10 The Bulletin. 



tiire is stored for the summer's crop; (5) it facilitates spring work, 

 surface tillage being sufficient on deep fall plowed fields, the spring 

 work can begin early and before the subsoil is in condition to plow ; 

 (6) it assures an earlier start in the spring, a better seed bed and a 

 larger crop. 



Fortunate is the farmer who gets his fields broken deeply in the 

 fall or early winter, and whenever practical or possible a winter 

 cover crop of crimson or burr clover, vetch, rye, oats, wheat or barley, 

 or some of all. It is an inspiration to him as he prepares for spring 

 work to look over his fields, dressed in green, teeming with soil and 

 vegetable life, carrying upon their bosom food for the production of 

 eggs, pork, milk, butter, beef, mutton, etc., and organic matter for 

 the enriching of his soil. He is happy in the consciousness that he 

 is working in harmony with the great forces of nature in improving 

 his farm, causing it to bring forth crops sufficient for the needs of his 

 stock, the demands of his family, and the feeding and enriching of 

 the world, and as he proceeds with the spring work aspirations are 

 kindled within his breast for greater achievements upon his farm. 



PEEPAKATION FOE COTTON. 



When the cotton lands have been broken deeply in the fall or early 

 winter, deep replowing in the spring is not necessary or advisable. 

 Good surface tillage four inches deep to thoroughly pulverize the soil 

 prepares a seed bed that is ideal for cotton. This work can be per- 

 formed rapidly and effectively with the disc harrow, a couple of disc- 

 ings at an interval of a week, and the liberal use of the spike tooth 

 harrow. Acme harrow, or plank drag. The idea is to begin early so 

 as to conserve moisture, frequently to destroy grass and weeds in the 

 germinating stage, and at the same time prepare a fine, mellow and 

 firm seed bed, and make plant food available. Farmers as a rule 

 have not appreciated the value of surface tillage tools and their fre- 

 quent use in the spring preparation of the soil. A fine seed bed 

 assures, if good, sound seed are planted, prompt germination, an even 

 stand, and an early start in the growth of the plant. Better be two 

 weeks late in planting, and plant on a thoroughly prepared seed bed 

 than plant early on a poorly prepared seed bed. There are more fail- 

 ures due to faulty preparation than to any other one thing in soil man- 

 agement. I 



As to methods and distance of planting, these will have to conform 

 to local conditions and fertility of soil. On cold and poorly drained 

 soils the ridge method will be better ; on well drained soils that warm 

 up early, level planting is preferable. The width of the rows should 

 conform to the fertility of the soil, three to five feet wide and twelve 

 to twenty-four inches in drill, the better the land the wider the row 

 and spacing. Usually cotton is left standing too thick in drill for 

 best results. 



