heavy grade
used for grass, clover, and other small seeds. However, they should
be strong enough to withstand rough handling in shipment. Bags
of 8-ounce burlap are satisfactory and are much used, although some-
times bags of 10-ounce burlap or heavier are preferred. The bags
should have a capacity of 100 pounds, net, when sewed or tied, and
be filled to even weight. The strong point in favor of a bag of this
size is that cotton seed always should be sold by the 100 pounds in-
stead of by the bushel. This point is discussed more fully on page
22. In closing the bags, sewing either by hand or machine is prefer-
able to tying.

STORAGE.

Cotton seed may be stored either in bulk or in sacks. In either
case the main precaution is to prevent the seed from heating. In-
vestigations show that the germination of cotton seed is injured
oftener by heating in storage than is generally believed. The direct
cause of such heating is excessive moisture. The extent of the dam-
age from heating is directly in proportion to the percentage of
moisture contained and indirectly to the rapidity of drying. Seed
cotton picked early in the season while “ green” or at any time when
moist and stored in a close bin or building is subject to heating. If
cotton is ginned while “green” and the seed stored in large piles
such seed becomes heated quickly, and constant stirring or aerating
is necessary if it is to be preserved for planting.

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 17

WAREHOUSE SHOULD BE VENTILATED.

The seed should be dry when stored and the warehouse well ven-
tilated. A warehouse admirably serving the purpose is one having
a floor clearance at least 12 inches above the ground, with double
walls, and having ample ventilation under the floor and between the
top of walls and roof. Concrete floors are not desirable, and, if the
building is of brick or concrete construction, the seed, whether in
bulk or sacked, should not be piled high against the walls, as con-
siderable damage to the seed is likely to result. If, however, it is
necessary to use a building having a concrete floor, the danger of
heating may be lessened greatly if not entirely prevented, by sacking
the seed and stacking the sacks, in the manner outlined on page 18,
on a slatted false floor built by laying 2 by 4 inch stringers edge-
wise on the concrete floor and nailing 1 by 4 inch strips across them
leaving a 2-inch space between each strip. Similar results may be
had by simply laying three 4 by 4 inch stringers on the floor about
8 inches apart and stacking the sacks on these in the same manner.
Such a plan also may be used advantageously in buildings or on
floors constructed of any other material.

A patented ventilating system, consisting of tubes 6 inches in
diameter, made of perforated sheet metal or of heavy one-fourth
inch mesh wire, which are placed upright over holes cut in the floor
about 6 feet apart each way and which extend above the height of
the walls of the building, has come into limited use in cotton-seed
warehouses during recent years. When bulk seed is piled high in a
building so equipped these tubes or “ flues” provide a constant cir-
culation of air.

If more than one variety or strain of a variety is stored in bulk in
the same. warehouse, separate bins should be provided and each bin
marked with the lot number (see page 20) given to the particular
strain or variety of seed stored therein. This arrangement wiil
reduce the liability of varieties becoming mixed and identify the dif-
ferent lots. Some such means of identification is necessary because
it is difficult, and in most cases impossible, to distinguish between
the varieties by the appearance of the seed.

STORING IN SACKS.

Storing in sacks offers several advantages. Where the many
phases of preparation are performed successively or as one con-
tinuous operation and the seed sacked at the recleaner and grader,
there will be no occasion for storing in bulk. When sacked, the
seed may be moved or transferred at will and shipments made with
the least possible delay. Also when the bags are arranged in the
warehouse in the manner described in the following paragraph,
injury to the germination by heating is not so likely to result as when
stored in bulk. The bags should be stenciled immediately after
sacking with the lot number assigned to this particular lot of seed.

18 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The best position for the stenciled number is across the top of the
bag. In this position it will be visible when the bags are standing
on end or when stacked or piled. All bags bearing the same lot
number should be kept together and placed or stacked in the same

section of the warehouse.
STACKING.

