230 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [CHAP. VI. 



reduced. It should then remain fallow some months, 

 and kept in readiness to receive the seed at a day's 

 notice ; a single heavy shower will then fit it for the 

 reception of the seed. Any such falling between the 

 middle of August and beginning of October should be 

 taken advantage of, to get the seed sown. If this is 

 done, the plant will be sufficiently advanced to derive 

 the fullest benefit from the monsoon rains, and should 

 come into crop in the course of January, a bright and 

 dry month; from which time in ordinary seasons it 

 will yield a constant harvest for three or four months, 

 and if refreshed by a shower or two in April or May, 

 will yield a second crop in autumn. The first hoeing 

 is a most important operation, and should never be 

 delayed beyond the appearance of the third proper leaf 

 (not counting the two seed leaves) ; the ground should 

 be freely loosened round the roots, and superfluous 

 plants thinned out, so as to give those that are left 

 ample room to spread and fill the ground. In a month 

 or two, when the flowers begin to open, a second hoeing 

 is wanted to clean the ground ; otherwise it gets foul 

 and weedy. From that time little more is required, as 

 the plants are then sufficiently advanced to keep down 

 the weeds and receive little injury from them. Ano- 

 ther ploughing in the interval between the two hoeings 

 is always beneficial, by so well loosening and airing the 

 soil. Very few plants are injured by ploughing be- 

 tween the rows, as the roots penetrate deeply and are 

 not in the way of the plough ; while any plant trodden 

 down by the bullocks, the roots being uninjured, soon 

 recovers. The seed should never be sown deeper than 

 two inches, if simply covered it is enough. From three 

 and a half to four feet between the rows is a good dis- 

 tance, as allowing the free use of the plough ; heavier 

 crops are so obtained than from closer sowing, the fruit 

 setting and ripening better, and fewer flowers blighting 

 and dropping off. A foot, or, should the plant be vigor- 

 ous, eighteen inches should be allowed between the 

 plants. The " ridging " system does not answer, as it 

 runs the water off too rapidly. After the autumn crop 

 is picked, the ground should be deeply ploughed be- 



