The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-05-14
(From the Oswcgo Ldepsndent.)
Cotton Raising.

Mr. EDITOR: As considerable inter-
est is being manifested by farmers in
this section of our state, upon the
subject of cotton growing in some of
our southern states, l have decided to
submit my experience for the benefit
Of those who may feel interested in
this branch OF industry.
| HOW TO PLANT.
First prepare the ground by blowing
as for other crops, then proceed to
mark of the ground In rows about 8
feet ten inches apart, with a small
shovel plow. Then take fall~w pillow
and back furrow, covering the mark
made by the shovel plow, thus throw
ing up ridges upon which to plant the
seeds. Then take q piece Of timber,
about twenty inches long, make NOR
| tisc in each end of the timber shape
the front end rs usual inYnaking the
common corn marker, fasten pieces Of
| wood in the mortises above mention
ed, shaped after the form Of common
cultivator tooth, this must be attached
to beam provided with handles with
q rod reaching from the beam 10 the
front part Of the piece Of timber con-
tanning the teeth, then proceed to
make a furrow on top Of the ridges
about three inches deep, and about the
same in width.
Dampen the seed with water aud
cover them with wood ashes, then
plant in the furrOw upon the ridges,
from two to three bushels per acre.
Prepare another piece of timber wide
enough 10 cover the top of the ridge.
without teeth. TO be used in like man
ner with the one above described, for
covering the ridge thus planted, lcav-
ing the top of the ridge smooth.
HOW TO CULTIVATE.
When the young plant makes its APP
pearance, proceed with shovel pillow to
cultivate the space between the ridges,
then use cotton scraper running close
TO the plant on the top of the ridge,
run the scraper very shallow SO as not
to disturb the roots Of the plant, after
which the better plan is to use hoe,
cutting down all grass and weeds Oh
the ridges, and also thinning out the
plants, leaving them from three to six
inches apart, then finish the cultivation
with shovel plows running between
the ridges, keeping down all grass and
weeds, never pillow when the grass is
wet, continue the cultivation as above
indicated until the first bolls are nearly
full grown, after which further culti-
walton is unnecessary.
The expense Of picking, ginning and
packing in bales, will depend upon
circumstances, and could only he given
approximately. Cotton, like many
other products of the soil, is subject to
blight, and the ravagcs of numerous
insects, which prey upon the plant in
such manner as to materially affec, the
yield aud quality. In extremely dry
weather yellow rust affects the plant,
and in very wet weather u black rust
will appear and destroy the crop.
When the plant is young and tender,
the cotton louise commits its ravages
upon the stalk and leaf, similar to the
chinch bug upon wheat and corn. The
army worm spares net the plant IN its
march of destruction.
The cotton worm is oil insect that is
most fatal to the growth and develop
ment of cotton, the egg is deposited
upon the stock or lesfby fly, and soon
develops into worm, which cats away
the edges of the bulb while young and
tender, causing it TO wither and perish,
thus most effectually destroying the
crop. The boil worm is also a deadly
foe to the plant, eating its way into
the centre of the bulb, and living upon
the seed which blasts and ruins " here
ever he takes up his abode.
Such are the conditions and require
ments incident to cotton growing, as
have experienced them in other states.
I think, however, that careful and ex-
pericnced cotton growers may make
the growing Of the crop profitable in
this section of our state. However, We
may expect to meet many failures be-
fore the peculiarities of climate, soil,
the necessary mode Of cultivation, will
be thoroughly understood by the far
mers in this section of our country.
j. +. SMITH,
Cherokee county, Kansas.