Arizona republican., 1919-09-12

on the Sacaton farm as well as on a number of farms in the valley on which he has run experiments.
 In discussing the methods of growth which he had found best after years of experience in this valley and at Saca- ton. MT. Hastings said:
 One must not be thought of as critical when he presumes to make suggestions as to improvement of cotton growing methods in this valley. Considering the differences that exist between cul- ture of Arizona Egyptian and upland cottons, and that very few Salt River valley farmers have had the advantage of more than three years experience in the growing of Arizona Egyptian cot ton, the showing made by the Salt River valley is remarkable. When one considers that the average yield of half bale per acre includes all kinds of soil troubles such as alkali, high water and poorly adapted soils for cotton, the showing is encouraging. On the other hand, when the difference in profits between a two bale crop and the ordi- marry half-bale crop is considered it is sufficient incentive to any man to find out as much about this type of cotton as can be learned. Possibly the biggest trouble Salt River valley farmers have is the suppression of vegetative branches.
 "Of course, when cotton is spaced very far apart these branches are to a certain extent necessary in order to produce a satisfactory yield. They are usually so late in fruiting, however and such a growth is usually so rank and brittle that it is much better to have more plants per acre so that the vegetative branches are not needed A windstorm such as occurred a few days ago, is apt to play havoc with vegeta- tive branches while smaller, thicker and sturdier plants are but little injured.
 These limbs may be controlled by late thinning, little irrigation during the earlier period of growth and close l spacing. The spacing methods in the 1 Salt River valley could be improved on in many cases. We have found our best yields both here and at Sacaton coming from closely spaced plants. These may be more difficult to handle than the more open condition but the 1 productive possibilities are greater and | the danger of wind damage is less. If one is equipped to handle his irrigation 1 perfectly there are possibilities in very extremely close spacing. For instance our best yield at the Sacaton station 1 last year was from plot of cotton with the rows two and one-half feet apart and with the plants four inches apart in the row.
 This plot produced slightly better l than one and three quarters bales per 1 acre. Of course such spacing is not commercially practical since farming l tools are almost universally made for much wider rows and since it is vir- tFr1 Ell e.. control their water accurately enough to avoid injuring such a crop at some time during the season. Such cotton is seriously injured if water cannot be ap- piled at once when the need is manifest
 Tn commercial planting I question if a soil condition can be found where the most desirable spacing will be other than from three and one-half to four feet between rows and from six to 1 fourteen inches between plants
 We have many interesting things to be seen on the Sacaton farm, and our cotton problems are becoming more and more interesting as we go deeper into them. We are always glad to have visitors and are willing at all times to give them any benefit they maye derive from study of crops on the Sacaton station"
 Many valley farmers are interested in the work of T. H. Kearney, who was present on recent cotton tour. While MT. Kearney is not at Sacaton at pres ent his work. including the develop ment of new strains, keeping old strains pure, and careful rogueing of valley fields to insure pure commercial strains for general distribution, is ably carried on by H. G. Wells.
 Wells will personally conduct visitors over his part of the Sacaton station tomorrow and will be glad to welcome any interested in his work.