13 



The results are decidedly in favor of the plants not topped. 

 Topping early was apparently more injurious than topping 

 after the first bolls had begun to open. 



Topping did not hasten maturity. 



SUBSOILING AND LiMING. 



This is a continuation of an experiment begun in 1896 on 

 red, rather stiff, shallow soil, inclined to bake and sensitive to 

 drought. The surface is decidedly rocky. 



" On January 29, 1896, one plot was broken to the usual 

 depth, 3 or 4 inches, with a one-horse turn plow. In this fur- 

 row followed a scooter drawn by one mule, which loosened a 

 part of the soil to an additional depth of 3^ inches. In this 

 way the soil was loosened to a depth of about 7 inches without 

 throwing up to the surface the clay of the subsoil, which is 

 temporarily poorer than the surface soil. 



" At the same time two other plots were broken with a 

 one-horse turn plow in the usual way without the subsoiling 

 scooter, and on one of these slaked lime was applied broadcast 

 at the rate of 640 lbs. per acre." 



The crop preceding the cotton of 1897 was broadcast cow 

 peas, picked, and the vines plowed under in the early part of 

 spring. 



All plots were prepared alike in 1897 in the usual way, 

 using a one-horse turn plow. 



The results for both years are given below : 



Yield per acre of seed cotton on plots limed, suOsoiled a7id 



not treated in 1896. 



SEED COTTON PES ACKE 



Treatment in 1896 



Average 

 for 2 years 



Neither limed nor subsoiled. 



Subsoiled 



Limed 



The application of 640 pounds of lime, which is a much 



