The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-03-17
FARMER AND PLANTER
PROFIT ABLE coTToN-oRowlNc.
ssns Matters to be Observed III You
would Succeed with Cotton.


Matters to be Observed III Yo,
would Succeed with Cotton.
10 grow a good crop of cotton is sim
pie enough when seasons are favora
ole. 1t is important to prepare the soil
pe,Iectly. Do the greater part of the
cultivation before seeding. Do not
F. trust everything to chance and the sea.
IONS. Have the land ready to plant by
april 18th, earlier in some sections.
iaeer IN Others Seed the land. begin.
ning about the first of April and finish
ny the 18th Il write for this section: il
must be changed to suit localities).
fanted SO early seed will require q
longer period to germinate; the average
mere Is about ten days. When out of
tne ground and the first two leaves
are full, spread the stand good;
start Planet, Jr., or Iron Age
.cuitivators to work, running close
up to the young plants, loosing up
the soil and starting them to growing.
nhen the plant has developed four to
SIX leaves, start the hoes to cutting ont
to a stand" Follow with plow or
small sweep, throwing little loose
SOIL on the plant. When this has been
completed, throw out the mindless,
10 TINS 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 s.mid-
uies' and deep cultivation would then
De injurious. We must, however. give
tne crop one good, deep blowing while
.he Iiants are small; unless this is
done promptly and well the crop will |
be ruined beyond redemption, because
our land runs together after being
proved and left standing I'M
I'll the cultivation of the
crop begins, as rains are fire.
qnent at that season. The inn
portance of the first blowing being
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-
fect piece of net work. If the first
blowing is not deep and thorough, the
'middles" will be hard and no root or
rootiet can secure a 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.
'he object being to furnish a loose.
mellow top soil to serve as mulch to
ioid moisture, ETC. The width of cot
on rows should be just that distance
part OF the average height of the
liant grown in that field. That is, if
he plant ordinarily attains to 4
eeh the distance between rows !.
hould be 4 feet. etc.; distance
'etween plants in the drill makes little
Inference, since it is impossible to y
rowd cotton if given the proper dis :
ance between the rows. The usual :
ractice is to give twelve inches in drill. n
believe in rapid cultivation during c :,
lay, June and July, and stop alto n
ether about August /, some seasons
ariier. 1t will always be necessary to
over the crop with sweep or cultiva-
'r once after laying by in order to t.
Ike out weeds and vines. Plant the II
est OF the short, staple prolific varie-
es, the short limbed being earliest. .,
le other usually making most cotton. ',
ancy staples are not in sufficient de- m
and to justify extensive planting. A ta
edium staple of "Benderssr sell best.
Id the supply never exceeds the de-
and. l mean there is always sale =.
r Renders at fair price. OF course 10
here there is sale for fancy staples. -,
ey sell at five to eight cents pre- =,
lum over the ordinary staples.-Cor a. a.
'actical Farmer. ~