204 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



crop are much better from the early planting. It is important 

 that the rows should be straight and narrow, and as cotton seed 

 should not be covered deep, the furrows should, also, be shal- 

 low. The " slod-marker " which you will find illustrated in our 

 chapter on corn culture, would be admirably suited for the cot- 

 ton field. It is customary to use a much larger quantity of 

 seed than is necessary, and then thin the plants, as it is cheaper 

 and better to do this than to run the risk of a poor stand. 



As soon as the plants show the third leaf, cultivation should 

 begin. A light plow should be run as near the crop as possible, 

 and for this purpose the double bar plow, with rolling cutters for 

 fenders, can not be excelled. Then the hoe gang follows and 

 chops out the surplus plants so as to leave bunches from twelve 

 to thirty inches apart, according to the condition of the soil, 

 and later these bunches are thinned by hand to two plants, 

 the wider spaces being on the richer land. The cultivation 

 should be thorough and constant till the plants interlock across 

 the rows. 



The picking season begins in August and lasts till nearly 

 Christmas. The work, while not heavy, is exceedingly monot- 

 onous and trying, particularly late in the season. Writers on 

 cotton raising say that this work can not, and never will be done 

 other than by hand, but during the autumn of 1883 I saw the 

 statement that the first bale of cotton ever picked by machinery 

 had just been sold in New Orleans. In picking, the seed cot- 

 ton is deposited in wide-mouthed sacks that are hung around 

 the neck; and as about twenty-five pounds is as much as the 

 picker can conveniently carry, it is best to have drive-ways 

 through the field at suitable distances. The cotton is trans- 

 ferred from the sacks to four-bushel baskets. During the pick- 

 ing season, and especially late in the season there is great 

 danger of sickness among the hands, as the mornings are cold 

 and chilly, and humanity, as well as self-interest, should prompt 

 kind treatment for the help. It will be found a good invest- 

 ment to furnish hot coffee and quinine. The best time to sort and 

 trash the cotton is before storing in the gin-house. This work 

 can be done by hands not strong enough for regular field work. 



