Here are some of the traditional uses for cotton stalks:
* Fuel: They were burned for cooking and heating.
* Animal feed: They were used as bedding and fodder.
* Fertilizer: They were composted to enrich the soil.
* Construction: They were used in building materials and for making baskets and mats.
While Carver didn't discover a new use for cotton stalks, he did advocate for crop rotation to improve soil health. This practice, which involved planting peanuts or sweet potatoes in place of cotton, helped to revitalize the soil and reduce the reliance on cotton monoculture.
So, while he didn't invent a new use for cotton stalks, his work helped to promote sustainable agricultural practices that ultimately benefited farmers and the environment.