The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-02-20

The proper use of fertilizers is a
very complicated matter. In fact III
the light Of all present knowledge on
ly the most general rules can be laid
down. Each farmer must experiment
with the soils upon his place and
study the results to obtain the great
est benefit from fertilizers at the
smallest cost. In the eastern portion
Of the cotton belt most OF the farm
crs have acquired this experience In
the west, however, this training IS
lacking. Farmers interested should
communicate with the state expert
ment stations and obtain the latest
bulletins regarding experiments with
fertilizers in their own regions.
By far the best method OF building
up soils so that early crops OF Gotten
NAV be produced is the use OF leg
un1es planted either with corn or sol
id. In the al1uvial soils of the Missis-
s;ppi valley remarkable results in OBJ
tanning increased yields under boil
weevil conditions have followed the
growth of cowpeas for single sea-
son. The use of cover crops is also
of great Importance and worthy OF the
careful attention OF all planters IN the
infested territory where the practice
can be ttted into their plan OF opera
tons.
The relation of fertilizers to the de-
terminate growth of the cotton plant
should be carefully considered. With
certain varieties and certain soils the
plants have a decided tendency TO
cease squaring about the middle or
latter part of the season and to ma
ture at that time. This habit has
been termed the "determinate growth"
of the plant. According to the time
it occurs this may be an advantage
or disadvantage in the fight against
the weevil. If it occurs too early 1t is
a decided disadvantage because this
cessation of squaring produces a 1000
shortage which causes the weevils to
attack the bo1ls with abnormal sever
ity. Consequently, it is very desirable
to have the cotton continue squaring
long enough to protect the tull crop
of bolls to maturity. After the bolls
are safe, however, the squares are a
liability rather than an asset, since a
large number of weevils are produced
from them and enter Information we'll
prepared for survival. In utilizing ter
filters the farmer should plan to sup
ply his weevils with an abundance OF
food until his crop of bolls has matur-
ed beyond the point OF injury and
then the sooner his cotton stops squar-
ing the lighter his infestat1on Will be
the following season.
Securing a Full Stand of Cotton.
Many theories have been advanced
regarding the spacing of cotton and
its relation to boil weevil control. The
most profitable spacing varies with
the season, soil, variety and numerous
other conditions, but it is generally
found that the spacing which secured
the best results prior to the arrival
Of the weevil is still best in the pres
ence of the weevil The general prac-
tice. however, has been exceedingly
careless and as a rule very poor stands
are secured. 1t is impossible to make
| a full crop of cotton unless sufficient
plants are on the ground and the first
step to cover this result is the adop-
ton of more careful methods OF hoe
| ing to a stand.
Cultivation
During the growing season OF the
crop the fields should be very care
| fully cultivated, otherwise most OF the
benefits of early preparation, early
planting and fertilization may be lost.
In case of unavoidably delayed plant
inc the best course to pursue IS to
cultivate the fields in the most thor
ough manner possible. Under most
conditions the old plantation rule OF
"once a week and one in a row
should be applied. This will not result
in the direct destruction OF many
weevils, but it causes the plants to
continue uninterruptedly in their
growth. By all means such opera
tons as deep cultivation and cultiva-
ton close to the plants, which cause
shedding, should be avoided. In many
instances a fair crop already set and
beyond danger from the weev1l has
been lost by running the plows so
close that the side roots were cut and
the plants made to shed practically all
the fruit. When this happens during
the middle or latter part OF the sea-
son the weevi1s will certainly prevent
the putting on of any more fruit; The
general practice of laying by" by
scraping the middles with a wide
sweep, leaves a hard surface which
causes loss OF moisture and shedding
Where the weevil occurs, every pre-
caution must De taken 10 dNOiu SLCu-
ding, as the insect will prevent the
maturity of the later fruit and, more
over. will be forced TO attack bolls
which otherwise would not be injur-
ed.
The value of late cultivation has OF
ten been discussed. Prior to the adj
vent of the weevil it was an almost
universal custom to LAY by the cot
ton crops we'll before the time when
the last bolls were set. This practice
has been very largely abandoned,
however, owing to dire necessity. The
importance of keeping the cotton
squaring long enough to protect the
bolls until safe from injury has been
mentioned, and the best way to ac-
complish this result is to continue cul-
tivation until fairly late in the season,
at least two or three weeks beyond
the usual time of laying by" This
is, of course, somewhat dangerous
practice since it is a critical period in
the boiling of the cotton plant, and 1t
is very easy to bring on absolute dis
aster to the crop by improper Guilt
walton at this time. Consequently, all
care1essness at this season should be
..o:doJ ,nd tho o1OU should not be