COTTON. 201 



the harrow, the cultivator and the hoe. One or more of the 

 former must be used to pulverize the land and uproot and 

 clean off the weeds ; while the last is necessary to carry this 

 operation directly up to the stem of the plants. The culture 

 is thus summarily stated by Dr. M. W. Philips, of Missis- 

 sippi ; " Commence cleaning the cotton early, and clean it 

 well ; return to it as soon as possible, throw earth or mold 

 to the young plants, and if the ground be hard give it a 

 thorough plowing ; keep the earth light and mellow and the 

 plants clear of grass and weeds." The plants are thinned 

 at every hoeing, till they attain a height of three or four 

 inches, when they are allowed to stand at intervals of about 

 eight or ten inches for a medium quality of soil. This dis- 

 tance should be largely increased when it is richer. '-?.:> 



Enemies and Diseases. Cotton is subject to the cut- 

 worm, the army- worm, and boll- worm, the slug, the cater- 

 pillar, cotton lice, grasshoppers, rot, sore shin and rust. 1 

 have seen no remedies prescribed for either, but suggest 

 for experiment, the exposure of the two former to frost, by 

 plowing just before its appearance. Late planting, and 

 when the season is so well advanced as to give a rapid and 

 uniform growth, is one of the most effectual preventives 

 against disease or injury from insect enemies. The free use 

 of lime and salt, and similar manures might arrest or miti- 

 gate the effects of all. Birds should also be encouraged 

 upon the fields, as they would destroy numbers of the worm 

 and insect tribes. It has been claimed that the introduc- 

 tion of the Mexican and Petit-Gulf varieties, is the most ef- 

 fectual remedy, as they are hardier kinds, are less the object 

 of attack and have a greater ability to withstand it. 



Harvesting is commenced when the bolls have begun to 

 expand, and the cotton is protruded. This is continued as 

 the bolls successively ripen and burst their capsules. It is 

 done entirely by hand, the picker passing between two rows 

 and gleaning from each. The cotton is placed in a bag cap- 

 able of containing fifteen or twenty pounds, which is hung 

 ui)on his shoulders or strapped upon his breast. These are 

 emptied into large baskets which are taken, when filled, to 

 the gin-house. I quote the above authority : " Having 

 all things ready for picking cotton, I commence early, and 

 as soon as the hands can gather even twenty pounds each. 

 This is advisable, not only in saving a portion of that from 

 being destroyed, if rains should fall, which often do at this 

 season, (about the middle of August), but for another reason ; 

 9* 



