A Foundation for Objective Forecasts of Cotton Yields

As part of the expanded research program in the Agricultural Estimates Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, extensive plant observations were made over the old Cotton Belt during the 1954 season. The data were studied in relation to final yields so that similar observations, taken before harvest in the 1955 season, may be used to make experimental forecasts of yields. This paper summarizes the findings of the 1954 work and indicates how the results may be used in 1955. The results are in terms of average relationships for the region as a whole and should not be expected to apply to any one locality within the region.