FARM CROPS. in 



is the most popular for uplands. The boll weevil 

 greatly curtails the long staple crop, as all long staple 

 varieties mature later than short staple varieties, and 

 the boll weevils become very numerous in late summer, 

 destroying all squares and young bolls. 



Short Staple. Fibers of less length than given above 

 are classed as " short staple." The bulk of the cotton 

 crop is of this kind. Market quotations are based on 

 " middlings," " short staple " as a standard. Coarse 

 cloth is made of short lint, the finer grades of longer 

 staple. Where the boll weevil is to be contended with, 

 the King, Simpkin's, Toole's and Cook's Improved are 

 among the best small boll early varieties. The Tri- 

 umph and Rowden are large boll early varieties suited 

 to some soils. 



EXERCISE. Give the names of the varieties of cotton of your 

 section. What types are they? Classify them as having large and 

 small bolls ; large and small seed ; : as branching high and close to the 

 ground ; as early and late maturing. Do you know of any planters 

 selecting and improving cotton? Secure leaves arid stalks of as many 

 varieties as possible and make notes of their differences. 



SECTION XX. THE CULTURE OF COTTON. 



Preparation of Soil for Planting. Where flat cul- 

 tivation is practiced, or where grain has been the pre- 

 ceding crop, the land is generally plowed broadcast 

 and harrowed in preparation for the planting of cot- 

 ton. Where cotton follows a previous crop of cotton 

 and cultivation is in ridges, the preparation generally 

 consists of listing two or four furrows on the old 

 middles and subsequently breaking out the old row. 

 This may be accomplished with a double mold board 

 plow or other implement. The newly formed ridge 

 is harrowed with an A harrow. In most soils it is 

 advantageous to prepare the land as far in advance 

 of the planting as practicable. Running a double 

 mold board plow down the old middle before listing 

 gives better preparation than can be secured without 



