46 



mon sense points out to us that cotton, from its long, pene- 

 trating tap root, and the almost entire, absence of lateral 

 feeders, should be planted on soil of great depth of tilth, and, 

 if this is furnished, we would open new feeding grounds to tho 

 plant, and thus, perhaps without the aid of manure on many 

 soils, add to the amount of yield. 



By the 1st of August all the cultivation of the crop should 

 be finished, and from the 29th of July to the middle of August 

 tho cotton should he topped. This will cause the stalks to 

 expand and perfect more bolls, and amply repay for the little 

 labor which is consumed in effecting it. There are ;i great 

 many varieties of cotton cultivated, and the, IVtit (lulf kinds 

 are generally highly esteemed. Perhaps the McNutt is upon 

 the whole to be preferred, as it bolls well, and is of early 

 maturity; but it is generally known that all the varieties 

 deteriorate after five or six years' culture, and it is there- 

 fore advisable to renew the seed, by introducing the most 

 approved varieties from the Gulf region. The little ex- 

 pense which attends this amply repays tho increased pro- 

 duct of the crop. The Mastodon cotton was tried here last 

 season under unfavorable circumstances. The piece of ground 

 planted was wet, and as the seed was used sparingly, a bad 

 stand was the result. The product, however, was found to 

 be a remarkably good yield for the stand, and of early matu- 

 rity, fully as early as the McNutt, which grew beside it. 

 Should this variety, upon further trial this season, be found 

 equally well adapted to our climate, as the other short staple 

 cottons, it will add much to repay the planter for his labor. 



The plan of cultivation adopted by Dr. Cloud* was tried 

 here during the unfavorable season of 1845. The manure 

 deposited was not, owing to the drought, available to the crop, 



* See " South Carolinian" of Nov. 7, 1846. 



