CHAMBERS' PREMIUM ESSAY. 13 



that in my opinion, the best and most important part of tho 

 work, in cotton making, consists in a judicious and proper 

 preparation of the soil for planting. It is difficult to say in 

 all cases, and in the varied condition in which lands are found, 

 and the diversity of soils, what the process of preparation 

 should be; but we may lay down general principles for our 

 government, and results to be obtained, and leave the planters 

 to the selection of the best means at command for their accom- 

 plishment. All lands for cotton, ought, before the crop is 

 planted, to be broken deep, close and soft, and this to be done 

 long enough before planting, to allow the rains gently to settle 

 them. It is the most common, and perhaps the best plan, to 

 prepare all lands intended for cotton, in beds made by the 

 turning-plough ; and in flat and wet lands, sometimes an ad- 

 ditional elevation ought to be given, by drawing up the beds 

 with the hoe. I think, in this work, we have often followed 

 too much the example of our neighbor, and have looked too 

 little to reason, in the indiscriminate bedding and high eleva- 

 tion of all lands. I am the advocate of deep soft beds, made 

 by very thorough and close ploughing, but cannot consent to 

 the necessity or benefit, of elevating much, lands which are 

 warm and dry, and which are not subject to inundations from 

 excessive rains. For the convenience of culture, I would have 

 the young cotton stand on a slight elevation, but when the con- 

 dition of the land did not require it, I would not give it more. 



The distance to be given is the next inquiry to be consider- 

 ed. This is a very important object, and one upon which we 

 are very dependent for success, and yet it must be varied 

 very much by circumstances, some of which are beyond our 

 knowledge or control. The general principle may be stated 

 and then our best judgment must guide us in its application. 



When the crop is at maturity, the branches of ttie stalks 

 ought slightly to interlock every way. We cannot, therefore, 



