Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-04-05
Cotton-Di stance in the Drill, SC.

MEssRs. EDIroRs-A great error exists
with about ninetenths of planters with re.
gard to the distance cotton should be left in
the drill. This is Il bold assertion; but as
bold as it is, it has the only foundation that
all bold assertions should have, well attested
and oit.repeated trials, and in every instance
my widest distances have given me the
greatest yield-that is, feet each way, on
land capable of making 1000 lbs. of seed
cotton of an ordinary year with ordinary
culture-lhe cotton usually growing feet
high, and my product has been on an average
of least 25 per cent. more than the same
land cultivated as usual, which is Is TO "a
inches from stalk 10 stalk, 4 feet drill.
never trust appearances as presented to the
eye, but TO close measurement aud actual
weight of the cotton. have made various
trials on land that would make I or 500 lbs
per acre under ordinary circumstances, yet
not giving so great distance as the foregoing
4 feet each way, and always the result is in
favor of the greatest distance that have
tried. The theory in favor Of great distance
nm the drill is simply this. The roots Of
cotton are very numerous, and are diffused
very thick all through the soil to greater
extent than the height Of the stalk, aud
when the stalks are too thick, the slightest
drouth causes famine too great to support
the overplus of roots, stalks and fruits, and
j considerable shedding takes place. Ac.
.cording to my many trials, the following is
the rule | recommend aud pursue.
For poor land, capable of making 500 lbs,
feet drill, and stalks 2 feet apart. Land
good for $50 lbs, 3 l.2 feet drill and l-2
feet from stalk to stalk. Land capable of
making 1000 lbs, feet drill and stalks =
ID apart, and SO on in proportion for richer
land. These remarks may suggest the
idea to some that it would be best to plant
in hills; but the enemies to young cotton
are too numerous and likely to give a bad
stand, whenever the bill is tried. But the
better way is to sow a liberal amount Of
of seed with view of getting heavy stand
of cotton. Then, about the time cotton be-
gins to need scraping,it it should be crossed
with harrow, or aay kind of plow, so as
to cut up about two-thirds of the cotton,
checking at such distance AS necessary, to
leave stalk to each crossing, then har-
row or scraper to run the other way each
side Of the cotton, leaves the cotton in sui.
table spots just as though it WAS planted in
hills; and that after the cot5oa has gone
through about half the perls Of a bad stand;
and also this is at least half of the labor
saved, over the usual mode Of seraping, and
the cotton is so checked off, that the half
idiot hand cannot err ia knowing where to
leave stalk when putting the cotton 10
stand.
Idesign to make the trial of greater distance
than have ever tried, and make known to
the Southern Cultiuator, in 10 or ii months,
the result; and would like for others to
make similar trials. Let no ore be deferred
for fear of loss, for the trial can be made
complete in small way. Thus, check off
wherever most convenient at scraping time,
saw half an acre l.2 feet, another half
acre 2 feet, another2 l.2 feet, another g.
and another 8 l.2, and if strong land, an
other 4 feet; and let no one be confirmed
with one trial, as different years will produce
some difference in result; the aryest years
proving most favorable to the widest stand.
In high latitudes where the crop is often cut