484 Transactions of the 



tendency of these hands is to waste grass by scattering it all around 

 the plant where it is not wanted, increasing the work of supplying it 

 and retarding their own, for they have to run so much the oflener alter 

 a fresh armful, which is time lost. It may also increase the subsequent 

 labor of uncovering. 



The cost of setting the crop, including that of tending the beds dur- 

 ing the operation of resetting, value of horse feed, use of horses and 

 wagon, and all outgoes, may be taken at two dollars per thousand plants. 

 It is practicable to work within this figure. 



The plants are to be left covered until they have begun to root and 

 grow. Consider a moment their position. The grass wilts down close 

 atop of them. They are in moist ground mulched, so that the moisture 

 will continue to raise, shaded from the sun, protected from the winds. 

 It is as if they were on a lush river bottom covered with a dense forest 

 growth. Their position is better even than this, for the sun's rays warm 

 the earth about their roots, and the still atmosphere bathes their 

 leaves. As it wilts, the cover gradually admits to the plant more light 

 and air. The wonder is not — as at first it seems to the old planter — ■ 

 that they should live, as that a single one should die. Nor will it, of its 

 own motion, where everything has been done right. But it has still 

 two insect enemies to escape — the cut worm and the bud-worm. 



FIRST CULTIVATING AND THE COVERING. 



The cover, which soon becomes a wisp of bleached hay, is a breeding 

 place for insects — most of which, however, appear to be harmless ones. 

 Still, it is as well for this reason to get rid of it as soon as it is no longer 

 really needed. If convenient, let a shovel plow be run between the ridges 

 within a week or ten days after setting the plants, and before they are 

 uncovered. Mr. Joseph Duncan, of the Consolidated Tobacco Com- 

 pany's plantations, near Gilroy, in Santa Clara County, has devised a 

 useful attachment to be used with the plow for this purpose. It consists 

 of a pair of stout sheet iron wings applied to the sides of the beam just 

 forward of the share, and reaching down to touch the ground when the 

 plow is at work. They separate as they descend, being adjusted at such 

 an angle that the earth raised by the plow can flow back freely under 

 them; at the same time the}* arrest any clods that the plow may tend to 

 throw otf on either hand upon the young plants. The plow must be 

 followed, anyhow, by a hand who will pick off any clods that may be 

 thus rolled over on them; but the "wings" will be found to save both 

 hire and plants. This first cultivating before uncovering is wanted if 

 there have been no rain to settle the ridges, which will have become 

 rather light and porous, and is wanted if there have been rain, to break 

 up the crust that will have been thereby formed. This crust is a great 

 check to growth, which it brings nearly to a standstill until it is broken 

 up. When it has been formed, therefore, the hoes should be got at it as 

 quick as possible, and if there be not a hand or two to spare at the time for 

 this purpose, it should be well to hire them. The plow should be run 

 as deep as the ground was cultivated, so that you can feel the hard sub- 

 soil with the point. 



Perhaps the only practical rule for uncovering to offer the beginner 

 is this: when the plants look as if they had started, uncover one hun- 

 dred or so, and sec how the}* stand it. If they be all right, go on to 

 the rest; if they die, wait a few days longer; then uncover a few more, 

 and again wait the result. The plants will, of course, wilt down during 



