The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-05-12
SUCCESS here
With COTTON
WILCOX ISSUES A BULLETIN SHOWING
THE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS ON HAWAIIAN
SOIL WITH A GREAT STANDARDIZATION
THAT FINE CROPS MIGHT BE PRODUCED HERE

been conducted by HaWan AgTlCuTtu
Experiment Station has just been published and contains
large of valuable information for those who
into this branch of the diversified industries of the
rtOry The experiments have been conducted nine diff
ent varieties for tests of yield quality of lint habits of grow
and methods of culture with special attention given to the
lection of superior individual specimens with view to sec
ing desirable mother plants from which to breed pure sa
The report is written by F. g. Krauss In speaking of the
ject in general DR.. E. V. Wilcox says
"Hawa has exceptionally fine climatic conditions
cotton. The increasing demand for cotton in the wOr
markets puts upon us the duty of adding to the S
ply. To the best cotton requires careful select
of seed This cannot be done in the nurseries without dan
of hybrdzatOn Fortunately the effects of crossing
easily avoided by the propagation of selected plants thrOu
cuttings The present bulletin contains the first published
count of this method applied to cotton BY its the
ton breeder will be able to accomplish results without dang
If the mixing of strains by crOssfertilization.
The report is as follows: "1
systematic pruning experiment was begun the first
crop harvested the general culture project including the test
of varieties perennial crop In addition the experiments
conducted the Station grounds which here reported in
full several cooperative experiments conducted with in
erested parties different parts of Oahu the results of which
only briefly recorded Beginning with the year,
two carefully planned experiments large scale under
taken with private parties comparatively the Station supplying
the seed, fertilizers and supervision
That much local interest being taken in cotton culture at
tested by the application for seed and information which has
taxed the Station the Seed has been distributed
about fifty applicants representing many sections throughout
the islands Altogether sufficient to plant
has been distributed within twelve months
say that at least planted cotton at this time
While definite conclusions cannot be drawn from single set Of
experiments the present data indicate of the posi-
biities of cotton growing in Hawaii.
The Sea Island type of cotton is characterized
by its long, strong silky staple especially adapted to the
actur of fine threads and mercezed goods 1t brings the
highest price of all ranging from cents pound
according to quality supply The demand said be
any increasing and while the market for the choicest grades
the highest prices rather limited does seem like
y that the that may be grown Hawaii material
ly affect the market.
The Florida strain yielded at the rate of 1922
pounds seed cotton per acre, equivalent to 4O9
pounds lint trtyOne per cent The Georgia strain pro-
dced the 227o pounds seed cotton yielding cent
FIBER equivalent of 7o3 pounds lint 1t should
be noted that the first picking gave by far the largest yield main
y because subsequent pcngs became infested with the boil
The quality Of the lint the weights of which record
ed very choice ranging from inches in length and
of good and strength Aside from that grown the Station
especially fine sample Of lint grown Hauula from the
stock of seed Concerning its culture the grower writes,
under date OF October 10 1908 follows The seeds were
planted April the edge OF marsh The cotton you
3 pounds seedcotton from about forty plants growing
from six eight inches apart and about six feet high Much of
the cotton lost owing the wind and its late picking This
little represents very high YIELD average of five
per plant from picking with plants less than foot
apart Another lot grown at Waialee gave similar results,
large of land of this type available for culture
Samples likewise submitted the cotton factors
citation of Bremen Germany who made most extended and
favorable report quoting 80 "a cents pound for lots of
sufficient quantity Other reports have been similarly favor
able and would appear that there active demand for this
quality of good prices Compared with the yields,
obtained in the Sea Island belt the Station experimental yields
based onetenth plots well those OF smaller lots
grown comparatively, very satisfactory Authorities are
also unanimous high quality of the fiber would appear
that the samples the wndwad side of the island direct
facing the have better conditions for producing the de-
sable qualities of length hnenes and strength of fiber
The bols OF Sea Island cotton small compared with
those OF other types averaging about the pound which,
together with the rather tenacious grasp which the cotton
held increases the of picking that of other From
90 pounds of seed cotton per day the maximum
amount picked by fairly active Japanese aboer the
OF about five per pound for lint Experienced pckers
could doubtessly do much better
Most of the plants had shed the greater part Of their leaves
during the dry period following the last picking in October and
consequence remained quite dormant the first rains
December However the plants pruned Immediately after har
vest especially those prned low forced into fairly active
growth almost Immediately after being back The different
periods and types pruning together with the dry and
for controlling the resting period of the plant
and within certain limits the subsequent frung period and har