COTTON 111 



brings to the surface new soil, and opens up deeper levels 

 for the roots of the plants. Many successful cotton farm- 

 ers plow not less than eight or ten inches deep, and then 

 follow with a subsoiler that breaks the bottom of the fur- 

 row open to an additional depth of four or more inches. It 

 is usually advisable to plow the land in the fall, and then 

 disk or harrow well just before the planting season. Cot- 

 ton grows better on a well bedded soil than on newly pre- 

 pared land. 



Applying fertilizers. Cotton land should be rich in 

 humus or vegetable matter. This keeps the soil from 

 packing, increases the capacity for water, and adds to the 

 fertility. Barnyard manure should therefore be added 

 whenever possible. Legumes should be grown, alternating 

 with cotton, and an occasional crop of soy-beans, cow-peas, 

 or clover plowed under. 



Commercial fertilizers will pay on certain soils. It is 

 well to secure the advice of an expert as to what fertilizing 

 elements are most needed. Acid phosphate is commonly 

 used to increase the yield and hasten maturity. Cottonseed- 

 meal may be used especially to stimulate stalk growth. 



Planting. Cotton should be planted as early as the 

 season will permit. Not only will a better grade of cotton 

 result, but the danger from the boll weevil will be greatly 

 lessened, as the weevils do not become very numerous be- 

 fore the latter part of July. In Texas the cotton is plant- 

 ed in March ; in North Carolina not until May. The plant 

 requires about six months to mature, hence it is easy to 

 see why the cotton territory is so limited. In some sec- 

 tions it is considered good practise to plant the seed on 

 ridges thrown up about four feet apart. On very dry soils 

 the ground should be kept level. About four feet is the 

 proper distance between rows and the plants should be set 



