The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-29
FINE CROP IN
ESCAMb|A co.
SAYS ADVISER
c. x. M'QUARRIE VISITS A MUM.
Der OF SECTIONS AND MAKES
MOST ENCOURAGING REPORT
COTTON PLANTERS FLOWING
UP LANDS ON ACCOUNT OF
BOIL WEEvIL.

Agricultural Adviser c. K McQuar-
RE returned yesterday, after a weeks
visit TO almost every section Of the
county. He reported that he had found
the crops generally In a most flourish
ing condition.
McQuarr1e said:
Crops In general are very promis-
ing. more particularly the corn and
cotton crops; and il the cotton grow
ers will follow the advice given re-
garding the treatment Of the boil
weeviL they may expect an average
two weeks has been ideal cotton
weather, and the crop is looking re-
markedly well wherever I have been.
A few of the cotton growers have
plowed up the crop and are using the
land for other crops; most Of them
are using 1t for hay purposes. The
scarcity of reliable help on these
farms accounts for this action, to a
large extent as the persistent fight
necessary in the earlier stages of the
crop to overcome the ,weevil. is apt
tn be discouraging to the man with
little help at his command. I have
rot been able to ind any weevi1 in
the fields anywhere south of Roberts,
and the cotton growers In the Pensa-
cola neighborhood have an excellent
cotton yields.
Sweet Potstoes.
sweet potatoes are very promising
where the land has been properly pre-
mula for the crop. This crop is one
of the best paying of the general farm
crops, but the yield could easily be
doubled. If the farmer growing it
would drop some Of the old slipshod
ways Of soil preparation, fertilization
and methods Of planting the vines. I
ind in a great many fields small,
almost level beds. with the vines
f@amted without regard 70 any dehuite
ordeF as to butt or tip Of the vine
being inserted in the soil The soil
for this crop should be well prepared
by deep blowing and through pulver-
ization several weeks before planting
time, and when that time comes, ap-
ply the fertilizer broadcast and mix
well with the soil by means OF harrow,
weeder, or shovel cu1tivator. This fer
tilizer should analyze per cent am
nonia, er cent phosphoric acid,
and TO IL per cent potash. Apply at
the rate of 100 pounds per acre for
broken. For instance, If the soil has
been broken six inches deep. apply
500 pounds per acre: IL ten inches, ap-
ply one thousand pounds per acre,
etc.
This crop gives best results planted
on beds about four feet from center
to center, made in q rounded form
about eighteen inches above normal
ground level. No more beds should
be made at any one time than the
available supply Of vines will take UP.
as a better stand is insured by plant
ing either vines or draws on newly
made beds, as the settling Of the soil ]
to the normal condition packs it
around the newly set plant and in
sures it's growing better than If plant
ed on a bed made few days or weeks
previous to planting time. The vines
should be cut in 10 inche lengths
end inserted in the soil butt end down,
by means of a forked stick; do not
insert them In place by pushing down
on the middle of the vine and leaving
the two ends sticking out: If you do,
you are cutting the crop yield in half,
and perhaps more. Inserting them by
the butt end, one joint only takes root
several joints root, with the result
of too many small potatoes, or per-
haps nothing but enlarged roots at
harvest time.
Sugar Cane.
Sugar cane is promising q good |
crop and If the growers will quit
the old practice of laying by this crop |
after so many workings, and keep UP |
the cultivation with shallow working !
tools every week or ten days, up to |
the time cool nights begin, they would |
easily add at least a half to the usual |
yield at syrup making time. This |
crop would be greatly benefited by q |
top dressing of nitrate Of soda ap- |
piled broadcast in the middles at the |
time the crop begins jointing. A couple |
of hundred pounds of this material |
would prove a good investment on |
most of our cane fields at that time.
Water Melons.
water melons are being marketed |
now in quantity, and the quality is |
up to the Usual standard. but the sizes |
are small. Wilt has cut down the /
yield very much. This is a soil dis
ease and is very prevalent this year, !
and apt to spread. It Is urgently re-
melons be collected and burned, as.
If left in the fields, this disease will |
spread to other fields and in few |
years our soil will be SO badly infested /
that we cannot grow any Of these
crops anywhere in this vicinity.
Wherever this disease has prevailed,
sow an oat crop on me land for a
winter cover crop, following 1t with
other crops that are immune to the
disease such as corn, sorghum, millet,
and crops of that nature. 1t will take
at least three years cropping of these
immune crops to starve out the dis
ease and make the soil fit to grow
m elons again. Spraying with Bordeaux
mixtures of a $3.50 formula in the
earlier stages of these crops VIII Keep
the disease in check.
Next week / expect to visit Belle
view, Tuesday, July list; Roberts,
July End; Gonzalez.
July 2rd; Century, Friday,
July 4th.