THE FIBER CROPS 349 



sidered that were discussed in the preparation of land for 

 corn. Fall plowing when it can be practiced is considered 

 by many growers to be the best practice, especially when 

 stalks from the preceding crop are to be plowed under. A 

 common method of plowing for cotton is that of " bedding " 

 the field, which is done by throwing together several fur- 

 rows, making narrow beds two or three feet wide, with a 

 narrow strip of unplowed land between the beds. This 

 method is in common practice where the land is poorly 

 drained and the furrows at either side of the bed serve to 

 carry off the surplus of water. Deep plowing, when it can 

 be practiced, is to be recommended, since it provides a 

 larger and more favorable area for the roots. When 

 commercial fertilizers are used, they may be applied broad- 

 cast before plowing or may be placed in the shallow 

 furrow before bedding. Sometimes the fertilizer is not 

 applied until after the land is plowed ; but when this is 

 done, it should be applied a week or 10 days before the 

 seed is sown, since some of the fertilizers injure the seed if 

 applied with it. The preparation of the land after 

 plowing should be such as to make a finely pulverized 

 but compact seed bed. 



368. Planting and cultivation. — Cotton is planted in 

 rows varying in width from 3 to 5 feet, depending upon 

 the fertility of the soil and upon the variety grown. 

 Small growing varieties may be planted more closely 

 than large, rank growing plants, and the rows may be 

 closer together on fertile than on poor soils. On soils of 

 medium fertility, with medium sized plants, the rows are 

 commonly 4 feet apart. The seeds may be planted in 

 hills or scattered along in a row, the latter method being 

 the more common practice. The seed is planted with a 

 one-row planter, at the rate of from 1 to IJ bushels per 



