COTTON CULTURE 37 



flat planting is practicable, and it will be easier 

 to cultivate than where cotton is planted on 

 ridges. Cotton is planted on beds as a pre- 

 caution against heavy rainfall after planting. 

 Seeds require moisture for germination, but 

 must be kept out of standing water in the soil. 

 Where conditions are such that cotton can 

 be flat planted, it may also be planted in check 

 rows which insures easier and more economical 

 cultivation. Even where cotton is planted on 

 beds or ridges the beds should be dragged down 

 with the harrow so that they have only a slight 

 elevation above the level surface. 



In semi-arid sections cotton is frequently 

 planted in the bottom of a freshly opened 

 furrow between beds in order to get the seed 

 into moist soil. 



Width of Rows. --The proper spacing of the 

 rows for cotton is important. The general rule 

 for spacing is that the distance between the 

 rows shall be a little more than the height of the 

 plant in average years. Where cotton usually 

 grows two or three feet high, the rows should 

 be from three and one half to four feet apart. 

 Where cotton normally grows three and one 

 half feet high, plant in four foot rows. Where 



