16 VAEIETIES OF TOBACCO SEED DISTRIBUTED IN 1905-6. 



followed. The most desirable soil seems to be a rich, friable sandy 

 loam. Deep plowing or spading should be avoided in the preparation 

 of the soil, the usual depth being 4 or 5 inches. The ground should 

 be harrowed and stirred with hand rakes until thoroughly pulverized, 

 and all roots, tufts, and clods of earth should be carefully removed. 



After this preparation a liberal application of fertilizer rich in 

 nitrogen and potash should be evenly distributed over the bed. A 

 fertilizer containing 10 per cent of ammonia, 8 per cent of available 

 phosphoric acid, and 12 per cent of soluble potash is highly recom- 

 mended. Chlorin in any form must be avoided. After applying this 

 fertilizer the bed should be thoroughly stirred again and left very 

 smooth, in which condition it is ready for the seed. It is customary 

 to sow the seed at the rate of about 1 tablespoonf ul to 100 square yards 

 of seed bed. It is impracticable to sow this seed alone and it should 

 be thoroughly mixed with wood ashes, corn meal, land plaster, or 

 commercial fertilizer. In order to obtain a uniform stand of plants it 

 is advisable to sow half of the seed lengthwise of the bed and the 

 remainder crosswise. 



The proper time for sowing the seed is from February 1 to March 1. 

 Wherever practicable it is best to prepare the land and apply the fer- 

 tilizer from one to two weeks before sowing the seed. After sowing, 

 a light roller should be run over the bed, or some other means used to 

 get the soil in a firm, compact condition, in which state it will retain 

 its moisture, thus giving more favorable conditions for the germina- 

 tion of seed and the growth of the young plants. The necessity of 

 properly caring for the seed bed can not be too strongly emphasized, 

 since nothing is of more importance in obtaining a vigorous growth 

 in the field than strong, health}' seedlings. They should be made to 

 grow steadily and vigorously without being checked until ready for 

 transplanting. In order to obtain this condition, strict and constant 

 attention must be given to watering the bed, keeping down all weeds 

 and grass, and preventing the ravages of insect pests. In some cases 

 it is necessary to use an additional application of fertilizer in the way 

 of a top-dressing. The necessit}^ for this is often indicated by the 

 plants turning j^ellow. The fertilizer should be essentially of the same 

 composition as that previously used, and often gives best results when 

 applied in a liquid form. This method of application makes it neces- 

 sary to wash the fertilizer thoroughh^ into the soil by means of an 

 abundant spray and thus avoid injur}' to the tender plants. 



Whenever it is found that the plants are too thick in the bed it is 

 advisable to thin them out by drawing an ordinary rake across the bed, 

 allowing it to sink to a depth of from one-half to three-fourths inch. 

 This can be done without seriously injuring the remaining plants and 

 is, in fact, of positive benefit to them. In all cases some system should 

 be provided for watering the plant beds during spells of dry weather. 