In stacking, it will be found advisable to alternate the position of
the bags in each layer by placing a double row end to end in the first
layer, and in the second or succeeding layer placing them parallel to
each other and crosswise or at right angles to those in the first or
preceding layer. This provides a stack or pile the width of the
length of a bag and any desired height and length that the dimen-
sions of the warehouse will permit. A space of at least 6 inches
should be left between each stack or pile and between the bags and
the walls. Such arrangement permits a free circulation of air and
reduces greatly the possibility of heating.

GERMINATION.

All other factors being equal, the value of a given quantity of seed
is in direct proportion to the percentage that will grow. Regardless
of this fact, a widespread belief exists that the making of germina-
tion tests of planting cotton seed is of minor or secondary importance.
This belief is based largely on two factors: (1) That seed from
mature cotton harvested under favorable conditions and stored prop-
erly will germinate satisfactorily, and (2) that the heavy rate of
seeding employed by most farmers will give a good stand of plants
although a large percentage of the seed may not grow. These fac-

tors are true to a limited extent. However, two lots of seed may be

handled and stored in exactly the same manner and yet there may
be a wide difference in the percentage of germination. Also the
farmer who buys planting cotton seed is entitled to know, so far as
practicable, what percentage may be expected to grow in order that
he may effect a corresponding saving in the cost of seeding by ad-
justing accordingly the quantity to be sown per acre.

The results of germination tests made by the Seed Laboratory,
Bureau of Plant Industry, of samples submitted to the Bureau of
Markets and Crop Estimates show that there is a wide variation in
the viability of cotton seed sold for planting purposes. This varia-
tion occurs not only between the samples submitted by different
dealers but also between the percentage of germinable seed in each

of two or more samples submitted by the same dealer. For example, |

of the 1919 crop, one of five samples of as many varieties submitted
by a dealer tested only 56 per cent, while the other four ranged from
80 to 93 per cent; and of the 1920 crop, one of four samples sub-
mitted by another dealer tested only 59 per cent, the other three 88,
88, and 94.5 per cent.

With further reference to the 1919 crop, the percentage of germi-
nation of the 70 samples tested ranged from 45 to 96 per cent, aver-

eS ee

ee

—

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 19

aging 82.5 per cent. ‘Twenty-one of the samples tested 90 per cent or
over, averaging 92 per cent; 28 tested 80 to 89 per cent, inclusive,
averaging 85.7 per cent; these 49 samples tested 80 per cent or above,
averaging 88.4 per cent, while the remaining 21 samples (30 per cent of
the total) germinated less than 80 per cent, with the low average of 68.8
per cent. The 1920 crop samples testéd averaged 85.3 per cent, or 2.8
per cent higher than those of the 1919 crop. This was to be expected
because of the more favorable weather generally for harvesting the
1920 crop. However, of the 89 samples submitted, 17, or nearly one-
fifth of the total, germinated less than 80 per cent, with the same
low average of 68.8 per cent. If germination be used as the basis
of values, the 1919 crop lots testing 80 per cent and over, averaging
88.4 per cent, are worth 28.5 per cent more, and the 1920 crop lots
testing 80 and over, averaging 89.1 per cent, are worth 29.5 per cent
more than those testing less than 80 per cent and averaging only 68.8
per cent.
CAUSES OF LOW GERMINATION.

Low germination may be caused by unfavorable weather condi-
tions, delay in harvesting, and heating in storage. A severe drought
during August and September usually results in immature or unde-
veloped seed of low viability. Wet weather, extending over a period
of a week or more, causes more or less damage to the germination
of the seed by the continued presence of excessive moisture in the
bolls. Tests are on record ® of seed from cotton harvested after a
long rainy season which averaged only 55 per cent germination and
which ran as low as 29 per cent. Also tests® of seed from cotton
harvested in the early fall months showed an average of 90 per cent
germination, while that from mature cotton harvested in January
averaged only 43 per cent, and from frosted cotton harvested during
the same month only 14 per cent germination.

MAKING TESTS.

