The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-08
Feed, Distance and Culture the
Leading Essentials of Success in
Profitable Cotton Culture.


Last year we succeeded in gathering
three bales of $50 pounds each, from the
single acre. We were beaten by but one
individual in the entire South. SAYS
George Turner in Practical Farmer. That
individual was Mr.. E. d. Thompson of
Point Postoffice, S. c. That gentleman
gathered four light bales from the single
acre, averaging $50 pounds each. From
actual practical experience and close and
extended observation, we are positive that
when all influencing and controlling fac
tors are favorable, it is possible to gath
er not less than six bales from the single
acre, each averaging not less than SEQ
pounds. We are well aware of the fact
that the accuracy of our estimate as to
possible yield will be called in question:
doubted, and in some instances actually
denied; we care nothing for this; we know
what we know, and we know whereof we
affirm, hence we have no apologies TO Of
fer to any of our ultra-optimlstic views.
We think we have as good land as any
body in the South; as good fertilizers,
because exactly adapted to our soil and
the crop planted thereon, as any in the
South; as good seed as can be found in
the South; hence we hope we may not
be considered egotistical when we say that
the man who succeeds in gathering more
from the single acre than our humble self
will have to hustle get up and get, and
study headwork as well as handwork.
We have determined to excel along this
line; hence give our brethren of the p.
F. family fair warning; go in and win If
you can. A little healthy emulation and
friendly rivalry will tend more than any,
thing else to bring about a permanent
increase in the present extremely low and
beggarly average" Average crops are
not profitable, and never will be.
The only way i'm which g. or scent cot
ton can possibly be raised at a profit is
by making bales-to-the-acre, knstead Of
taking res-to-make-a- bale Cavil about
1t if you wish, debate the subject at every
opportunity, study it i'm all of it's bearings
and you will be forced to the same con-
clusion. The $25 prize essay is a good one.
and MIR. BurreiI Stephens deserves great
credit for his article; yet, in our opinion.
some of his conditions of success are too
arbitrary, and not universally practicable.
In this, as in many other instances. what
Is one mans meat is another's poison. For
instance. he says: PLANT early" The
best cotton we ever raised was planted
the Sth day Of May. This year, we did not
finish planting until the End of May; this
is not from choice but from necessity. oW-
ing to our ground being lowland. The sea l.
son was excessively wet. Again, he says.
Pillow shallow in cultiyating and leave the
land level" The latter clause does not
suit us, as 1T is necessary for us to leave
broad and moderately deep water-furrow
between each and every row for the DUR
pose OF Carrying off all surplus surface wa
ter. Again he says, Keep up cultivation
till late in summer" This advice is all
right on poor land, but on my land have
to lay-by as early as possible to prevent
excessive growth of weed. As far as the
balance of the essay is concerned we are
unit, we can sanction every word of IL.
Especially is this the case when Il comes
to distance on our land. We can make
more cotton to the acre with plants 4-by-4
feet apart each way, then we can at any
other distance. "A multiplication of stalks
means a subtraction of lint; lint, and not
stalk, is what we are after; hence our ad-
vocacy and practice of allowing good dis
lance.