The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-27
From tks Sell IF the South.
PronsrAf1ons r. Cation Planting.


upon long practice and experience, that cotton
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 the
character Of the soil, in its consistency, may be
oil that our rule might require, and yet there
might be an absence Of some of the essential
ingredients necessary to it's health, and vigorous
growth and maturity. Yet this is all good and
necessary as far rs it goes We propose not
now to discuss or even investigate these points,
but to settle what may be proper to be done, in
the way OF good Preparations for the planting
OF the crop, SO AZ to secure the largest yield
from the soil, as we may find it. Following the
teachings OF nature and the endorsements of
experience, we shall advise that bX artificial
means IN our preparations, We asslnate 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 close and very
deep blowing. A very common, but we think a
very erroneous, notion prevails, that deep pre-
para'ions are not needed for cotton 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
culiarly suited to its production, must demon-
strate beyond question, that all such conclusions
are not only unreasonable, but mus: be wrong
We shall insist, therefore, that the prepare
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 a work
which can only be safely done, without injury
to The soil, with the exposures of orr Southern
|climate) in the fall and winter. These prera-
rations which remain now to be made, must
therefore be done by some pillow 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 a sub soil pillow in the formation of
the bed, in conDexion with some turning plow,
not running so deep as to be Objectionable
The plan which We propose is, to lay off the
row with common scooter or shovel, run the
sub soil pillow ones in that furrow, breaking to
such depth as may be judged best, or as may be
conveniently done with one good mule, then
throw iurrow with the turning plow on each
side, and in the bottom Of each Of the said fur
rows, run the sub soil plow, and then complete
the bed with the turning plow. Then I'll the
middle of the bed Immediately under the roo 8
of the cotton, would be broken and pulvetiz d
to such depths as would admit the roots easily
to penetrate, permit the entrance of the warp&
ing rays of the sun, and heaIthful, ncedNt&
absorption Of the gases Of the atmosphere.
In the event OF excessive rains, tho water is
soon absorbed, and settled so far below the roots
of the young plants, as 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 10 this plan
for more than suggestion and offer it to our
readers for just what they may think it is worth.
We are however, showing our faith by our
works, in its adoption on all our lands which
are Stiff or which have close underlayer of
clay. That the nerves Of some of our readers
may be quieted little, in so much talk about
sub soil plows, we remark that a well construc.
ted, old fashione Coulter, will answer the pur.
pose pretty well, and we think that all the new
Inventions and improvements, wisl painted
stocks and patent labels, must tsszne Aasir COM
mon paternity to this rude, back, 4 esis, new.
ground plow. Do not be frightened therefore,
at an introduction to an old friend ul her new
name We have thus provided for the proper
preparation of the middle Of the bed, befol
planting, in which the main roots Of the plants
are to grow, and which can never, after planting,
be reached by the pillow. 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 TIE
drills, may be corrected and cured by after cult
walton. In lands which are fiat and wet, we may
~ hv fbn Il n,
to the bed. In all such cases, we mrst perfect
the work by drawing up with the hoes. This It.
indispensably important in ell basin lands, un.
less they ere relieved by thorough ditohiry.
The cotton plant is peculiarly untitled for an OK.
cess Of water-indeed il has very appropriately
received the appellaion of dry weather plant
We are very much inclined to the opinion, that
the developments Of time, end larger experience
will show that the failures Of success on many
of our soils, will be ascertaled to be The pres
ence of too much water, and the cure will be
Mound in more perfect draining, where we have
little suspected the existence of these unf lend
influences.
We are not, however, the advocates of india
eliminate high bedding, of all sorts of lands
The teachings of season must not be bndly
rejected, bnt allowed in the exercise of proper
discretion, to determine what is right In lends
which are dry and warm, there can be no bene-
fit in more elevation than would be necessary
for the eesy cultivation of the young cotton,
and in ordinary seasons the chances for success
in such land we would regard to be better on
slightly elevated beds, than or those which are
higher
The distance Of the rows must be settled en-
tirely by reference to the quality Of the land,
with this crop. The rule is reversed with corn
There the number of stalks were to 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, ia fixing
the size to which the cotton weed will grow, it
is very difficult to determine the distance to be
given to the crop in planting. The best we
can do, is to estimate the average product of an
average year, and make our calculations nc
cordingy. The space between rows on up
land should usually be from three and half to
four feet wide, and on bottom lands wider, ex
tending on very rich lands to five, and in some
csses to six feet. For the convenience of work,
ing, it is well to make the rows as far apart az
The character of the soil will admit. When the
crop is at maturity, the branches ought slightly
to iNterlOcate each other and this is the result