190 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Allen. — The largest leaves ought to be as large as the 

 palm of your hand; but we set them smaller than that, and 

 set them larger than that. If I could have my choice I would 

 like to have the largest leaves about as large as the palm of 

 my hand. 



Question. — What time do you want to be ready to com- 

 mence setting in order to have the best results ? 



Mr. Allen. — Before the middle of June, I think, or by the 

 middle of June. My plants last year were all set before the 

 10th of June. 



Question. — Don't you wait for suitable weather? 



Mr. Allen. — It is very mucli better to have moist weather, 

 but I do not wait for that. When my plants and ground are 

 ready I begin to set. It takes very little water to water the 

 plants. If you leave just a little place around the plant for 

 the reception of water, it does not take a great deal to water 

 the plants. Once watering is sufficient if your plant is prop- 

 erly set. Then we sometimes cut a littlQ,grass and cover up 

 the plants. In that way we save the annoyance and discom- 

 fort of setting out the tobacco in a rain ; but if you can have 

 it, that is the right time. I have noticed that from the first to 

 the middle of June we almost always have three or four days 

 of lowering, misty, cloudy weather, with just rain enough to 

 have the plants stay in good shape. Sometimes it comes a 

 little earlier, and if we can have all things ready, that is the 

 time to set out the plants. A great many tol)acco raisers make 

 a mistake in that regard. They put oft" preparing their land 

 too late. They will have their plants all ready, and their to-. 

 bacco ground about half or quarter ready, and then comes a 

 rain, and the hands must hurry into the field and fit up the 

 tobacco gi'ound, and by the time that is fitted the rain is over, 

 and they have to set out their plants in the sun. Every foot 

 of your toljacco ground ought to be prepared by the first of 

 June, so that when your plants are ready you can take them 

 up and go into the field, and take advantage of any day that 

 happens to come along that is favorable for the business. 



Question. — What time do you want your plants ready to 

 hang up ? 



