The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-03-20
The NEXT COTTON CROP.
Some Good Advics to the Men Who
Will Make It.

Some Good Advice to the Men Whe
Will Make 1t.
Mr.. Martin V. Calvin, Of Augusta,
Ga, writes as follows to the Macor
Telegraph:
TIE whole world is busily eugaged
corjsc!uring the policy which the cot.
ton growers Of the United States will
pursue this year. The world is solac'
ipg itself in the belief, which is born
Of wish, thst q larger acreage than in
1899 will be planted in cotton and an
extraordinary crop produced.
I believe that sa II, ,000. 600 bale crop
may be GROVE this year without Sc
risusly affecting the price which nov
rules. The large increase in the mum
Der Of cotton mills Lear the cotton
fields, the larger quantity Of cotton
thas will be required for the msnufac
ture of spe cislsies in cotton goods, etc ,
authorize this belief.
The cotton growers need to have 80
eye to the cost Of producing the crop.
This is as important to them as the
minutest item in the cost Of the pro
duction Of cotton goods is important
to manufacturers. A very large num-
Der Of farmers havs accepted this as
fact and will govern themselves &C.
cordingly. The number Of this class Of
farmers has been increasing the past
two years-sloWly, but steadily. This
year many more will fall into line.
Labor conditions will compel those
who s:e disposed to regard every pro-
posed innovation on old customs as a
vsgsry, to conform to the new order
Of things. The lessons taught Us by
experience ought to be treasured. We
need to look backward. as well as for
ward. Large crops Of cotton have been
produced 81 too great expense. Too
many acres have been cultivated and
too little made perscre.
Some progress in production per acre
has been made. but not great deal.
Here in Georgia, for example, in 1893
and 1894, the aversge yield of cotton
per acre was 80 100 Of s bals; that is,
it took three acres to make one bale.
In 1895, We made 35 100 Of bale per
acre; IN 1896, 36 100; in 1897, 3S 100;
in 1898. 80 100. The record shows
that cotton growers have been buying
large quantities Of fertilizers; the results
prove that they have not used them
wisely. Too many apply too small .
quantity per acre. One hundred and
forty pounds Of the best commercial
fertilizer OF the market applied to the
average acre is practically wasted. Bet
ter twice the quantity.
Given twenty-five acres Of averege
lsnd, throughly prepared and treated
with q fertilizer adapted to the cotton
plant-400 pounds per acre-the best
secd obtsinsble, though they cost 81
per bushel planted, say, eighteen inches
spars in rows four feet apart, carefully
cultivated, aod seventy six bales will
result, as against twenty-six bales on
eighty acres under the policy which
usually preVails.
Smaller acreage, good seed, q liberal
use of commercial fertilizers and bet
ter methods in cultivation Rill more
than meet the labor problem. What
ever the aggregate Of the crop produced,
there will be much clesr money in it to
the producers.
vas talking today with iarmer
whom 7 have known for years. He
used to gather twenty-si1 bsles, some
times smaller number, from eighty
acres; the past year, following some
what the plan outlined in the forego-
ing, he made forty-eight bales on the
eighty acres. This year, moving for
ward several steps, be purposes to
make fifty bales on City acres and have
corn and wheat, oats and hay in aoun-
dance.
Smaller acreage, free use o. high
grade commercial fertilizers. rich in
the food the cotton plant reqaires; the
best seed and the best methods in cul-
tivation, will minimize the cost of.pre-
duction.
It was demonstrated by the South
Atlantic ststes in 1896 that the farmer
who applied fertilizers per acre at a
cost of 81 40 realized and increased
profit Of 1912 per cent, while the
farmer who spilled 81 II worth pei
acre realized sn increased profit Of 81 I
per cent.
Irepeat aud emphasize the statement
Just any kind Of fertilizer will not dc
for cotton. If you would have the best
results you must supply with wisely
liberal hand the food the plant Graves
and demands.