The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-17
COTTON PRODUCTION UNDER
BOIL WEEVIL CONDITIONS
Recommendations Made by the Extension
Service of Clemson College. Stalk De-
struction and Cleaning Up Farm

The hordes of weevils that raw
age the cotton crop are the OF
spring of parent weevils that passed
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 flights and by esq
laying. The greatest number Of
weevils will survive in those fields
on which cotton stalks together
with grass, weeds and other refuse
material Offering shelter, are allow
ed to remain. The early destruction
of cotton stalks by chopping and
blowing them under. the planting
of winter covers, and the cleaning
of terraces, ditch banks, edges of
woods, and other places Offering
winter shelter, constitute the first
step in making the next years crop.
Thorough Preparation.
When a cover crop is grown on
the land, during fall and winter, 1t
should be plowed under early in the
spring so that the land will have
ample time TO settle before plant
ing. Cotton comes up more quickly
and starts growth earlier if planted
on a firm, well-settled seed bed than
if planted on q loose one. If the
land has been in corn and velvet
beans, or corn and peas during the
summer and can be convenietly
plated to a cover crop, this should
be grazed during the early winter
| months and plowed under in mid
winter for best conservation Of nj
jtrogen, and this will give time for
the land to settle and the organic
matter to humify before planting
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 a sandy soil, and the
seed beds should be made up carly
in the spring so that they will have
ample time to settle before plant
ing. Clay. soils when plowed in
the fall should be plowed deep to
give more soil for root develop
ment. No soil should be piowed
deep in the late spring or just be-
fore planting.
Planting Only Approved Varieties
Numerous experiments in the boil
weevil infested area Of this state
and other states have amply Justl-
fed the recommendation Of the fol-
lowing varieties for the conditions
designated.
A. Short staple varieties: Cd
Cleveland Big Boil for wilt-free
land. CD Dixie Triumph for wilt
infested land.
3. Long staple varieties: Cd
Webber No. 40. (2) Deltatype
Weber.
It is important to have an early
fruiting vari ety but it is also i'm
portant to have variety which
continues 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 it is important
for a variety to continue fruitins
throughout the season.
1t should be understood that
other varieties may in a given sea-
son and under favorable conditions
yield more than these, but when
taken for period Of years the
above named varieties have proved
their superiority.
Planting as Early as Safety VII!
Permit.
Cotton should be planted as early
as possible after danger Of killing
frost is over and the ground is
warm enough to insure quick ger
nination and rapid growth. In or
der to insure a good stand without
replantinS, more seed should DC
used than has been tie custom in
the past 1t is we'll to use from one
; to two bushels per acre, depending
on the condition of the land, more
seed being used where the land is
rough and eloddy or cold. 1t is a
distinct advantage when practicable
to delint the seed. because delinted
seed will germinate more quickly
by several days, under adverse
conditions, than Will u?dellnted
seed.
Judicious Fcrtilizing.
A liberal application Of COM
mercial fertilizer is also advisable
and this fertilizer should contain
an abundance Of phoSphcric acid
as this ingredient hastens the ma
turity Of the crop up TO point
where the plant has all 1t requires
in it's growth. On most soils in this
state about 800 pounds Of acid
phosphate per acre will give most
profitable results. a liberal amount
of ammonia haStenS the maturity
Of the crop up to certain point
Too much ammonia delays the crof
as does too little. hence the inn
portancc Of having the corrcci
amount Of ammonia for each soil
Each farmer should study the needs
Of his soils and use the amount OF
ammonia which he finds best fol