The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-17
Agricultural Work for To-day.
COTTON PICKING

We used to estimate the final total yield of
our individual cotton crop by simply multi
plying by two the total picked out by the first
day Of October, experience having shown
our crop was usually harvested by that date.
With the constant improvement in the varie-
ties OF cotton in respect of earliness Of matur-
lty, aided by the almost universal use OF con-
centrated and stimulating fertilizers, the rule
will not now hold good. The dates Of the ap-
pearance OF the "lrst bale," the active open
ing Of the cotton season, and the gathering OF
the bulk Of the crop, have all been moved
back perhaps two weeks as compared with
twenty years ago. The present crop Is later
than usual, and yet we juGe;e that more than
half of 1t has been gathered and half of the
remainder is open IN the fields. These re, Q,
| 32H degrees, and are made to illustrate the
changes that have been wrought by improve
ment in seed and the use of commercial fer
tilizers. IT is remarkable, however, that no
practical device or machine has yet been per-
| fected TO aid in-the tedious work of cotton
| picking, and we stand just where we did forty
years ago. And yet there Is no detail of the
work of cotton production which SO urgently
calls for the aid of inventive talent as that OF
picking.
TERRAcING.
The next but more remote remedy is the
terracing Of all lands on which the surface
water will run in volume and force sufficient
| to carry off the soil. At the beginning OF
| winter is good time to consider the adoption
of this system. Our observation is confirmed
| by the general experience Of those who have
given terraces fair trial, that they are re-
markably effective as preservers of the soil
and preventives Of washing. Several articles
have appeared in The CULTIvAToR giving
| the simple rules for constructing these ter
races. On recent trip over the Atlanta and
West Point Railroad we were gratified TO note
the large area that has been practically re-
claimed from destined destruction by the
ladoption Of the terrace system. We speak OF
| this as more remote remedy because its ef-
fects are not SO promptly realized. 1t takes
on q steep or very long incline so as to be
proof against the heaviest rains. But persis-
| tent mending and occasional changes will Il.
nally insure success. Under perfect system
of terraces the rainfall Is so distributed or
spread over the surface that much larger
proportion OF 1t sinks into the soil, and the
water which may escape in q heavy shower
will not have sufficient fOrce or volume to
carry the soil with 1t. Hence the system
economies the rainfall as we'll as saves the
soil from washing away.
| GEASs.
! We have repeatedly urged the saving o
grass, and do not wish to fatigue our readers
culture September and October are the bes1
| mont hs for sowing. Thorough breaking (but
not turning) and narrowing OF the soil, plen
! ty of good Seed, q liberal dose OF fertiliZers
| to 90 slow at first. Learn by experience on 6
few acres how and what and when to sow be
fore launching out into an extensive system
/ The advantage to the soil and the full value
of the grass for hay and pasturage Will no
have been realized in one or two years; Al
| already suggested the steep hillsides and Ions
inclnes of our cultivated lands should bt
either terraced or put in permanent grass
We wish It were practicable TO write out plait
and simple directions, including details