28 BULLETIN 564, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the other on the west. In most cases in the following report the 

 average of the records made on these two check plats is given 

 instead of the individual records of the two, as this average should 

 compare best with the conditions existing between the two checks. 

 Three treated plats were arranged between these two check plats. 

 The first of these, plat 2, was picked once a week for six weeks ; plat 

 3 was picked twice a week for six pickings, while plat 4 was picked 

 once a week for four weeks. 



As considered during the period of treatment, each plat was 22 

 rows in width and 380 feet long. This made the area of each plat 

 exactly 1 acre. However, it was recognized that there would 

 probably be some interplat effect at the dividing lines, so a buffer 

 system was arranged between each two plats at the time of picking 

 in order to absorb as much as possible of this interplat effect. This 

 system consisted of omitting four rows on each side of each dividing 

 line. As the checks adjoined plats on only one side, this resulted 

 in four rows being dropped from each check, while eight rows were 

 dropped from each picked plat. Thus the checks finally considered 

 consisted of 0.82 of an acre each, while the picked plats each con- 

 sisted of 0.64 of an acre. However, all figures given in the present 

 report, with the exception of those of production, are based on plats 

 of 1 acre each, and, of course, the production was reduced to an 

 acreage basis. In order to protect the plats further from outside 

 influence a buffer system across the ends of the picked plats was 

 maintained throughout the picking period. For this purpose the 

 pickings were extended about 30 feet beyond the plat fines at each 

 end each time a plat was picked. 



This cut was. planted in corn and peas during 1915, and a very 

 heavy growth was turned under. This resulted in the land being in 

 excellent condition with the exception of a rather spotted infestation 

 of nut-grass extending along the back of the cut. However, the 

 back end of the plats was moved forward sufficiently to avoid this 

 grassy area almost entirely. The drainage throughout all plats was 

 very good, and there was no apparent water injury at any time, in 

 spite of the excessive rains during July. The cotton was the Simpkins 

 Ideal variety, which had been planted on April 5. A very good 

 stand was secured over all the plats. 



PICKINGS. 



As in the case of the Hecla experiment, the idea was to begin the 

 pickings as soon as the weevils became sufficiently abundant to make 

 the operation worth while. Plant-infestation studies were made in 

 the same manner as those already described for Hecla plantation. 

 On May 10, 1,000 plants were examined and no weevils found; on 

 May 17 three weevils were found on 1,000 plants, while on May 23 one 



