The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-07-08
SEVEN RULES FOR FIGHTING
THE BOIL WEEVIL
BY r. L. BENEFIT.

CeSSiIdteS every FARMER planning mo-
later than at normal date that is 6
date favorable as to warmth and set
tied weather for prompt termination
and growth of the cotton. Some may
plant earlier but their cotton will not
grow off till the weather is warm and
it is liable to become grassy" Nc
farmer should plant at date that is
safe or normal to the late spring years
and should record that date and plant
that time every year, whether he has
weevil or not. Later planting than a
normal date lessons the 80 or 100 days
of fruiting demanded.
The principles which l observe and
which are here described are applica-
BILE to all sections where rainfall is
abundant
A Small Crop Well Tended.
l. Plant no more cotton than can
be gone over in four days, say or 4
acres per day, or IL to 16 acres per
mule. This four days allows days
per week for rain to fall and dry
off. Two-horse cultivators on wheels,
can go faster and go over more land
in the same time. Therefore, If these
are used, the acreage per mule can
be slightly increased.
2. Rapid growth and large fruiting
In 80 or 100 days on most uplands are
dependent on fertilizing. On my land,
loan upland. where without fertilizing
a half bale under proper treatment is
certain, use 200 to $50 pounds mix
ture of phosphoric acid and nitrogen,
about two parts acid phosphate to one
part cottonseed meal. No potash is
used and only few soils need it, per-
haps only some sandy soils need it for
cotton growing. Cotton on some soils
is not profitably benefited by the use
of either nitrogen or acid phosphate,
but is benefited by COW peas or soy
beans. On thin soils the. COW pea is
planted between rows of cotton, and
on such soil variety like the Whip
poorwill does not run enough to inter-
fere with the cotton. Wide rows,
about feet, are required when the
legumes are grown between the cot
ton. The Mississippi Experiment Sta
ton authorities say that the Delta
soils are greatly benefited by le-
gumes,
Preparation and Planting.
8. Plant cotton on bed for drain
age and warmth-not too high, just
good furrow between. Lands that are
wet until late spring must be drained
or planted in other crops than cotton
under boil weevil conditions.
Foul corn or other land covered with
dead grass cannot be put into proper
beds. Flat breaking is necessary, then
beds may be formed by running wide
sweep for water burrows or drainage,
and the seed planted on the bed be-
tween these burrows. l consider re-
bedding useless expense, and if it is
done just before planting it is harmful.
Bed properly at first and let that be
final
4. A firm bed prevents the planter,
if it be a one-horse planter. from so
ing too deep, and allows shallow plant
ing. Shallow planting, about one-half
inch and less in depth, If soil "crusts,"
does not hold surplus rainwater around
the seed, and the seed get warm quick
er from the limited heat of the early
spring scum than deep covrd seed.
Also, young plants are not exhausted
of the food in their two seed leaves
in coming through the thin covering,
and therefore. are stronger and resist
disease and grow off faster. Shallow
planting is essential fer early planting,
early planting is necessary under
weeviI conditions A perfect stand Is
Of first importance.
5. | use a planter with roller at
tached to and behind, as part of the
planter This prevents one-horse
planter from going too deep and 1t
firms the seed in contact with the soil
beneath them and moisture freely en-
ers and termination is prompt.
wo-horse roller may be used. | con-
ider scooter too open and scooters |
O cover Objectionable on a well pre-
AIRED, firm, clean seed bed. They may
re necessary on trashy seed beds, and
or late spring planting, but am care
III to avoid such beds and late plant
lg. A clean seed bed is obviously OF
reat importance.
The Necessity Of Good Seed.
6. The seed is the beginning of the
rop and the quality of the seed fore
Ills the yield. Pure, highly bred seed,
assessing desirable qualities is of the !