Keowee Courier

COMMUNICATIONS.
Cotton Culture,
Mr. Editor: You requested some time ago to give you my mode of making and preparing Cotton for market. I now comply, but reluctantly, as I have had only a few years experience in its culture, and consequently, with a subject that requires so much skill as cotton culture, many of my notions may be in error.
I will give you what I conceive to be the most important points for its successful culture in this latitude:-
The aspect of the land is of prime importance in starting and maturing the plant where the season is so short. The aspect has so much to do with the cotton plant, here, that I think no one should attempt its culture unless his lands have a favorable aspect. The aspect is favorable accordingly as it faces the South or S. E. Lands of a northern exposure should never be planted in cotton—they are good for corn and wheat. The texture of the soil has a great effect upon the plant. That soil in which sand predominates, with a porous subsoil, is the best suited to it. This kind of soil being readily penetrated by sun and air: and the porous subsoil permits the speedy fermentation of the surplus water that settles from the surface.
I have been thus particular in mentioning the aspects and textures of soils, because there are a variety of both in Pickens, and on almost every plantation; and, as the culture of the plant is limited, that aspect and texture best adapted to its culture, should be selected. The above items being determined upon, the two next of importance, are to elevate and stimulate the plant. The former is effected by high bedding, the latter by manuring.
The preparation of land for cotton should be made early, say in January or February. By an early preparation a firm compact bed is obtained, and the very important item of the early application of manure is obtained. The early deposit of all manures for all crops is important. When applied early they are rendered soluble by the winter rains, and mingle with the soil and assist the plant from the beginning. I have known manure applied in April that did not have rain enough upon it during the growing season of the crop to render it soluble, and a failure was the result.
Having the land prepared as above stated, the next operation is the planting. This is usually performed in short order, and there is no part of its culture more important. Great care and nicety should be used in planting this crop. In opening the bed a very narrow, short plow should be used, attached to a very light stock, as the weight of a heavy one causes it to run too deep. About two bushels seed to the acre I find sufficient on thoroughly prepared land. I use, in covering, a light iron-toothed rake. This is a slow mode compared with the usual way with plow and board. The principal advantage of the rake is the preservation of the height of the ridge. I never could see any sense in making a high ridge and then throw it all down, which is sure to be the case when it is covered with a plow and board. Throughout the entire cultivation the ridge should be kept up as originally made, as nearly as possible. I believe that by a highly elevated ridge, a degree in latitude may be attained. The crop should be all planted by the 15th of April. My rule is to commence on the 5th of April, regardless of the cold. After the seed are thus covered, a light one-horse roller is run over the beds— rolling two rows at once. This breaks down the inequalities of the ridge, pulverizes the earth directly around the plant, prevents evaporation, accelerates germination, causes the plant to come up and grow off with more vigor, facilitates the first working, and excludes somewhat the cold. When I get this much done, I consider the crop half made.
As soon as the cotton is sufficiently up for a stand, the first operation is to scrape down. Right here I think an egregious error is generally committed by using the plow vice the hoe. My mode is to scrape down lightly about a foot on each side of the cotton; at the same time bringing the cotton to a very narrow, straight line. This mode I consider far preferable to the chop through mode. By scraping down the cotton is left thin, and by being brought to a straight line the plowing can be made more effectual than when left in a zig-zag line, as is the case when chopped through. As soon as it is scraped, the hoes go directly back to spacing and thinning. The distance between the stalks is regulated according to the fertility of the land; the richer the land the farther apart, and on poor land vice versa, but never closer than twelve inches, and never more than one stalk in a place, except where one is missing, and I doubt if two are better here than one. The cotton plant requires ample room for its full expansion in every direction—not only is the quantity greater, but the quality is better when it has plenty of sun and air; the picking is also greater as the bolls are larger.— The thinning should be done if possible by the time the plant assumes the third leaf, as about this time the plant begins to shape its course. If it is crowded now it will adapt its organism to narrow limits: if it has ample room it will begin to tiller, and the stalk will acquire size and stamina, which it can never attain if crowded. Getting the crop thinned and set in time is the rub in managing the crop. The next working is done with the sweep— running lightly twice in a row, throwing gently a small quantity of earth among the cotton and covering the small grass. This is a very critical juncture in its culture as regards keeping down the grass. The best plowmen and the slowest mules should be put to this work. If the crop can be gotten over with the sweeps now before the grass begins to take hold, the crops will be of very little trouble. The sweeps are at all times very superficially used—barely deep enough to eradicate the grass and render pulverent the surface. Not only should the sweeps be superficially used, but on light soils care should be taken that the hoes touch lightly. The balance of the culture consists in keeping the surface clean and pulverent by means of the hoe and sweep. I do not top cotton. As to the propriety of this I am not able to say; one thing about it, is, that it is unnatural. I think it best to let nature alone. If topping does no good, it does harm, as it is certainly a wound to the plant. The working of the crop is continued till it begins to open.
By the above modes I have been making very satisfactory crops; rarely making under an average of 700 lbs. per acre. Last year, which was not at all favorable for either corn or cotton, I made on what I suppose to be eighty acres land, 52 bales—average weight, 410 lbs. Two thirds of the land is very old—originally good; balance, third years land. I merely state these facts to show the result of my mode of culture.
As this article is getting too long I will defer giving you the mode of preparing cotton for market till the crop begins to open.
J. W. CRAWFORD.
Cold Spring, Feb. 19, 1860.