The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-01-27
JAcKsoN's "LIMBLEss" COTTON.

RASAou INV W OoPe. II
JAcKsoN's ''LIMBLEss" COTTON.
Press Bulletin So. October, 1897, gave
some interesting particulars III regard
to this So called "limbless" cotton. The
following is a reprint of the article on
the subject as it originally appeared i'll
that little bulletin:
''This go called 'Jackson's Limblsss
Cotton was first brought before the
public. under this name, in the fall of
1896. 1t was said to have sprung from
seeds obtained in 1895 in Central Africa
It was claimed that it belonged to Il
new genus; that it would produce four
to six bales of lint per acre on ordinary
upland; that the lint is extra long, fue
and strong, etc.
The claim of African origin. and that
it is Of a new genus Of Gossypium, seems
to have been abandoned, and the sched-
ule of its merits is as follows:
This cotton has become famous
throughout the cotton growing world,
and it seems destined to work revolu-
ton in the cotton business.
(1) 1t is entirely limbless
(2) The stalk grows from 10 to Ia feet
high.
(3) The fibre is incomparably the
finest in the world.
az The fibre is remarkably strong and
sne and half inches long, perfectly
white, and has satin like touch.
(5) We have four acres in cultivation
this season, and expert cotton growers
say that we will get 90 bales from the
four acres-that is. five bales TO the
acre.
(6) It is the most prolific cotton in
the world
The price first fixed for seeds of this
'Limbless' was $l.00 per 100 seeds, or
o.. so per 500 seeds. At $l0O per 100
seeds one pound would cost 500. 90, and
one bushel 81. 10000! The price has re-
Gently been reduced to $500 per pound
Of seed. or $4,000 per bushelv
The above are the claims put forward
for this remarkable cotton by its pro.
motors.
After considerable difficulty the Di.
rector succeeded in getting small guam
tity of the seed (of unquestloned purity }
and they were planted in direct compe.
tition with 20 other varieties compris-
ing the Stations Variety Test OF
course all the conditions affecting the
Il varieties were made precisely the
same as far as practicable"
Then followed a table showing the
total yield per acre Of each of the 81 va
rieties up to and including October 6,
the date Of the third picking, showing
that the so called "Limbless" stood Josh
in point Of total yield of seed cotton.
But as the final picking is now avail
able. that preliminary table is here
omitted. The Press Bulletin No. SO
goes on to say:
'The final pickings will probably
make material change in the rank of
some of the varieties; but it is not prob.
able that No. 10 will be materially
changed.
Very soon after the cotton commenced
to limb and square, and each variety to
develp whatever was peculiar to itself,
1t was suspected that the jackson Limb
less was either identical with certain
old variety. or closely related to it. AT.
ter the bolls commenced to open the
Director became satisfied that the SO.
represented new 'limbless' variety. was
identical with the old variety above al.
luded to, viz: 'Welborn's Pes which
was grown on this Station in 1890 aud
1892. Correspondence with. the origi-
nator of 'Welborn's Pes variety. aud
exchange of sections Of stalks, confirmed
this conclusion Of the identity of the So
called Himbless' with 'Welborn's Pet
IN the judgment of both Mr.. Welborn
and the Director.
1t Is therefore confidently affirmed
that 'Jackson's Limbless Cotton and
'Welborn's Pet are one and the same
varsity.
'Welborn's Pet has been before the
people for 10 or IL years.
Now for the specific claims made for
the jackson Limbless' by its promoters,
before enumerated
Q 1t is not entirely limbless, but is
inclined to produce several (often FIVE
or Sky long branches from near the
ground. When very closely crowded
in the drill, however. many stalks will
be without these limbs. and their nor.
NAL tendency Gas with cluster cottons
generality to grow tall is much III.
creased.
(2) The stalks grow from 10 to 20 per
cent taller than most ordinary varieties
on the same soil. On exceedingly rich
soil, such as q rich alluvial. or very
highly manured spot, they may attain
a height of 10, IL or even IA feet.
90 The fibre Cint) is fairly good. but
nothing extraordinary. 1t does not COM
pare at all with Sea Island, Egyptian,
or even with Aliens Long Staple III the
above list, and would not command a
higher price than the ordinary upland
short staples.
az The fibre is not remarkably strong,
and is not one and half inches long.
Its length is from "a to p OF an inch
long. averaging about g of an inch
(5) The Director visited and examined
the four acres referred to. early in
September. and estimated that q yield
OF r bales per acre might possibly be
secured. with favorable future condi.
tions. The land OH which the four acre
patch was growing has been under very
high culture for years and was heavily
fertilized with cow droppings and com.
mercial fertilizers the present year; and
in the opinion of the Director is capable
OF producing 80 bushels of corn per acre
(6l The Station tests of 1890 aud 1892
OF 'Welbrn's Pet and of 'Jackson's
Limbless' the present. year prove that
1t Is not the most prolific cotton in the
world.
In conclusion, the Director deaires to
say that this cotton is fairly good va.