The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-05-19
GROWING HYBRID COTTON
North (arolinian i'm Panama Produce
a NHM Sna4.ieN


A recent issue NJ the Canal Record.
published at Ancon. Canal Zone 18th
mus Of Panama, says
A cotton grower from North Caro-
Ina has been conducting experiments
for several months past i'm hvhrldiziug
the native tree cotton with the Am.
erlCan cotton plant with encouraging
results, using for the purpose a plot
OF ground near his quarters on the
slope of SoSa Hill AT Balboa II Is
claimed that the crossing of tho
plants has given the new product an
added ~tenacity as to life. has resulted
in an increased production, and has
improved the fibre. The spot where
the experiments have been made
would seem least promising for the
successful growth of the plant. The
ground was lacking in richness origin
ally, and was brought up 10 its pres
ent high state of cultivation by the
introduction of chemicals, something
after the Of the fertilization
methods employed by the cotton plant
erS of the Southern States. The grow
er produced his hybrid by means OF
polarization, the process having been
aided to some extent by winged insects
which transfer the pollen from one
cotton bloom to another. Although
the production is highest in the rainy
season crop, the present dry season
has not materially affected the plant
growth; the plants have been con
stantly pruned down to the bare
stalk, but put out new shoots at once.
~Hybridization has also increased the
size of the bolls, actual weights show
ing an average of Is bolls to the
pound, where as, ordinary cotton is
said to require from 20 to so bolls
to the pound. Bolls have been pro
duced at the Balboa experimental sta
ton weighing over an ounce.
Another advantageous factor is that
the plant in this climate will continue
to produce for several seasons with
out ~replanting. The life Of the native
cotton tree is not exactly known, but
observations extending over a period
of ten years show that the tree has
invariably produced a crop, and that
during the whole time. there has been
no appreciable difference in the out
put from year TO year. \ Canal en-
ploye took a quantity Of this treet cot
ton to the Bureau of Plant Industry
in the Department Of Agriculture al
Washington in the year 1905. The
officials of he bureau at thai time had
heard Of this cotton, but had seen no
samples. \ careful analysis Of it was
made. with the result that the opinion
was given that it compared f~aNorablN
in texture and length with tie Amer
can product.
The grower has also conducted ex
periments looking 10 the production
Of a substitute for silk. This he be
lieVeS has been accomplished 10y cross
ing the blooms of certain wild fibre
plants with the cotton plant, resulting
in a staple Of unusually fine texture
Comparisons Of the threads Of this
product. with cocoon silk. OF even the
, threads of q spiders web, under a
magnifying glass, show that the veGe-
able substitute is considerably finer
Yet the tensile strength is aboa FIVE
, times greater, as shown by actla
tests. The grower is saving his ny
Bird seeds, and has negotiations nnde
, way with the Panama Government
looking to the planting Of IL certain
, acreage in q section Of the country
where the soil is naturally bette
: adapted TO the purpose than here. H.
I has also received . number OF III
, ouirieS from abroad. and has max
samples OF the cotton passed upon ,,
g the plant experts in the Department
Of Agriculture at Washington. IN
4 British Minister. Sir Claud Maflet, re
Gently inspected the plants Tor n
n purpose of making a report on IN
+ subject TO his government.