The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-04-19

NSP''"" oi'ch pTdctlSeu Dy tne noes NJ TINS
working,which gives much after trouble and
frequently, damage to the crop. Instead
OF cleaning, by deep thorough chopring
with the hoe, very shallow dressing is given
to the hill, slightly covering the little grass
just now beginning to show, but which soon
springs up with renewed vigor, TO divide the
support, which the earth is but too ofteu
giving out, in stinted supplies TO the young
corn.
We note one other prccautiou. In thin
often happens, through haste or carecssncss
that the stalk is broken off at the joint be
tween the stalk and the root. In all such,
cases, the plant will soon spring and grow
again. 1t is better therefore to lose n little
time now, i'll doing this work properly, than
to have to so back to do it again when you
have less time to spare, aud after the surplus
stalk shall have injured that left, to make
the crop. There are parhaps in this conucc-
tion other things which might be noted
but for the present, we let them pass,
FIRST WORK IN COTTON.
The first working Of cotton is generally
little more than throwing the drill into
punches. This is done with the hoe, by
rapidly hopping through, giving such space
form the centre OF each bunch, as is intended
for each stalk when the stand is reduced
But little care beyond !his is usually taken
~ the object is to pass very quickly over
hn fn tn
careful working. The hoes ought now to
strike sufficiently deep to cut out all small
grass which may have sprung up. From
three to half \ dozen stalks may be left
in each bunch. The young cotton will gen.
orally be large enough to commence with
the hoe, rs soon rs the work in the corn
has been completed. 1t is not necessary
now to do more with the pow, than to side
the drill with a furrow on eIch side. This
is sometimes done with a turning plow, run
ming the bar next the cotton, and sometimes
with sweep or other plow. The preference
viii depend very much upon the previous pre-
parations and the condition of the land, and
must therefore be left very much to the dis
cretion Of the planter. When the turn plow
is used, we think some other should follow
pretty soon, as the narrow hard ridge on which
the cotton is left standing, is apt 10 dry aud
bake, when left exposed to the wind and
sun. When the land is clean and free from
rocks and roots, we think it preferable, whl n
the swep is used, to have it follow the
hoes. With proper care the covering of the
cotton may be avoided and all the young
grass about the young plant be covered up.
and c:icctually destroyed, while, at the same
time, little soft earth may be tumbl, d
about the roots Of the cotton, leaving it
clean, and in good condition to grow. But
the condition of the land, and the character
Of the seasons are so varied, as to nal 0
it utterly impracticable to say before hand
what may be proper to be doLe in each case
at this stage of the work The same rule
will not do for al: and we cannot do bett r
than leave many of these little details to be
settled by he good sense OF each one for
himself.
We have seen men in trouble all the T
lives, by following their neighbors too i'm.
plicitly, or sticking to the same rule under all
changes Of Sc son or place, where II litt'c
thought would have showed that n difference
in circumstances, demanded u difference in
their operations. Planters, gencr .ly need
to think more for themselves, and to decide
what my b, practicable and proper in their
own PARTICULAR clscs. What may be right
TO be done by one man, under peculiar cir
cumstances, or on land differently situated,
may be very far from being right, to another.
No business calls more frequently for the
exercise Of good sense, and sound discres.
sion than ours,and m my emergencies arise, in
which we cannot DO better than rely upon
these. These are general rules which it
may be safe to observe and improved skill
and facilities for executing our work, which
are not to b. disregardcd or spurned but
after all, the character Of the seasons and
, the peculiar condition Of the lands to be cul-
tivated may be so various, as to call for
such changes in our operations, as the pecu-
liarities Of the case may require. A wet spell
or single hard rain, may so change the
condition Of the land and the crop, as TO re-
qure an entire change in the plan Of work
11-SOH of The South