Arizona republican., 1920-03-15
METHOD OF GROWING LONG STAPLE COTTON DESCRIBED
 BY EXPERTS IN BULLETIN
Agricultural Experiment Stations Bulletin Covers Every Phase of Cotton Growing-Seed, Preparation, Plant Opinions and Findings of Great Importance to Valley Growers.

G. F. Thompson and C. J. Wood are the authors of a bulletin published re- gently by the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Arizona the growing of cotton in Arizona The bulletin treats of the two general types of cotton grown in this state the American Egyptian, represented by the Pima variety, and the short staple represented by the variety known as Mebane's Triumph, or Me- bane. but more especially to American Egyptian cotton.
 Seed is the first topic discussed in the bulletin, then the sort of land best adapted to cotton, its preparation, planting, thinning. cultivation, irriga- uon, picking, topping, fertilization, and the various insect pests found in Pima cotton here, summarized as follows:
 Tn growing cotton, good seed is extremely important.
 "A rich, sandy loam soil, we'll sup piled with humus. is ideal.
 Early deep blowing and thorough preparation of the land are necessary.
 The seed bed should be wet to depth of four to five feet.
 Plant early, but not until the ground is sufficiently warm to insure good germination and thrifty plants.
 The character of the land should govern the rate Of thinning.
 "Cultivation should begin as soon as the plants are through the ground Well enough to mark the row.
 Proper irrigation is the most inn portant single item i'll the growing of cotton.
 After planting. withhold irrigation as long as possible
 Prevent excessive growth.
 The terminal bud should be kept growing slightly in the lead of the flowers on the fruiting branches.
 In picking, keep the cotton clean
 Report trouble with disease or in sect pests to the agricultural experi- ment station, or the state entomologist
 Do not allow the soil to become depieted; practice crop rotation; main- tain balanced agriculture
 The text of the bulletin follows in part:
 Seed
 Great pains to secure the best pos sible seed should be exercised by all who grow cotton. Seed of an inferior strain will result in a decreased yield and 9 poor quality of fiber. It is ad- visable for farmers to buy seed for planting purposes from responsible cotton growers association. At least one Of these associations at the pres ent time tand others are preparing to do the same) make it q business through its cotton experts to produce and sell high quality seed to mem bers of the association One of these associations now maintains and the other associations should maintain. a separate gin for handling this cotton cotton seed that goes through the reg ular commercial gins is certain to be mixed more or less with inferior seed. and it's use will in time result in de- creased yields.
 Those who have the time and are especially interested in cotton breeding may find it worth while to grow a separate small field of cotton from Which seed is selected for the following year planting. On this special field great care should eb taken to rogue out and destroy all plants or unde- Sirabie or inferior type and all plants that iaii 10 produce a reasonable num- Der or matured bolls In addition to thls general precaution the fiber it. seii shouid be examined, and if any of the plants have produced fiber that Is snort and weak, they should be dis .carded. The seed that is to be used Tor planting purposes should be fully matured before the first freeze of con- sequence in the fall. Because early setting and maturing of bolIs is very uesirapie Tn American Egyptian cot ton It is advisable to select seed from plants that show this character
 The average farmer in Arizona uses -a 10 50 pounds of seed per acre when planting cotton. Although one-half or this amount will give a sufficient stand 1T seed is good and soil and weather conditions arc ideal. still it is advisable to Use the amount indicated and later thin to the proper stand.
 The Land Best Adapted
 A rich sandy loam soil, we'll sup piled with humus, is ideal for the growing of cotton. Very light sandy soils as a rule do not produce heavy me n f N--r . are unsatisfactory because of tho trouble experienced in securing good stand, and because of the diff culty Of irrigating properly. However, with good care, cotton can be produced upon practically any soil that is suit able for general farming
 Preparation of Land
 Thorough preparation of land for cotton pays, and pays well. Cotton is cash crop. A good quality of clean, strong fiber brings a better price than Iiper that is weak. dirty, or inferior TOT any other reason. We'll prepared land will produce more fiber longer fiber and stronger fiber than poorly prepared land. Cotton from field that produces a heavy crop is easier to pick and keep clean and free from dirt and trash than cotton with small, poorly opened bolls. If land is to be properly prepared for cotton. the several months before the planting season Coarse trash or other material on the ground must be chopped fine and piowed under or otherwise put in sr,ch shape that it will not interfere with the cultivation of the cotton plants. The ground should be pIowed rather deep tseven to eight inches) as early as possible and allowed to weather LII planting time. From five to ten days before planting the ground should be thoroughly irrigated. This time should be just sufficient ID allow the ground to dry out properly and be worked to a good seed-be
 Many farmers make mistake in the preparation of their cotton land by not having sufficient moisture in the ground before planting. Water shouid be held on the land long enough to insure it's being wet to depth of four to five feet Land Jeff rough after blowing takes water better man iand that has been disked and narrowed to smooth surface Land tbat has been irrigated when rough