The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-03-24

tors, including poor preparation of
land, improper depth of planting and
poor seed. The farmers seem fair
~ we'll aroused to The Importance of
good seed. To be cool the seed must
not only be from a good variety but
must have been carefully selected an |
so cared for that they have a strong
vitality. BE sure the seeds planted
have. not been damaged from any
cause. Prepare the land thoroughly
and sufficiently in advanc, of plant
ing so that there is a firm seed bed.
Then avoid one of the most common
causes of loss of stand-that Of plant
ing too deep.
with well-prcparcd land good cot
ton seed, if properly planted, will ger
inmate wen in Il dry spring when
covered to no greater depth than one
fourth inch. Many OF the cotton
plantln" machines on the market are
Faulty IN that it is almost impossibla
to gauge the depth at which the seeds
are placed in tho ground. This defect
IS only increased if the seed bed is
loose. Further, while the seed may
not actually De covered to Il great
depth. many leave them in il trench
with hills OF loose dirt on each side.
lllc first Food rain washes this. dirt
INTO the trench and burics the seed
too deep. This should be avoided. \
light roller should always follow The
planting so as to press the ground
close to the seed.
1t is best ever where it is not nee
cSsary to plant upon bells, to place
the seed upon a slight ridge, especially
IN planting early. This i%nsurcs drain
age and warmth and consequently a
good stand. There are more stands
lost IN planting cotton by using too
much than too little seed. When Il
EnSil"l of seed is used il is very Of
ten Il detrlm2nt. because the seeds ar.
:" close that when they -crminatc
they lift the soil in the whole tom of
the row. II dry or a little cool
weathcr follows the soil immediately
around the young plant dries out or
IS chilled by the cool nights, and the
plants die. If this does not occur the
Farmer is obliged to thin the cotton
~Winrn'vary young. while the plants are
delicate and are easily injured. Per-
feet stands Of cotton have been OBJ
tanned with four pounds of seed AMI
IT the seed has been proprly select
ed and preserved it should never re-
nulrc more than peek per acre. pro-
vid2h the land is in good condition
and the seed is properly planted.
Prepare the land thoroughly before
planting.
Use selected seed Of known parent
age and good quality.
Plant Shallow-not over one-fourtll
inch in depth ON Il firm bed.
Follow planting with Il roller and
use care chat the seed drill is moi in
Il trench.
BE sure thc seed bed is well drain
ed.
With these precautions there should
be no difficulty in securing Il stand
ol either cotton o" ON this year.
These directions are Tor normal CON
dltlons and arc applicable with all
ordinary seasons and soils.
Width of Rows and Distances of
Plants in the Row.
Owing to The differences in soil
fertility and varieties Of cotton. it is
impossible to give any general rule
for distances between the rows and
for spacing Of the plants in the row.
llnwcvcr, as some guile We give the
following:
On good uplands ordinarily produc-
ing onc-half TO threc-fourths of a bale
Of cotton per acre, plant in rows four
icAt apart and give not less than six
teen inches space between plants in
the row..
On rich lands where excessive
stalks are produced. plant in rows not
less than five feet apart and give two
feet space between plants in the row.
Increase OF decrease these distances
Grows and spaces) according to the
>rcn"th Of the soil and the usual size
Of The cotton plants.
On pos: oak flats and a~lluvial lands
like the Mississippi bottoms. give full
distance bel Wcrn the rows so as TO
make Il broad ridge for tn" plants AMI
provide for surface Drainage.