24 KNAPP METHOD OF GROWING COTTON 



cotton plant must be grown where there are at 

 least six months warm sunshine. The dates of 

 killing frost in spring and fall are every impor- 

 tant with the cotton grower. While the picking 

 sometimes extends into the winter months, a 

 killing frost stops all growth and frequently 

 spoils considerable quantities of immature bolls. 

 If the temperature is uniformly high, day and 

 night, the young plant develops rapidly. On 

 the other hand, should there be cold nights or a 

 sudden drop in the temperature, the growth of 

 the young plant is seriously checked and the 

 stand may be so injured that replanting is 

 necessary. The extreme sensitiveness of the 

 cotton plant to cold makes it important that 

 planting be delayed for seasonable weather. 

 There is nothing gained by planting before the 

 ground and air have been sufficiently warmed 

 to insure quick germination; besides, there is 

 danger of losing the choicest seed if planted too 

 soon. With warm weather, good cultivation, 

 and a normal amount of moisture, the plant 

 should reach maximum stalk growth by the 

 first of August. After this the principal busi- 

 ness of the plant should be to develop and 

 mature fruit. 



