The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-23
For the Month Of April.
Southern CultiUdtOr.

Each succeeding month thus far has
made increased demands upon the
farmers energy, judgment and time.
He is now nearly through with plan
ming, and half through with planting
the crops of the year. If plans have
been laid with judgment and skill
rassment in carrying them forward in
to execution. There is no time for idle
regrets over mistakes, and but little
chance to correct errors of the past
month.
PLANTING COTTON.
We have often stressed the impor-
tance 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
variety. Remember the trouble that
was very generally experienced last
year in getting. stands of cotton OH ac-
count of bad seed. 1t is q good idea
for every farmer to plant few seeds in
sunny place q week or two in ad-
vance of planting the crop. as a 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 OH very early
planting. while others prefer waiting
until settled warm weather. 1t de-
ponds upon the character 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 expos
ed to one or two cool spells in the lat
ter 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 preserving a stand greatly
increased. Such set-backs also dwarf
the plant and develop a tendency to
overload with fruit before it has at
tanned 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 III
order to secure and keep good stand
and good sized plants. On dark color
ed, we'll drained lands the crop may be
planted earlier, including also fresh
lands, and whenever there is Il tenden-
cy 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 if
scarce, or if there is any reason for
making few seed 60 "a long way"
by all means roll them, whether to be
s0wn by hand or with a seed distribu-
tor. Turn to "Thoughts" for April,
1888, and see an illustration and de-
scription of simple device for rolling
seed for planlin willie at the same
time Incorporating with them small
quantity of concentrated fertilizer.
We have used the strongest Peruvian
guano for rolling seed without the
least injury, but with great advantage
to the plants. 1t is quite I'LL advantage
to the very early life of the cotton
plant to have n small quantity of SOL
uble fertilizer in contact with the
planting seed.
Let us suggest, while there is yet
time to do it, that a patch of an acre or
so be set apart for the purpose of grow
ing planting seed for next year, using
the very best seed, and if convenient,
of several varieties, making the little
field a test of varieties as we'll as nur-
sery. 1t will pay handsome return
for the trouble. The patch should be
we'll manurcd, giving good distance
and perfect cultivation.
In conclusion, under this head, a
word of caution Is usually expected
and not out of place: Don't plant too
much cotton. If you are in doubt
about the proper relation of acres of
corn and cotton, give the corn, or
some other provision crop the benefit
of the doubt. The last cotton crop re-
turned more profit to the farmer than
probably any within the last ten years.
The price was better sustained and the
yield good but there is absolutely no
guarantee, and far as we can discern,
no strong probability that 1t will be
any better next year. 1t would be a
great pity If three-fourths of the far
mers of the South make the old mis-
take Of each one planting large crop
in anticipation of reduced aggregate
area, a resulting short crop and conse-
quent high prices.
FLOWING CORN.
As soon as the main cotton crop is
planted, The early March paintings of
corn will be ready to receive the first
working. We don't care to plow corn
very early if the ground is clean, and
especially if other work is more press
ing. Flowing very small corn is tedi-
Gus and unsatisfactory. Perhaps the
best practice is to run round the rows
with a small scooter and board when the
plants have several leaves, letting in
the air and sunshine to the roots. Of
course if the land has not been well
broken before planting, or has become
impacted by soaking rains, the ground
between the rows should be plowed
out close and deep. But on mellow,
we'll pulverized soil, good broad
coming popular practice. 1t is u
GOOD plan, whatever be the condition
e tl,a coil whathpr rOI1ph and clOddy