44 



When the same land is again planted in cotton, a Jeep and 

 broad furrow should be opened with a large two-horse Eagle- 

 plough, but if this plough is not available, then a substitute 

 may be made by using a large twister, drawn by two horses, 

 and passing up and down until the furrow is opened to a suf- 

 ficient depth. In it should be deposited the cotton stalks, and 

 a bed be made upon them by throwing up and completely 

 covering them. 



Early in March the beds should be prepared for planting, 

 and to do this most effectually, a two-horse iron-toothed har- 

 row, if passed over them, will reduce the land to a thorough 

 state of pulverization. Follow this with a marker, making a 

 small seed-furrow in the middle of the bed. The seed should 

 be rolled, previous to planting, in a preparation of ashes, stable 

 manure, and water, which is easily done, and embodies two 

 distinct advantages. It enables them, when drilled, to assume 

 a separate position, and also acts as a stimulant, which is very 

 much required in the early stage of its growth. We feel con- 

 fident, if this course of preparation were generally observed, 

 we would hear less of bad stands, and the various complaints 

 amongst our cotton planters every spring. The seed, when 

 rolled, should be planted while moist, and immediately cov- 

 ered lightly. For this purpose we use a board, three feet 

 long, slightly hollowed, which makes a clean sweep across the 

 bed, leaving it in fine condition. A small harrow also answers 

 a good purpose. As soon as a stand makes its appearance, the 

 barring-plough should be run round, and followed immediately 

 with the hoes, the crop cut down to the proper distance, say from 

 fifteen to twenty inches, and the grass and weeds along the 

 ridge destroyed. Then follow, with a suitable plough, at such 

 a distance as will throw off the dirt from the cotton into the 

 middle or water-furrow, thus covering up the grass and weeds. 

 The hoes should immediately follow, leaving rather more than 



