Thaxton, Ernest L Jr 1974-06-02
Ernest Thaxton, researcher for Northern Star Seed Company, discusses the history of cotton defoliation, its significance and function.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ernest L. Thaxton Jr.
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 02, 1974
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour 50 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Summary of career,
Family background,
Farming failures mentioned,
Work with Lubbock experiment station reviewed,
Origins and development of defoliation use discussed,
Problems with early defoliation (Phase 1) recalled,
Role of dessication (Phase 2) described,
Third phase defined,
Historical phases dated,
Use of defoliation discussed,
Chemical companies recalled,
Description of defoliation promotion,
Cost of defoliation, farm chemicals examined,
Insecticides discussed,
Reasons for limited development of farm chemicals given,
Abuses mentioned,
Defoliation in Viet Nam cited,
Personalities in defoliation development listed,
Attitude toward number of cotton varieties expressed.
Tape 1, Side 2: Description of "private" contrasted to "public" (State) research functions,
Significance of defoliation discussed,
Use in Central Texas,
Cotton mechanization on the Plains noted,
Felix Macha's contribuation mentioned,
Opinion of cloud seeding expressed,
Water depletion and cotton variety related.
Tape 2, Side 1: Born, Lubbock, Texas (1923),
Graduated, Lubbock High School (1940),
Texas Technological College,
Bachelor of Science (1948),
Air Force,
Texas Agriculture Experiment Station,
Lubbock,
Masters of Science, Texas Tech (1956),
Substation Superintendent, Pecos, Texas,
Substation Superintendent, Artesia, New Mexico,
Santa Domingo,
Manager, Northern Star Seed Farms (NSSF) (1972),
Training in agronomy,
Interest in agriculture,
Northern Star Seed Farms,
Organized (1934),
Sam Reed,
Mr. Lackerd,
Northern Star Cotton,
Northern Star #11,
Northern Star #411,
Northern Star #5,
Sam Reed,
Died, 1968,
Tommy Thrasher,
Purchased NSSF,
Moved farm to Lubbock,
Mr. (?) Thaxton,
Cotton manager and breeder,
Dr. (?) Mockford,
Breeder,
Original Northern Star Cotton.
Tape 2, Side 2: Original Northern Star Cotton (continued),
Characteristics,
Cotton breeding,
New breeds,
Maintaining good selling cotton,
Exotic breeds,
Cotton choices,
Arkansas cotton,
R4 cotton,
Northern Star #411,
Northern Star #5,
Northern Star #998,
Northern Star R4A,
Cotton hopefuls,
Less water,
Thinner leaves,
Breeding farm,
Location,
Marketing area,
Cash crop,
Mechanization.
Range Dates: 1923-1968
Bulk Dates: 1923-1968
Access Information
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Transcript:
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