The State guard. [volume] (Wetumpka, Ala.) 1847-18??, 1847-06-15
From the South Carolin an.
Ef EPORT ON COTTON.

lcdNt W Ili1hC Tic lOliOVli1S hc-
port:
That the cultivation of cotton
has so long engaged the atten-
ton of the country--aided by
all the sagacity of interest--as
one of the leading staples of the
State, that it would be very diff
ficult to advance anything new
or instructive; but that the re-
marks which they propose to
make must necessarily be gener-
al and trite. They would re-,
mark, in the first instance, on
the Importance of procuring the
best seed. Experience has es-
tablished the fact that the quail
ty of any article Of produce may
be improved by care in the Sc
lection of seed, in climate con-
genial to its growth. 1t is We
ry general law of nature, that
the offspring inherits the good
or bad qualities Of its parent !;
or in other words, that like pro-
duces like. This is more partic
ularly true when applied to- the
vegetable kingdom. This sec
ton of country is not regarded
as the best adapted to the growth
of the cotton plant. The best
efforts at selection from our own
seed might not, therefore, be en-
tirely successful; but still the
committee recommend it as the
best counter against the degene.
racy of climate-as the best
means of preserving the seed in
their primitive purity. The COM
mittee would therefore, also, car
nestly recommend the frequent
renewal Of seed from the Petit
Gulf countries. In the selection
of seed from our cotton, it should
be made from the second crop of,
or middle 5olls-the first bolls on
the lower limbs being generally
small, and the seed more or less
defective. The season for the
growth of cotton is too short in
this latitude, to admit of its at
tanning to perfect maturity
Early planting is, therefore, very
important. The planting should
be SO early, if practicable, as
will just enable the young plant
TO escape the flight of frost. 1t
is true that sometimes late cot
ton, owing to the seasons, is most
productive; but the chances are
clearly against it.
The preparation of the land
for cotton should claim the ear
ly attention of the farmer or
planter in several points of view
It increases the productiveness
of the land, and consequently
the amount of crop; it abridges
the quantum of labor necessary
to its proper cultivation; and it
was requisite for the reception of
the seed. The committee deem
it unnecessary to enter into the
minutia Of this subject, as both
its importance and process are
well understood; but will pro-
coed to remark on the mode and
manner of obtaining a good stand
of cotton, without which it would
be impossible to make full crop.
Besides the selection of seed,
and preparation of land, before
adverted to, it is necessary that
the seed be dropped regularly in
the opening furrow, and with
rather too profuse than too spar
ing a hand; and then, covered
carefully over, without displace-
ment, with the soil, though not
deep, using the harrow, of one
horse double bull-tongue plough
for that purpose, after the Fair
field manner. If it is very dry,
the latter is preferable, from the
fact that it leaves sharp ridge
directly over the seed, thus pre-
venting the ground from baking,
and covering deeper, secures a
sufficiency of moisture for ger
mination, and consequently, a
good stand of cotton.
There is some diversity of
opinion as to the distance that
should be given to cotton Tie
greater number Of stalks that.