Joi H.NAi. OK I'lii', l)i:r Airi Mi:.\ T ok A(. i.'k ri/riHK. — Oct., 1922. 



Cotton Crowing. 



.\ lit nihdiKiiKi, 'Atil iildiid .— \\\\\d\\ iidvise iiif oil llic tolldw i ii<^- 

 ])()iii1s relalivc to coHoii. 'I'lip iillilude averas-es al)out lOOO feet, 

 and ilie lainlall between 2(> and oO inclies i)er annuiii. (1) Wlial 

 variet\- ot cotton would \o\\ veconinieiid for this localityy (2) How 

 does tiie len^-tli of staple of tlie variety you would leconiniend (•()ni])are 

 with otlier varieties ^ (3) Is this variety in demand by the spinners, 

 and what facilities exist for the disposal of a fairly lar<^e i)arcel ^ 

 (4) ])() you know where seed may be obtained (al)out ;")()()() lb.), and 

 at what' pricey (•")) AVhat would be the most suitable time to plants 



The Chief, Tolxicca uml Cnllon Dtrismn, icplies: — The altitude 

 and rainfall both seem very satisfactory foi- the production of cotton. 

 (1)1 sh(Uibj not like to say \\liich \aricty will be best suited to your 

 locality, l)ut the juimes of two or three varieties, in the order of 

 ])robable iiieiit, are: Zululand Hybrid, (xriftin. Watt's Long Staple, 

 Improved liancroft. (2) These varieties should give you a staple 

 ranging l)etweeji I'/n; to I'Vi,; i'K'li in length. I-"!) A staple of this 

 length would be in fairly strong demand at all times. If there 

 should be no purcdiaser in this country for your crop, you could 

 have it ginned and shipped to the Biitish or European markets, 

 where there is always a demand. (4) Seed of the above-mentioned 

 varieties may be obtained from the following addresses: — Zuluhnid 

 Hybrid from K. Loffer, Nongonui, Zululand; (xrifhn from the 

 Manager, N'Ksini Estates, Weenen, Natal; Watt's Long Staple and 

 Improved liancroft by communicating w\\\\ the Tobacco and Cotton 

 Expert, ]iarberton. The prices of any of this seed Avill range from 

 3d. to Gd. per lb. I am not sure that you will get the amount you 

 require except of (xriffin, of which you can gc! as much as you wish 

 at 4d. per lb., Avith a 10 per cent, discount, cash Avith order. (5) 

 The nu)st suitable time to plant is October or ]S^oveniber, as soon us 

 the spring rains set in. 



Moisture Control in Stored Maize. 



Elivi //(Ksj)H(il, Xoilhei)! Trd/tsraiil. — What is the average 

 humidity left in the grain, say, at the end of October? W^hat quantity 

 and strength unslaked linie must be used to absorb the moisture, 

 considering that good, unslaked lime is not easily ])i'ocuiable here? 



P()lehefsLioo)ii School of Ajjrlcitl lure leplies : — JJy the end of 

 ( )ctober, unless there have been rains, the maize should not contain 

 more than 8.0 per cent, to !).") per cent, of moisture. Tests made 

 on seA^eral varieties showed the minimum moisture content to be 

 reached about the end of August. As soon as the rainy season starts, 

 the moistiire content increases again. IMuue is no danger in putting 

 maize Avith such a moisture content into tanks — without quicklime. 

 A moisture content above 12.5 per cent, is considered dangerous. 



As good unslaked lime is not easily procured, tAA'o to four pounds 

 50 to 75 per cent, calcium-oxide variety should be quite sufhcient 

 for every 100 lb. of graiji. If spread in open boxes, a few inches 

 deep, it AA'ould do moie good than in double l)ags. 



