The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-04-09
ZIG KICTLT TR.kL.
On Ovcr.crOpping and Cuitivat-
ing Cotton.


Mr.. Editor AS the time will soon arrive
for cleaning up and making ready for planting,
would caution, al leas', all inexperienced
farmers, TO beware OF the temptation to over.
cropping. THIS advice, | know. has been /
frequently gwen 10 your columns; and al
though many will not profit by 1t, yet It may
perhaps be of service 10 par, OF those who
are jus. setting out.
have been farming for twenty years.
When As, Sc, out, though, the plan to
make large crop, vas TO plant large ots. !
soon found my fields we'll sci With grass. and
not over q half crop made. nov plan IL
acres 20 The common hands IN cotton and
4 IN co'n-couniing men, women and large
pillow boys as bsnds (for the stout men alose,
think II might be increased 10 Is and raise
more meat, than when | planted more. To
fact, SIR, see those around me, who say they
plant upwards Of 20 acres toihe common hand,
buying corn and meat 10 supply their pIania
/ tons, and not making as much as those plan,
ing but 10 and IL acres. Is II not strange
that such mep will no, profit even BY their
own experience, independent OF The examples
Of the farmers Of our county Such, Tor
/ instance, as Mr.. Robert Williams aud Jose ph
Lyon, Esq, Of Yaobusha county. Doe cul
tIvstes % and the other IL acres to the hand !;
The latter buying negroes every year-horse
and hogs fat and corn CRIBS full; whlls, the
former has increased his number Of negroes
to about l00-corn cribs a wave full, aud this
crop Of cotton vii increase his cash pile to
about fifty thousand d,lars- and all dug out
Of about 10 acres Of land 10 the hand.
As your paper has VIDE circulation, and
may meet the eye OF some young Trainer IN
Carroll county, | will point gu, two Of The
bes, farmers conceive, 10 that county, w:
Mr.. John P. Mitchell and Capt. John A. B o.
: ford II either Of these gentlemen will say
that s or 30 acres 10 the hand can be well
managed, ! say follow their advice, for they
are both better farmers than | am. feel
however, we'll satisfied that IL acres to the
common hand s enough, keeping every other
! little matter IN good order about farm.
would never think oil calling on any man fol
! advice abou, farming, vino would say be could
cultivate that much, unless It we're 10 lean
$ how 10 convert grass INTO hay.
Coron.-i will new give my mode Of pre-
pairing land and cultyatng cotton, which
have tired for several years. After pursuing
6 different plans, | have fallen back on the oil,
II one ss the best. Abou, tbs middle OF Jsnu
y airy or the Isl Of February, commence throw
lng four furrow. together With turning plo'
rows, Of course, laid off agreeable to th
strength OF The land about the last Of March
s. | commence turning out the mddes, whcl
70 mskes the ridge complete, and new nearly t.
a. the top from the 9Th to The l0h of April
10 | plant, by opening the ridge with a YER
small scooter, covering with wooden har
e. row. which leaves the whole ridge clean sn
ne clear Of ciods. Abou, the time hall the see
OF make their appearance above ground, | pu
p every hand 10 scrapIng 1t out ~ith the hoe.
generally finish in ten days or two week, q
iurrhest. Mean~hlIe | work out my corr
n, nd then return to my cotton with ,uru,n
ID .'o~s, sud bar II Of; follow with the hoo,