COTTON CULTURE. 63 



hill up thoroughly. The vines will soon monopolize the 

 surface, and exclude the weeds and grass. 



Towards the last of the month, get the plows back into 

 the cotton. The sweep is probably the best implement to 

 put into the field now. Any blacksmith can convert a 

 common bull-tongue or a scooter plow into a sweep or 

 eagle, by putting a wing to the lower part of the coulter, 

 two or three inches from the point. A good plowman can 

 carry his sweep within two inches of the line of plants 

 without killing any. This greatly abridges the labor of 

 the hoe hands. 



JUXE. 



In this month the cultivation of cotton must vary some-' 

 what with the season and the soil. 



If you are planting on rolling or hilly land, and the 

 season is dry, throw up a considerable furrow from the 

 middle to the roots of the plant. On bottom land this is 

 unnecessary, for cotton on alluvial soil seldom suffers much 

 from drouth. On the other hand, on flat lands, if the 

 season is wet, you will have to throw up a ridge to pre- 

 vent water from settling around the roots. 



The plows continue to run actively all this month, both 

 in corn and cotton. It is well to accustom the mules and 

 horses to a rapid walk between the rows. Use an animal 

 but half of these long hot days. Commence early, and give 

 a long nooning. Hold each plowman responsible for the 

 condition of his mule, and allow a bonus or extra wages 

 to the one that brings his animal out of the crop in the 

 best condition. 



Look well after the comfort of man and beast these 

 blazing days, when the thermometer stands at 120 in the 

 field. Give the hands plenty of drink, but let it be acid- 

 ulated, such as vinegar and water, or buttermilk, some- 

 what diluted. 



