(a) Equable, warm conditions in the growing period with temperatures reaching 25C in summer.

(b) A minimum growing period of at least 200 consecutive frost-free days, since frost is injurious to cotton plant. (c) 63.5 cm to 91.6 cm of rain during the growing period or equivalent supply of water by irrigation. (d) Dry, sunny conditions during the maturing period since rain at this stage of growth is likely to damage the bolls. (e) A deep, rich well drained soil but one with a high moisture retaining capacity. The successful cultivation of cotton is also determined by certain economic conditions. (a) In spite of considerable mechanization much of the work of tending and harvesting the crop is performed by hand, chiefly by the farmer and his family. Some form of special preparation is based on manual labour, necessitating the plentiful supply of cheap labour. (b) Cotton cultivation in the major countries is primarily developed for export, which dictates it to be facilitated by proper transportation. The presence of transport facilities is also required for easy movement within the country since the manufacturing of cotton may develop anywhere in the country.