The age-herald., 1898-02-22
COTTON GROWING
Conditions on Which Successful Cotton Grow.
 Ing Depend.
From the American Farmer.

A~'ah thC <AhfcftCdH
 Hardly any tiller of the soil practices
 rotation as little as the cotton grower.
 The ease and almost mechanical manner
 in which crop of cotton can be cultivated
 tempts the planter to keep every available
 acre in this crop so we'll suited to his sys-
 tenn of labor. Year after year this southern
 king waves his white banners in the same
 fields which he has. monopolized for a gen.
 eration. True, each year is apt to see his
 pomp and splendor somewhat abated and
 the white banners he throws to the au-
 tumn breeze grow smaller and less abun-
 dant. But the soil seems his by right of
 ancient conquest and he retains his dos
 minion.
 While the rotation in cotton growing is
 not so imperative as in most other crops, yet it Is beneficial. and under most con dftions even necessary. But, either With or without rotation, 1 am confident that from 8 to 9 per cent. at least can be added to the yield of cotton per acre, and at little extra expense, by giving more attention to the composition of the fertilizers used. as. for example, the average brand on the market runs about eight to nine per cent. of phosphoric acid, two to three per cent.
 of nitrogen and one to two per cent. Of
 potash The deficiency is especially mark
 ed in the case of the last ingredient, which should be at least three to four per cent. That the following simple system of TO- tatlon and manurihg will not only maintain the fertility of the cotton fields, but &C., tuaily improve them I know to be true. Sow and turn under at least every third year crop of COW pea vines. This main-
 tains the vegetable or organic matter in the soil. iessens the washing effect of heavy rains, and furnishes all the ammonia need ed, provided, of course, that the cotton seed is always returned to the soil. All af will hp will be tO abDilt 400 pounds of acid phosphate and s09 of kanit or in case muriatc of potash, Which is cheaper and more concentrated, is sub- stituted for kairit. 75 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 ueeRd with good results. The above would be liberal, but not heavy broadcast maturing,
 and will soon get land in tilt to yield Q pale of cotton an acre.
 Rust and many kindred diseases seem
 to be mainly an indication that the nourish-
 ment given the plant is either not sufficient or else that the ingredients of the nourish-
 ment are not in the right proportion In no system of tillage on earth is there
 more need for care, economy and con servation of fertility, than on the cotton farms of the south. The profit is small and in the proper manuring lies all the | difference between profit and no profit or even profit and absolute loss.
 AS stated, the cotton lanuS are uSudiiS light and sandy. Such soil. subject as It is to the hot suns and heavy rains of the south, necessarily deterlorates very rapidly under neglect, and intelligent care is in-
 Responsible to maintain it in paying state of fertility.
 This can be done only by proper ma nuring and the prevention of wcshing or the soil. Many years experience has con vnced me that the intelligent use of pot ash and acid phosphate or dissolved bone
 in connection with the turning under Of pea vines is the only practical way of
 maintaining this paying state of fertility By this means the fertility can not only be maintained, but increased. Hond in
 hand with this liberal and judicious manur- ing must be strenuous and unremitting efforts to prevent the soils being washed off by our heavy rains. A system of ter | racing, as it is termed, originating in this immediate section, has been entirely sue- .cessful With it the heaviest rains do no 1 harm. se79t E,A' i.iK i-s's
 This system has, we believe. been fully described in publication on the subject. No
 farmer can afford to neglect it for another year.