The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-30
PATENT OFFICE REPoaT-PARTn II.
cotton-Its CULTIVATION, &c,

Various causes operated TO reduce the crop Of
cotton grown in l849 below that Of l5+s Promi-
nent among these were severe frosts about the
middle Of April In all the cotton. growing States,
which destroyed the young plants, and left many
without seed to repair their loss by planting
An excess Of rain fell in the months of May, June.
and July, which was succeeded by an unusual
drought soon after. In large districts. The i'm.
mense quantity Of rain that fell did additional
damage by causing rivers TO overflow their banks
and inundate vast areas of bottom land to the de-
sruction OF cotton and other crops. These dsas.
ters were followed by cholera and other diseases OF
Il fatal character, which induced the temporary
abandonment OF many rich and promising cotton
helds Insects, also, as usual, did no inconsidera-
bic injury.
Had il not been for the high prices which
prompted the planting Of more acres than were
ever before devoted " the production OF this i'm.
portant staple, the crop of l949 would be less by
some 800 900 bales than it now IL. Unfortunately,
there no data by which we can safely estimate
the number OF acres annually planted, although
there Is no reason to doubt that, as the market
price Of the article increases, the surface cultivated
United States Is more subject To casualties than
this /; and until it is fairly gathered and housed,
no feel safe from loss AZ the product ofany
year is never all sent to market within any definite
time after II is ginned and packed (some planters
always holding their crops for higher prices,)
thing short of we-taken census can determine
the quantity made in twelve months. 1t is hoped
that the time approaches when measures will be
taken by each State to learn the amount of It's
leading crops grown every year. This can be
done with little inconvenience by the collectors
assessors OF taxes.
Every farmer can tell the quantity of his last
crops; and every one should know all that any
dealer or manufacturer knows ahou. what is an
nuaily grown and needed of tho articNs which he
produces Knowledge of this kind ID exceedingly
valuable to all classes, bat particularly 80 to that
great agricultural claas which both feeds and
clothes the world. Planters and farmers should
regard the commercial world members of one
fan
be studied with nice discrimination, to avoid, as
lar as practicable the Of producing much
Of soGae staples and too little Of others. AT present
prices there is danger Of deyoting undue attention
" cotton and too little TO grain culture, the produc
ton of meat, wool growing, stock rearing, and the
Improvement OF land. The last named object can
be best attained by pursuing judicious system
ui rotation OF crops, which implies diversified
employment OF farm labor and of capital. In this
way the planters profits will be less and then,
than by the production of one staple; but in the
course OF ten years the aggregate gain will be
larger than to depend wholly Oh cotton, with which
TO purchase every thing, including planta-
ton when the old one Is exhausted.
The crop grown in one State being often sent to
market III another, as from North Carolina and
Georgia to Charleston, and from Arkansas, Ten
ncssce, and Mississippi, to New Orleans,
unable To determine the quantity grown in each
State. The United States census, now soon TO be
taken, will furnish new and reliable data this
point. The aggregate crop of lS49 is variousy es
tinated at from 900, 900 UP to 200 900 bales of
400 pounds each. These estimates are not salts
factory to thorough statstician, for the reason
that no one Knows what amount is retained in first
hands, nor what is consumed by small mills in the
cotton growing States The quantity delivered at
the scaports is known with considerable accuracy,
and ,orms the basis OF all calculations the subject
To the planter, the average cost Of producing one
hundred pounds OF good cotton Is matter OF con-
siderable interest, and has excited not little dis
CUSTOM The estimates vary from four to six cents
a pound, with fair land and seasons of a medium
character. MIR. Simeon Oliver, of fernando, Mis-
slssippi, writes, that the average yield of sced-cot
ton is one thousand pounds per acre in that county;
and the cost of production about six cents pound.
The sugdrioqf cisier or Prout variety yields best.
