The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-05-24
APRIL RAIN MAKES PROSPECTS
BETTER
CONTINUED from Page One.)

the two previous years, and the price
consequently much higher, will, no
doubt, have the effect Of inducing the
planting of a larger acreage, but We
hope that this will not be overdone.
The markets of the world can well
handle a ten or twelve million bale
crop, and this at a price which Will
pay the growers we'll. but if more thar
this quantity is produced It Will SIM
ply result in knocking down the price.
What ought to be aimed at Is the
making of more cotton per acre and
not the growing OF more acres. We
are glad to know that many of the
planters are realizing this fact,and that
much better preparation IS beng maze
this year than has been the practice
in the past. If planters who are
adopting his policy will only put part
Of the land usually put into cotton
into coWpeas and crimson clover they
wall next year be able to materially
increase the yield Of cotton per acre
and will be able at the same time to
have land for the production OF
Germ and other staple crops for home
consumption. The crop SHOULD be
brought to q stand as Don as possible
SO that the plants to make the cotton
shall have the full benefit Of all the
fertility in the soil. The distance at
which the plants should be left varies
very much with the fertility of the
AoiA 49, = 1i8aN ~ ~ - -
axiom that cotton planted in three
foot rows and spaced to one plant
every two feet almost invariably pro-
duces more cotton than spaced IN any
other way. Let the crop be frequently
cultivated and keep the cultivation
level and shallow and at the last cult
walton SOW crimson clover ahead Of
We hear that there is likely to be q
considerable shortage in tobacco
plants in many sections owing to he
drouth. Where the plants are still
standing, but not growing. a topdTess-
ing of nitrate of d now that the
rain has come, viii start them into
growth and they will soon be ready
to set out. In applying the nitrate Of
soda keep it off the leaves as far as
possible. as it is very apt to burn
them, 1t is usually best applied by dis
solving it in water, say, a tablespoon
full to a gallon Of water. and applied
between the plants with a watering
can. AS soon as the plants are large
enough to set out, set them out Do
not wait for them to become over
CROWN. A sturdy, short, stiff set plant
is much more likely to grow han a
lanky, ~overgrown one. Before setting
out the plants, prepare the
land well. Don't try to grow
a good crop of tobacco with a
handful of 2-S-2 fertilizer. 1t can't be
done. Liberal fertilization with a prop
erly mixed high grade fertilizer is the
only way to grow tobacco profitabIy,
and to put the land into condition to
grow other crops profjtably after the
tobacco Cultivate frequently, and
keep the land level. and work around
the plants with a Zoe No cu~ltivator
can be run close enough to tobacco
plants to give them the help they
need when small A good crop Of
tobacco can afford the cost of the nee
essary hoe work TO give it a good
start.
The peanut crop, which is now one
Of very considerable Importance in the
eastern sections Of Virginia and of
North Carolina, and for which there
IS q constantly growing demand so
large as to have led to the importation
OF the nuts from abroad, should have
attention this month. In the past there
haS not been sufficient attention paid
to the conditions required to be met
III OfCer to secure 2 profitable Weld