The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-01-29
FARMER AhDPLANTER.
COTTON GROWING.


Conditions On which successfal Cotton
Growing Depend.
Hardly any tiller of the soil prac-
tees rotation as little as the cotton
grower. The ease and almost mechanical
manner in which crop of cotton can be
cultivated teInpts the planter to keep
every available acre in this crop 90
well 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 somew what
Apoted and the white banners he
throws TO the autumn breeze grow
smaller and less abudant. 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 soiInperative as in most 9TH
er crops, yet il is beneficial. and under
most conditions even necessary. But.
either with or without rotation. l am
confident that from Is to IS per cent.
at least can be added TO the weld 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 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 marked In the case Of the
last ingredient, which should be ut
least three TO four per cent
That the following simple syste m of
ratation and manuring will not only
maintain the fertility of the cotton
fields. but actually improve them l
know to be true. Sow and turn under
At least every third year crop of COW
pea vines. Thii 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 lfainit, or
In case muriate of potash, which is
cheaper and more conce a trated, is sub
stituted for lsainit,75 pounds. These can
be composted with the cotton seed, add
.ag all the stable manure that the
farm affords. or course much less can
b9 used with t.ood results. The above
would be liberal, but not heavy broad
cast mannring. and will soon get land
IN tilt to yield bale of cotton an acre.
Bust and many kindred diseases seem
TO be mainly an indication that the
nourishnent given the plant is either
not sufficient or else that the ingredi- |
cuts Of the noirishment are not in the |
right proportion.
In no system OF tillage on earth is |
there more need for care, economy and |
conservation If 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 abso-
Lutte loss
AS stated, the cotton lands are usu-
ally light and sandy. Such soil. sub
jcct as it is to the hot suns aud heavy |
rains OF the south. necessarily deteri-
CRATES very rapidly under neglect, and
Intelligent care is indispensable to
maintain it in paying state Of fertil-
ity.
This can be done only by proper ma
nuring and the prevention Of washing
OF the soil. Many years experience
has convinced me that the intelligent
use OF potash and acid phosphate or
dissolved bono in connection with
the turning under OF pea
vines is the only practical way OF main
tanning this Paying state of fertility.
By this means the fertility can not
only aintalned but increased. Hand
in hand with this liberal aud judicious
must be strenuous and un-
remitting efforts to prevent the soils
being washed off by our heavy rains.
A system OF terracing, rs it is termed,
originating in this Immediate section
has been entirely successful. With it
the heaviest rains do no harm.
This system has. we believe, been
fully described in publications ON the
subject. No farmer can afford to neg
lect it for another year.
Kittrell N n