The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-30
No. H.-PREPARATIoN OF LAND AND
PLANTING

Last night gave you the preparation and plant
ing OF the cotton crop; yet lcoud not in the length
OF one article, give more than a rapid survey. |
prefer short articles, and yet it is beet to be partic
ular, even minute-though there is even here an
objection; for writer should leave something for
his readers 70 think Of When plant oats land,
land that was the year previous TO rest, or corn
land, invariably break up into large beds, size
according TO width Of rows 10 be planted 20 rs to
throw watcr-furrow Of the flushing 40 a water fur
row OF the row. When four feet rows, ] run off
land thirty two feet, and keep burrows as straight
a possible, on level land. | then lay of rows, al
ways with a shovel plough, and then two burrows,
as before Sometimes open out water -furrow of
old rows, az deep as two mules can draw a shovel
plou.h bOd up 20 this entire, then open out
tor-furrow deep, and revc setwo fur owsWith one
Nurse plough. am satisfied that there is no land
plant but what Is materially benefited by breaking
up with two horse plough; then bed up with
one -horse plOugh-thus all trash, grass, seed &c,
is well buried beneath the horse plough fur
row. ] use piece OF wood, two 20 three feet long,
running level on the land, the front end shod with
iron, ior tho purpose Of opening out furrows for
planting seed. My object is 10 make a clean,
straight furrow, aud impact the loose earth. This
stick Of wood il rounded below, and fastened 10 a
shovel plough stock The sunightcr the row on
level land, or the more regular rolling land, If
circling be practscd, the closer the sCrapcr lie
run--thus giving lcss labor to hoe hands And If
cotton seed be scattered very regular, IA to give
a stand no stalks touching the hoe hand can thin
out faster, and thus save tune.
neatness and order with which Colonel Wade
Hampton plants his crop, believe could cultivate
an acre or two more per hand Being in company
with him In lS47, on a steamboat, we discussed the
subject Of planting for hour, aud he assured me
that all his burrows opened out for planting
with the corner Of the hoe, narrow and straight.
II could drop seed in furrow only an inch wide
and quite straight, ! think ] could manage two
acres Of scraping per day 20 each full hand. re-
gard planting a crop, II done in the best manner,
more in the light Of half cultivated, than many
would believe. ] have scraped three acres in
day. can dirt easily four per horse; and
can, with the solid sweep, break out four 20 nine
acre. per horse owing 20 whethsr rows be four
i've feet wide--thus, besides the carthing furrow,
u requires one or two 10 sweep out the middle.
But land has 10 be put in good order, and seed
planted in order. This matter has called for many
line from my pen in the different papers J have
written iOr, aud must be pa rdoncd Tor thus dwell
ing 70 long. IL is really no interest Of mine whe-
thcr planters cultivate well or il whether they
can cultivate fair crop easily or not, ! cannot be
benefited. Yet, az a citizen of this beautiful
world-as sujOurncr in this southern cline feel
an abiding interest in the welfare of my fellows.
Therefore, say If planters will devote more care
and attention IN filling their lands. and in putting
IN their crops in good manner, they will be able
10 make more, and yet spare their servants and
their beasts much labor in the cultivation
Look at the garden. Take ono bed aud trench
it-spade up two spades deep, reversing the coil
wen, what will be the result but suppose the
fret spit be laid on side, then the second spit
we'll and finely dug up, the first returned, reversed
or thoroughly miXed-will not that bed be more or
less moist ali the Year, And II there is chance
for water 20 pass N, will II not be ht to work after
n rain sooner than any part Of the GARDEN And
must IL not, Of necessity, produccbettcr'
admit planter cannot plant go great crop
but he will need much less 60 make an equal crop.
The misfortune IL, the body Of the cotton plant
crs want large crop, and will not be at the expense
Of team and tools. Would they not rdculo the
carpenter who, instead Of getting tools 90 tongue
and groove his flooring, would attempt TO rabbct
each side Of plank, TO dig grooves, and then dig
tor tongue, with chsel; And yet, though not
quite 80 absurd, planters net. What difference in
cost IN twenty years, IL planter buys six shovels
SIX one horse turning ploughs, three two horse
turning plouPbs, six scrapcrs, six harrows-or TO
buy all turn ploughs' These same ploughs will
last by changing those not used to be taken care
of-as long az the same number Of one kind, and
for all work. Think yo and Judge ye
Yours with respect, M w PHILIrs.
Edrards, Miss, Jan. 81, 1850.