In this type of crusting soil condition and especially planting a crust-averse, weak seedling but very expensive crop like cotton the last thing you want behind the planter is a smooth surface!

The photos above look a bit rough and not like the kitchen garden however if we can get good seed to soil contact by closing the slot at the BOTTOM but still leave if rough and ugly on top that seed is much more likely to have a spot to emerge. The way it is shown in picture 0 will most likely not crust over completely even if there is a moderate rain between planting and emergence.

In the soil conditions pictured and as ugly as it seems, I think picture 0 is a good job of planting cotton. I would not use a drag chain to smooth it any further in the condition pictured or there will likely be major emergence issues. Seed to soil contact with a surface that provides mini fractures for the seed to emerge is the way to plant cotton. jmho and experience.

Jim at Dawn