88 WALL'S MANUAL 



this question. It is now gcnerall}" conceded that the 

 best cotton lands are those which are of deep and 

 soft mold, a sort of medium between the sandy and 

 spongy, and those soils which are hard and close ; 

 soils which can be penetrated by the warming rays 

 of the sun, and imbibe readily the stimulating gases 

 of the atmosphere, and at the same time allow the 

 excess of rain-water to settle so deep into the earth 

 as to lie at a harmless distance below the roots of the 

 young plant. These are the properties of soil needful 

 to the vigorous growth and early maturity of the 

 cotton plant, and the knowledge of this fact is of 

 great, and we might add, indispensable importance 

 to its successful cultivation. We may not find all 

 these essentials in the selection of a farm, but by the 

 aid of the plow, the spade, and the incorporation of 

 foreign substances, we may remedy many defects 

 and supply many of the peculiar demands of this 

 plant. 



Preparation of the Soil The best and most import- 

 ant part of the work in cotton making consists in a 

 judicious and proper preparation of the soil for plant- 

 ing. In the varied condition in which lands are 



O 



found, and the diversity of soils, we can only lay 

 down general principles, and the results to be 

 obtained, and leave the planters to the selection of 

 the best means at hand for their accomplishment. 

 All lands for cotton ought, before the crop is planted, 

 to be broken deep, dose and soft ; and this to be done 

 long enough before planting to allow the rains gently 

 to settle them. It is the most common, and perhaps 

 the best plan, to prepare all lands intended for cotton, 

 in beds made by the turning-plow; and flat and wet 



