3d.  "Bedding  up"  or  laying  oflf  the  land  into
beds;  these  varying  from  2  1/2  to  6  feet  be-
tween each  bed,  the  distance  depending  upon
the  particular  kind  of  cotton  to  be  cultivated;
it  is  customary  for  fertilizer  in  the  shape  of  a
powder  to  be  applied  to  the  land  at  this  point,
by  plowing  a  furrow  up  the  centre  of  each  bed
and  depositing  the  fertilizer  into  it.
15.  When  does  the  work  of  preparing  the
land  commence?

When  we  consider  the  difference  in  lati-
tude between  the  State  of  Texas  and  Vir-
ginia, together  with  the  different  classes  of
soil,  etc.,  it  will  be  seen  tha.t  the  above  ques-
tion has  a  great  range ;  for  instance,  in  Texas
and  Florida  preparation  is  commenced  in  Jan-
uary; while  in  Georgia,  Mississippi,  Alabama,
Louisiana,  and  Arkansas  it  commences  in
February;  and  in  the  more  northern  States
commences  as  late  as  March.  It  is,  however,
the  object  of  farmers  to  begin  as  early  as  pos-
sible after  the  previous  crop  is  disposed  of  at
the  gin.
The  following  table  is  given  by  A.  B.  Shep-
person  of  the  New  York  Cotton  Exchange:


COTTON    MANUAL


27


States.
Usual
Date  to
begin
preparing
Land.
Usual

Date  to

begin

planting.
Usual

Date  to

finish

planting.
Usual  Date  to
picking.
Usual
Date  to

finish
picking.
N.  Carolina

Feb.  25

April  IS

May  10

Sept.  I

Dec.  10

S.   Carolina

Mar.  s

April  IS

May  7

Aug.  is-Sept.  I

Dec.  I

Georgia....
Feb.  I

April  10

May  I

Aug.  1^  to  20

Dec.!

Florida ....
Jan.  20
Feb.  I

April  I

May  I

Aug.  10

Dec.  t

Alabama...
Aprils

May  10

Aug.  ID  to  20

Dec.  IS

Mississippi

Feb.  1

April  s

May  10

Aug.  10  to  20

Dec.  IS

I.ouisiana.
