The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-06-13

acreage; from states boil weevil rav- ages, and from states insufficient labor
 It is stated that deep and thorough preparation of the soil. careful seed se- lection, more and better fertilization, su- perior cultural methods, favorable weather conditions, and ample labor for cultivation and harvesting are aceounta- ble for improved crop conditions, especial ly in the Carolnas and Georgia.
 Cotton growers annually. 1t is stated are becoming more efficient and success full in subduing or holding in check tho destructive effects of the boil weeVil through following the instructions of the national and state departments of agri- culture. Investigations by the formei have proved that, through more careful selection of seed for planting and better methods of cultivation, the maturing crop can be so has,ened by the use of com perelal fertilizers and cultural methods as to develop a large percentage of the crop before the weevi has so multiplied as to materially damage it.
 The Boil WeeviI
 The most effective check for the weevil is dry weather. The damage from 1t is practically in proportion to the amount of precipitation. The greatest advance in boil weevil ravages in 1909 was that of 120 miles in southern Mississippi, but the insect failed materially to extend it's range in the Yazoo river valley. In Okla homa the greatest advance was only s( miles, while the average was only lt miles.
 Segregation of the statistics of cotton remaining to be gnned in 1909 shows P, 3os bales of lint and 27,00o bales of linters apportioned by states as follows Ala bama, 3036 Arkansas. 3S52; Florida. IT T .t..t, tPGt GCi ifafa 6341: North Carolina, 44S9; Oklahoma 3702; South Carolina, 520S; Tennessee, 1875 Texas, 12,523, and all other states, Ssi bales.
 The quantity of 1inters produced from reginning seed of the growth Of l90. amounted to 313,47S bales, as compared with 114,544 bales from the seed crop ol 1899 Much of this fiber was disposed of at less than 1 cent per pound during 1so' and 1908, but it has been in greater de- mand this season; the average price re turned for It being 3.2 cents per pound.
 Concerning the extension of the cotton growing area, the bulletin states that there has been remarkable development during the last few years along the south western border of the cotton belt. Practl- cally all Texas and Oklahoma are within the cotton growing area Of l909. Arizona, California and New Mexico have recently been added to the list of cotton growing localities, and in 1909 their cotton production was reported as 624 bales.
 The percentages of the total crop ginned to the respective reported dates iil 1909 are as follows: 3.9 per cent to Sep tember 1 255 per cent to Septemper zo' 54. per cent to October IS; 67.7 per cent to November 1 s05 per cent to November IA. sS.1 per cent to December 1; 92.9 per cent to December 13; 95.S per cent to Jan nary 1. and 97.2 per cent to January lb. The variations in these percentages are said to be noteworthy. By october there had been ginned 54.9 per cent of the crop of 1909 compared with 4S.1 per cent for 1908. 40 per cent for 1907, Ss per ceh' for 1906, and 47.6 per cent Tor lSoa.
 The sea-island of 1903 was, 'he oui letin states, practically the same as that of 1908. Expressed In running bales. this crop was 933, or three-tenths of per cent. Of tho crop of lso9, Si.s per cent was ginned by December compared with 72.9 per cent In 1908.
 Egyptian cotton is said to be tho strongest competitor of sea-isiand cot ten.
 Long Staple Cotton
 The bulletin states it has been dis covered that long staple cotton can b' produced in many sections of the cottor growing states, and that some of this cotton is graded almost as high as sea island. having been sold last year for as much as 30 cents per pound.
 On the subject of official cotton standards, the bulletin states that while there are practical difficulties In the way of establishing uniform stand ards for the leading grades of cot ton. they are not believed to be in- surmountable, and that the establish ment of such standards, even If applied only to cotton rendered on future con- tracts, should go far to relieve the pres ent situation.
 With reference to the estimated seed production, the bulletin states hat greater care than heretofore Is now being exercised in selecting seed fof planting, and that this, with improved methods of ginning. tends to tine pro. duction of more lint than formerly. III view of those conditions, averages of 35 per cent lint for upland and 25 per cent lint for sea-island cotton have been used in estimating the quantity of seed produced In 1909. Upon this basis 1t is estimated that there were t.461 ,Ssl tons of cotton seed produced in 1909 as compared with 5,903,S3S tons in 1908
 One of the most important tables in the bulletin Is that relating to the production of cotton per square mile in the important cotton growing states and in selected counties in 1889 1899, 1904 and 1909. The statistics show the general distribution, present density and fluctuations in the production of cotton. The largest increases between 1889 and 1909 in the production per square mile are for South Carolina with an increase from PAS bales to 33.2 bales; and for Georgia, with an in- crease from 202 bales to 50.5 bales The states sh owing losses Tor the same period are Louisiana, with a decrea SC from 145 bales to 56 bales; and Mis- sissippi, with decrease from 24.9 bales to 23.3 bales Texas shows only 96 bales per square mile for 1909, com pared with 56 in 1889.
 The cotton crop of 1904 however more nearly represents tlfe normal pro- duction especially in the western states. The production in Texas that year aver aged 12 bales per square mile, while that of Louisiana was 24 bales.
 Effect of Improved Methods
 The effect of improved methods of cultivation. in recent years on the pro- duction of cotton per acre is reflected in the statistics for Georgia and South Carolina; in the former, the acrea ge planted increased during the twenty years 42.4 per cent, and the produc- ton 59.6 per cent; in the latter, the acreage increased about 25 per cent and the production about 55 per cent
 The relative fluctuations in the prices of cotton and those of the two leading cereals, corn and wheat, for selected years are shown in diagram and pre- sent an interesting reference In con- nection with the development and the present status of agriculture in this country The diagram shows that the lowest prices for the products named are 49 cents per pound for cotton ir 12A& 21h cents ner huShel for corn ir