128 



An ounce contains enough seed to plant from six to seven 

 acres, but as the seed do not possess a high percentage of 

 vitality, it is usual to sow at the rate of half an ounce for 

 an acre. The bed ought to be covered with a covering of 

 cheese cloth, or fine brush or short-leaf pine straw. A 

 bettter cloth, however, than cheese-cloth for this purpose, is 

 prepared by T. W. Woods & Son, Eichmond, Va., which will 

 last more than one season. This not only protects the plants 

 from the cold, sudden freezes, which are common in the early 

 spring in this latitude about the time germination com- 

 mences, but checks too rapid evaporation from the earth, 

 keeping the surface moist. When the young plants first 

 appear above the surface, they are very tender and require 

 frequent watering of weak liquid manure and top dressing 

 with fertilizers. 



All weeds must be carefully removed, and the flea beetles, 

 which often destroy the young plants in a few days, must be 

 watched for and the insect remedies before mentioned ap- 

 plied. In from five to six weeks from the time the plants 

 appear on the surface, they will be ready for transplanting. 

 The bed for producing the plants should be well fertilized. 

 A complete fertilizer has given good results. We have also 

 raised excellent plants by fertilizing with equal portions of 

 cotton seed meal and acid phosphate. When these too, 

 however cannot be supplied, stable or hog manure, free 

 from seeds, well chopped into the soil at the time of prepar- 

 ing bed for planting, will answer a good purpose. 



II. 



' CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 



Of the many conditions which affect the quality of tobacco, 

 the most important is climate ; other conditions may be, in 

 a measure, modified, but very little can be done with regard 

 to climate. The most rational mode of overcoming this 

 difficulty would be in the selection of seed of the varieties 

 which have been grown with success under similar climatic 

 conditions as prevail in the district proposed to be cultivated. 



