Holly Springs gazette., 1842-11-18
COTTON SEED FOR MANURE

Cotton seed is a valuable manure for
corn, and often used in a green unprepared
state, by persons whose knowledge and opln-
ions OF agriculture are entitled to the highest
consideration; but the experience OF the
Committee Is, that some preparation is ne
cessary to prevent termination, which Is
sure 10 follow their use IN an unprepared
state, more injurious to them than evapora-
ton while undergoing fermentation. A
machine for crushing them would be pre-
| ferable, but in the absence of any thing
of the kind they should be kept dry until a
bout three or four weeks before planting, and
thrown in large heaps, then take about four
bushels of seed, wet them through, (hot wa
ter would be best) and place them in the
middle of the heap; fermentation soon takes
place-the vegetating quality is destroyed,
and they are fit for use. Cotton seed as
manure, is not OF long duration, their effects
seldom continue longer than one or two sea
sons at furthest, and should be used as a top
dressing for corn.
One of your Committee has made an ex-
pertinent with cotton seed on twenty acre
fed, planted in hills; on one half of which
the seed were dropped in the check. in the
bottom of the furrow, and separated with the
hand, leaving space between sufficient for
the corn to reach the earth. On the other
, part the corn being covered lightly and fiat
Iy with the hoe and the seed were placed
on the top ofthe hill on that part manured
on the top, he had decidedly a better stand
] (which will always be the case,) and from
his own observations, and those of the mar
employed to superintend his business, a mucl
better crop.
$ He had also used the compost raised fror
his stables, barn-yards, and cow-lots, wit
I success, as top-dressing for corn. 1t ma
' not be amiss TO observe, that la order to pre-
tect manure on hills agains. washing rain
= it will be necessary to run round the cor
9 Immediately after planting with the plough
d which partially covers the manure, and S
Il soon as the slalk is out of the way of bird
d it should be thinned, and receive Iigt
g dressing from the hoe, which completed
T. covers it.
~ Your Committee cannot too highly r,
u commend cotton seed as manure for whea
u no preparation Is necessary. Fifteen c
e twenty bushels to the acre of ordinary LAM
d will give it fine healthy appearance. and
oi more luxuriant growth which will enable
y; to resist the ravages of those destructive Ii
I. tie insects, the Hessian fly. the common en-
IL my of the wheat crop, as it is on the poor
II lands that their effects are more seriousl
au felt A good dressing of cotton-seed caus
e. the wheat to mature much earlier, and pr
us vents the ras so often fatal to the crop,
a our late sowing, adopted as preventive
'e- gainst the fly. There is another and pc
r haps greater advantage the farmer deriv
! from the use of cotton on his wheat CROP
De 1t leaves a heavier coat of stubble and
more bountiful growth OF weeds whic
turned under in the fall or winter, fertiliz
re- the land and what is equally desirable,
ng prevents the deleterious effects of the hea,
rains of spring and summer more to
n dreaded on our hills lands than the we
and tear from ordinary cultivation.
'n- ALsEY FULLER, Chairman.