Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1867-05-04
" a r 7 Il z x.
Cotton Culture.


Mr.. Elttor: You requested me so'ne time
ago to give you my mode Of making and pre-
pairing Cotton for market. | now comply, but
reluctantly, as | have had only few years
experience in its culture, aud consequently,
with a subject that requires So much skill us
cotton culture, many of my notions may be in
error. will give you what conceive to be
Che nest lmpof,an, points for its successful
culturo in this iutitude
The aspect Of the land is Of prime impor
-talccin otsrtihg and Maturing the plant where
the season is SO short. Tho aspect l,as so
much to do with the cotton plant, here, that
] think no one should attempt it's culture un-
less his lands have favorable aspect The
aspect is favorable accordingly as it faces the
South or S. E. Lands of northern exposure
should never be planted in cotton---they are
soil has great effect upon the plant. That
soil in which sand predominates, with n po-
rous subsoil, is the best suited to it. This
kind Of soil being readily penetrated by sun
and air; and the porous subsoil permits the
speedy permeation of the surplus water that
settles from the surface.
1 have been thus particular in mentioning
the aspects and textures Of soils, because there
arc u variety of both in Pickcns, and Oh almost
every plantation and, as the culture Of the
plant is limited, that aspect and texture best
adapted to its cuturc, should be selected. The
above items being determined upon, the two
next of Importance, arc to elevate aud stimu
late the plant. The former is effected by high
bedding, shc latter by nanuring.
The preparation of land for cotton should
DC mpdc early, say IN January or February
by on early preparation firm, compact bed
is isobtaincd, and the very important item o.!
the early nppiication Of manure is obtained.
The early deposit of all manurcs for all crops
is important When applied ca'y they are
re dered soluble by the winter rains, and min
gle with the soil and assist the plant from the
beginning. ha, known manure applied in
April that did not have rain enough upon it
during the growing season Of the crop to rem
der it soluble, and a failure was the result.
Having the land prepared as above stated
the next operation is the planting. This is
usually performed in short order, and there is
mo part Of its culture more important Great
care and nicoty should be used in planting this
crop. Inopening the bed very narrow, short
plow should be used, attached to very light
stock, as the weight of heavy one causes it
tho aero fad sufficient on thoroughly pre-
pared land. use, in covering, light iron.
toothed rake This is q slow mode compared
withrth usus! way with plow aud board. The
principal advantage of the rake is the preser
~ation of the height of the ridge. | never
could sec any sense in making high ridge
.and then throw itall l'tiown, which is suro te
dc the case when it is covered with a plow ant
board. Throughout the entire cultivation th'
ridge should be kept up as originally mRdo, NJ
nearly as possible. I believe that by highl,
elevated ridge, degree in latitude may be at
.tained The crop should be all planted b.
the 18th of April. My rule is to commence
on tho 9Th of April, regardless Of the cold
After the seed are thus covered, light ono
horse roller is run over tho beds--rolling tw
rows at once. This breaks down tho Unequal
sities of the ridge, pulveriscs the earth direot'
around tho plant, prevents evaporation, acoe
-erates termination, causes the plant to com
.up and grow off with moro yigor, facilitate
tke fyst working, and oxcudes scmewhat tll
-cold. Whom I got this much done, consit
-er the Drop half made.
As soon aS the cotton is sufficiently up f