The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-27
Seed Breeding

SGGA 0IEG0lIlH
The farm has its private labora-
tories and experimental farms for
the breeding of seed and other
scientific advantages. In charge of
this work is Mr.. Z. &C. Ewing, a
graduate of the Agricultural and
Mechanical College of Mississippi
and a graduate with the degree of
Master of Science and Agriculture
at Cornell University. Prior to his
service on the farm at Scott he was
with the Bureau of Plant Industry.
For nine years he has been breed
ing seed striving for a variety that
would yield a longer staple and the
maximum of production, adapted to
the soil type of the Delta. The
success attained is remarkable, and
there has been produced variety
of long staple cotton, that is as
early and prolific as the short
staple. This variety has been
named in honor of the creator of
this great enterprise, and is known
as the Salisbury type" Another
notable result of experimentation is
in the spacing of the plants, and
the rows The old spacing was six
teen to twenty inches between
stalks and four feet rows. The
spacing now followed on the farm
is six, eight and ten inches with
rows three and one-half feet wide.
The most intensive methods of cu1-
tivation are employed and with the
Salisbury" seed, early and prolific,
the farm successfully fights the boil
weevil.
Boil Weevil
The boil weevil has wrought a
complete transformation in cotton
culture in the South. Millions of
value have been lost through the
ANIMAL incursion of this tiny pest
as from its invasion across the Rio
Grande, 1t has swept the cotton belt
with an ever widening curve, ex-
tending its depredations about forty
miles per year. Ruin followed in
received its death blow. No man
more persistently than the president
of the company has called the
South to the solution of this new
problem that was presented. In
communications, through the press
and from the platform his voice has
been trumpet call to the cotton
farmer of the South. State and
Federal authorities have worked
courageously, and certain results
have been attained in the diversifi-
cation of crops and in combating
the boil weevil. Salsbury's plan is
simple and if followed will revolu-
tionize the agricultural interests of
the Southern States. 1t involves in
word the planting of food crops
for the farmers family, his tenants
and his live stock, and in making
the cotton crop the sales crop.
This problem has been solved on
the big plantation. 1t is practically
seif-supporting as to food; cotton
is the money crop and it is shipped
direct to the manufacturers and
spinners as needed. Storage facil-
tiles and financial provision make
lit possible to market the crop to
economic advantage.
The big farm has pioneered, b1az-
ing the way at heavy financial cost
| in applying the results of scientific
experimentation in promoting the
| poison that will destroy the boil
weevil and in demonstrating the
efficiency of machines, largely
evolved on the farm, for the exter-
mination of the boil weevi1. The
great farm has, therefore, been a
monumental experimental area
for the demonstration of methods
of value to the entire cotton
South in meeting this menace.
The farm is by far the biggest
user OF the poison. One hun
/ bred tons, at a cost of approx
mately $500 a ton, will be used in
this years operations. Sixty, two
mule, three-row machines viii be
used and fifty smaller machines.
The poison is now used throughout
the country. The machines used
weigh about 700 pounds each and
cost about $500 each. One official
with skill is in charge of the poi
son operations. Letters are re-
ceived daily asking for inforna-
ton and advice as to the use Of
the poison.
Bolivar c. inty has 40 miles OF
splendid gravel roads and Wash
ington County has 100 miles OF con-
crete highways These hard sur
faced roads are being constantly
extended.
Contented People
| Many things have been done tc
make life in the Delta attractive ard
happy. This company's plan.