The plows then followed, stirring the soil somewhat deeply near the rows.

In another fortnight the hoes gave another chopping, cutting down the weaker of each pair of plants, thus reducing the crop to a "single stand"; and where plants were missing they planted fresh seed to fill the gaps.

The plows followed again, with broad wings to their shares, to break the crust and kill the grass throughout the middles.

Similar alternations of chipping and plowing then ensued until near the end of July, each cultivation shallower than the last in order that the roots of the cotton should not be cut.[4] [Footnote 4: Cotton Culture is described by M.W.Philips in the _American Agriculturist_, II (New York, 1843), 51, 81, 117, 149; by various writers in J.A.Turner, ed., _The Cotton Planter's Manual_ (New York, 1856), chap.
I; Harry Hammond, _The Cotton Plant_ (U.S.Department of Agriculture, Experiment Station, _Bulletin_ 33, 1896); and in the U.S.Census, 1880, vols.

V and VI.] When the blossoms were giving place to bolls in midsummer, "lay-by time" was at hand.