The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1905-10-26

experiments with a view to discoro.
some means whereby the damage fron,
this serious cotton disease conld no
III measure, prevented.
In the fall of 1904 nv estaana.7
decessor, Mr.. Wilmon Newell baoan
on this work by making selection %
cotton-seed from infectedAcotton fa,Gs
at Aellobee, Ga, where the disease bo-
been very bad for a number of vaora
1t was intended to use this seed ~
which a large number of selectioro
were made, for sowing experimental
plots of cotton in 1905. II il orI-.
justice to the present incumba-+ -
say that ne seed seleced in 1904 wos
placed in warehouse which carob+
fire and burned during the month az
January, so that our seed was all do.
stroyed
Fortunately, we were able to pct
some small lots OF seed from the P,,-
reau of Plant Industry at Washington
D. c., which were used to commence
work this spring.
Experiments conducted bv tbA Init
ed States Department of Agriculture
have shown that the most PROMISING
line OF work to pursue, in the effort ~
discover some relief for the cotton
growers where black-root is prevalent
is the selection of resistant varieties
OF cotton, and by careful cross.breed.
ing, the development of new varieties
which will be resistant to the wilt dis
ease. In addition to this it was deemn3
advisable to determine the influence or
different fertilizers On cotton so far
as they effect the reduction or increese
OF the black-root
Extensive experiments have been
carried on this year along the above
lines, with the result that we have
secured large number of SAMPLES Of
cotton seed which will be carefully
tested in 1906, and there is every rea-
son to hope that some valuable strains
OF cotton will be developed. Wnrk
or this nature cannot be made to show
great results the first year, nor even
the second. as each variety of cotton
must be carefully tested under various
conditions before any claim can be
made at to its power of resistance to
the Dlack-root disease. while at the
same time it must prove to be of good
quality before its true value is deter
mined
There is one variety of cotton-the
Jackson-that has this year shown
marked resistant qualities. This is a
cotton OF the limbless variety, but of
unusual quality and productiyeness.
From the small lot Of seed which we
obtained this spring we will gather a
few bushels of seed which will be dis
Tbuted in small lots to a number of
cotton growers in sections of the state
where black-root exists. SO that il oan
be tested under varying conditions. So
Yong as this supply Of seed lasts, any
one who has had trouble with the
bIack.root disease may receive q SAM
pie by applying to the State EntomoDo.
eist. ATLANTA, Ga.)
If not too late when this article is
read, the writer wishes to urge each
cotton grower in the black-root sec
tons, to make selection of seed from
his cotton fields, saving the seed from
plants that show marked resistant
qualities. Seed should be gathered
from healthy plants in the fields
where some cotton died of black-root,
as 1t Is certain that such seed may pro-
duce cotton more resistant to the black.
root than seed not selected and taken
from all kinds of plants.
Another thing in connection with the
black-root disease should be mention
ed at this time. The fungus disease
which is the direct cause of black-root.
Aeves in the tissue of the cotton
plants, its development in the interior
OF the stem being the explanation for
the sudden willing that many have
had occasion to notice This fungus
lives in the tissue of the cotton
and in the rotting stems and branches 4
OF the infested plants 1t is evident
therefore that certain per cent OF
this oyer-wintering fungus will be de-
stroyed If the plants are pulled or
plowed out, and raked into windows
and burned. In summer when wilted
plants are noticed they are usually
pulled out and burned at once, but
many plants may have some indication
of disease, as well as those actually
killed by the black-root which should
be pulled up and burned. This is the
time OF year when such work should be
done-iust after the cotton is picked
and all fields where black-rOot has
appeared might wen be cleaned up be.
fore cold weather. When fighting a
disease OF this description, it is neces-
sary to take advantage of every posi-
Die chance to reduce the source of the
disease. The removal Of cotton plants
root and branch-will help, and be-
SIDES 1t leaves the land in good condf d