Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-03
FARM EDUCATION
BY DIR. ANDREW M. SOULE

maturing varieties.
(c) The use of ample seed in order
| to insure a good stand.
| I'D Closer spacing than under non
! boil weevil conditions.
! (e) Intensive, careful cultivation.
a. Liberal fertilization to induce
quick growth and stimulate early
maturity.
I (g) Where practicable, the early de-
struction of cotton stalks in the fall
and of alternating places in the
field.
In addition to the above when
poisoning is not contemplated and
inexpensive labor is available, the
picking up and destruction Of all
punctured or infested squares for
period of thirty days will prove
beneficial.
8. Of the various methods of con-
troll involving the use of poison, your
committee recommends the calcium
| arsenate busting method and the
Florida method. There are no 9TH
err methods having as yet the sane
ton of adequate scientific proof
The limitations of the calcium
arsenate busting method lie in the
fact that it has been found profitable
only on land capable of producing
one-third to one-half bale per acre
or more, that it requires a maximum
of calcium arsenate, and that it must
be applied at night and by the use
of machinery. Aside from these
limitations, it's worth, through sew
eral years and under varying condi-
tons, has been fully and conclusive
ly demonstrated not only by the ex-
pertinent station but by practica!
farmers throughout the cotton belt.
The Florida method has been
found adapted to the conditions in
that state and has the virtue of be-
ing adapted to lands of low produc-
tiVity. This method can undoubted-
" be applied with success in ada
cent sections, where the season con-
ditions are the same as those in
Florida. Whether this method will
succeed elsewhere has not been de-
termined and cannot be until fur
Their studies of weevil Information
and related factors are made. 1t is
urged that the experiment stations
in the cotton growing states as
speedily as possible determine the
adaptability Of this method to their
respective states.
4. Your committee is without
scientific proof that would enable it
to give a definite opinion as to the
effectiveness of the molasses arse
nate treatment. However, promi-
nate treatment. However, prominent
Carolina and other states claim for
it a very decisive measure of con-
troll and experiments at the govern
ment laboratory at Tallulah indicate
a certain measure of control in the
early stages of the infestation, when
the cotton plants are small. Your
committee. therefore, believes that
this method deserves and should re-
ceive thorough and immediate test
by the experiment stations and the
government.
5. Your committee would remind
the public that the solution of any
great scientific problem such as boil
weevil control is likely to be the
work of many scientists extending
over a period of years and at an eX-
penditure of considerable money.
Prompt and adequate support of ex-
pertinent station projects along this
line by the legislatures of the cotton
states is an, essential element in the
early solution of this, the most inn
portant problem confronting the cot
ton growers of the south. In time
of emergency, such as the present,
numerous panaceas will be proposed.
1t is a safe assumption that most
of these will prove worthless to the
farmer, however profitable to, the
promoters. Care and economy should
be exercised in their purchase and
use.
New or untried methods and de.
vices should be used with caution
and with a view of testing their eff
ficiency rather than depending upon
them for successful control.
Selecting Cotton Planting Seed for
Carolina Conditions
D. w. G., Leesville, s.. c.,
writes: What is the best kind
of cotton to plant on clay land?
I have the Wanamaker Cleve-
land Big Boil. Will it be a sat
isfactory variety?
A good standard strain of Big
Boil cotton should answer very well
for growth under the conditions pre-
vailing in your section of South
Carolina. 1t is a. standard sort of
cotton from our point of view and
one we recommend for general cul'
tivation on that account. In our ex.
perience this variety of cotton
makes a good yield, is relatively ear.
ly, and produces a satisfactory per-
centage of lint and staple which
the market, demands. There is no
use growing a cotton which will rot
staple from inch to 1-16 inch. It
is this type of cotton that is most
largely in demand for commercial
purposes. There is a very grea diff
ference in strains of cotton. If you
have selected yours with care and
attempted to keep, it pure, it should
answer your requirements very
nicely. If you have allowed it to
mix with other strains and have not
selected it, then it might paw YOU