Feb. io, 1923 Influence of Fertilizers Containing Borax on Cotton 441 
Borax caused the greatest injury to cotton in the early stages, either 
preventing germination or in lesser amounts merely retarding growth and 
preventing chlorophyll formation. A record of observations made three 
weeks after planting is given in Table V. 
Table V.— Effect of varying quantities of borax on the growth of cotton on Colbert silt 
loam at Muscle Shoals, Ala., in 1920 
[Observations were made three weeks after planting.] 
Quantity of 
borax applied 
per acre. 
No borax... 
1 pound.... 
2 pounds... 
3 pounds... 
No borax... 
4 pounds... 
5 pounds... 
10 pounds.. 
No borax... 
20 pounds.. 
30 pounds.. 
50 pounds.. 
No borax... 
100 pounds. 
200 pounds. 
400 pounds. 
No borax... 
Fertilizers applied on May 10, 
Sec. 1.—In the row and seed 
planted 10 days later. 
Normal. 
-do.. 
-do.. 
Normal. 
_do.. 
-do.. 
Slight retarding. 
Somewhat stunted... , 
Germination low; 
plants show yellow¬ 
ing. 
Germination about 50 
per cent; plants dy¬ 
ing. 
Only an occasional 
seed germinated; 
plants about dead. 
No germination. 
Sec. 2.—In the row and seed 
planted immediately. 
Normal. 
... .do.. 
_do.. 
Normal. 
-do . 
....do.. 
Slight injury. 
Plants small; many 
dying. 
Germination low; 
plants dying. 
Only an occasional 
seed germinated; 
plants, dying. 
Seven seeds germi¬ 
nated; plants about 
dead. 
No germination. 
Sec. 3.—Broadcast and seed 
planted immediately. 
Normal. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Slight retarding. 
Do. 
Somewhat stunted. 
Germination decreased 
and plants dying. 
Germination decreased 
about 70 per cent; 
most plants dead. 
Twelve seeds germi¬ 
nated and plants 
died. 
The quantity of borax required to produce a noticeable injury to cotton 
receiving fertilizer in the row was 20 pounds. To lower germination 
appreciably and cause the death of any very large percentage of the 
plants 50 pounds were necessary. Where the fertilizer was used in the 
row and planting was delayed for 10 days the injuries seemed to be 
decreased about 50 to 75 per cent. Distributing the fertilizer broadcast, 
as in section 3, decreased the effects as much or possibly slightly more 
than delaying planting. It is shown that any method of use which 
decreased the concentration of the borax around the plant roots markedly 
decreases the injuries. 
During the 10 days preceding the planting, May 1 to 10, 2.06 inches 
rain fell, and for the 10-day period following the planting 3.34 inches 
rain fell. On the second day after planting 1.6 inches precipitation 
occurred, which was followed by light showers for several days. On the 
seventh day after planting there was a rainfall of 1.56 inches. The total 
rainfall for the month was 5.70 inches. 
