The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-06-02
The Cotton Problem.

\ study of the situation just now fo'
| cotton culture is that it should be 4
crop in a rotation Of crops, and that
failure will inevitably attach to the
plan of trying to have cotton follow
cotton on the same ground year after
year.
The winning plan in this matter
now is to make a part OF that in
tensive farming which calls for high
culture and abundant fertilizing.
Under this plan the fertilizing OF soil
is not done for the cotton only; and so
a mixture highly recommended for the
service is acid phosphate, 1900
pounds; cotton-seed meal, 600 pounds:
kainit, 200 pounds. 1t is advised that
about 700 pounds of this mixture be
| applied per acre.
VOORHEES,, an authority on fertilizing,
in discussing the subject, recommends
that this soil-enriching mixture should
be used ''in the drill at the time OF
planting, and at depth Of not more
than three inches and we'll mixed with
| the soil.
I'm most cases it is best to allow all
Of the fertilizer in one application
| rather than fractionally, though If the
land is in superior condition applica-
tion may be made again at the second
plowing"
The preparation of the ground should
| be of the most thorough character,
with the blowing done in the fall, if
possible; so that the harrow will be
able 10 accomplish all that is needed
in getting the soil right for the recep-
ton of the seed in spring.
The BARROW ought to be given very
free use here, because if it is the
| ground will be put in just the right
order for promoting early and vigorous
growth and for maturing the crop;
and at the same time this narrowing
will lead to the termination and also
| the destruction Of the weed elements
in the earth.
In no event are weeds to be allowed
If the best outcome is to be expected.
Stir and stir, for thus the growing will
be helped; and the dryer the season
so much the more will this be true;
and at any rate never let crust re-
main after a rain beyond the time
when the surface is in condition to
be stirred.
1t should be remembered that some
one point neglected or overlooked may
be ruinous to the whole business.
Make sure Of good seed-seed the
vigor of which is in no way impaired.
And get the variety Of seed most likely
to secure early maturing Of the crop,
and this along with that which gives
the best quality Of fiber. See to it that
no point of Importance is neglected.
1t is certain that out of the present
insect peril for cotton will come a
better agriculture and better things
for cotton growing generally in the
South.
We notice with great pleasure that
the cotton growers are thoughtfully
aroused on this whole subject; and We
confidently believe that out Of the situ-
alton as it now exists will come better
things every way for the growers of
this leading product of the Southern
country.
The many letters that come to Home
and Farm are fully in support Of the
view that whilst cotton will still be
the staple product of the South, 1t will
not be allowed by the planters to be
this to its injury any longer, but that
from this on the system will be to re-
duce the acreage, and yet by increas-
ing the amount per acre not lessen
the aggregate amount of cotton pro-
duced.
This, we urge, can be done by judi
cious system Of rotating the crops;
and from each rotation will be secured
a decrease insect depreciation and an
increase Of kinds Of crops which will
make it possible not only to utilize all
the available soil elements without
destroying their proportion, but at the
same time make the Southern planter
independent of outside reinforcing as
he has never been before.-Home and
Farm.