Continue to push forward the preparations for planting Cotton, and finish planting Corn as early in the month as possible. So soon as the corn is well up, harrow it carefully; and when large enough to be worked with hoe, plow and cultivator, lose not a day with it, when the ground is in proper condition....From the 10th to the 20th, begin to plant Cotton--the season being favorable--and put in, during this month, from a third to a half of the intended crop. Oats may still be sown, but are uncertain at this late season. Continue to sow, at intervals of two weeks, a small estent of Corn in broad drills. No one can form an idea of how great is the advantage to the stock of a place, the having plenty of such green fodder, as a few acres of drilled corn will yield, until they try it....Complete the bedding of Sweet Potatoes, and prepare the ridges for the young plants, which will now be ready for drawing, if the roots were
bedded in January or February. Many persons form hills for their
Sweet Potatoes, and plant altogether in that way....The Yam and the Leather-coat, the two most valuable of all the varieties, love a light soil, not too fresh, and which has been manured, if at all, for a previous crop...
He continues to discuss the proper way to plant and manure Sweet
Potatoes, if anyone would like this further information, let me
know.
The teams will now require particular care and attention; the work is constant from this time, and but little rest can be allowed them. If they should fall off now, the crops will suffer when a pushing time comes. We have found both mules and horses peculiarly liable to sickness during this and the preceding months; deaths not unfrequently occurring.
Kitchen Garden--During a backward spring, most of the work directed to be done last month, should more properly be done this month. If any early Cabbage plants yet remain in the beds, set them out the first favorable weather; the Battersea will succeed the eary [early?] York. Okra must be got in by the middle of the month; if seed is plenty, sow in drills, four feet apart, in rich ground; if scarce, drop half a dozen seed in hills three or four feet apart. When large enough they must be thinned out to a single plant. In fact, its cultivation is precisely the same as that of Cotton. Okra is one of the very best vegetables for the plantation garden--wholesome, nutritious, and an especial favorite with the negroes. The pods are gathered whilst still tender enough to be cut by the thumb nail; cut into thin slices, and with Tomatoes, Pepper, etc,
added to the rations of meat, it forms a rich, mucilaginous
soup....The Kidney or Snap Bean is also an important item; in all
its many varieties it is productive and nutritious, a sure crop and easily grown. A gallon of seed will plant enough to give a large force a full supply for two or three weeks. Some of the tall-growing or pole sorts, planted by the Corn, at its second working, yield well and bear longer than the dwarf kinds. They run upon the Corn, without injuring it. The Crowder, the Goose-crop, the White, and some of the other sorts of Cow Peas, should also now be planted....Towards the end of the month, plant Melons, Squashes, Cucumbers, Snap-beans, Lima or Butter, and Carolina or Seewee Beans etc....Plant more early Corn,; the wrinkled Sugar variety being the best, and especially for late planting; the richer and warmer the soil in which it is grown, the earlier and better the Corn. Tomatoes, Peppers, Egg-plants, etc. may be set out in the open ground, providing means of protection in the event of severe weather. The Tomato does not require rich soil, and fresh manure is injurious; the finest are produced amongst the Corn, both as to size and flavor....Sow Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Salsafy, Tomatoes, Peppers, Radish, Lettuce, etc.
bedded in January or February. Many persons form hills for their
Sweet Potatoes, and plant altogether in that way....The Yam and the Leather-coat, the two most valuable of all the varieties, love a light soil, not too fresh, and which has been manured, if at all, for a previous crop...
He continues to discuss the proper way to plant and manure Sweet
Potatoes, if anyone would like this further information, let me
know.
The teams will now require particular care and attention; the work is constant from this time, and but little rest can be allowed them. If they should fall off now, the crops will suffer when a pushing time comes. We have found both mules and horses peculiarly liable to sickness during this and the preceding months; deaths not unfrequently occurring.
Kitchen Garden--During a backward spring, most of the work directed to be done last month, should more properly be done this month. If any early Cabbage plants yet remain in the beds, set them out the first favorable weather; the Battersea will succeed the eary [early?] York. Okra must be got in by the middle of the month; if seed is plenty, sow in drills, four feet apart, in rich ground; if scarce, drop half a dozen seed in hills three or four feet apart. When large enough they must be thinned out to a single plant. In fact, its cultivation is precisely the same as that of Cotton. Okra is one of the very best vegetables for the plantation garden--wholesome, nutritious, and an especial favorite with the negroes. The pods are gathered whilst still tender enough to be cut by the thumb nail; cut into thin slices, and with Tomatoes, Pepper, etc,
added to the rations of meat, it forms a rich, mucilaginous
soup....The Kidney or Snap Bean is also an important item; in all
its many varieties it is productive and nutritious, a sure crop and easily grown. A gallon of seed will plant enough to give a large force a full supply for two or three weeks. Some of the tall-growing or pole sorts, planted by the Corn, at its second working, yield well and bear longer than the dwarf kinds. They run upon the Corn, without injuring it. The Crowder, the Goose-crop, the White, and some of the other sorts of Cow Peas, should also now be planted....Towards the end of the month, plant Melons, Squashes, Cucumbers, Snap-beans, Lima or Butter, and Carolina or Seewee Beans etc....Plant more early Corn,; the wrinkled Sugar variety being the best, and especially for late planting; the richer and warmer the soil in which it is grown, the earlier and better the Corn. Tomatoes, Peppers, Egg-plants, etc. may be set out in the open ground, providing means of protection in the event of severe weather. The Tomato does not require rich soil, and fresh manure is injurious; the finest are produced amongst the Corn, both as to size and flavor....Sow Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Salsafy, Tomatoes, Peppers, Radish, Lettuce, etc.
