Locket, Aubrey L 1974, 1975

Tape 1: Aubrey Lockett, owner of Lockett Seed Company, recalls his early life, purchase of land in West Texas, early ginning operations in Vernon and origin of Lockett Seed Company. Tape 2: Lockett discusses the history of cotton varieties, the origin and purpose of the National Cotton Council, and the National Ginners Association. Tape 3: Lockett discusses the work of the Cottonseed Research and Marketing Advisory Committee and the need for a federal plant protection act for seed varieties. He speculates on expansion of the Lockett Seed Company. Tape 4: Lockett discusses the history and development of research in cotton breeding. Tape 5: Lockett discusses problems and discoveries of his company and projects future trends at Lockett Seed Co. in cotton breeding and research.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Aubrey L. Locket

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: February 14, March 16, 1974; May 1, 1975

Location: Vernon, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend (Tapes 1, 2, and 3), Richard Arnold (Tapes 4 and 5)

Length: 4 hours, 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family background, Education described, Decision to purchase land on the plains in 1934 examined, Negotiation for land related, Father-son partnership explained, Humorous story of wife's encounter with sandstorm, Cotton gin fire in 1924 recalled.

Tape 1, Side 2: Gin fire (continued), Community support for Lockett cited, Early gin described, First sled-stripper recalled, Gin operations reviewed, Half-and-half variety cited, Evolution of ginning equipment described, Claims Vernon was a wheat area before it became a cotton area, Cotton varieties discussed, Testing program explained, Reasons for moving into plant breeding given, Observation of production patterns examined, Annual purchase of new seed discovered as an important production factor.

Tape 2, Side 1: Gin fire reviewed, Negotiation for property re-examined, Effect of Depression on land prices noted, Drought in 1934 remembered, Statistics on 1933-34 cotton prices given, Early cotton variety improvement promotions characterized, Failures in cotton variety cited, Lockett's cotton varieties discussed, H. A. Macha's story told, Role of ginner in farming operation noted, Role of experiment stations examined.

'Tape 2, Side 2: Experiment stations (continued), Need for cooperation with experiment station in plant breeding program, Role of ginner discussed, Origin of National Cotton Council recalled, Organization for the amelioration of conflicting interests, CALCOT's influence and pressure on the Council noted, Creation of the "seventh interest" (cooperatives) examined, Concern with lack of unity voiced, Suggestions for building unity given, Reasons for creation of National ginners Association presented, Attitude on federal farm programs expressed.

Tape 3, Side 1: Achievements of Cottonseed Research and Marketing, Advisory Committee examined, Cottonseed protein project mentioned, Early problems with development of glandless cottonseed noted, Comments on centralized ginning concept, Lockett's operation contrasted to Crosbyton centralized ginning process, Origin of Lockettville, Texas, cited, Blightmaster variety mentioned, Roy Quinby's contribution noted, Need for a federal plant protection act explained, Cost of developing a variety noted, Role of delinting interest cited.

Tape 3, Side 2: J. H. Robertson, others mentioned, Kamal El-Zik's naturalization cited, Outline of business activities, personal history given, Lockett's seed breeding program and speculation on expansion explored, History of Lockett cotton varieties related.

Tape 4, Side 1: F. S. Lockett & Son Co., Origins, Family history, Grandfather (born c. 1880), Parents' marriage (1900), Texas A & M Research and Extension Center, Family land, Organization, F. S. Lockett, Farming and ginning, Abernathy, Texas, Branch headquarters (acquired 1934), Research determining crop output, Records of crops, Operations of tenant farmers, Types of seeds, Roy Cundy, Research and breeding cotton varieties, Legislation, New cotton varieties protected.

Tape 4, Side 2: Problems in developing varieties, Length, Expense, Steps in developing varieties, Research, Refinement, Observations, Application for release as certified variety, Application for federal protection, Micronaire in determining value of cotton, Explanation, Effect on maturity rate, Texas State Registered Farm Breeder's Program, Development of varieties, Sequence, Breeding program, Development, Development of varieties, Later sequence, USDA Cotton and Cottonseed Advisory Committee, Testing program, Improve cotton for milling.

Tape 5, Side 1: Problems in cotton market, Prices, Need for better varieties, Cotton breeding and growing, Longer staple developed, Spinning tests, Climatic environment, Cotton variety BXL, Factors prompting development, Dr. Luther Byrd, Texas A & M, Role in development of BXL, Cotton breeding and research, Search for qualified breeder.

Tape 5, Side 2: Cotton breeding and research, Dr. B. T. Juvenal, Research techniques, Equipment, Future trends at Lockett Seed Co., Advanced strains, Lockett 44 ("okra leaf"), Lockett 99, Continued research.

Range Dates: 1924-1975

Bulk Dates: 1924-1975

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