54 COTTON CULTURE 



what are known as ' uplands,' where the soil is worn and poor. 

 When it occurs early in the season, the cotton sometimes 

 makes but little progress before the leaves turn red, growth 

 ceases, and early maturity sets in, and the leaves drop, 

 while the plant bears from one to two or several bolls." 



Remedy. The same authority says: "It results from 

 an impoverished condition of the soil, showing a lack es- 

 pecially of potash and nitrogen, and probably also of 

 phosphoric acid. This can be remedied by proper ferti- 

 lizing and cultivation." 



SHEDDING OF BOLLS 



This is the most serious of cotton diseases. It occurs 

 most frequently in extreme wet or dry weather, or during 

 a change from one extreme to another. It may develop 

 under normal conditions, especially if the cotton plants 

 are very thick, or the variety is one which develops a very 

 large amount of fruit in proportion to the leaf surface. 



Remedy. The authorities give no definite remedy. 

 The disease seems to be influenced by the power of the 

 plant to assimilate nourishment. It is quite probable that 

 this disease, like the yellow and red leaf blight, is a result 

 of imperfect fertilization. Thorough tillage should have 

 much influence in checking the disease, from its value in 

 preventing irregularities in soil water. 



FRENCHING 



The first sign of the disease is usually a light yellowing 

 of the lower leaves at the edge, or more commonly between 



