Directions for Tobacco Growers. 163 



DIRECTIONS FOR TOBACCO GROWERS. 



By Temple A. J. iSmitJi. 



Transplanting. 



The successful tobacco grower will have his field in thorough order 

 by the time his plants are ready for putting out, i.e., the land is well 

 ploughed, if possible, to a depth of 8 or 10 inches, and well pulverised. 

 It is wise to plough the intended tobacco patch late in the autumn, 

 aud again just before the plants are set out ; this will give less trouble 

 with weeds and insects later on, and will also bring the ground into 

 better condition. In almost all cases it is well to roll the field after 

 harrowing. The level field has proved the most suitable in Victoria, 

 though if your land is excessively moist the American system of ridg- 

 ing might be advantageous — this means the throwing of two furrows 

 together at distances of 8 feet 6 inches apart, then working the plough 

 across the field at right angles at the same distance apart, leaving the 

 appearance of a htige chess board. The plants are then set at the 

 cornev of each square. In our drier climate, however, this system is 

 not to be recommended. 



The usual plan followed here is to mark out the field into 3 feet 

 6-inch squares, with a marker made like a rake, with three teeth 

 distant 3 feet 6 inches apart. This can be drawn by a man from end 

 to end of the paddock, and aftei-wards at right angles, the corners 

 marking the place for the plant. A line, with marks every 3 feet 

 6 inches, is also commonly used. It is very necessary to keep the 

 rows of plants straight, so that later on the horse hoe or scuffler can 

 be used without damage to the tobacco. 



When the plants have leaves from two to three inches in length 

 they are ready for pulling, and care must be used in doing this branch 

 of the work not to injure either the heart of the plant or the root. 

 The experienced grower will take the tips of the leaves in one hand, 

 and with the other loosen the earth round the roots with a narrow- 

 pointed stick. In this way the plant is drawn with few roots broken, 

 and there are many particles of earth attached. If the soil is dry or 

 hard, in the seed-bed, it is watered beforehand, generally over night, 

 to allow the ground to soften. Plants should always be pulled the 

 day they are to be put out, and kept in a cool, shady place until put 

 in the ground. A basket, or large tin bucket, is generally used by 

 the planter, and he is careful to keep all the roots of the {)lants together 

 to the centre of the bucket, as this method facilitates the work, and 

 helps to preserve the young plants. 



In the field much depends on the amount of labor the planter has 

 at his disposal for the system to follow. When men are plentiful, the 

 o-eneral custom in "Victoria is to have two men ahead with hoes to 

 choj) up the ground where the plant is to go, two more follow putting 



