

CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



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in a cluster; the stems of the bolls shooting from one place, and 

 at the top of the short limb. The cotton is exceedingly fine, 

 being from two to four cents a pound better than ordinary; the 

 colour and staple of the wool is described as very superior, and 

 unequalled by the finest and softest short staple. Another ad- 

 vantage of this variety is, that it comes to maturity and opens 

 two weeks earlier than common; in rich land the stalk grows 

 quite tall, reaching as high as six or eight feet; the luxuriant 

 growth of the plant in fertile soils may render topping necessary; 

 its appearance is very much like the common okra, having a 

 similar stalk, with common leaves. If the anticipations indulged 

 respecting this lately discovered variety of the cotton plant are 

 ever realized, the success of the experiment must add im- 

 mensely to the agricultural wealth of Louisiana, Mississippi, 

 and other southern states." 



It is thought by many, and indeed it is proved by the expe- 

 rience of those who have ventured on the process, that the ap- 

 plication of salt, as a manure, has a highly beneficial influence 

 upon the growth of the plant. A correspondent of the Southern 

 Cultivator says, 



Last year I planted a piece of land containing fifty acres. It had never be- 

 fore produced well. I should state that ten acres of it was new land, never 

 planted before. The balance, forty acres, had been planted for many years 

 previous. I had several times manured it with compost manure. The cotton 

 grew well on it; but, except in a very prime season, I could never get the plants 

 to retain their fruit. I had heard of the efficacy of salt-mud, and salt-marsh- 

 hut as I could procure neither of these, except with great trouble, I determined 

 to try common salt. I did so; and nvy mode of doing it was as follows: I ap- 

 plied one bushel to each acre, spreading it in the alley, and then listing upon 

 it. The effect upon the cotton was highly beneficial. From its shooting forth 

 until the time I picked it in, it exhibited a healthy and vigorous growth, and my 

 product of cotton was greater and better than I had ever known it. It is enough 

 for me to state, that the same land had never before produced me more than 

 one hundred pounds of cotton to the acre. It now gave me one hundred and 

 thirty. On the new ground, the effect was manifest. I had never planted new 

 ground before, for the first year, without the cotton all running to stalk. It 

 now grew well, and produced me, at the least calculation, one hundred and 

 fifty pounds of clean cotton to the acre. 



