FARM PRACTICE IN THE CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 



27 



SURVEY IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N. C. 



Mecklenburg County is located in the southwestern part of North 

 Carolina and is one of the best developed agricultural counties in 

 the State. The tillage records for this county (Table XIV) were 

 taken near Charlotte. 



The soil is a reddish clay loam with a clay subsoil. Where sufficient 

 organic matter is present and commercial fertilizers are used, good 

 crop yields are obtained. The country is roUing, and many terraces 

 and open ditches are required to carry off the surface water and 

 prevent erosion. (See fig. 2.) Very Httle of the land is tile drained. 



The rural improvements in this county are exceptionally good. 

 Most of the leading roads have been macadamized and are kept in 

 excellent condition. Good schools are maintained. The farmers 



Fig. 15.— A cotton field containing crab-grass, one of thie most troublesome weeds found in such fields. 



have good houses, which are kept well painted. In all, the country 

 is attractive and appears prosperous. 



The farms are of good size, averaging 172 acres, with 115 acres 

 cultivated. Many of the farms are worked by tenants, but usually 

 under the supervision of the owner. 



No set rotations are practiced, but cultivated crops are usually 

 followed by small grain. The principal crops grown are cotton, corn, 

 wheat, oats, and clover. 



Cotton is the principal money crop and the yields obtained are 

 good. Enough com is grown to feed the Hve stock and supply local 

 demands. Oats are usually cut for hay while in the dough stage. 

 Not enough wheat is grown for home use, none being produced on 

 many farms. Cowpeas are sown after oats and the vines cut for 



