26 FAEMERS BULLETIN 848o 



from a northern locality is a practice which frequently has clone great 

 injury. The only case in which the introduction of northern seed is 

 justified is where the seed represents a variety wliich has been improved 

 with reference to early maturity. Even tliis practice is not to be 

 recommended except as an emergency measm'e when locally improved 

 seed is not available. 



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 sometimes it is 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 woidd 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 10 to 20 da3"s earUer than 

 they are accustomed to at the present time. Tliis, therefore, is the 

 general recommendation that is made. It is much better to run the 

 risk of replanting, provided the seed bed is in good condition, than 

 to defer planting on account of the danger of cold weather. Of course, 

 it is possible to plant entirely too early, so that the plants become 

 stunted during the early days of their growth. It is not intended 

 that planting should be done early enough to have this effect upon 

 the plants. 



Cultivation. — During the growing season of the crop the fields 

 should be given very careful cultivations. Most of the benefits of 

 early preparation, early plantmg, and fertilization may be lost in 

 case the fields are not given the utmost attention subsequently. In 

 case of unavoidably delayed planting the best course to pursue is to 

 cultivate the fields in the most thorough manner possible. Under 

 most conditions the old plantation rule '"once a week and one in a 

 row" should be made to apply. This will not result in the direct 

 destruction of many weevils, but it causes the plants to continue unin- 

 terruptedly in their growth. By all means such operations as deep 

 cultivation, and cultivation close to the plants, which cause shed- 

 ding, should be avoided. In many instances a fair crop akeady set 

 and beyond danger from the weevil has been lost by running the 

 plows so close that the side roots were cut and the plants have shed 

 practically all the fruit. Wlien this happens durmg the middle or 

 latter part of the season the weevils will certamly prevent the put- 

 tmg on of any more fruit. The general practice of la3mig by, by 

 scraping the middles with a wide sweep, leaves a hard surface wliich 

 causes loss of moisture and shedding. Wliere the weevil occurs, 

 every precaution must be taken to avoid shedding, as the insect will 



