Another old farming term from the diary

[LibraryLady2]

..Sprouting

Of course, I know what it means if a seed sprouts.

In the pages...
He has planted some corn, but notes that the corn has not sprouted yet.

He purchased some cotton seeds.

Now, his 2 hired men have been "sprouting in the field" for 2-3 days.

So, would anyone like to make a guess on what is going on?

I thought of sweet potato slips, but I doubt that is it.

[GRANDPA]

Another old farm term that has a different meaning now, but if you think about it, you can see it's roots - "broadcasting".

[Kiamichi]

My guess is that it refers to pulling up or otherwise removing sprouts of invasive plants. For instance, persimmons often sprout, or send up saplings, in marginal farm land that has been cleared from woods.

[LibraryLady2]

My guess is that it refers to pulling up or otherwise removing sprouts of invasive plants. For instance, persimmons often sprout, or send up saplings, in marginal farm land that has been cleared from woods.

By, Jove, I think this must be it!!

My brother suggested it was "thinning" the cotton field, but I don't think his cotton had been planted yet.