The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-27
From the Soil Of the South.
Preparations for Cotton Planting.

upon iong practice ana experience, tnat coltol
grows and natures best upon soft, deep soils
We know that this requisition may not suffice
to meet all the wants Of this plant that tn
character of the soil, in its consistency, may b,
all that our rule might require, and yet Their,
might be an absence of some Of the essentia
Ingredients necessary to its health, and vigorous
growth and maturity. Yet this is all good ant
necessary as far as il goes. We propose no
now to discuss or even investigate these points
but to settle what may be proper to be done, il
the way of good preparations for the planting
of the crop, so as to secure the largest WELD
from the soil, us we may find it. Following Tho
teachings Of nature and the endorsements o.
experience, we shall advise that by artificial
means in our preparations, we assimiate as
nearly as possible that character or condition Of
the soil which is known TO be best for this crop
We advise, therefore, that lands which are stiff
by nature and which have close tenacious clay
beneath, should be prepared by a close and very
deep ploNing. A very common, but we think q
very erroneous, notion prevails, that deep pre-.
partitions are not needed for Gotten. We have
often heard the argument that the tap root must
reach the hard earth before the plant would
begin to grow. An examination of the plant
showing how largely it relies upon the tap root
to what depth it shoots down into the earth
added, to the fact, that soft, loose soils are pc.
culiary suited to its production, must demon.
strate beyond question, that all such conclusions
are not only unreasonable, but must be wrong
We shall insist, therefore, that the prepara-
tons for cotton be very deep and thorough.
The usual method, and perhaps generally the
best, is to prepare the lands by throwing into
beds with some turning plow. 1t is now, in our
estimation, too late in the season to do very
deep work with this plow; that being work
which can only be safely done, without injury
to the soil, with the exposures of our Southern
climate,) in the fall and winter These prera.
rations which remain now to be made, must
therefore be done by some plow which may
reach deep without turning over or bringing the
under layer to the surface, an operation which
we think, might be accomplished successfully by
the use of sub soil pillow in the formation Of
the bed, in connexion with some turning plow,
not running so deep as to be Objectionable.
The plan which we propose il, to lay off the
row with common scooter or shovel, run the
sub soil plow once in that furrow, breaking to
such depth as may be judged best, or as may be
conveniently done with one good mule, then
throw furrow with the turning pow on each
side, and in the bottom Of each of the said fur
rows, run the sub soil plow, and then complete
NV 'S' "i'h NhC piDW. ltU all TIC
middle Of the bed Immediately under the roots
of the cotton, would be broken and pulve, lied
to such depths as would admit the roots easily
to penetrate, permit the entrance of the warm
ing rays Of the sun, and n heathfu, needfnl
absorption of the gases of the atmosphere.
In the event of excessive rains, tic water is
soon absorbed and settled so far below the roots
of the young plants, az to prevent all damage.
This operation presents to our mind but the
single objection of being tedious, and if the
benefits are what we anticipate, that objection is
lost in the ample compensation for extra labor
We do not intend to be responsible in this plan
for more than sugge siion, and Offer it to our
readers for just what they may think il is worth
We are, however, showing our faith by our
works, IN lis adoption on all our lands which
are still, or which have close underlayer Of
clay. That the nerves of some of our readers
may be quleted little, in 50 much talk about
sub soil plows, we remark that well construc.
ted, old fashioned Coulter, will answer the pur-
pose pretty well, and we think that all the new
Inventions and improvements, with painted
stocks and patent labels, must trace their com.
mon paternity to this rnde, back woods, new.
ground plow. Do not be frightened, therefore.
at an Introduction to an old friend under a new
name. We have thus provided for the proper
preparation Of the middle of the bed, before
planting, in which the main roots Of the plants
are to grow, and which can never, after planting,
be reached by the plow. What, therefore, is
not now done, must remain undone to the close
Of the crop. The defects Of preparation in
other portions of the bed, lying between the
drills, may be corrected and cured by after cult
walton. In lands which are n It and wet, we may
not by the pillow alone give sufficient elevation
to the bed. In all such cases, we must perfect
the work by drawing up with the hoes. This is
indispensably important in all basin lands, nm.
less they are relieved by thorough ditehing
The cotton plant is peculiarly untitled for an ex.
cess Of water-indeed il has very appropriately
received the appellation Of dry weather plant
We are very much Inclined to the opinion, that
the developments Of time, and larger experience
will show that the failures Of success on many
Of our soils, will be ascertained to be the pres
eBce OF too much water, and the cure will be
found in more perfect draining, where we have
little suspected the existence of these unfrendy
influences.
We are moi, however, the advocates Of ndis.
high bedding, Of all sorts Of lands
The teachings Of season must not be blindy
rejected but allowed in the exercise of proper
discretion, 10 determine what Is right. In lands
ft in more elevation than would be necessary
for the easy cultivation Of the young cotton,
and in ordinary seasons the chances for success
in such land we would regard 10 be better on
slightly elevated beds, than on those which are
high,r.
The distance Of The rows must be settled en-
tirely by reference 10 the quality OF the land,
with this crop. The rule is reversed with corn
There the number Of stalks we're 10 be increas-
ed in proportion TO the fertility Of the soil !;
here they are TO be diminished. In view of the
contingency Of the seasons which exert more
control than the character Of the soil, in fixing
the size 10 which the cotton weed will grow, Il
is very difficult 10 determine the distance 10 be
given 10 the crop in planting. The best we
can do, is To estimate the average product Of an
average year, and make our calculations &C.
cordingly. The space between rows on up
land should usually be-from three and half 10
four feet wide, and on bottom lands wider, ex
tending on very rich lands 10 five, and in some
cases 10 six feet For the convenience Of work
ing, il is well to make the rows as far apart as