The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-05-03
every obstacle that stands in their

IlOW!
First, by reducing the cotton acreage.
Second, by a more thorough preparation of the
soil-making each-acre a seeded by the skilful
use of improved, labor-saving farm implements.
q want to run in a parenthesis right here in
order to say that through labor-saving farm i'm
plements and machinery, wondrously improved
during the past decade, the labor problem will be
easily, most satisfactorily, most proftably,
solved.)
Third, by the use of the best seed-the earlier
and more prolific varieties preferred.
Fourth, by adopting the check system of plant
ing-four feet by three feet generally; in many
instances four feet by four feet instead of the
old system of three feet (rows) and two feet
(drilI).
Fifth, by the freer and more liberal, i. e., intel
ligent application of high-grade commercial fer
tilizers, rich in food, especially adapted to the
plant.
Sixth, by the best methods of cultivation.
Chemists who analyze soil and fertilizers tell
us that phosphoric acid, nitrogen and potash are
the elements in which generally the soil is more
or less dencient. A long series of careful ex-
periments have demonstrated, beyond all doubt,
that the three elements named sustain to one
another a relationship that is expressed by
3 1911.
VALUABLE phosphoric acid is of supreme import
ance to cotton. Soil conditions considered, nitro
gen stands next, potash next.
The thought is to get a balanced ration and
feed it to the plants, according to soil, at the rate
of 300 to 400 pounds or $50 to 500 pounds per
acre-a 50O-pound bale of cotton from each acre
being the set standard, toward which every effort
should be persistentiy directed.
Every farmer will, of course, cling to the old
and sensible practice of spreading over his land,
and blowing in, all the stable and lot manure he
can command and leaf mold according to his
judgment.
A greatly exaggerated idea, as to the crops of
eleven years, 1989-9O to 1S99-19OO, has crept into
the public mind. It is true that the crop of 1897
SO amounting to II, 199,9 1914 (482-pound) bales,
and that of 1998-99 aggregated L, 274,94O (49S-
pound) bales, but the average yield per year, the
eleven years, was less than 5000, 800 bales. So that
with the two large crops mentioned, the actual
average yield per year, the eleven years, was only
8,916,117 bales.
With the most favorable seasons, the crop of
19O4-O5 cannot possibly exceed 10000, 600 bales
if, by chance, it should reach that number.
The worlds necessitous demand is nearer 49,
than J1,OOO,O 900 bales.
The gravity of the situation, as it relates to the
cotton consumers of the world, was voiced by the
king of England in his recent stated address from
the throne. His majesty pointedly touched upon
the scarcity of cotton and the unpromising pros
pect for a large crop of American cotton during
the year under consideration, and probably for
five to ten years to follow.
No anxiety need be felt in this country as to
the renewed and redoubled efforts which all Eu-
rope proposes to put forth to grow her own cot
ton. She cannot grow American cotton; that is
indigenous to our soil.
Europe tried cotton culture, 1861-65. She
made then, as she can again make, cotton of a
certain texture and grade, but it is lacking in the