26 
in most of the experiments of the Bureau of Entomology.*. Hawkins’ 
Early Prolific and Simkins have given good results in recent experi- 
ments of the State crop pest commission of Louisiana. In all cases it 
will pay the planter to exercise care in obtaining seed. Wherever 
possible it should be obtained from the originator. 
Heavy cotton seed.—The Department of Agriculture has called at- 
tention to the advantage of planting heavy cotton seed (see Farmers’ 
Bulletin No. 285). This should be taken into consideration along 
with other means of obtaining an early and vigorous stand. Another 
recent suggestion of assistance in obtaining an early start in the 
spring is that the planting be facilitated by covering the seed with 
paste. This method will make it possible to use an ordinary corn 
planter in putting in cotton seed and facilitate the work of check- 
rowing. This matter is discussed fully in the Farmers’ Bulletin just 
referred to. 
Early planting—Another step to be taken in obtaining an early 
crop, and fully as important as those that have been mentioned, is 
early planting itself. Naturally no set rule can be laid down as to 
the proper date for planting. There is much variation in the seasons, 
and it is sometimes impossible to place the fields in readiness as early 
as is desirable. Much of the effect of early planting is lost unless the 
seed bed is in good condition. Rather than plant abnormally early 
it would be better to improve the seed bed. It is not recommended 
that planting be made at dangerously early dates. Nevertheless, with 
proper preliminary attention to the fields it would be possible for 
farmers in most localities to plant from ten to twenty days earlier 
Some of the early maturing varieties of cotton happen to have small bolls, 
although the plant breeders hold that there is no necessity of an early maturing 
cotton having small bolls. In view of the fact, however, that some of the best 
known early maturing varieties at the present time have undersized bolls, occa- 
sional objections have been made to planting them. It is true that the picking 
of cotton from these varieties sometimes involves difficulties. In some cases it 
is known that pickers have refused to pick small-boll cottons while any other 
cotton was available despite the offer of additional payment on account of slow 
picking in the fields of the smaller bolled cotton, This is an actual, practical 
difficulty that must be taken into consideration. At the present time it is suffi- 
cient to call attention to the fact that the practical disadvantage of small bolls 
may not be as important as appears at first glance. For instance, if small-boll 
varieties yield 100 pounds of seed cotton per acre more than ordinary cotton, 
this gain would permit the farmer to pay 10 per cent more for picking, with 
profit. Thus: 
750 pounds small-bolled cotton per acre picked at $1 per ewt., cotton at 
$3: per cwt.; Det profit <2_-) SS ee ee eee $15. 00 
650 pounds large-bolled cotton per acre picked at 90 cents per ewt., cotton 
sold) at-$3 per ewt., net. profits: -- eee .13. 65 
Difference in favor of small-boll cotton eae lees 
344 
