12 BULLETIN 291, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
plant an acre of gronnd ? How many ponnds would that require 
for the different varieties? Source of cotton seed? How many 
pounds of cotton seed do the best farms in your district raise on an 
acre? How many hales of cotton do the best farms hi your district 
raise on an acre ? Show how the production per acre may be increased 
and the fertility of the soil maintained. 
References. — U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook Sep. 579; Farmers' Buls. 
36; 48; 364; 501, pp. 11-13, 21; 510,, pp. 13. 14: 601, pp. 3, 4, 6, 7; 
Bureau of Plant Industry Che. 1130; Office of Experiment Stations 
Bui. 33, p. 261. 
LESSON rx. 
Subject. — The cultivation of cotton. 
Topics for study. — Stages at which a weeder or harrow is needed 
hi the cultivation of cotton. Importance of first tillage. Under 
what special conditions may the tumplow be used for "barring off" 
cotton ? Shallow cultivation. Proper depth of cultivation. Fre- 
quency of renewal. Advantages of closer spacing. What is best to 
sow in cotton along in August in order to make winter pasturage? 
What can be sowed at the last kk plowing" of cotton that will serve 
as a winter cover to the land and furnish humus-forming material 
to be turned under the following spring? Discuss the importance 
of such a practice. 
Exercises. — The effect of frequent shallow cultivation to maintain 
soil moisture may be shown by filling two cans or flower pots with 
rich soil and planting cotton. When the plants are 2 inches high cover 
the soil in one pot with a layer of coarse sand or granular dry soil 
to a depth of 1 inch. Place in a warm place and observe which 
plants first show the need of water. 
References. — A New System of Cotton Culture and Its Application 
is the title of Farmers' Bui. 601. Practice of cultivation on a profit- 
able cotton farm may be found in Farmers' Bui. 364, pp. 13, 14. 
Bureau of Plant Industry Circ. 1130. Office of Experiment Stations 
Bui. 33, p. 261. Nearly all the cotton States have one or more 
bulletins on this subject. These should always be procured from the 
State agricultural college and studied in class. 
LESSON X. 
Subject. — Insect and other enemies of cotton. 
Topics for study. — The bollworm. The Mexican cotton-boll weevil. 
The cotton caterpillar. The cotton red spider. The nematode womi. 
The cowpea-pod weevil. 
Exercises. — Find out from the farmers hi the district the extent 
to which cotton is injured by the above insects. The teacher and 
pupils should study the features of the life history and of the 
seasonal history of the weevil that are of cardinal importance in 
