The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-03-21
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
SOMETHING NEW in COTTON.
A Novel Variety Produced In wilkes
County, Georgia.

and utility of the original stock are
thus being almost constantly devel-
| oped. Somewhat similar results are
also at times reached in a state of
nature; even field of potatoes, or of
corn, or of cotton, may furnish an OBJ
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 ''eyes and
no eyes"
This thought has been suggested by
the receipt from Mr.. William F. Alex
ander, of Augusta, Ga, of a parcel
containing limbs from the common cot
ton plant and some from new variety
that his brother, Mr. G. A. Alexander,
has been developing on his plantation
near Washington, in that State. 1t
seems that four years ago Mr.. 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 broadcast 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 a healthy condition, the effect of
the shape of this solid leaf is a dense
foliage, and hence in damp weather
mildew, 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-
vided, some into three and others still
into five partitions, SO that the new
leaf in its complete form is five fin
gered. One will readily see what a
great change this simple difference
in the structure of the leaf really eff
fects. The important fact is, that the
divided variety let's 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 a more
rapid and perfect ripening Of the boil.
Another result is, that the air and sun
light which are let in, 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 luxuriantly or rankly.
These benefits have been proven, Mr..
Alexander having raised the seed and
planted it for four successive seasons.
It produces itself, and shows it superb
GRITTY in 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-
stance that thus far it has not been
attacked by caterpillars. This simple
exemption would not of itself prove
very assuring, but when we remember
the habits of that pest and the condi-
lions under which it develops, the
hope of continued exemption is GER
tainly encouraged. In the first place
it is to be remembered that the cater
pillar lays its 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, it never
prospers in dry weather, it being the
third hatch or generation in a single
season which does the destructive
work. These facts would seem to
favor the idea that the new plant
possess peculiarities of growth unfa-
vorable to the caterpillar'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. 1t 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 it is not unlikely
that it will prove to be exempt from it.
One other point needs to be men
toned. Mr.. 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 may be due to more care
full cultivation. The staple is little
longer than the common kind, but not
80 fine-it is coarser and stronger. IN.
Y. Financial Chronicle
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