One or more representative samples of each lot of seed should be
taken at the time of sacking, and marked with the lot number, for
use in making germination tests. The sample should contain at least
1 ounce of seeds, about 300, in order that duplicate tests, using 100
seeds in each, may be made and a part of the sample retained for
check. If there is any probability that a lot of seed has become dam-
aged, from any cause, prior to harvesting and ginning, such seed
should be tested as soon as ginned or delinted, and held in bulk pend-
ing the results of the germination test before being recleaned and
sacked. With the possible exception of cases where there may be a
shortage of high germinable seed of a particular variety, there is no

SArkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Circular 22: Testing Cotton Seed for Ger-
mination.

*Arkansas Agricuitural Experiment Station, Circular 37: Cotton Seed for Planting
Purposes.

20 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

reason for retaining damaged seed for planting purposes. If such
seed is sold for planting purposes a second test should be made at the
time it is sacked and sales should be made on the basis of this latter
test. ,

The equipment necessary in making reliable germination tests is not
expensive. Commercial germinators are on the market at around $50. .
Tests also may be made in sand or soil or by the use of blotting paper
or canton flannel placed between ordinary dinner plates and kept
warm and moist. Samples also may be sent to the Seed Laboratory,
Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, Washington,
D. C., or to the Branch Seed Laboratory, College Station, Tex., for
test without cost. |

The method of making the test will depend upon the nature of
one’s relation to the planting cotton seed business and the quantity
of seed sold annually. The main point is that a reliable test should
be made. The method of testing by cutting the seed with a knife
and examining and tasting the kernel is inaccurate, if not fallacious,
can not be relied upon, and should not be used or advocated.

It is not proposed to fix a minimum or a standard percentage of
germination at this writing, but rather to show that germination di-
rectly affects the commercial as well as agricultural value of plant-
ing cotton seed. The comparative commercial value of different
grades of seed is governed largely by their agricultural value. A
dead seed has no value for planting purposes. For this reason it is
essential that accurate records of germination tests be kept so that
the information may be passed on or made available to the farmer or
other purchaser. These records should include the lot number of the
seed from which the sample was taken, the date on which the test
was made, and the percentage of germination as shown by the test.
The duration of the test and any general remarks having a bearing
on the viability of the seed or the vigor and healthfulness of the pros-
pective young plants may be included.

THE SHIPPING TAG.

In addition to carrying shipping directions the shipping tag or
label should also contain the following basic information which will
ald the buyer in determining the true value of cotton seed: Lot num-
ber, variety, where grown, year grown, percentage of germination,
and date of test. Many States in the cotton belt have enacted seed
laws which require that additional information, such as the per-
centage of each of pure seed, weed seed, and inert matter, and the
names of noxious weed seed present, be shown on the label attached
to shipments of seeds, including cotton seed.

THE LOT NUMBER.

The lot number is the key to the identity of any particular lot of
seed. If dissatisfaction arises over a shipment, the lot number on the

MARKETING COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. Ad |

shipping tag or on the bag, with the aid of properly kept records,
will aid in tracing the lot of seed from which the shipment in ques-
tion was taken, through each step of its preparation for the market
back to its source of production. The original cause of the dissatis-
faction would thus be located and responsibility properly placed.
Information regarding the name and address of grower, location of
farm, variety grown, and origin of stock seed as well as data on ger-
aeeion referred to on page 20 also ened be recorded in connection

with each lot number.
SELLING.

The indiscriminate buying and selling of field-crop seeds with
little or no regard for the purity of variety or genuineness of strain
is one of the greatest evils in the seed trade. A sale of cotton seed
for planting purposes represents something more than ordinary mer-
chandising. It has a direct bearing on the crop that may be produced.
The value of the seed is potential, not apparent, and the farmer in
making purchases has to rely almost wholly on the integrity of the
seller and the accuracy and completeness of his statements.

EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS UNDESIRABLE.

