The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-04-24
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Hints on Cotton Planting.

corn early in March Wall now De feauy
to commence planting cotton.
The same remarks in regard to the
proper time to plant and the signs OF
planting time" that were made with,
reference to Indian corn will apply with
nearly equal force to cotton. Our eli
mate is so variable and changes are so
sudden and unexpected, especially in
the spring, that we must be governed
by past experience, modified, always.
by the present condition OF the soil.
This last consideration is Of far more
importance than the difference OF q
few days of time, or many degrees
of temperature. The young cot
ton plant is much more delicate than
that of corn, and can not withstand the
same harsh treatment. Corn may be
cut down by frost, or destroyed by the
knife or other means, down to the SUI
face of the earth and even lower, and
yet recover and put forth anew with
little apparent loss of time or vitality
The same injury would be wholly fatal
to cotton plant. This difference in
results is not due to any inferior hardi-
ness in the tissues of the cotton plant
as compared with corn. It is because
of the organic difference in structure
and manner Of growth. which divides
all plants into two great classes. Exo-
genous, which includes cotton, and tae
Indigenous, which includes corn and
the cereals generally and grasses.
The plants of the indigenous
class grow from within the stem,
and the tender, growing bud or
spear is always concealed in the very
heart or core of the plant. young
corn plant has it's embryo first joint
just below the surface of the ground,
and the vital-growing germ is in the
center of the stem, just above this
joint or node, and is thus protected
from ordinary frosts. The cotton
plant, on the contrary pushes forth lis
most vital points, the first node, or
Joint, with the seed leaves Destroy
this joint, or node, and the plant can
not recover. This organic difference
is one of the chief reasons why we
plant cotton three or four weeks later
than corn. Our own experience taught
It's that about four weeks should inter-
vene between the planting of the two
crops.
1t is also matter of experience that
the thinnest land, that upon which the
weed will attain the smallest devel-
opment, should be planted last. OBJ
serving farmers know that on such
lands the tendency of the plant is to
overload itself with fruit before it has
attained sufficient size to mature the
bolls. The result is a suspension of
weed development and the devotion OF
all the energies of the plant to the
often unequal task OF perfecting the
early blooms. Then ensues a dwarf
! ing of the stalk and exhaustion of
its vitality, accompanied by disease,
and often followed by belated
effort at a late crop, to be caught by
the frost. For these reasons we ad-
wise the planting first the richer on
most highly-fertilized field, ending
by planting the old and comparatively
exhausted and moderatelyfertilized
! lands after the weather has become
warm and settled aud the soil fully
warm and genial. This will generally
! secure q prompt termination of the
seed-if the ground be in good condi-
ton as to moisture-followed by q
rapid, vigorous and unimpeded growth
of the plants, enabling them to reach a
larger size and better development of
joints and limbs before they are of
sufficient age to bloom and fruit free
ly. These suggestions are not mere
theories, but are the result of the
writer's experience of twenty years as
| a practical farmer, and we have no
doubt they may be corroborated by the
experience of many farmers.
planting cotton it is of Importance
that the beds shall have been made a
sufficient length of time before plant
ing to become somewhat "frmed" by
one or two rains, especially in light,
sandy soils. We have several times
utterly failed of stand when IL plant
ing On fresh, mellow beds has been
followed within Il few days by a heavy
rain. Where a dry crust has been
found on the beds sharp-edged board
or harrow should be first drawn over
them so as to give fresh, moist,
smooth bed in which to deposit the
seed. When the soil is in proper con-
dition the opening seed furrow should
not be over two inches in depth
and the seed be covered not deeper
than one inch, by passing Il rather
heavy board or block. We never
quite approved of the practice
of covering the seed by the at
tachment to the cotton planter, as it
does not usually sufficiently press the
soil; and for the additional reason that
we prefer to see the seed in the fur
row, and be assured that there has
been perfect. and uniform distribu-
ton. A cotton-p}anting machine, with
a covering attachment. is an excellent
implement in the hands of the pro-
prietor or trustworthy and intelli-
gent laborer; but it sometimes proves
u delusion If operated by careless,
thick-headed negro, or--white man.
If using high-priced, bought seed,
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