The Springdale news., 1889-01-18
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
SOMETHING NEW IN COTTON.
\ Novel Variety Produced in Wilkes
 County, Georgia.

yatiOn IS well known. Both the beauty and utility of the original stock are thus being almost constantly devel- oped. Somewhat similar results are also at times reached in d state of nature; even a field of potatoes. or of corn. or of cotton may furnish an ob serving cultivator many opportunities of interest to himself and Of useful ness to others. But, unfortunately, the men of the world are not all of them observing; they as well as their children, may be properly grouped under the classification of "cyes and no eyes.
 This thought has been suggested by the receipt from Mr. William r. Alex ander. of Augusta. Ga, of parcel containing limbs from the common cot ton plant and some from q new variety that his brother, Mr. C. A. Alexander, has been developing on his plantation near Washington, in that State. It seems that four years ago Mir. AleXan- der, in making a survey of his crop, was attracted by single stalk in his field with different leaf AS is well known. the common plant has a solid leaf, the blades of the specimens we have before us measuring about four inches wide at the broadest point, and a little over two inches long from the base to the apex. with a margin hav- ing three rounded projections. one each side Of the apex When the plant is in healthy condition. the effect of the shape of this solid leaf is a dense foliage, and hence i'll damp weather midew. and the rotting of the bolls are common trial.
 With regard to the stalk which at tracted Mr Alexander's attention. the difference he noticed was that instead Of the leaf being solid like the com mon variety we have described, it was what botanists would call partite=that is separated down very nearly to the base. those we have received being di vidcd some into three and others still into five partitions, so that the new leaf in it's complete form is five fin gcred. One will readily see what great change this simple difference in the structure of the leaf really ef- fleets. The important fact is. that the divided variety lets the sunlight and the air through much more freely. This is so obvious that it needs no further explanation. A first effect of the new form is then to cause q more rapid and perfect ripening of the boil. Another result is, that the air and sun light which are let iu, tend to prevent rot and mildew, which, as before re- marked, always effect the common plant in prolonged wet weather. and more frequently in rich bottoms where the weed grows luXufiantlY or rankly. These benefits have been proven. Mr. Alexander having raised the seed and planted it for four successive seasons. l. produces itself, and shows il superb ority ill the particulars mentioned.
 There is another great advantage over the common sort which this new variety seems to have, though, of course, the point has not been fully tested yet We refer to the circum- StdUCb AlAAh tllAt0 AsiI It lltiS lI1A btt-ll attacked by catorpillars. This simple exemption would not of itself prove very assuring, but when we remember the habits of that pest and the condi- tions under which fl develops, the hope of continued exemption is cer- tainly encouraged In the first place it is to be remembered that the cater pillar lays it's egg on the under side of the leaf of the common plant and spins its cocoon there, sheltered by the leafs broad, solid surface Then again, although it is always to be found in the cotton field. il never prospers in dry weather, it being the third hatch or generation in q single season which does the destructive work These facts would seem to favor the idea that the new plant possess peeuliarities Of growth unfa- vorable to the caterpilIar's healthy and therefore vigorous development. Evidently the caterpillar's propaga- ton is promoted by shade and damp ness, and hindered by sun and dry conditions. It appears, therefore. quite reasonable to say that the new plant would be at the least less liable to the depredations of the caterpillar or army worm, and that 1t is not unlikely that it will prove to be exempt from it.
 One other point needs to be men, toned Mir Alexander says the new variety is fully as prolific as the com mon variety, and. in fact, has been found more So, though he holds this latter result .aay be due to more care ir cultivation. The staple is little longer than the common kind but not so Gne-it is coarser and stronger.-N. Y. Financial Chronicle.