The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-23
Work for March.

Corn planting will occupy the attention of The
farmer for the first part of thus month. This crop
disposed of, the plows are engaged in
BEDDING COTTON LAND.
There is quite difference among planters about
the distance which should be given 10 cotton rows
OF course can prescribe no particular distance
as the best, because that must be regulated by The
quality Of the land, the distance being increased
in proportion TO the strength of the SOIL The
best general rule which can be laid down, is :hat
the rows should be at such distance, as 10 allow
the branches just to interlock, when the crop is
glown. This matter being determined. the rows
should be laid off with a scooter plow, and if
manure is to be applied in he drill, n round shovel
should follow the scooter, opening a wide furrow,
into which the manure should be strewn. If no
manure is to be applied, the bed may be commenced
on the scooter iurrow. In stiff soils, the prepara-
lion would be more thorough TO run coulter a Gter
the scooter, and the first fHrrow, each side Of
the row, should also be run with scooter, fol-
lowed by coulter. In light lands this is unneces
sary. We are in the habit of making our cotton
beds with the common turn shovel and all things
considered, we prefer it for that purpose to any
other plow. Ii Is cheaper than the Dagon or Allen
plow, does quite good work, though not quite
easy TO the hand, and is, 10 our judgment, al
together superior, for general use TO the Blue or
Yankee turn plow. There is great difference,
however, in the turn shovels made by different
smiths. The point Of the plow should be sloprd
sufficiently 10 take the ground well, but at the same
time, if allowed TO be pointed ii is sure to cheat
IN the work it does-covering the earth without
breaking it, The lap of the plow should not be
too much bent or it will carry the dirt before it,
making the draught too heavy. The wind should
have such set will roll the dirt off we'll from
the Plow. When properly made, we want no better
turn plow.
If the land which is to be bedded is rongh, or
has much turf upon it, we would bed il out as we
went; but il it is clean and mellow, we would
simply list it, and break off the balance of the bed
just before planning. Too high bed is an injury
to the crop, and affords advantage to working
it. II the soil is high and dry, very slight bed,
just sufficient to enable the hands to work the
young cotton to advantage, is all that is required
If The soil is low and damp, higher bed is neces-
sary. -.. s.,.- ..a. -rs
Those who were early in planting their corn
crops, if the seasons have been propitious, may
find an interval between The preparation OF the
cotton land, and the planting of cotton 10 give the
FIRST WORKING OF CORN
10 our opinion this is the most imporan working
that is given to the corn crop, and il should be
given with great deal OF care. The plow which
regard most suited TO this working is the square
pointed scooter, hich should be run close 10 the
and very deep. Undoubtedly the best plan
is to plow out the entire row with pow, but as
that will consume great deal Of time, and as IT
is hard to make cotton planters be heve that time
spent in working corn is not thrown away, we
would suggest that this plow should, al least, be
run twice on each side OF the corn, and the re.
mainder OF the middles may be plowed ont with
the round shovel. A small board may be IA stened
on the side of The Plow stock to prevent the young