The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-02-03
Cotton Planted in Checks.

A correspondent of the Walhalla Courier,
| writing from Fair Play, in Oconee county,
gives that journal an article on the above
subject, in which the results Of some exper-
iments made by citizens of that community
are detailed. It is something new in cotton
culture, and the fine yield secured would
seem to indicate that planting in checks is
an improvement on the old way of drilling
in the row. The correspondent says
''The time for planting cotton will soon
be here again. and as have noticed several
farmers trying the experiment Of checking
their cotton, ] will give you word or two
on the subject, giving principally the views
of the farmers who have made the expert
ment. We should keep abreast of the times
and oil new practical theories in regard to
the profitable production Of our chief staple
should be thoroughly looked into by our
farmers. give the statements below that
other farmers may reap the benefits Of this
mode of planting cotton.
Last summer while at Mr.. George w.
Phillips. on Colonel's Fork. noticed that
he had planted little over one and a half
acres in checks. On making some inquiries
in regard to the cultivation of cotton in
checks, &C., Mr.. Phillips informed me that
lie had laid off the rows three feet each way,
but before doing this he had broken the
ground very deep with small plows and
beddedit. The guano was put in the checks
and then covered lightly with little earth.
The Whole amount OF gnano used was S25
pounds. After putting in the guano the
seed were dropped, six or seven in each
check, ard covered with small plow. At
the proper time the cotton was put to
stand, two stalks being left in each hill or
check. The land was plowed both ways,
making the work done with the hoe very
light. The yield from this acre and half
was 2,5T5 pounds of seed cotton. The land
was by TO means of the best quality, but
rather ordinary. Mr.. Phillips also informed
me that he could cultivate as much cotton
again planted in the check as he could
drilled. Owing to the condition now-a-
DAYS of labor in this State our farmers will
have to use all the means in their power to
cultivate their crops as cheaply as possible,
and to make what they do cultivate yield as
much as possible. It is contended by some
that cotton in checks can be worked with
one-half the labor and expense that it re-
quires to work drilled cotton; that it will
.row larger and produce more squares and
hold them better. The above are four very
lIupOICduC cSSeuLldIS III COttou Cuituie. AAe
first tends to reduce the cost of labor in the
cultivation Of the staple, and to necessarily
increase the net profits and the last three
in increasing the yield per acre, and also
increasing the profits.
Mr.. ". J. Hix agrees very nearly with
Mr.. Phillips. in his statement in regard to
checked cotton. He is convinced that it is
by far the best way to plant cotton. He
will plant number of acres this way the
present year. Mr.. Hix planted two.acre
lot last year. and though he did not succeed
in getting good stand, still he made an
excellent crop on the two acres. The rows
were laid off about the same width as those
mentioned above, but instead of having two
stalks in the hill. only one was left. About
one hundred and fifty pounds Of guano were
used, and the yield was about 2,7oo pounds
of seed cotton"
The gentlemen mentioned in the above
article are we'll known in this County as
| enterprising and successful farmers, and
their opinions Oh any subject connected
with agriculture will have weight with the
farming community.