The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1894-02-22
FARMER AND PLANTER.
ABLE coTToN-oRoWlNo.
Important Matters to be Observed II You
Would Succeed with Cotton.

Important Matters to be Observed II You
Would Succeed with Cotton.
To grow a good crop of cotton is sim
pie enough when seasons are favora-
BILE. 1t is important to prepare the soil
perfectly. Do the greater part of the
cultivation before seeding. Do not
trust everything to chance and the sea-
sons. Have the land ready to plant by
April 18th, earlier in some sections,
later in others. Seed the land, begin
ming about the first of April and finish
by the 18th Il write for this section: it
must be changed to suit localities).
Planted so early seed will require a
longer period to terminate; the average
here is about ten days. When out of
the ground and the first two leaves
are full, spread the stand good;
start Planet, Jr., or Iron Age
cultivators TO work, running close
up to the young plants, loosing up
the soil and starting them to growing.
When the plant has developed four to
six leaves, start the hoes to cutting out
to stand" Follow with pillow or
small sweep, throwing little loose
soil on the plant. When this has been
completed, throw out the mindless"
do this thoroughly and deep, for the
cultivation to follow must be shallow,
since the plant by this time should be
eight to ten inches high, and the roots
extend some distance into the mid
dies" and deep cultivation would then
be injurious. We must, however, give
the crop one good, deep blowing while
the Plants are small; unless this is
done promptly and well the crop will
be ruined beyond redemption, because
our land runs together after being
plowed and left standing I'M
til the cultivation of the
crop begins, as rains are fire.
quent at that season. The i'm
deep and thorough will be under
stood when we say that cotton root
lets, if the soil be in proper condition,
will cover these ''middles" like a per-
feet piece of net work. If the first
blowing is not deep and thorough, the
''middles" will be hard and no root or
rootlet can secure foothold. The re-
suit will be seen in size and fruit of
plant. / think this first blowing set
ties what the crop is to be. The after
working must be shallow and rapid,
the object being to furnish loose,
mellow top soil to serve as mulch to
hold moisture, etc. The width of cot
ton rows should be just that distance
apart of the average height of the
plant grown in that field. That is, if
the plant ordinarily attains to 4
feet, the distance between rows
should be 4 feet. ETC.; distance
between plants in the drill makes little
difference, since it is impossible to
crowd cotton if given the proper dis
tance between the rows. The usual
practice is to give twelve inches in drill
I believe in rapid cultivation during
May, June and July, and stop alto
gether about August 1, some seasons
earlier. 1t will always be necessary tC
GO over the crop with sweep or cultiva
tor once after laying by in order te
take out weeds and vines. Plant the
best of the short, staple prolific varie
ties, the short limbed being earliest
the other usually making most cotton
Fancy staples are not in sufficient de
mand to justify extensive planting A
medium staple of ''Benderss" sell best
and the supply never exceeds the de
mand. I mean there is always sal,
for Blenders at a fair price. Of course
where there is sale for fancy aples
they sell at five to eight cents pre-
MUM over the ordinary staples.
Practical Farmer.