The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-08-30
from the Cotton Crop OF 1909

5. a. knapp Speclal Agent II cIdISe
Of Demonstration Work, United
States Department Of Agriculture.
The season of 1909, while one OF
the worst we have ever known for
the cotton crop in all but the Atlantic
States, taught some aluable lessons:
First, it demonstrated that a crop
Of cotton, under heavy boil UeeVil in
feStatiOn could be made after July l,
provided the farmers pick up the
p~unctured squares and work the field
intensiVely. In fact. there were very
few bOllS on the cotton plants IN
Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi
on July l, 1909. The weather then be-
came dry and warm, and such as fol-
lowed the Instructions of the govern
ment demonstration work made a fair
crop Of cotton on the wi bottoms,
on the hill lands, and the planters
who failed to follow such Instruction.
made very little. Louisiana has al
ways had years of q short cotton crop,
due to adverse weather conditions.
The crop of 1905, though practically
unaffected by the weevil, was only
517,7SS bales, which is less than half
the product of 1904 Owing to loss Of
labor and fear of the boil weevil about
80 per cent less than normal acreage
was planted to cotton ih 1909 and
when practically no cotton was made
up to July 1, such was the alarm that
q q - ava " ,oIto1 Noo v III
and planted to other crops. The
amount plowed up or abandoned is
estimated by good judges at 40 per
cent. But allow that it was 20 per
cent. ~deducting from the probable
crOp in such a season. tO-wit 81, SO
bales, the 30 per cent not planted and
20 per cent plOWed up or a~b2ldOned
and the crop Of Louisiana, without
allowing anything for weevil damage,
should have been about 2S6,574 bales.
AS far as can be ascertained the crop
was about 100000 bales. This clear
" proves that the fright is more dam
gin than the weeVil.
The second item emphasized by the
experience Of 1909 is the Importance
tured squares. There never had been
any question but picking Up the
squares in the ~forepart or the sea-
son would check the weevils, but it
was proven in 1909 that it was effec-
tive after the field was wu1ly infested
II rapid cultivation was continued.
The third item of value demonstrate
ed by the season of 1909 to the i'm
portance Of having the land well
drained SO the crop can be worked as
soon as the rain ceases. Under boil
weevil conditions the heavy black land
and the poorly drained fields shout
be devoted to other crops, because in
Silo1f NO1 mig VI II SIOp 10 d lI6ICS-
sity. There must be no weeds and no
grass in the crop.
FOurth-The past season has added
its conclusive testimony in favor Of
the plan for making cotton under boil
Weevil infestation which plan, APP
proved by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture, is as follows:
1. NJ destruction of the weevils in
the fall by the burning of all rubbish
and material in and abotu the field
which might serve for alternating
quarters Of the weevils, and breaking
(plowing) the soil as deep as condi-
tons will allow.
2. The shallow winter cultivation Of
the soil if no cover crop is used.
3. Delaying the planting till the soil
and temperature are warm enough to
make it safe.
4. h planting of early-maturing
varieties of cotton.
5. The use of fertilizers
6. eavin more space w the
rows, and on ordinary upIands having
a greater distance between plants in
the row than is usually allowed.
z. The use Of the section harrow
before and after planting and on the
young cotton.
s. Intensive shallow cultivation
! 9. Agitation Of the stalks by means
Of brush attacked to the cultivator