The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1903-05-21

CnitlvntinR Cotton Flat.
In 1901 the shortage of the cotton
crop, as well as of the corn crop, was
due TO drouth. This occurred carly in
the season at n time when the corn
needed the moisture most to fill out
the ears, and when the cotton was
making its first bolls. 1t continued
long enough to ruin the corn and
shorten the cotton crop at least thirty
per cent. This year again In many
parts Of the country both these crops
have suffered severely 1t is evident
that drouth is one Of the main factors
In shortening our corn and cotton crops
IL not the principal one. 1t is therefore
an important question to solve whether
there is any way to avert the great
losses likely to be caused every year
by drouth.
The experience Of farmers in raising
other crops in all parts Of the country
shows very conclusively that TO large
extent the evil effect Of drouth may be
averted. 1t is principally a matter Of
cultivation; the method Of cultivation
and frequency Of it. All through the
corn belt where the bulk of our ma
tional crop is raised, the ridge row
system Of raising corn has been aban-
doned years ago. They never put n
turn plow into the ground after the
land has been first broken up. The
cultivation is always level; 1t is done
with a two-horse cultivator, which
works both sides Of a row, ON every
trip through the field, and the soil is
not only made fine, but is kept level.
In case Of drouth, II is the custom Of
the up-to-date farmers to run through
the corn again, after the final working
with a cultivator, that pulyerizes the
surfaces, but runs very shallow. If
the drouth continues they go through
again, and as often as 1t seems to be
necessary, Doing this keeps mulch
Of dust on the surface which Keeps the
moisture from escaping and ensures
fair crop, even in case Of long drouth.
If the land were ridged up in narrow
ridges, It would dry out much sooner
than II kept level, and 1t would be inn
possible to keep such a complete dust
mulch. That this plan accomplishes
its purpose has been shown in thou
sands Of cases. In many instances,
where fields adjoining were in corn,
that cultivated by the new system was
fairly good crop, when one next to
1t, cultivated on the old plan, made
only few nubbins. We have NOT the
slightest doubt that the same rule will
apply to cotton. Then why not adopt
the fat system and frequent shallow
cultivation for cotton, too.
The claims made for the ridge system
are that II stands wet seasons better;
that II kills the grass and weeds in the
row by wrapping them up with dirt,
and that 1t holds up the stalks and pre-.
vents them from being blown down
TO some extent, We do not deny the
truth of these claims, but We do not
believe that they begin to compare in
Importance with conserving the mois-
ture during seasons of drouth. And
when to this is added that the fat sys.
TEN prevents on rolling land much of
the washing that is so ruinous, the
testimony in its favor is immensely
stronger than that for ridge rows. This
matter, the preventing Of damage by
drouth, Is one of infinite Importance,
Every possible means Of abating II
ought to be thoroughly tested. The
old system has been tried till It has
ruined thousands OF plantations and
thousands Of planters 1t Is surely time
to get on to a new system.-State
Farmer.