Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-07
Variety Tests of Cotton in 1921

There is always much interest
evinced in our variety tests of cot
ton. 1t is natural for this to be
the case for those who have had ex
perience in the cultivation of this
crop know that their profits will
often ba largely determined by the
strains they select for planting pur-
poses. We know one community,
for instance, that tried out college
No. / with fear and trembling in
1921. Less than one hundred acres
were planted that year. The results
were so satisfactory, however, that
several hundred acres were planted
in 1922.
There is word of caution that
should be expressed with reference
to this particular matter, and it is
proper that it be emphasized at this
time. 1t will not do to depend on an
early maturing variety to make a
crop. Particularly is this true I'M
der conditions of boil weevil infes-
tation. No matter how good the
record of the variety may be as to
earliness, a. very large percentage
of the crop will be destroyed unless
a better known means of fighting
the Weevil damage is successfully
employed at the same time. Do not
depend on any one variety alone,
therefore, but remember that all
other factors affecting yields and
the control of the boil weevil must
be taken into consideration more
than ever before. 1t is important
that our farmers give greater at
tention and consideration to the va
rieties of cotton for the following
urgent reasons:
One of the best means Of fighting
the weevil successfully hinges on
the planting of early maturing
strains. Aside from that there are
many varieties now, on the market
that make a high percentage of lint,
but yield a poor staple. There are
many strains that are very sub.
iect to disease. There are many va
rieties that mature so late as to
make their cultivation Improbable
under boil weevil conditions. 1t is
just as easy to grow strain of cot
ton that has a standard staple, say
one inch in length and which will
yield from thirty-five to forty per
cent of lint as any other sort or
variety which may be offered for
sale. Why should the farmer con-
tinue to waste his efforts on the
cultivation of late maturing, dis
eased varieties or strains which do
not yield a satisfactory staple? 1t
is all a mistake to permit these prac-
tees to continue. They only result
in loss and disappointment to our
landowners. Hence, the selection OF
the right variety to plant under eX-
listing circumstances is now matter
of paramount Importance.
The results of the variety tests
made in the college demonstration
field in 1921 reveal some interesting
facts. These tests were carried out
under the direction of Professor K.
r. Childs, who is in charge of the
cotton industry work of the Geor-
gia State College Of Agriculture.
They contain suggestions that should
help our farmers to select strains
for planting in 1928 that will prove
more profitable than many OF those
now generally cultivated.
FLOWING dIlu AdlAGA1S
The land on which this cotton was
grown is a red clay loan Cecil clay
loan). A crop of wheat followed
by cowpeas occupied the land the
previous season. The cowpeas were
cut for hay and the stubble turned
in October. 1t was allowed to re-
main in this condition until March,
1921, when it. was double disked.
Rows were laid off four feet apart
and a low bed thrown up with a
Ilanet, Jr., cultivator about March
25th.
Just before planting, 500 pounds
per acre of a 1888 fertilizer was
applied in the drill, being well mixed
in the soil. Planting was done on
April 7.
weather Conditions - Weather
conditions, for the season were
very unfavorable. Cold weather
lust after the cotton came up stunt
ed it badly and the early growth
was slow. Dry weather in May and
June also held up growth. This
was followed by excessive rains the
latter part of July.
Boil Weevils-Weevils were found
in this cotton about the time it was
chopped, but were kept picked off
at this stage. busting with cal
cium arsenate was begun in July,
but continuous rains just after each