The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-12-14

How d. w. Moore, EXCELSIOR
Seed Farm, Cheraw, S. c., made
bale of cotton per acre.
BY E. F. CAUTHEN, in
Atlanta Constitution


Some farmers are able to make
paying crops of cotton in spite of boil
weevl and unfavorable weather con-
ditions. One of these is D. w. Moore
of the Excelsior seed farm, near Che
raw, S. c. The writer had the pleas
ure of visiting this farm, in Septem-
Der and found Mr.. Moore picking a
bale of cotton to the acre. The crop
was so outstanding in yield that the
writer asked Mr.. Moore how he had
succeeded in making this splended
crop, and he kindly told him the fol-
lowing story:
The Story
Mr.. Moore's land is slightly rolling,
well drained, free from stumps, and
has gray loan soil with heavy
clay sub-soil. The preparation for
this crop was begun last fall when the
land was turned with two-horse plows.
In March it was double disked, har-
rowed and planted the first week in
April. He used combination planter
and fertilizer distributor, which pre-
pared the surface, laid off the rows
3 feet and 10 inches apart, distribut-
ed the fertilizer and planted the cot
ton seed, all at one operation.
Fertilizers Used
At time of planting a mixture of
200 pounds of acid phosphate and SO
pounds of muriate of potash per acre
was applied. The cotton was thinned
to stand early in May and hun
dred pounds of quick acting high
grade heterogeneous fertilizer was ap-
piled as side dressing to the cotton
plants. About the 10th of June a
second application was cultivated in
the soil The first week of July
so pounds of nitrate was added The
total cost of the 500 pounds of ferti-
lizer was approximately 5000.
Mr.. Moore states he would make a
slight change in his fertilizer, raising
the amount of acid phosphate from
200 pounds per acre to 800 or more
and apply part of the nitorgenous
fertilizer at planting time and the
balance before the first of July.
Cultivation
The first cultivation was made the
latter part of April with a o-horse
riding cultivator. This riding cult
vator was used all through the grow
ing season up to the first of August.
Some parts of his crop received as
many as II shallow civilizations. The
hoe was used very little in making
the crop.
Dusting
Calcium arsenate was busted twice
on the crop with mule-back ma
chine. The major portion of the bolls
was set before the weevils became
numerous enough to do great deal
of damage.
Results
From his wage farm of 165 acres,
Mr.. Moore gathered $50 bales of cot
ton, about two-thirds of which was
staple cotton. One two-horse share
cropper picked 33 heavy bales from
so acres; another share cropper
gathered Ii bales of Delta Type Web
Der from 16 acres; and another two
horse cropper picked 25 bales from
80 acres.
Mr.. Moore believes the most essen
tial points in raising cotton under
boil weevil conditions are as follows:
1. Careful preparation of Land be-
fore planting.
2. Plant early, and plant only pure
seed of type of cotton that is well
adapted to that section.
3. Apply plenty of fertilizer, rich
in nitrogen when planting and all dur
ing the early growing season.
A. Thorough and rapid cultivation
from the time the plant is up until
late in the season.