36 KNAPP METHOD OF GROWING COTTON 



the fall or early winter, break broadcast as early 

 in February or March as soil conditions will 

 permit, as deep or slightly deeper than it has 

 been previously broken. 



It is seldom advisable to turn the subsoil in 

 the spring. It is usually too full of water and 

 it is too late for much effective action of the air 

 upon the soil and for the rains to firm the sub- 

 soil before planting. 



Even where the land is not plowed until 

 spring it is found profitable to rebed before 

 planting. Freshen and thoroughly pulverize 

 the surface of the beds immediately before 

 planting. It is usually better to plant cotton 

 on a firm seed bed. If the land cannot be 

 broken or bedded in the spring in time to be- 

 come firm by rains, then a heavy drag or roller 

 should be run over the loosely plowed land to 

 firm it before planting. A poor stand often 

 results from planting cotton on a loose bed on 

 account of lack of sufficient moisture to insure 

 germination. It is also difficult to plant seed 

 the proper depth on a loose seed bed. 



Whether it is best to plant cotton flat or on 

 beds is a question that is wholly determined by 

 local conditions. On level, well-drained lands 



