Or AGRICULTU ft E . 89 



lands, sometimes an additional elevation ought to be 

 given, by drawing up the beds with a hoe. 



In this work we have often followed too much the 

 example of our neighbor, and have looked too little 

 to reason, in the indiscriminate bedding and high 

 elevation of all lands. We advocate deep, soft beds, 

 made by thorough and close plowing, but cannot 

 consent to the necessity or benefit of elevating much 

 lands which are warm and dry, and which arc not 

 subject to inundations from excessive rains. For the 

 convenience of culture, the young cotton plant should 

 stand on a slight elevation ; but when the condition 

 of the land did not require it, we should not give it 

 more. [Colonel Chambers' Essay. 



PLANTING. 



The distance to be given, is the next question to 

 be considered. This is a very important subject, and 

 one upon which we arc very dependent for success ; 

 and yet, it must be varied very much by circumstances, 

 some of which are often beyond our knowledge or 

 control. The general principles may be stated, and 

 then the best judgment of the planter must guide him 

 in their application. 



When the crop is at maturity, the branches of 

 the plant ought slightly to interlock every way. It 

 would be vain to attempt to be specific in directions, 

 which must be varied always to suit the varied 

 character of the soil. 



The planting should be in drills, chiefly, because 

 af the difficulty of obtaining a good stand in hills. 

 These rows ought, ordinarily, to be three and a half 

 to four feet apart, in the medium lands of the country, 



