La sentinelle de Thibodaux. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 1861-1866, 1866-05-12
Cotton---Working the Crop.

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Some eight or ten days after planting
depending, of course, upon the moisture
and temperature of the soil--the cottol
will begin to come up, and in three week:
or so. becomes ready for Q chopping OUT
or the first working. This should take
place as soon as the rows are fully up
which is about the time the third leaves
Of the more forward plant begin to form
The main object in cultivation is to bring
it down gradually to astand as early as the
case admits. and after that, to keep il
clean Of grass and weeds the entire sea-
son. Grass not only chokes the young
plants, and thereby prevents growth, but
even late in the season. when the cotton
is maturing. if permitted to come in, it in
terferes with picking-the seeds being
collected with the lint. Hence, in cult
waiting, each planter uses his own judg-
ment as to the best mode to keep the beds
and middles clean. tld
Some, after beginning to chop out. run
furrow with narrow scooter upon each
side of the young cotton, affixing board
to the plough, so as to keep the dirt from
covering the plants. Others run a sweep
or scraper on each side of the rows, as
near as possible to the cotton, leaving
only an inch of space each side of the
plants. The Importance of straight rows
in planting will now become evident, rem
derlng this first labor, whether done with
the scooter or scraper, much lighter. and
enabling it to be more perfectly performed
The sweep or other instrument employed,
should be sharp. and carefully handled,
lightly scraping the surface of the bed,
but deep enough to kill the young grass,
leaving the narrowest space possible for
the work of the hoes. Whether the plow
or scrapcr is used, the hoe hands follow
Immediately, aud thin out the cotton in
the drill, with their wedding hoes, leaving
it in lunches OF from three to a half dozen
plants, separated some eight or ten inches
that is, the width of the hoes--from
each other. and at the same time killing
the grass aud weeds lefIby the scraper.
OF this work. they will do from two to four
acres per day. per hand When the
scooter.is used. it would be better to send
the hoes in advance, scraping the rows
before dirt is thrown upon them; for grass
covered with dirt in dry weather, is
pretty sure to make its appearance again
and is more difficult to eradicate than if
taken up ut first. Never cover grass I'M
less very small.
Those who use scrapers, as soon rs the
row is chopped OUT, then DIRT it by follow
ing with narrow scooter plow, within
day or two after the hoes. 1t runs deep
and narrow fursow around the drill.
;3+i. Al.
young plants, and into thespuces chopped
put, and olso drains off the ridge, render
ing it narrower and warmer. and the
Ioosened earth checks the grass from
so-soon. a5t
Within two weeks after this first SUPER
fetal working. the second should com
nence, which is u more thorough and
aborious operation. The cotton is now
brought down nearly or quite to a stand.
The hoe hands, il it is grassy, shculd 60
n advance of the pillow. The distance
between the stalks is determined by the
lualits of tile land, In thin land, the
stalks should not be more than ten inches |
apart, while in the best land, they require
. be two and a half or three feet asunder.
[h;s is work requiring o good deal of |
ime, as the thinning out is done in good |
,art by the hand. so as not to iniure the |
liant that remains. giving it the .sore
in''-that is, a wound from scraping off |!
part of the skin of the stalk From |
ne half to an entire acre is days work /
or hand, in bringing down to stand. /
fhe plow follows--usually the shovel
,low is selected-which effectually /
freaks up and loosens the soil, so that it t
IAN afterwards be kept clean with the
weep, scraper or cultivator. and at the
anne time it throws soft earth about the
cots OF the plant, leaving it clean and
spported. Some, however, delay break
ng out the middles until the third work /
ne, which it is safe to .dosif the ground
loes not beeeme hard. This breaking up,
t all events, should not be delayed later
han the early part of june and in these
perations, the ridge should be kept we'll
p. 1t the land is all clean and well
loughed at this time, the grass can after
'ards be kept under without difficulty,
'lth sweeps or the cultivator. Three
1orkings are always necessary, and the
rst ones deep and close, but the latter
mes shallow, SO rs to not injure the
pots, but they must be- continued until
ne branches interiock, and the boles
egin to open.
), After the first earthing.'' says DIR.
,nii'llps. the main principle is TO keep
lean and stir the earth every f urteen
twenty days. and continue this, even to
ne picking, if on good moist land. Better
reak q few limbs of the plant than to
top the plows too early
Southern Cultivator.