Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-17

has been watching his plants closely, but
he will be astonished TO ind variation
in the opening from several days to as
much as two weeks. The choice of
rapid fruiting. early maturing variety of
cotton may mean success in cultivatinS
the crop under boil weevn conditions.
Now is the time TO begin the selection
Of the seed for earliness. This Is quail
ity which can not be engrafted on plants
Immediately II Is not one 10 which spe-
cial attention has been directed by the
majority of breeders and farmers. IL Is
therefore to be emphasized as complete
ly as possible by all who have early seed
cotton for they are not only protecting
themselves by this practice. but also Of
fering their customers the best possible
protection Plants should be chosen for
very heavy fruiting. One may and three
or four bolls on a stem several inches H.
length on one plant; on another plan
these bolls may be on a branch is inche
long. The short-jointed. heavy fruitins
type Of cotton has been shown TO be the
earliest in maturity. Plants must b
developed which win fruit with unusL y
freedom 10 meet boil weevil condftIon~,
for a part OF the squares will be destroy
ed. There should be enough left how
ever, TO insure a good yield. Under a ra-
tional system OF agricultural practice
there Is no reason why at least a bale OF
cotton per acre should not be raised on
land in Georgia which has been reason
ably well prepared and fertilized. even in
the presence OF the boil weevil
Seed should only be selected from plants
which are free from disease. Our system
of federal taxation, which is indirect, i'm
poses a tremendous burden on the indi
viduaL He does not realize the amount
OF taxes he pays, however, and therefore.
is not concerned or worried as he would
be were he fully cognizant of the cost In
the same way, few Oh US realize the
amount OF damage done to the cotton
crop each year by diseases some OF which
are largely preventabie. For instance,
the wilt disease and anthracnose do
large amount of damage. The loss from
anthracnose Is estimated to be greater
each year than the destruction which
the boil weevil will effect after it has
been thoroughly established in the state.
This is a point to bear clearly and con-
stantIy in mind. Here are insidlous en-
emies at work in the home territory TO
which we pay little attention; yet we
may select seed from plants which are
free from these diseases and thus develop
strains largely resistant to them and
save millions Of dollars each year which
are now lost II is not a difficult matter
to recognize anthracnose. and the wilt
disease declares itself by the destruc-
ton of the plants during the growing sea-
SON. II the farmers would put forth
united effort to select seed from plants
which are healthy, vigorous and free
from disease, much could be done to
check the loss from this source. This is
q very important matter for every man
to bear in mind who gives any consider
alton to the selection of seed.
After the seed have been selected it is
important that they be kept and cared
for IN the proper manner. They should
be stored for some time so as to give
them opportunity to fully mature. They
should be deIinted by means of a small
gin kept on the plantation for that pur-
pose. This will prevent their being
mixed with impure strains of seed which
Is a very important matter. The cost
OF a gin large enough to delint the seed
necessary for planting the average cot
ton farm or even the largest of our plan
tations Is not at all prohibitive. These
gins may be operated by hand. though
IL is better to use power for that pur-
pose. Attention to the selection Of our
cotton seed for next years planting is
matter OF the utmost Importance, and
should receive the careful attention OF
all progressive farmers.
GROWING ONIONS IN SOUTH GEOR-
GA
G. W. E, wray. Ga, writes: would
like to know something abcEt onion
culture. What do you think OF Span
ish onions IN this section of GeorRiag
When must they be planted? i receive
many valuable hints from the agricul-
tural page
- c-u-s-.. ...s--.. -, ,rohot,t,x x,,oa,,
bermuda onions. This crop is grown
very successfully in the southern half
of Texas and near the coast of other
southern states. Its cultivation is prac-
ticable all over Florida II is sone-
what doubtful as TO whether hey win
grow as successfully in Irwin county as
sections near the gulf coast. This
onion is noted for its size and fla kprs
md much money has been made from
it's cultivation where 1t has been given
he best conditions as to management.
Of course. the soil for this crop should
be made very rich; a well-drained SAN
dy loan is an ideal location. Liberal
supplies OF yard manure and high grade
fertilizers viii be found essential As
much as Is to 20 tons of yard manure
may be applied to the acre with excel
,lent results, though OF course he use
'of manure tends to encourage the
growth or weeds, ana the development
of onion mite. Therefore, careful hoe
ing and hand working often become
necessary where IL is extensively used.
"A good fertilizer to use may be pre-
pared by mixing together $50 pounds
OF acid phosphate, 200 pounds of nitrate
of soda, $50 pounds of cotton seed meai
and 800 pounds of muriate of potash,
Use at the rate of 1000 pounds per
acre. Where one desires to produce the
crop for early market. the seed may be
planted in the hot bed in January.
Thirty ounces of seed will be sufficient
for planting one acre of land in rows
"a inches apart, and the plants four
inches in the drill. Transplant the on
ions to the field when they are no lar
ger than a lead pencil About one
third of the top should be cut off. An
other method of planting sometimes
followed is to sew the seed in the late
spring and have the small onions ready
for transplanting in the early fall.
Many growers have already transplant
ed their sets. If one desires to go to
the expense of buying sets they may
be planted now. Very good varieties
besides the Bermuda TO use are tie
Red and Yellow Danvers. and Weth"rs-
field These are large well formed
onions and have a mild flavor and goo>.
shipping qualities.
PREPARING LAND FOR WHEAT
AND OATS.