COTTON . 107 
In fact, among planters nowadays, there is a 
tendency to delay the planting period because of 
this grass menace returning with each planting 
season. Where early maturing characteristics are 
bred into the plant this practice will prove desir- 
able, since it favors grass and weed destruction by 
reason of the general cultivation given before the 
crop is planted. 
The use of harrows and weeders immediately 
after planting, and for some weeks later, will 
materially assist in the battle which must be con- 
stantly waged against grass — against "General 
Green," as the Southern phrase has it. 
During the early growing period of the plant, 
not heavy storms, but rain in frequent showers,— 
preferably at night with much sunshine during the 
day— is the sort of weather in which cotton 
rejoices. . . 
Dry weather during the maturing period, is 
especially favorable to cotton production, and 
happily for the farmer, this dryness is peculiarly 
prevalent throughout the Cotton Belt in late sum- 
mer and early fall. , 
It is probable that the first half of the plant s 
life is the more important half. In the latter half, 
drought, excessive rains, insects, shedding of bloom 
and bolls, and even other troubles we have con- 
stantly. Still if the plant and the crop reaches 
July safely and in thrifty growing condition, the 
planter is reasonably sure that an average crop 
will be gathered. 
SUNSHINE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE 
Cotton grows only in warm lands where there 
is a great deal of sunshine. It is truly a sun plant, 
