COTTON 107 



In fact, among planters nowadays, there is a 

 tendency to delay the planting period because of 

 this grass menace returning with each planting 

 season. Where early maturing characteristics are 

 bred into the plant this practice will prove desir- 

 able, since it favors grass and weed destruction by 

 reason of the general cultivation given before the 

 crop is planted. 



The use of harrows and weeders immediately 

 after planting, and for some weeks later, will 

 materially assist in the battle which must be con- 

 stantly waged against grass against "General 

 Green," as the Southern phrase has it. 



During the early growing period of the plant, 

 not heavy storms, but rain in frequent showers, - 

 preferably at night with much sunshine during the 

 day is the sort of weather in which cotton 

 rejoices. 



Dry weather during the maturing period, is 

 especially favorable to cotton production, and 

 happily for the farmer, this dryness is peculiarly 

 prevalent throughout the Cotton Belt in late sum- 

 mer and early fall. 



It is probable that the first half of the plant's 

 life is the more important half. In the latter half, 

 drought, excessive rains, insects, shedding of bloom 

 and bolls, and even other troubles we have con- 

 stantly. Still if the plant and the crop reaches 

 July safely and in thrifty growing condition, the 

 planter is reasonably sure that an average crop 

 will be gathered. 



SUNSHINE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE 



Cotton grows only in warm lands where there 

 is a great deal of sunshine. It is truly a sun plant, 



