24 



larger growth of the plant and a consequent earlier and greater pro- 

 duction of squares. It would appear that herein lies the principal 

 value of fertilizers, as related to the production of an earh' crop. 



On the Pittsburg farm, attention is called to the larger and earlier 

 yields obtained from the use of a fertilizer containing 10 per cent of 

 phosphoric acid and 2 per cent of potash, and from the use of 14 per 

 cent acid phosphate alone, as compared with a complete fertilizer 

 analyzing, phosphoric acid 8 per cent, nitrogen 2 per cent, and potash 

 2 per cent. On the Wills Point farm the largest yield was obtained 

 from the use of 14 per cent acid phosphate. Plats I, II, and IV, how- 

 ever, show approximately the same total yield. The comparative 

 earliness ma}^ be indicated froui the following weights of seed cotton 

 picked by August 2G: Plat I, 2,325 pounds; Plat II, 2,029 pounds; 

 Plat IV, 2,554 pounds. This gives again a slight balance in favor of 

 an acid phosphate and potash fertilizer as to earliness of crop. It may 

 also be mentioned here that in the fertilizer experiments in 1904, on 

 the plantation of Capt. B. D. Wilson, Hetty, Tex., on rich "•bottom" 

 soil, the use of 400 pounds per acre of a phosphoric acid and potash 

 mixture gave a considerably larger early and total 3'ield of cotton than 

 did the use of 300 and 450 pounds per acre, respectively, of phosphoric 

 acid. The first picking from phosphoric acid and potash mixture 

 plats, September 3, was 409 pounds seed cotton per acre. From the 

 plat treated with 300 pounds acid phosphate, 3541 pounds of seed cot- 

 ton per acre were secured; and from the plat receiving 450 pounds of 

 acid phosphate the 3'ield was 355 1 pounds of seed cotton per acre. 

 The total yield of seed cotton per acre from the respective plats was 

 l,387f pounds, 1,153 pounds, and l,280f pounds. 



It is, however, onh' intended to point out the usefulness, in general, 

 of employing fertilizers in a sj'^stem of cotton culture designed to pro- 

 duce a crop ahead of bollworm injury. The exact character of the 

 fertilizer and the quantity per acre to be used are matters of further 

 experimentation. The previousl}^ tabulated data in regard to fertil- 

 izers should furnish planters with a basis for experimentation In- which 

 they will finally arrive at conclusions true, for their respective soils. 



Of equal importance in the production of earh' cotton is the use of 

 varieties with an inherent tendenc}' to begin fruiting early in the 

 growth of the plant, or low on the plant, and on which the joints are 

 short. Observant planters need not be told of the great difference in 

 -fruiting habit of different varieties of cotton. The long--limbed sorts 

 are necessarily later in setting squares, and they are also less prolific 

 than those with shorter joints. The desirable qualities, as earl}'^ fruit- 

 ing, good staple, etc., may be perpetuated and improved b}" seed selec- 

 tion. Seasonal conditions, such as a shorter growing season, have led, in 

 the northern part of the cotton belt, to the use of early-fruiting, prolific 

 varieties in those sections. Seed of such varieties, especiall}^ the King, 



