Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-05

standard sorts chiefly grown 1t has
taken several years to develop this
! strain hence the reason why so much
emphasis is laid on ample and imme-
dkate appropriations so that the work
may be expanded and pushed with the
utmost expedition The securing of
early varieties will do as much TO stay
the damage which the boil weevil may
inflict as anything else which may be
undertaken. Let every citizen whether
interested In farming directly or indi-
rectly remember that the support given
the scientific men who alone are cap
able of giving succor in this crisis in
the history OF our agricultural develop
ment will determine the extent OF the
damage which the boil weevil will in
i flict upon us as a commonwealth.
other factors which the cotton plant
er should bear In mind is the impor-
lance OF using the harrow before and
after planting so as to keep the crust
on the ground broken and hasten the
development Of the crop. Intensive
shallow cultivation can not be empha-
sized too strongly as this stimulates
growth, and late cultivation is impor-
tantl for more reasons than one. II not
only causes the crop to develop more
rapidly but it keeps the ground loose
and enables the roots of the plant to
At6lInlldIG the LOO0 AloAC ANo0-AS -
holding the moisture in the soil. When
the weevil first commences his work
in the spring. hand picking and burn
ing Of the fallen squares should be be-
gun These constitute some Of the prin-
cipal means which the farmer has az
his command of fighting this insidious
and pernicious insect.
Sight should not be lost Of the fact
that the liberal use Of fertilizers which
are properly balanced to supply the de-
fciencies OF a given soil viii do much
toward determining the successful issue
OF the battle the farmer must wage With
the boil .weevfl from year to year after
his farm once become infested. The I'M
portance OF understanding more about
the plant food supply OF the soil cannot
be emphasized too strongly. There are
farmers in Georgia whose land contains
only 10th to 10th OF what would be
considered a normal supply of potash and
phosphorus and in some instances. nitro
gen as well These men are blindly
using a formula which Is not adapted TO
the needs Of the cotton crop on land OF
The character they are cultivating. II
Is absolute folly for them to continue
this practice. and. OF course, 1t Is quite
certain that they would not do so were
they fully informed concerning this mat
ter In order that the soils Of the state
may be classified and their deficiencies
inteIIigently discovered and the data put
within the reach OF the farmers in
systematic and appropriate form, 1t is abb
solutely necessary that an agricultural
survey be undertaken
The board of trustees of the state Col
lege of Agriculture will petition the leg
islature at It's coming session for an APP
propriation of money for extension teach
A ow4 0f fund will hn used
for the breeding Of early maturing strains
OF cotton, the value OF which In the
tight against the boil weevfI has been so
clearly demonstrated. Some of the money
will be used to prosecute an agricultural
survey so that the needed data relative
to our soils and their needs may be
ascertained: Nand TO Conduct in every COM
munity in the state travelling schools of
agricultural information of three to six
DAYS duration, and which will place
within the reach Of the farmer the proper
knowledge Of crop rotations. fertilizers,
implements and the feeding and manage
ment Of live stock which he must main
tain in order TO enable him to live and
farm successfully in the presence OF the
boil weevil That this result can be
brought about through extension teaching
and through the development of the vari-
Gus phases OF work here suggested Is
evidenced by the marvellous success
which has already attended the effort of
the college in its extension work. The
people of Georgia are ready to hear the
truth-they are anxious TO have the need
ed Investigations relative to their soils
and crops made; they want itinerant
schools; they want the college to pre-
pare and furnish them with all the avail
able data relative not only to the boil
weevil, but to the other problems with
which they have TO contend. They are
anxious TO develop their live stock indus
tries, but this business having been neg
lected. they are uncertain what class
or type OF animal TO purchase, and how
10 feed and handle them successfully
after they have been secured. IT is the
business and duty of the college TO act as
clearing house for farmers. The policy