A glance at the advertisements, catalogues, circulars, and other
printed matter issued by various cotton-seed dealers will disclose
many extravagant claims and inconsistent statements. In some cases
these claims are gross misrepresentations, and are never sustained
except under the most favorable conditions or by the sacrifice of
other equally important characteristics. ‘The outstanding inconsist-
ency in such statements is the fact that in many cases they attempt
to describe the good points of a variety and to show its agricultural
possibilities when an examination of the seed for sale would show it
to be mixed, poorly ginned, and often low in germination. Farmers
generally are familiar with the description and characteristics of the
most widely grown varieties of cotton, and it is of far greater im-
portance for dealers to give assurance that the seed offered for sale 1s
pure as to variety, in good physical condition, and of high germina-
tion. The policy of simply listing cotton seed by its true variety
name and stating in detail the conditions under which a particular
lot was produced, special methods employed in preparing it for plant-
ing purposes and for market, and the percentage that may be ex-
pected to grow would indicate more clearly its actual commercial and
agricultural value. The farmer, the ultimate purchaser and con-
sumer, being already familiar =r the possible results to be obtained
from planting a particular variety of cotton, should be more inter-
ested in knowing whether the lot of seed purchased is pure, unmixed,
well ginned or delinted, recleaned and graded, and of high viability.
Cotton seed with each individual seed a potential plant, not descrip-
tive variety information, is the commodity to be sold or to be
purchased.

aa

22 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TRUE NAMES FOR VARIETIES.

The number of variety names used by growers and dealers in sell-
ing planting cotton seed during comparatively recent years runs into
hundreds. Over 50 variety names are employed by dealers at present.

A number of these names, however, are merely trade names and do |

not represent a distinct variety. The diversity of designations for
the same variety is still further increased by applying various de-
scriptive terms. For example, the King variety is found to be listed
in 12 forms as follows:

King. King’s Extra Harly.

King’s Early. King’s Early Improved.
King’s Improved. Re-Improved Early King.
Early King. Faultless Bred King.
Improved King. King’s Improved Extra Early.
Re-Improved King. King’s Extra Early Big Boll.

The names of many other varieties are altered in much the same
manner. A farmer in the market for cotton seed would have dif-

ficulty in determining from such an array of titles when he was

getting the best value or the highest grade of seed of the desired
variety. To apply complex adjectives to the true variety name not
only confuses but in some cases may mislead the buyer. Sometimes
dealers use only such descriptive phrases as “ Big Boll Early,”
“ Karly Prolific,” etc., without tying them up to the variety name or
indicating in any way what variety is represented. Such practices
should be discontinued.
RENAMING VARIETIES.

The practice of* renaming varieties of cotton has been greatly
abused. To grow or purchase cotton seed of a well known or com-
mon variety or of mixed varieties, and sell it under an unknown
name with glowing descriptions, implying that results hitherto not
attained may be expected, is a policy to be condemned. Practices of
this kind serve only to bring the planting cotton seed business into
- disrepute and tend to discredit the honest efforts of conscientious seed
breeders and dealers. The latter should be encouraged because the
development and distribution of new varieties and improved strains
maintain or raise the standard of cotton production to a great extent.
When seed of a new variety of cotton is offered to the public, its
origin, method of developing, tests made and results obtained, its
soil, climatic, and regional adaptations, and the reputation of the

originator are factors which should be considered in passing judg-

ment on its true value. The seller should see that these facts are
stated fully and accurately and made available to the buyer.

SALES ON BASIS OF WEIGHT VS. MEASURE.
The sale of planting cotton seed on the basis of weight rather than

measure is strongly urged on all persons or concerns handling this
commodity. It seems inconsistent, to say the least, for planting cot-

MARKETING. COTTON SEED FOR PLANTING PURPOSES. 93

ton seed to be sold on the bushel basis when the market for cotton
seed for manufacturing purposes, which quantity is ten times as large,
is firmly established on the 100-pound or ton basis. The outstanding
argument in favor of sales for planting purposes being made on the
100-pound or ton basis, however, is the wide variation in the estab-
lished legal weights per bushel in the cotton-producing States. In
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia the legal weight per
bushel of upland cotton seed is 30 pounds; in Alabama, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, and Texas, 32 pounds; in Arkansas 334 pounds; and in
Tennessee, only 28 pounds. At the present time most dealers in the
various States do not adhere strictly to the legal bushel weights
designated, but avoid any probable recourse in transactions by quot-
ing prices per bushel of a specific number of pounds, which may or
may not be the prescribed legal weight in their respective States.
Although the legal weight of a bushel varies from 2 to 5 pounds
in different States, the pound remains constant, and the difficulties
and misunderstandings attending the lack of uniformity in bushel
weights can be avoided by adhering strictly to the practice of quoting
prices per 100 pounds.

