192 NOTES. 
«They are supposed to be equal to meet the imposition of 
this task when the leaves are about the size of a dollar; but this 
is more generally the minor magnitude of the leaves; and 
some will be of course about three or four times that medium 
‘dimension. 
« Thus, when a goed shower or season happens at this pe- 
riod of the year, and the field and plants are equally ready for 
the intended union, the planter hurries to the plant bed, disre- 
garding the teeming element, which i is doomed to wet his skin, 
from the view ofa bountiful harvest, and having carefully drawn 
the largest sizeable plants, he proceeds to the next operation. 
Of Planting. 
«The office of planting the tobacco is perfor med by two or 
more persons, in the following manner : The first person bears, 
suspended upon one arm, a large basket fall of the plants | which 
have been just drawn and brought. from the plant bed to the 
field, without waiting, for an. intermission of the shower, al- 
though it should rain ever so. heavily ; 3 such an opportunity 
indeed, instead of being shunned, i is eagerly sought after, and is 
considered to be the sure and certain means" of laying a ‘good 
foundation, which cherishes the hope of a bounteous return. 
_ The person who bears the basket proceeds thus by rows from 
‘Ail to hill ; and upon each hill he takes care to drop one of his 
plants. Those who follow make a hole in the centre of each 
hill with their fingers, and having adjusted. the tobacco plant | in 
its natural position, they knead the earth round the root with 
their hands, until is of a sufficient consistency to sustain the 
plant against wind and weather, In this condition they leave 
the field for a few days until the plants shall have formed their 
radifications ; and where any of them shall have casually per- 
ished, the ground is followed over again by successive replant- 
ings, until the crop is rendered complete: 
