The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-12-15
Recommendation Made by the Ex
tsnsion Service OF Clemson College.

Clemson College, Dec. 12-The E1-
tension Service of Clemson College
has published Extension Bulletin 4S,
Farming under Boil Weevil Condi-
TONS" and has secured through Sen
ator N. B Dial the publication OF a
revision of the Report OF the South
Carolina Boil Weevil Commission. :"
Both of these publications, which
may be had from county agents or
from the Extension Service, Clemson
College, S. C. contain valuable sug-
gestions on growing cotton under boil
weeVn conditions. Some Of these are
given below.
Stalk Destruction and Cleaning up
the Farm.-The hordes of weevils
that ravage the cotton crop are the
offspring of parent weevils that pass
ed the preceding winter successfully.
The weevils developing late in the
fall are the ones most likely to sur
vive the winter, as they are not worn
out by long fights and by egg laying.
The greatest number of weevils will
survive in those fields on which cot
ton stalks together with grass, weeds
and other refuse material offering
shelter, are allowed to remain. The
early destruction of cotton stalks by
chopping and plowing them under,
the planting Of winter covers, and the
cleaning of terraces, ditch banks.
edges Of woods. and other places Of
fering winter shelter, constitute the
first step in making the next years
c1pp.
Thorough Preparation.-When a
cover crop is>grown on the land dur
ing fall and winter, it should be
plowed under early in the spring so
that the land will have ample time to
settle before planting. Cotton comes
up more quickly and starts growth
earlier if planted on firm well-set-
tied seed bed than if planted on a
loose one. If the land has been in
corn and velvet beans, or corn and
peas during the summer. and can be
conveniently planted to a cover crop,
this should be grazed during the
early winter months and plowed un-
der in mid-winter for best conserva-
tion of nitrogen, and this will give
time for the land to settle and the Or
ganic matter to humify before plant
ing time. Where no cover crop is
used, the. land should be plowed in
the fall or early winter for heavy
clay soil, or in the early spring in
the case Of sandy soil, and the seed
beds should be made up early in the
spring so that they will have ample
time to settle before planting. Clay
soils when plowed in the fall should
be plowed deep to give more soil for
root development. No soil should be
plowed deep in the late spring or just
before planting.
Planting only Approved Varieties.
Numerous experiments in the boil
weevil infested area of this state and
other states have amply justified the
recommendations of the following
varieties for the conditions desig-
mated:
A. Short staple varieties.-Q)
Cleveland Big Boil for wilt-free land.
l2). Dixie Triumph for wilt-infested
land.
B. Long Staple yarieties.-(D
Weber No. 49,. (2} Delta-Type Web
ber.
z It is important to have an early
fruiting variety but it is also impor-
tant to have variety which contin-
ues to fruit throughout the season.
The boil weevil prefers to puncture
squares and will do so if they are
present~in the Plants; but if none are
to be found, he will then puncture the
half-grown bolls. This explains why
1t is important for a variety to con-
tinue fruiting throughout the season.
1t should be understood that other
varieties may in given season and
under favorable conditions yield more
than these, but when taken for per-
iod Of years the above named Varle-
ties have proved their superiority.
Planting as Eearly as Safety will
Permit.-Co:ton should be planted as
early as possible after danger OF kill
ing frost is over and the ground is
warm enough to insure quick germl-
nation and rapid growth. In order to
insure a good stand without replant-
ing, more seed should be used than
has been the custom in the past. 1t
is well to use from one to two bush
els per acre, depending on the COP
dition of the land, more seed being
used where the land is rough and
cloddy or cold. 1t is distinct advant-
age when practicable to delint the
seed, because delinted seed will germ
mate more quickly by several days,
under adverse conditions, than will
undelinted seed.
Judicious FertiIizing.-A liberal ap-
plication of commercial fertilizer is
also advisable, and this fertilizer
should contain an abundance of phos-
phoric acid, as this Ingredient hastens
the maturity Of the crop up to point
o11