Red Cross Dynamite Increased Cotton Yield 150% 



"Thirty-five dollars' worth of Du Font's Red Cross Dynamite resulted 

 this year in an increased cotton yield of 150 per cent. 



Land that never before had produced over one bale to the acre has this 

 year yielded two and one-half bales of 500 pounds each. Other lands lying 

 immediately alongside the dynamited land, and which were treated the same in 

 every particular save dynamiting, made only one bale to the acre; while still 

 other land removed only the width of a plantation roadway from the dyna- 

 mited field yielded less than one-half bale to the acre. 



The above highly profitable cotton-growing experience was realized this 

 year on the plantation of Mr. J. G. Spivey, near Eatonton, Ga., and has been 

 witnessed throughout the year by hundreds of interested citizens of Putnam 

 County. 



The land is a red, sticky soil, located on the summit of a ridge not less 

 than one-quarter of a mile from the nearest running water of any kind. 

 Heretofore the average crop has been less than one-half bale. This year 

 the splendid yield of two and one-half bales has been realized; and that, too, 

 when at least enough bolls to make a half bale dropped off during some cool 

 nights in July. To Du Font's Red Cross Dynamite is due the credit. 



That dynamiting is the direct cause of the increased yield is evident from the 

 fact that on all lands not dynamited, yet prepared and cultivated in exactly the 

 same way as the dynamited land save in this one particular, the usual yield of 

 only one bale was made, while the dynamited field gave two and one-half bales 

 to the acre. 



When the land had been disced and subsoiled, it was laid off in six-foot 

 checks. At each check was placed a charge of Du Font's Red Cross Dynamite.* 

 The blasting broke and tore the land thoroughly to the depth of from three to 

 five feet through subsoil and hardpan. The ground was again disced and har- 

 rowed, then allowed to stand till planting. 



Cleveland big boll variety of cotton was used, being planted in three 

 and one-half foot checks, and thinned to two stalks in a hill. A perfect stand 

 was secured, and the crop grew rapidly. Beginning in early June and lasting 

 for seven weeks a severe drouth came upon the cotton at its most critical 

 time. Cotton on undynamited land lying immediately alongside the dynamited 

 field stopped growing and also wilted. Dynamited cotton suffered no delay what- 

 ever, no wilting or other evidences of injury. In August a long-continued rainy 

 season caused a much too rapid growth and fruiting of undynamited cotton, with 

 a consequent heavy falling off of squares. This was not experienced in the 

 Spivey dynamited field. 



Long after other cotton had ceased to grow this dynamited cotton con- 

 tinued to spread out and to fruit, and even to this day, the 25th of October, 

 it has a large number of new blooms upon it, while other crops shown in the 

 photographs are dead and the entire crop made and gathered. During the 

 year the dynamited cotton has not suffered a day from worms or blight of any 

 kind. The average height of dynamited stalks was five feet, while that not 

 dynamited ranged from eighteen to thirty inches. Dynamited cotton fruited 

 very heavily and thoroughly. In hills of two stalks 255 bolls were counted, 

 while in hills of one .stalk 158 bolls were to be seen. 



This field of dynamited cotton has been the sensation of Putnam county's 

 farming circles this year. Many visitors have gone out to witness this modern 

 method of farming, and every one confesses it to be the finest field of cotton 

 ever grown in Putnam county." 



The writer of the above states that Mr. Spivey's land was laid off in six-foot checks 

 and that at each check a charge of dynamite was exploded. Unless the subsoil on this 

 plantation was exceptionally hard, more dynamite was used and more work done on this 

 subsoil than was necessary. Ordinarily, placing charges at the corners of 15 foot squares 

 as explained above is entirely sufficient. Another point to bear in mind is that blasting with 

 dynamite is not necessary every year, as the effect endures many years when the work is 

 properly done. So that cost can be distributed over, at least, five crops, thus greatly reducing 

 cost of cultivation per crop. 



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