CERTIFIED COTTON SEED.

In view of the fact that authentic information or assurance regard-
ing the purity as to variety and trueness to type of cotton seed has
an important bearing on its value for planting purposes, it seems
that some system of certification would be desirable. Certified seed
of potatoes, rye, alfalfa, and a few other crops are available in limited
commercial quantities, but little work of this kind has been done with
reference to cotton. The registration, inspection, and certification
of cotton fields from which planting seed is to be selected, by some
disinterested agency, would go a long way toward providing a com--
mercial supply of cotton seed pure as to variety and true to type.
It remains for State and Federal agricultural agencies to work out
a method that will be practical in its application and that will effect
the desired results. Certified cotton seed, however, with all that the
term implies, would not. represent the ultimate in planting cotton-
seed values unless the seed also be subjected to approved methods of
preparation and marketing.

SUMMARY.

The ideal planting cotton seed may be described as seed selected
from cotton that is true to type and pure of variety, well matured,
free from disease and insects or insect injury, delinted, recleaned
and graded, and testing a minimum of 88 per cent germination.

It is necessary that the stock seed used in producing cotton from
which commercial planting seed is selected should compare favorably
with the ideal.

The more thorough and uniform removal of the surplus lint and
culling out of all extraneous matter and small or light inferior seed

$2 RE age a ot eee

24 BULLETIN 1056, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

would result in a possible reduction of 100,000 tons of cotton seed

in the annual seeding requirements and a saving of 30,000,000 pounds
of linters for industrial purposes which are now wasted.

The cost of delinting should not exceed $5 per ton, while the agri-
cultural value of the process in promoting quicker and more uniform
germination with less seed per acre is much greater.

Delinting also facilitates recleaning and grading by removing the
surplus lint or fuzz which prevents the seeds from separating readily
when subjected to an air blast or when passing over a screen.

The results of recleaning and grading are clean seed, uniform in
weight, high in viability, and containing a relatively larger quantity
of stored nutriment necessary to the production of well-developed,
vigorous, rapid-growing, disease-resisting, and high-producing
plants.

It is economy to sack cotton seed as it comes from the recleaning
and grading machine. The bags should have a capacity of 100
pounds net when sewed or tied and be filled to even weight.

Cotton seed stored in sacks and stacked so as to permit ventilation
is less subject to heating, which seriously impairs germination.

All other factors being equal, the value of a given quantity of plant-
ing cotton seed is in direct proportion to the percentage that will
grow, and a reliable test of the germination of each lot should be
made and sales made on this basis.

The shipping tay should convey the following information to the
buyer, the farmer: Lot number, variety, where grown, year grown,
percentage of germination, and date of test. —

The lot number is the key to the identity of any particular lot

of cotton seed, in connection with which records should be kept re-
garding the name and address of grower, location of farm, variety,
and origin of stock seed, as well as data on germination.

Listing cotton seed by its true variety name and stating more in
detail the conditions under which it was produced, special prepara-
tion given it for planting purposes and for market, and the percent-
age of germination indicates more clearly than present methods its
actual commercial and agricultural value.

There is a difference of 2 to 5 pounds in the legal bushel weights
of upland cotton seed in the various cotton States, and the sale of
planting cotton seed on the basis of weight instead of measure is
strongly advocated. |

The registration, inspection, and certification of cotton fields from

which planting seed is to be selected, by some disinterested agency, —
would go a long way toward providing a commercial supply of cot-.

ton seed pure as to variety and true to type, but this would not rep-
resent the ultimate in planting cotton seed values unless it is de-
linted, recleaned and graded, and of the highest practicable percent-
age of germination.

WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICB : 1922

—- uv