TOBACCO. 189 



It is necessary sometimes to water the bed. In fact, I have 

 saved my tobacco bed entirely by watering. There will occa- 

 sionally be a very dry spell about that season of the year, 

 that will check them very much. My object is to keep them 

 growing from the time tliey first come out of the ground until 

 they arc ready to set, and a few days watering will sometimes 

 keep them growing, when, but for that, they would stop. I 

 have found sometimes that a weak solution of Peruvian guano 

 will help them along. Put a handful into a pail of water, — 

 do not get it too strong, for if you do, it will kill your plants, 

 — and just sprinkle it over your bed. 



Question. AVhat do you think of the drainings of the ma- 

 nure cellar ? 



Mr. Allen. First rate. I have used them, and they are 

 just as good, perhaps better, than guano. 



Question. Do you ever sprout the seeds before you sow 

 them ? 



Mr. Allen. I do not. Some of our people do, but it is a 

 dangerous operation ; it is not quite safe. If you sprout your 

 seed, and it comes up quickly after you sow it, and you have 

 the soil in just the right condition, it does well ; but if you 

 sow your seed, and it is very dry immediately after, or very 

 cold, your seed is spoiled, and you lose your plants. It is 

 rather a critical operation, and I prefer to sow it dry; and I 

 never fail to get early plants. I sow it just as soon as the 

 ground can be plowed, no matter if it is in the middle of 

 March, or first of February. 



Question. — Do you mix the seed with plaster or any thing 

 when you sow it? 



Mb. x\_llen. — If I mix it with any thing, it is for the pur- 

 pose of sowing it a little more conveniently. My plan has 

 been to mix the seed with ashes or plaster and ashes, which 

 is a very good application for the bed, a)id then sow it broad- 

 cast. I can do it more evenly than by taking the seed alone 

 and sowing it with my thumb and finger. 



Question —How large ought the young leaf of the plant to 

 be when you set it out? 



