Southern cultivator. (Augusta, Ga.) 1843-188?, April 01, 1867, Page 99, Image 7

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the enemy is crippled, then concentrate yotir column? and break the centre “ala NapoleOn,” with the heavy artille ry of turning plows, and small aim?. The modus operan ds must in every instance, be adapted to the situation of affairs. To trace out the often varying details of the culti" ration of cotton, would make an essay tedious, and in some instances, scarcely intelligible. There has been enough said, il the tyro will bring his mind to assist him in his labors, as too much detail much confuse the subject. One object, therefore, of the writer, is to bring the menta* faculties to operate, pari passu, with the physical. The highest production of land, requires as much effort cp mind, as any other profession or calling, and the correct application of labor, is of the greatest importance, both to individuals, and in a national consideration of the subject. Having “laid by the crop,” some other subjects connec ted with cotton, will be briefly considered. Some are of opinion, that topping increases the production. If the growth is checked upwards by topping, it is thrown lat erally among the branches, thereby causing a thicker growth and shade upon the under bolls, inclining them to rot. This conclusion was arrived at from topping two rows, and leaving two rows not topped over several acres, after the cotton had matured, it was examined carefully, and no advantage could be discovered from the topping. Some years ago, there was some difference of opinion, in regard to the comparative advantages of drill and hill culture of cotton. My experience is in favor of the drill culture, having tried both plans long before anything was written on the subject. The drill culture is the most profi table for field crops, a good stand is more certain to be obtained, and is less liable to be plowed up by careless hands, than hill planting. For fancy planting, on small lots, with careful hand, and heavy manuring, the hill planting may be made to yield largely. After the cotton begins to open sufficiently, the picking should commence with all hands, in order to keep up with the opening of the cotton, if possible. It is best to dry the cotton on a plank scaffold, at least all the first picking- The packing down of seed cotton, in order to evaporate the oil of the seed through the lint, is an improvement to the staple, both in strength and color. But if the cotton is put down too damp, it may become too hot, and injure’ the cotton, in the strength of the staple, and in color, giving it a bluish appearance. All well matured cotton on good land, has a cream color, when it first opens, but will loose that color by evaporation of dew, in one week, if not picked out. It is important to pick out cotton as fast as it opens, on account of the quality and loss from storms. If the planter should not be able to keep up with the opening of his whole crop, he should pick over the same cotton every week, until frost, so that he may get the first quality of cotton picked, as long as possible. It is well to commence ginning early, before too much seed cotton accumulates in the gin house, as a security against fire, and to get off the cotton before the teams are ready for plowing in January. The roads are better for hauling in the fall, than in the winter and spring. The gin should be of the best quality, and when it does not makegood cotton, it is cheapest to procure anew- one, as the difference between one hundred bags of cotton ginned on a good gin, and a sorry one, will pay for two new gins. The running gear should be good, and put in per SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. feet order ; always try the cogwheel, and see that it is level before the ginning is commenced. Clean out the gin twice a day, and see that no rolls of cotton are suffered to form around the cylinders at any time. Cotton is packed easiest in damp weather, though it is not always damp when necessary to pack. Every one will use such gin, and screw, or pi ess, as his judgment may direct, it is deemed unnecessary to say any thing on those subjects.— Strict personal attention to all the details of making and preparing cotton for market, is necessary to ensure the highest degree of success. Our mother earth is a kind foster mother, ‘he will yield us some return, from almost any kind of cu’tivation, and in no crop is-lie more indul" gent, than in her production of cotton. Some produce double the quantity others make, on the same quantity of land, with less physical labor. Hence the writer has urg' ed the necessity, upon every planter, to study his proses sion, to reason upon every step betakes in the cultiva. tion of his crop, let him enquire of his neighbors tneir mode of culture, and the reasons thereof, let him read one or more agricultural papers, and at the end of a few years he will find himself a better and more successful planter, than he was when he commenced. Let the planter enno ble his proposition, and he will elevate himself higher than those in any other pursuit, as it requires more knowledge in all the arts and sciences, than all others* and leads him more directly “from nature, up to nature’s God.”— Communicated by Hr. Cainak , from Transactions of the Southern Central Ag'l Society. - THAN UK U. Elitors Soutijkrn CULTIVATOR:—There arc two points, in relation to the production of manure on a plantation which I would be glad to see discussed in your valuable journal. Ist. Suppose a man has 1000 bushels cotton seed, in what way would they most benefit bis crop, put out as cot ton seed, or fed to hogs put up in a covered pen, and kept supplied with straw and leaves? Would he not get the full benefit of his seed, as manure, and several thousand pounds of pork besides, to pay for the trouble of cooking the seed, hauling in the trash, and handling the more bul ky manure ? 2d. Does the benefit afforded hogs by running in a sta ble, compensate for the injury they do the manure, by picking up the droppings from the horses? If confined in the stable, perhaps all the manure would be saved ulti mately ; but where the hogs drop their manure over the woods and old fields, is it not questionable whether the ruin to the stall manure, does not outweigh the benefit re ceived by the hogs ? This query is suggested by the miserable poor appear ance of the stall manure which I am now having hauled out, and which I can’t account for, otherwise than by sup posing the hogs have robbed it of its strength, ENQUIRER. We shall be glad to hear from Dr. Lee on these points. We know of no one who has given them more study and attention.—Ed. So. Cult, Asa Ilartz says that the nigger has been the most fortu nate of the two races in the late war. Whilst the white man lost all his property, and liberty also, the daikey not only gained his freedom, but, in doing so, never lost a scent. 99