The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-02-20

In the following communication I
addressed to agents Of The Y 3, De-
partment Of Agriculture on the east
side Of Oklahoma, F. F. Ferguson,
District Agent. offers important sug
gestions on the growing Of cotton and
the production Of better seed:
have occupied much time IN plae-
ing good cotton seed at many towns
on and east Of the A. r. & S. f. rail-
road in Oklahoma. did 50, from the
fact, that good seed selection is Of
first consideration in increasing the
yield Of the farm.
While this is absolutely essential,
we must not conclude that this is all
that Is necessary to do. AS tits true
that there are no seeds SO good, but
they are a failure without plant food;
this plant food is created through pre-
paration and cultivation Of the soil.
Where commercial fertilizers are not
used, and in such cases, we arenot
relieved from the necessity Of prepar-
alton and cultivation.
AS the soil has been too dry for
proper preparation at proper season
for cotton, this has prevented many
from any attempt at preparation, and
we only recommend blowing where
type Of soil permits the same depth
as was plowed last season, and If THIS
much can not be done, at least dhw
with disc harrow as deep as possibly
and later on If rain should occur neaE
planting time, shallow blowing or
disc the second time, to destroy weeds
and put life into the soil. This is
only a part Of the advantages; by use
Of the disc, boil worm Information
could be largely broken up, and 50
construct the top soil that the union
with the sub surface would be com
plete at such time as the land was
plowed. This shallow plowing applies
lonly to our dry, or late preparation,
and not the rule.
The method Of planting. as to bed
ding up, level or slightly below level,
distance Of rows, or plants in drill
must Ss determined according to type
and productive quality Of soil Owing
to the various types in practically
every neighborhood this conclusion
must be determined BY the Local Ag
ent, who has right to know better
than any man at distance who i
not familiar with local conditions.
AZ to the depth and time Of plant
ing, we are all agreed that is shoul'
be done as soon as the soil maintain
sufficient warmth to quickly germin
ate the seed, and under normal con
ditions Of moisture, just deep enough
to cover the seed, but under dry con
ditions Of the surface soil, the sect
must be planted to 4 depth where tn
moisture content is sufficient to germ
mate tile seed.
After planting should rains Occur
harrow the field to break the crusi
which operation admits the aii
evaporates the superflous moisture
warns the soil and 50 assists germin
alton. This same operation can b
repeated after the crop Is UP, wit
equal success, and still again # nece'
sary, as this work after the plant
up, destroys some cotton plants, ais
Z small weeds and grass, but it broaden
e and spreads and il creates usefl
d plants Of such as are left, which
l. then ready at this stage to be cut
a stand
q This followed up by shallow tho
e ough cultivation after each rain, al
y still a second time, if re-capulati
g should set up in the soil, which son
q times occurs with a humid atmosphe
+ and an overcharged moisture contel
= in sub-surface soil.
I have found by practical test TIL