The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-05-29
An Important Question Now.
CROP PLANTING AFTER 1NuSDAr1oN.

CROP PLANTING AFTER INUNDATION.
The st. Joseph, La, Journal publishes
an interesting letter from a planter Of
thirty years, experience, in regard to
planting a crop after an overflow.
HOW LATE TO PLANT
Touching the important point as to
how late a paying cotton crop can be
planted, after an in%undatiOn, his opinion
IS that should the season prove favorable
after the crop is started, and the cultiva-
ton be careful and good SO as to hasten
It's growth, it need not be feared but
what One-half bale to twO-thirds bale to
the acre a be produced from seed
sown as late al June 10Th or Goth.
HOW TO PLANT.
AS to the method of planting after an
overflow, the writer says:
AS Q as the tops of the ridges, al
ready broken up and prepared for cot
ton, emerge from the water, the seed
should be thrown down in as thin and
straight q line as possible by the sower,
while another hand should follow with
an ordinary wedding hoe, who, placing
the back OF the hoe ON the seed, by a
sliding operation presses them into the
soft soil. When this work is well done,
the plant will appear in two o. three
days, and no fear need be entertained
about securing a stand if the seed are
sound. 1t may be necessary, where
there lis much slop in the fields, to cut
Off the rows at the edge of the water,
and complete the planting at o late
period.
After the planting is finished in this
or any other manner, the next operation
is of vital Importance to the planter,
and is fraught with the germ of the
whole matter. AS soon as the ground is
firm enough to bear a mule, every work
animal on the plantation should begear-
ed to a single pillow, and turning the bar
to the drill, wrap in the middles with
burrows. This process is known among
the planters as barring of, and is all inn
pOrtant at this critical period of the crop.
Dispatch is required, and no doubling
of teams should be thought of. Five or
six days, with an adequate team, will
suffice thus to pass over the whole crop,
and the chief difficulty is nov overcome.
The expedition with which this is done
will measure the success of the planter.
There emalnS o only to reduce the
cotton to a stand, which, covering but a
hands breadth, is easily and rapidly
done. The after cultivation can be pur-
sued in the ordinary manne
The water causes the lnclpient swell
ing of any sound seed within several
inches of the surface of the ground, and
the moment the soil is exposed to the
action of the air they shoot up in count
less myriads, and in q few days
the earth with O stratum of dense YER
dure. Now You strike them with a pillow,
a shot between wind and water.
On every acre of cotton after an over
flow there are probably more separate
and distinct noxi0us plants than there
are dollars in the national debt. By the
use of the plow at this time, they are
effectually destroyed for the season. The
first crop of vegetation after an overflow
is the cause of all the trouble in manag-
ing the crop retards the growth of the
plants, and brings them within the au-
tumnal frost point, and thus withers the
immature bolts.
The plan here advised enables the
planter to manage the crop withas much
facility as iii ordinary seasons the crop
is kept clean, and growing with sur
prising rapidity under the fervent heat
of summer, hastens the plant to early
maturity. In every decisive battle there
is a critical period which, awaited of by
either commander, secures the victory.
So it is here. @
The writer is also very confident of the
efficacy of Paris green as a worn de-
stroyer, and c~ounsels every planter to be
provided with it, and learn how to use
it, so that should the worms come they
may apply it Immediately.