The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-10
Thoughts for the Month.

To one who is not routine farmer,
nice questions arc sometimes sprung
this month touching the management Of
a cotton crop. AS rule "laying by" is
completed by the last Of july, but
should heavy, compscting rains follow
close on the heel Of the last plowing,
and hot weather sets in, is it better to
plow again or not, and how late in the
season may plowing be advantageously
continued ? M infexible rule on these
points can be laid down-one must de-
eide according to circumstances. If the
land is fresh, or the soil filled with hu-
mus, so that it is friable and loose, plow
ing may be stopped earlier than where
opposite conditions prevail. If the soil
is disposed to run together and bake,
plowing should continue as late as it
can be without breaking off limbs and
bolls too badly. One furrow in each
middle, using very wide scrape and a
very short single:tree, is all that is need
ed. It's hardly necessary to add that
the plow should run as shallow as pos
siblc, just deep enough to break the
crust, but not deep enough to break q
single root.
Another circumstance to be considered
is the state or condition Of the crop for
the time being-if it has been growing
slowly and steadily up to the time in
question, light plowing may not accel-
crate growth so much as to induce she'd
ding: but it growth has been suspended
by dry. hot weather and copious rain
falls, there is danger Of second growth
setting in so rapidly as to make the
plant throw of its fruit. Flowing would
accelerate the second growth, and might
do harm instead Of good. It would be
well in such case to delay it awhile un-
til after the impulse given tho plant by
tho rains had soma what cxpen ded itself.
If frequent rains continue, no farther
blowing OF course ii advisable, but il a
s'good season. only occurs, followed by
dry weather, the plows may be adpanta-
geously started, say week after the
rain for by that time the effects of the
rain will be well-nigh over, and plowing
will only prolong "a steady continuous
growth. Let it be borne in mind that o
sudden starting or a sudden checking of;
growth arc both very Objectionable af
ter cotton begins to fruit. One must
consider, therefore. tho condition Of his
crop, the character Of his sol! and the
kind Of weather prevailing, and regulate
his course accordingly.
Tn the olden time fodder-pulling was
prominent feature in the work. OF this
month, more so than at present, partly
/. Lccause more corn was planted than
now, and partly because fodder was the
almost exclusive dependence for long
forage for horses and mules. Other
kinds Of forage have supplented it more
or less, but it still holds q high place in
the estimation Of Southern farmers, and
deservedly so. Well cured, it is very
fine feed, butif nusty. it is exccrable.
Considering the risk Of weather, it is
better to cut off the tops above the ears
and cure them in shocks. Tops can be
cured successfully in weather that fod-
der would spoil in. For some years we
have adopted the plan of going over the
corn and stripping all the blades below
the ear. These are the first to dry up
!. and can be taken off some days in ad-
vance Of cutting the tops. Some art is
requisite to shock up the tops 80 they
will not blow over. They must be
spread out all around at the bottom to
brace up well, but not enough to admit
rain, and also give air to the centre ol
the shock. They must all be we'll set
tied on the ground before they are tied
Arope with loop in the end is drawn
tightly around the middle, and then a
band of grass or any convenient sub
stance placed securely around the
shock just above the. -ope. After this
another band is placed near the top
Put up green the leaves will speedily
: wilt and droop down so as to shed rain
The mass will quickly shrink enough te
permit free ventilation, and, except j,
very long spells Of wet weather, the
{ whole will cure we'll and may rennir
! for weeks in the field. OF course 1t il
always better, however, to honsc Of
stack forage as soon after is cured al
can bc conveniently done. Atthe Eorti
49, 49,. ~ n