Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-12-15

after the first squares form on the co.
ton.
The production of an early crop Of
cotton is accomplished as follows:
First-Cut the cotton acreage to from
four to eight acres to the mule, so that
cultural methods may be closely fol.
lowed.
Secondhand only well drained, quick.
making land in cotton. You may plant
rich land or poor land, first bottom or
second bottom, but it must be quick
making land. It's worse than folly to
plant late land in cotton.
Third-Make heavy application of fer.
t~ilizers suited to your soil.
Fourth-Work the soil until it is like
an ash heap Tor two or three inches deep
before planting.
Fifth-Plant early, rapid-fruiting, pro-
life cotton seed. 1t is advisable to plant
several of the earliest varieties of cotton
and select the best variety for your soil.
Sixth-Plant as early as the season
will permit in rows a little wider apart
than usual on this Delta soil.
Seventh-Commence to work the cot
ton as soon as possible and never permit
the field to become grassy. Continue the
cultivation until the cotton begins to
open.
| will not discuss the topics because
you are all intelligent planters and I'M
derstand the Importance of reducing the
number of weevils to the minimum and
of growing an early crop of cotton.
l have made the statement that you
can grow profitable crops of cotton in
normal seasons, but great changes must
take place in the methods of farming on
many plantations. More labor-saving
farm implements and stronger plow
teams should be used. The land should
be thoroughly drained, the most prolific
early maturing seed planted, and the
crop given intensive cultivation.
l have been asked the question, what
will the boil weevil do for the Delta? ?"
many times. | always answer in sub
stance that the people of the Delta are
intelligent and grave, and that they will
fill corncribs and smokehouses, furnish
the laborers the actual necessities of life
until they are able to stand alone, grow
cotton in spite of the boil weevil and
that the bankers, merchants, planters
and laborers will all pull together with
a mighty pull until the readjustment
takes place and all are on the high road
to permanent genuine prosperity. And l
know that | have been telling the truth.
This Delta country has a great future
solidly based on an improving agricult-
ure, and let us not forget that the nat
ural advantages of this section for a
profitable diversified agriculture are be-
coming better known and appreciated
every day. The cheapest fertile soil in
the world is now in this delta country.
immigration is certain to increase as the
many advantages of this section become
better understood through information
furnished by such organizations as the
Delta Publicity and Improvement Asso-
citation. More and more will capital seek
investments in this section as its many
advantages are made known to the
world.
Do not sacrifice your land. Your ex-
ceedingly fertile soil is worth 5000 per
acre if you could not raise a pound of
cotton for growing corn, alfalfa, rice and
other farm products as well as for stock
raising. Illinois, Iowa and other great
agricultural states do not raise cotton.
The land in those states is worth three
times what you ask for your fertile soil.
Understanding and wellcultivated
plantations upon which the mansions and
magnificent dwellings and large barns
bespeak prosperity, thoroughly good per-
manent pastures, herds of improved
breeds of sleek cattle, large meadows,
alfalfa, corn and cotton fields which tell
of heavy harvests, will take the place of
all cotton plantations and an era. of high.
priced land and permanent genuine pros
neritv will he ushered in.