The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-03
AFFORD TELLS HOW
 ID RAISE COTTON
Says Farmers Can Prosper in
 Spite of Weevil
TREASURY IS EXAMINED
Mississippi State ofieiais Examine Funds ana Present Outlook indi- cates Shortage Soldiers
 md Teachers Must Walt

IL Al1Oid, SptNloA u60ht cA tHS N~
 partment of agriculture in the state ol
 Mississippi since the promotion of B. l.
 Moss to similar work im Alabama, takes
 very optimistic view of the boil weevi
 situation, and jolles the farmers as fol- | lows:
 As special agents of the Farmers Co., operative Demonstration work, we Will, of course, receive the hearty cooperation of every editor, banker, merchant, farmer and professional man because all are Ni- tally concerned in the welfare of this section. Every man is anxious for this section to continue to be prosperous in spite of the boil weevil. We are no longer indifferent. We all now fully realize the seriousness of the situation. We are now fully aware of the fact that a very energetic and destruc- tive insect has invaded our territory. We are not towards. The descendants of revolutionary fathers, Mexican and civil war veterans are not going to run at the approach of a little bug. We are going to continue to do business at the same old stand. The bankers and mer- chants are going to continue to supply the farmers the actual necessities of life until they are able to stand alone. They are not going to desert the farmers in the hour of greatest need. The farmers are going to make good pastures; raise their own bacon and lard; keep plenty of good milk cows to supply all the milk and but ter necessary for home use and some to spare cultivate big gardens in all kinds of vegetables; put some of the best land in oats in October to be followed by peas, peanuts, lespedeza. sweet potatoes or corn; plant a big acreage in corn tn March, April and May in order to hit the seasons; raise chickens and turkeys raise sheep and goats; grow some mules, horses and beef yearlings for home use and to sell All are going to pull to- gether with a mighty pull until the re- adjustment takes place and all are on the high road to genuine prosperity.
 Just at this time, we desire to em- phasize three points:
 First-We must keep the laborers. we cannot do business without labor. This means that the credit merchant and banker must supply the laborers the &C., tual necessities of life for a year or two. The credit system is the curse of the south but such a chronic disease cannot be cured in one year.
 Second-Every farmer must produce all food required for the men and animals on the farm ana enough lO spare lo lcco 1iS town people and their stock.
 Third-The boil weevil does not prevent the growing of profitable crops of cotton. We know whereof we speak when we say that profitable crops of cotton can be grown in the wois st infested districts. We tell you with all the earnestness of cur soul that every farmer who carries out the governments instructions will grow profitable crops of cotton in average sea- sons Of course, those who will not carry out the governments instructions are advised to go out of the cotton-growing business.
 The government says: First, destroy the weevils: second. force the plants to early maturity.
 The destruction of the Weevlis IS ac- complished as follows:
 First-Burn the cotton stalks early in the fall and destroy all the rubbish in and about the field which might serve for hibernating quarters.
 Second-When the weevils appear in the spring on the little cotton, pick them olf and destroy them.
 Third-The punctured squares must be picked up and destroyed for about six weeks
 The production of an early crop Of cot ton is accomplished as follows:
 ElrSt-CuI the COllOu oSitoSt tO hifS oA six acres to the mule, in order that eul- tural methods may be closely followed.
 Second-Plant only the warm, quickly maturing lands in cotton.
 Third-Where the soil responds to com mercial fertilizers, use fertilizer that hastens maturity.
 Fourth-Thoroughy pulverize the soil before planting. Work the soil until 1t is like an ash heap for several inches deep.
 Fifth-Plant early, rapid-fruiting, pro- life cotton seed.
 Sixth-Plant as early as the season will permit in rows a little wider than the cotton usually grows tall.
 Seventh-Use section harrow across the rows before planting, after planting, and as soon as the cotton is up to avoid crust and grass, the great enemies of cotton
 Eighth-Commence to work the cotton as soon as possible and never let crust form or the field become grassy Use rapid shallow cultivation. Continue till the cotton begins to open.
 The farmers who carry out the above in- structions will continue to be prosperous and there is no other way to be prosper ous in boil weevil territory.