The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-06-19
FARMER AND PLANTER.
PLANTING COTTON.
Hints in Regard to the Making of the Cot
ton Crop.

Hints in Regard to the Making of the Cot
ton Crop.
We have often stressed the Importance
of using none but the best seed for
planting. Not only should they be
sound beyond doubt, but they should be
of the very best and most prolific va
riety. Remember the trouble that was
very generally experienced last year in
getting stands of cotton on account OF
bad seed. 1t is a good idea for every
farmer to plant few seeds in sunny
place a week or two in advance of plant
ing the crop as test of their vitality.
The same difference of opinion and
practice in regard to early planting of
cotton prevails as in the case of plant
ing corn, some insisting on very
early planting, while others pre-
fer waiting until settled warm
weather. 1t depends upon the char
acter and location of the soil, in our
| Judgment. On old lands, especially thin,
| sandy soils, that are not to be literally
/ fertilized, it is better to plant rather
/ late. If exposed to one or two cool
/ spells in the latter part of April or May,
| the plants on such soils are very apt to
become lousy, and the expense of
cultivation and the difficulty of preserv-
ing stand greatly increased. Such
set-backs also dwarf the plant and
develop tendency to overload with
fruit before it has attained sufficient
size to bear full crop. 1t is important
to have the crop on such land come up
healthy and grow off without the set
backs alluded to in order to secure and
keep a good stand and good-sized plants.
On dark-colored, well-drained lands the
crop may be planted earlier, including
also fresh lands, and wherever there is
tendency to late growth and maturity
in the fall.
When seed are plentiful and have
been we'll ginned, good stand may be
secured without rolling them; but il
scarce, or if there is any reason for
making a few seed go ga long way" by
all means roll them, whether to be
sown by hand or with good seed dis
tributor. We have used the strongest
Peruvian guano for rolling seed withou
the least injury, but with great advan
tage to the plants. It is quiekar ad
vantage to the very early life of the
cotton plant to have a small quantity o
soluble fertilizer in contact with thu
planting seed.
Let us suggest, while there is We
time to do it, that patch of an acre o.
so be set aside for the purpose of grow
ing seed for next year, using the very
best seed, and if convenient, of severa
varieties, as we'll as nursery. 1t viii
pay handsome return for the trouble
The patch should be we'll MANFRED
giving good distance and perfect cult
walton.
In conclusion, under this head, a wor
of caution is usually expected and nc
out of place: Don't plant too much col
; ton. If you are in doubt about tn
proper relation of acres of corn and CO
ton, give the corn, or some other provi'
ion crop, the'benefit of the doubt. TIL
last cotton crop returned more profit
the farmer than probably any with
the last ten years. The price was be
ter sustained and the yield good; bl
there is absolutely no guarantee, and s
: far as we can discern, no strong pro-
ability that it will be any better tn
year. 1t would be great pity if tire
fourths of the farmers of the Sout
make the old mistake of each one plan
ing large crop in anticipation of r
L duced aggregate area, resulting sho
crop and consequent high prices
/ Southern Cultivator.