131 — It will already have been recognised that the effect of cultural operations on the quality of cotton is very limited. Indeed, it is far easier to affect the character of the lint adversely than to improve it. A given strain afforded optimum conditions, will become more regular, and possibly a little longer, but otherwise, unless affected by adverse environic conditions, such as bad cultivation, or by crossing with an inferior type, will remain fairly constant from year to year. In short, it is impossible to change a short coarse cotton into long fine one by such cultural operations as manuring.

There are a few points which seem fairly definitely established by this experiment : (a) Length seems to be improved by superphosphate and depressed by nitrogenous manures.

(6) Strength varies little, but is on the whole improved by manures.

(c) Ginning percentage also fluctuates very slightly, but tends to be depressed by nitrate. and raised by superphosphate.

(d) The weight of the seed is increased by nitrogenous manures, and is probably the factor most affected by manures.

In general the action of manures is mainly exercised on the plant itself, and is reflected principally by increased vegetative development, followed by a larger yield of cotton, the inherent good qualities of which become accentuated by reason of the improved environment.

Distance of Planting Experiment.—The necessity for an unusually large root development to meet the water requirements of the cotton plant in local conditions has been emphasized. In many ways the " Distance of Planting " experiment is a study in root limitation, for it seems probable that the effect on the aerial portion is of less importance in determining the yield per feddan.

The spacings adopted in the experiment were as follow : Spaces between Ridges.