MIR. L. a, Holt, OF Montgomery, Alabama, (good
authoriy) estimates the crop Of that State at four
hundred thousand bales. The Mexican Patti
Cuffs regarded as the best variety.
D.. David l.. White, of Florida, informs that
the average yield per acre there is eight hund red
pounds; and the crop per hand from three 10 four
bales. Patti Gulf Is preferred Of the upland class
of plants. Seed of the long staple obtained
from South Carolina. Mr.. j. W. Calvert, Of ST.
Francis, Arkansas, writes that they gather about
one thousand pounds of seed cotton per acre; and
in some cases much more. Varieties cultivated
Mastodon, Mexican, &c. lie prefers Mastodon for
thin land, and Mexican for rich soils. No manure
except cotton seed is used.
In southwestern Texas, cotton crops are quite un-
certain and irregular Mr. Pryor Lea writes that
the worm docs great injury.
Independently of the many draw backs on the
ten 10 the hand uncommon returns. This
indicates an excellent coil and good climate for
the production Of this staple in that part Of Texas.
In north Alabama, rs Mr.. James Williams writes
the crop was very light. At six cents pound he
regards cotton better crop than corn or wheat
Mr.. Thomas A. Heard, OF Clark county, AIkans,s,
estimates the cost Of growing a balc at SO, on
land that VIII yield ono thousand two hundred
pounds seed cotton per acre. Some lands go
nigh as two-thousand five hundred pounds Of seed
cotton, equal 10 nearly or quite two bales nj for
market
Mn samuel s. Graham, Of Coosa county, hlaba.
ma, says that cotton will grow land too poor for
wheat. lie estimates the crop OF that State at four
hundred and fifty thousand bales Of five hundred
pounds each. Cost Of production he scts down at
hyo cents pound; average yield, one hundred and
MY pounds clean cotton per acre.
Fields cultivated in this hood crop are extremely
liable 10 injury from washing rains. The warmer
climate the more water the air will hold an in
Visible vapor; aud the more suddenly and voumi
nous will be its iall in showers. large part Of
the water thus prccipitatod upon a mellow soil
of, unless the surface IL quito level, and
rics with IT, where IL forms gullies, much Of the
fno particles of mould, loan, and clay. In ths
connoxiOn IL il important 10 bear n mind that IL IL
the smallest fragments of dcca ying vegetables and
minerals which dissolve in water and enter the
roots Of cultivated plans TO fed and nourifh them.
Hence, the organic and inorganic matter bOrne
along mechanically in a muddy stream, land all
streams thathov over pioughed ground arc muddy,)
deprive the coil OF it, fertility far more than the
moyal Of an equal weight Of coarse Sand, gravel,
or compact clay. What is known by the name OF
"hll side diiching" at the South is practised by
good economists TO prevent the washing Of titled
land. The back volumes Of the Southern Ctdtipotor,
published at Augusta, Georgia, by w. ;. Jones,
contain the best accounts Of the way 20 construct
these valuable conduts TO carry on surface water
without damage To the soil.
One means OF avoiding the wash of cotton and
corn fields i 10 seed them in autumn ~ carly AZ
practicable with rye, barley, oats, or wheat. The
roots OF these plants serve TO prevent the washing
Of light soils, which they imbibc and FIX in the tis-
sues II the plants. fertizing elements that would
be lost II the earth were left naked from autumn
ull planting time in the spring. In addition 10
this winters are sufficiently warm at the South for
small grains 20 grow and draw largely upon the
atmosphere for their nourishmont These green
crUps, consumed by sheep, will yield fair return
in mutton and wool, and furnish the farmer with
much valuable manure. SO sJon corn or cotton
cease TO grow, rye oats, or barley should be- sOwn
or drilled, for the benefit Of the land. lie naked.
ness should be avoided be much possible through.
out tho year. AZ generally prsctiscd, cotton-oul.
turc is peculiarly hard on an uneven plantation.
Particular pains should be taken in the saving Of
cotton -seed for manure, and in housing the drop
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