26 COTTON CULTURE. 



it may be remarked that the cultivation varies with the 

 season, and with the situation of the land. In a summer 

 blessed with the usual rainfall, the plowing goes on, 

 the dirt being thrown up from the middles to the beds. 

 If, however, the rainfall is excessive, so as to form a crust 

 around the roots, it is advisable to carry a light plow near 

 the stand so as to break up this crust, and allow the air. 

 and sun to strike upon the roots of the plant. 



If, on the other hand, the season is uncommonly dry, it 

 is best to put a larger plow into the middles, and throw 

 up a ridge of dirt that will to some extent protect the 

 roots. But on these points, " doctors disagree," and first- 

 rate planters differ in practice. The opinion is almost uni- 

 versal, however, especially in cultivating the alluvions and 

 the black lands, that the tendency of the plowing should 

 be constantly towards the ridge, and not away from it. 



Cotton is a plant that loves heat, and does not demand 

 large supplies of moisture. The climate, or the distribu- 

 tion of rain with sunshine, is a matter which the planter 

 cannot control ; he can only take it into account in choos- 

 ing the region where he would have his farm located. 

 After the plant is six inches high, it is really surprising how 

 little rain will make a crop. An excess of moisture, or 

 heavy rains followed by a fierce sun on flat lands, when 

 the plant is young, is likely to breed lice upon it. This is 

 the first enemy from the insect world that the planter has 

 to meet. A few weeks later, the same state of things will 

 produce rust upon cotton. The diseases and insects de- 

 structive of the cotton plant are fully described in a sub- 

 sequent part of this treatise, and all that need be said 

 here is that brisk working is almost the only remedy in 

 the planter's power. Let him stir the earth actively, and 

 raise the ridge so as to keep standing water away from the 

 roots of the plant. 



As to the shape and weight of the plows that are used 

 in cultivating a crop of cotton, there is much variety of 



