THE DRY ROT IN COTTON. 175 



*jurious to sandy soils, and on these it appears most malig- 

 nant in those fields which have been longest in cultivation. 

 It is seen, however, in places where the lands have been well 

 manured and cultivated. I am informed the lime or cane 

 brake lands are suffering to some extent with it. 



In this vicinity, it is felt as a serious drawback on our crops 

 from one hundred to three hundred pounds per acre, all of our 

 crops will suffer from it, and this after the bolls seemed to 

 have matured. Hence, we have conversed on the subject a 

 good deal, and the writer has concluded to call your attention 

 to it, and ask, if the cause is known to yourself or older plant- 

 ers than we are. The specific inquiry or inquiries we would 

 ask of your better judgment, are, whether this rot is probably 

 caused by peculiarity of soil ? Or, is it the result of the sea- 

 sons (these have of late been uniform) ? Or the mode of 

 cultivation ; has this influenced it ? Is there any reason to 

 credit the conjecture that one variety of cotton is more liable 

 tharT another to this disease ? This year the rot is doing so 

 much harm to our cotton as to call for examination and reme- 

 dy, and if it should increase its ravages from year to year, it 

 would be felt as a serious evil. 



I hope the readers of the Cultivator, as well as yourselves, 

 will give attention to the subject all planters are interested, 

 at least in one point, and that is as the extent of the injury. 

 Very respectfully, I subscribe myself. 



Alabama, October, 1855. BEAVER BEND. 



IF the cotton plant should suffer as much from premature 

 decay, in the course of a few years, as the potato plant has, 

 the occurrence will not surprise us. Gangrene, whether " dry" 

 or otherwise, in vegetable and animal tissues, arises commonly 

 either from the weakening of vital force by improper nourish- 



