Louisiana capitolian., 1880-04-10
A Mine Of Wealth.

adequate idea of the capabilities Of
the soil they cultivate, nor any con-
ception of the amount Of cotton that
can be raised on an acre Of ground
when the culture is conducted on q
thoroughly scientific basis.
Illustrative Of our assertion, we
will cite certain experiments in cotton
culture, which we find described at
length in a very interesting article
an "lmproved cotton culture" in the
last issue of tho Mobile Weekly
Register; but, rs our space will not
permit US to give all the details, We
have selected such as will clearly
demonstrate the extraordinary dit
ference Of the yield between ordinary
and scientific cultivation.
The article referred to, states that
DR.. N. B. Cloud, of Alabama, some
years ago, reported Q yield of5,675
pounds of seed cotton from Que acre
Of upland which had been manured
with 5000 bushels Of barnyard COM
post, which, estimating that 81 pounds
Of seed cotton will produce one of
lint, gives l. 7N pounds Of lint as
the product, equivalent tO about 3
and 10 bales Of cotton to the acre,
weighing 45O pounds each.
In another instance, it is represented
that Mr.. David Dickson, of Georgia,
sowed four acres Of land in turnips,
in the fall, having enriched it with
400 pounds Of guano, with = coDsid-
cradle sprinkling Of salt and plaster,
feeding the turnips off on the lot.
The following Spring no added 100
pounds of guano, 100 pounds Of
dissolved bones, 100 pounds salt, and
@pounds plaster per acre, and put
in cotton.
From the four acres he obtained
1880 pounds Of seed cotton, which
would realize 1880 pounds Of lint,
or about 10 and 2-3 bales of cotton
ut $50 pounds to the bale.
Mr.. Dickson, in another instance,
took in Is acres of pine land that
had been cultivated many years.
About II years ago it was sown with
oats, having been previously man
u'ed with 200 pounds guano and bones
mixed with salt and plaster, obtain
ing 30 to As bushels per acre, which
was fed Oft by turning stock in the
field. Eight years later he leftit un-
cultivated until the middle of July,
turning in Il large growth Of weeds
and putting peas in every third fur
ow. This resulted in q heavy crop
of vines and ut least - bushels of
peas to the acre. He commenced on
the third day of the following May to
prepare the land for cotton, applying
to each acre $50 pounds No. Peru
vian guano, and 100 pounds plaster
dropped in the bottom Of the furrow.
From this land, thus prepared, he
gathered 200 pounds of seed cotton,
or, nearly two bales to the acre; al
though, had it not suffered from a
storm and other causes, Mr.. Dickson
estimated that the yield would have
reached 5000 pounds Of seed cotton
per acre. On this land II potato patch
had been cultivated, twice manurcd
and mulched with straw, which yield
ed the rate Of 5000 pounds, and one
acre of old pine field, first year, which
made about 5000 pounds to the acre.
The foregoing exhibit clearly de-
monst,ates the capability Of Southern
lands, for the production Of cotton, if
they are well and .judiciously manured
and thoroughly cultivated and shows
the great difference in the realization
herein given and the average product
of our cotton fields. 1t is admitted
that not many planters could afford
to give their land sucha u costly pre-
paration, but it strikingIy illustrates
the necessity, so far AZ circumstances
will permit, Of making the land yield
as large u crop as possible, and treat
ing it in such u manner that its fruit
fulncss may not be diminished.
1t is insisted upon by u gentleman
of practical experience, who has
devoted much time and attention to
the subject, that cotton planters
must produce food crops az we'll az
cotton; that the area Of cultivation
must be reduced and q thorough rota-
ton of crops must be adopted. Stock
must also be raised for the manure, il
nothing else, and that deep, thorough
and careful tillage must succeed the
shallow and slovenly culture now gen.
orally in vogue.
The rotation ofcrops above referred
to, as recommended by this gentle
man, is:
First-Cotton, well manured, thor
oughly sub soiled and properly titled.
Second-COrn after cotton, manuretl
in the hill with ashes aud surplus cot
ton seeds, not fed to stock.
Third-Wheat after corn, to be
seeded with red clover or mixed
grasses, and allowed to wait its turn
in the five years shift, which, in turn,
would be succeeded by cotton, ma
nurcd and cultivated as previously
directed.
BY pursuing this course, the land
will furnish fine food for stock, as cot.
ton seeds, whether boiled, or as oil
cake, are considered in England, al
equal, if not superior, M richest grain;
and from the other corn and fodder,
straw, bran aud hay, and 20 tons Of
manure per acre yearly.
While on the subject, we will call
the attention of cotton planters to the
condition and disposition Of the cot.
ton seed that is used on their planta.
tions for manure.
Professor Hilgard, formerly Profes.
sor Of Agricultural Chemistry at the
University Of Mississippi, and State
Geologist, says:
The use of whole cotton seed, es.
DeCially when previously heated