Boy's Cotton Growing Contest 1913

-Rules

1. Must live in Chandler, Higley, Barkley, or Kyrene School district.

1. Contestants must be under the age of 17.

1. Each must cultivate and raise a measured half acre.

1. Land may be prepared by parents for boys under the age of 14.  There will be a margin of 15 percent for boys under the age of 14.  All other work must be done by contestants. 

1. Cotton must be weighed at the Chandler Gin.

1. There will be margin of 15 percent will be allowed for boys who grow on raw land against those growing on old alfalfa land.

Prizes: $75 cash for the largest yield, and $25 for second place.  For the third place winner there will be one thoroughbred Duroc Jersey Gilt bred, donated by W.J. Lembke.  To the boy who meets or exceeds 1440 pounds of seed cotton, a record set by Ralph Wilson of El Centro, he will get one thoroughbred Poland China Gilt in addition to a cash prize, which was donated by George T. Peabody.  Also $100  in cash will be given to the boy, who selecting his seed from this year's crop makes the largest increase in the crop of the year following.  (Chandler Arizonan 2/14/1913)

-After last week's article boys bombarded the Arizonan for more copies so they could enter the contest.  (Chandler Arizonan 2/21/1913)

-A meeting was held in the school house Wednesday evening.  There are 16 boys who have signed up with ages ranging from 12 to 16.  (Chandler Arizonan 2/28/1913)

-The seed for the contest has arrived, and is being stored at the office of the Chandler Improvement Company.  Secretary Peabody will be rationing them out next week.  (Chandler Arizonan 3/14/1913)

-Mr. Peabody visited some of the boys' cotton fields this last Saturday, and observed many of them were doing better than their parents.  The biggest problem he saw was the land needed more cultivation since the land was too dry.

He visited the homes of John O'Neill, Willie Kreidt and George Kreidt, and Mallory.  (Chandler Arizonan 5/16/1913)