The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-02-13
RESULTS Of THE VARIETY
TEs7sW|TH COTTON, 1871

tlOnS were given during the wear and
considering the fact that rain fell in (
AthenS Tor period Of about ten weeks t
the crop may be regarded as a fairly .
satisfactory one, when the light ap-
pllcatlon Of fertilizer and manure is
taken into consideration.
Much interest is being evidenced
IN the best distance apart to plant
cotton. OF course. this will be determ
lned to considerable extent by the
variety selected, and seasonal and soil
conditions. To secure some data along
this line. Sunbeam cotton was planted
On a we'll prepared and fertilized area
OF ground in our demonstration field
In 1911 One thousand pounds Of
9-3-4 fertilizer and six tons of yard
manure were applied per acre in the
drill before planting, and mixed with
the soil, as indicated above. Thorough
cultivation was given this plat
throughout the growing season The
width OF the rows was uniform in all
instances. The hills varied from IL
inches to feet apart, one to two
plants being left respectively in hills
II, IA, 16, IS and 20 inches, and 2
2.5 and feet apart. In every instance
the highest yields were obtained where
two plants to the hill were grown until
IA inches apart was reached. Closer
planting than this favored the use Of
one plant to the hill. The best yield
was obtained from leaving two plants
to the hill 20 inches apart in the row.
In this instance the yield Of seed cot
ton was 3,718 pounds, and as the per
cent of lint was AZ, the yield Of lint
cotton was 1862 pounds per acre, or
at the rate of 800 pounds more per
acre than where one plant to the hill
was left at the same distance. The
tests made in the demonstration field
seem to indicate up to this time that
leaving two plants to the hill where
the distance in the drill row is 20
| inches or more will result In a larger
! yield than will be obtained from one
plant per hill. OF course, it is probable
that larger plants will be secured
| where only one is left, but the grade
Of the cotton produced from the two
| plants was equal to that obtained
from one, while the yield was higher.
These are facts which should be given
earnest and careful consideration by
all cotton growers.
In conclusion, 1t is we'll to call at
tention to the very remarkable yields
made by the Sunbeam cotton on these
specialized plats. Three 500-pound
bales of cotton is certainly q large
yield of lint to produce. OF course
claims have been advanced for much
larger yields, and 1t is possible that
! they have been made. but it is not an
easy matter to grow three bales where
the ground has been accurately sur
veyed and the crop is picked and
handled separately. Guess work must
be eliminated from all contests where
| large yields are sought, and While in
creasing the yield is a desirable thing
it is a mistake to lose sight Of the
necessity Of increasing the product or
every acre to higher average rather
than to devote too much time and en-
ergy to the development OF unusua
yields on specialized areas. The farm
er who can raise One-third or one
half bale more per acre on his Ter
or twenty acres is infinitely better of
than the man who can raise as much
as three bales on specially prepared
plat Of land.
In this connection 1t should be
borne in mind that 600 pounds more
fertilizer and five tons of yard manure
per acre resulted in the production O.
4 bale and half more cotton pei
acre than was obtained in the area
devoted to the variety test Of 1910
Since Sunbeam constituted one Of The
varieties used in these test platS /
would appear that others might have
been expected to make much larger
: Yields than are Indicated at the be
ginning Of this article II they mac
been planted on the specialized ares
devoted to the distance test with Sun
5 beam. These figures are called spe
l cially to the attention Of the reade
SO that he may be properly Impressed
: with putting the land in the best pos
/ sible condition and fertilizing it liber
2 allv with a we'll balanced rmula
: Where this is done Il good increase IL
4 Weld may be obtained; in it's absenc'
4 the low average ones obtained for 5
Years is bound to continue. 1t is use
Q less waste Of time and energy TO con
e tinue cultivaunS cotton py the OF
q mathods Let us cut down the acreage
e Improve the preparation and fertiliza
e tion of the soil, and reap the beneti
. of increased yields to which we ar
s entitled. deyoting the balance Of on
e energy and effort to the productlo1
q ! e ~. ,,la and food crops eSSentla