The directio"ns swit required each plot to be one-eighth 

 •of an acre in area, Kows were 3 1-2 feet apart, and each ex- 

 perimenter was advised to so thin the cotton as to leave the 

 same number of plants on each plot, preferable at distances 

 •of IS inches between plants. 



The directions stated that land employed for this test 

 should be level and uniform, not manured in recent vears, 

 •and not new ground, or subject to overflow, and that it 

 should be representative of large soil areas in its vicinity. 

 The need of perfect uniformity of treatment for all plots 

 (except as to kinds of fertilizers used) was emphasized. 



Fertilizers were applied in the usual manner — that is, 

 •drilled. 



The Rainfall. 

 The following data are taken from the records of the Ala- 

 'bama section of the ^^'eather Bui-eau and show the average 

 -1-ainfall for the State: 



In the summer of 1902 occurred a drought of unprecedented dura- 

 tion. This was general and in many localities there was little 

 "or no rain from April to August. Hence results of that year should- 

 be given less weight than those for the other years. In 1904 there 

 was a deficiency of rain in spring and an Injurious drought begin- 

 *ning aboxit th<e middle of August. 



