Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-26

DeTS ana ne Is COLllhCnl VI SuNNSoo"
operations this would be impracticable.
After the crop was up the cultivation
was done chiefly with a Planet, Jr. Six
civilizations were given during the year,
and considering the fact that rain fell
in Athens for a period of about ten
weeks the crop may be regarded as
fairly satisfactory one, when the light
application of fertilizer and manure is
taken into consideration.
Much interest is now being evidenced
in the best distance apart to plant cot
ton OF course, this will be determined
to considerable extent by the variety
selected, and seasonal and soil condi-
TONS To secure some data along this
line, Sunbeam cotton was planted on
well-prepared and fertilized area OF
ground in our demonstration field in 1911.
One thousand pounds of a 1914 fertilizer
and six tons of yard manure were APP
piled per acre in the drill before plant
ing, and mixed with the soil, as indi-
Gated above Thorough cultivation was
given this plat throughout the growing
season. The width of the rows was
uniform in all instances. The hills va
ried from IL inches to 3 feet apart one
to two plants being left respectively in
hills ~, a. Is, 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
ID inches apart was reached. Closer
planting than this favored the use of one
plant to the hill. The best yield was OBJ
tanned from leaving two plants to the
hill 20 inches apart in the row. In this in
stance the yield of seed cotton was S,71S
pounds, and as the per cent of lint was
AZ the yield of lint cotton was 1852
pounds per acre, or at the rate of 600
pounds more per acre than where one
plant to the hill was left at the same
distance The tests made in the demon
stration 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 grow
ers.
In conclusion, it is we'll to call atten-
ton to the very remarkable yields made
by the Sunbeam cotton on these special
lied plats. Three 5OO-pound bales of cot
ton is certainly large yield of lint to
produce OF course, claims have been
advanced for much larger yields. and
it is possible that they have been made,
but it is not an easy matter to grow
three bales where the ground has been
accurately surveyed and the crop is pick
ed and handled separately. Guess work
must be eliminated from all contests
where large yields are sought, and while
increasing the yield is a desirable thing,
it is a mistake to lose sight of the ne
cessity of increasing the product on every
acre to a higher average rather than to
devote too much time and energy to the
development of unusual yields on special
ized areas. The farmer who can raise
one-third or one-half bale more per acre
on his ten or twenty acres is infinitely
better off than the man who can raise
as much as three bales on a specially
prepared plat of land
In this connection it should be borne
in mind that 900 pounds more fertilizer
and five tons of yard manure per acre
resulted in the production of a bale and
a half more cotton per acre than was
obtained in the area DEVOTED to the va
riety test of 1910. Since Sunbeam consti-
tuted one of the varieties used in these
test plats, it would appear that others
might have been expected to make much
larger yields than are indicated at the
beginning of this article if they had been
planted on the specialized area devoted to
the distance test with Sunbeam. These
figures are called specially to the atten
ton of the reader so that he may be
properly impressed with putting the land
in the best possible condition and fertil-
izing it literally with a well-balanced
formula. Where this is done good in
crease in yield may be obtained; in It's
absence the low average ones obtained
for 50 years past is bound to continue.
It is a useless waste of time and energy
to continue cultivating cotton by the old
methods. Let us cut down the acreage,
improve the preparation and fertilization
of the soil, and reap the benefit of in
creased yields to which we are entitled,
devoting the balance of our energy and
effort to the production of the staple and
food crops essential to the economic
welfare of those who till the soil.
LIGHT FRUITING OF COTTON.
j. G. w, Banning, Ga, writes: have
70 acres I wish to plant in cotton in 1912.
A part of it is dark loose soil with a lot
of litter and trash on it, and red sub
soil 1t makes good weed three to four
feet high, but does not fruit as well as
it ought to. What fertilizer should use
for a better crop? I also want a good
formula for corn. Should I plant a big
variety of corn on this land? It ha sa yell
low subsoil.
On land where cotton makes a big
weed or fails to fruit literally, the best
practice is to apply fertilizer which con-
tains a high per cent of phosphorus and
potash. on this account use on your soil, |
say about a 1925 at the rate of 500
pounds per acre. This amount may be !
used under the drill row, or 300 pounds
under the drill row and 200 pounds as a |
side application. A formula of this char
acter should answer very we'll on soils
such as you describe in your letter. On
your bottom land apply 500 pounds of a
1885 for corn. You may cut the nitro
gen down to per cent at the time of
planting if this soil is in good condition !
and large stalk was obtained last year. |
The chances are that you will find an
application Of 100 pounds nitrate of soda /
advisable for this crop, say six weeks
OF so after planting. Nitrate of soda put |
on two weeks before the corn lunches to