Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-17
HOME AND FARM.

C3rToN PLANTING.-The Mobile
Register says: In his Thoughts for the
Month of Apr" the editor of the Geor-
gia Southern Cultivator," says cot
ton planting is the principal work for
the month upon Southern farm
Every preparation for it should be
completed by the goth. Under very IA
vorable circumstances planting might
begin ten days earlier than the date
given, and continue later, but in the |
larger portion of the "cotton belt" it .
would be best to have the seed in be-
tween the 10th and Goth of the month. |
To escape frost is the point to be aim
ed at. Late paintings grow off more
rapidly, and may be more easily work
ed than early paintings, but, as q gen
eral rule they do not fruit and mature
as well as the early paintings.
The preparation for cotton should
consist III manures properly distribu-
ted and bedded in, and the beds
"freshened" and "smoothed" and Gf
need BEL lowered, by passing a concave
| "harrow" Zone fitting over a bed in
| stead of one fitting a fiat surface) over
/ them, lust in advance of planting. No
/ work in connection with cotton crop
| pavs better than this. It can be done
very rapidly, renders the chances Of a
good stand much better, and facilitates
the early workings of the crop very
much. 1t removes rocks and Jumps,
levels the top of the bed-makiDg it
possible to open a furrOw of uniform
depth to receive the seed-and enables
one to plough near the young cotton
with less danger Of covering it up.
When planting time arrives, it is de-
sirable to put in the crop as rapidly as
possible, and with the greatest possible
saving of labor.
If cotton is planted early-before the
ground becomes very dry-the seed
| should be covered very shallow, not
over one inch; later in the season it
| may be necessary to cover two inches
| deep, to insure a prompt stand. In
deed, for all late paintings, say the LIST
! of May or after, the only sure method
! Of securing a stand at once, Is to list
| on the seed with two furTOws, aud
knock OTwith a board. Should rains
prevail, this would be unnecessary, but
they cannot be relied on. Soaking the
seed in some fertiliZing solution, or else
soaking in water and rolling Afterwards
in some fertilizer, gives an impulse to
the young plant which 1t never loses
| afterward. An excellent solution for
the purpose may be obtained by filling
a barrel with good stable manure,
pouring water on, catching the drip
pings, and, if need be, running through
a second time, as in getting "lye' from
ashes.
There is no danger of getting the so
luton too. strong. The nitrates also
nitrate potash or nitrate soda) make
excellent solutions. Experiments have
shown that in the early stages OF
growth, plants relish nitrates much
better than they do ammonia, and 1t is
probable therefore that the niIrates
named above would be better for the
purpose now under consideration tEan
Peruvian guano, substance generally
used with most admirable results
Cotton seed may also be rolled in most
: of the ordinary ammoniated superphos
pilates, but there is danger of vitality
being destroyed if rolled in the aciC
phosphates, now extensively prepared
Tor composing with cotton seed.
1t is not safe to sow less than bush
81 and a half of seed to the acre, and i
: the land is all rough two bushel
would be better. Young plants shoul'
not be too much crowded, it is true
T still one runs a risk of not getting
good stand If he is extremely saving o
/ his seed.