Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-01-28
FARMER ANDPLANTER.
COTTON GROWING.
Conditions On Which Successful Cotton
Growing Depend.

Conditions On Which Successful Cotton
Growing Depend
Hardly any tiller of the soil 'prac-
ices rotation as little us the cotton
grower, The case and almost mechanical
manner in which u crop OF cotton can be
cultivated tempts the planter to keep
every available acre in this crop so
we'll suited to his system OF labor.
Year after year this southern king
waves his white banners in the same
fields which he has monopolized for a
generation. True, each year is apt to
see his pomp and splendor somewhat
allotted and the white banners he
throws To the autumn breeze grow
smaller and less ABUNDANT. But the
soil seems his by right of ancient con-
quest and he retains his dominion.
While the rotation IN cotton grow
ing is not SO imperative rs in most 9TH
er crops, yet IL is beneficial, and under
most conditions even necessary. But,
either with or without rotation, / am
confident that from u to 35 per cent.
ut least can be added to the yield of
cotton per acre, aud at little extra ex-
pense, by giving more attention to the
composition of the fertilizers used, as,
for example, the average brand on the
market runs about eight 10 nine per
cent OF phosphorc acid, two to three
per cent of nitrogen and one to two
per cent of potash. The deficiency is
especially marked in the case of the
last ingredient. which should be at
least three TO four per cent
That the following simple system of
ratation aud manuring will not only
maintain the fertility of the cotton
fields, but actually improve them l
know TO be true. Sow and turn under
ut least every third year crop of COW
pea vines. This maintains the vege-
table or organic matter in the soil,
lessons the washing effect of heavy
rains, and furnishes all the ammonia
needed, provided, of course, that the
cotton seed is always returned to the
soil. All that will be necessary will
be TO use about 400 pounds of acid
phosphate and 800 pounds OF liainit, OF
in case muriate of potash, which is
cheaper and more concentrated, is sub
stituted for kainit, Is pounds. These can
be composted with the cotton seed, add
ing all the stable manure that the
farm affords. OF course much less can
be used with good results. The above
would DC liberal, but not heavy broad
cast manuring, and will soon get land
in tilt to yield a bale of cotton an acre
Rust aud many kindred diseases seen
to be mainly an indication that tn,
nourisbment given the plant is either
not sufficient, or else that the ingredi
ents of the nourishment are not in thu
right proportion.
In no system of tillage on earth il
there more need for care, economy an(
conservation of fertility, than on Til,
cotton farms OF the south. The prof
| is small, and in the proper manurinl
lies all the difference between prof
and no profit or even profit and abso
lutte loss
As stated, the cotton lands are usu
ally light and sandy. Such soil, sub
ject as it is to the hot suns and heav.
rains of the south, necessarily deteri
crates very rapidly under neglect, AM
intelligent care is, indispensable t.
maintain it i'll a paying state of fertil
ity.
This can b. done only by proper ma
nuring and the prevention of washing
of the soil. Many years experience,
has convinced me that the intellegen
use of potash and acid phosphate o
dissolved bone in connection wit
the turning under of pc
vines is the only practical way of mai
tanning this paying state of fertility
by this means the fertility can ne
only maintained but increased. Han
in hand with this liberal aud judiciou
manuring must be strenuous and III
RENTING efforts to prevent the sol
being washed off by our heavy rain
A system Of terracing, rs it is termed
originating in this immediate sectio
has been entirely successful. With
the heaviest rains do no harm.
This system has, we believe, bee
fully described in publications on til
subject. No farmer can afford TO nee
lect it for another year.
y. w. BLACKWELL
Kittrell, n. G.