75° 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo Dec, 1910. 



Rearing the young plants is a somewhat delicate process. I have several 

 times been accused of sending out infertile seed. In no case has this 

 been done, only tested seed being given out. The fact is, the seed being 

 so small, has little store of food to draw upon in itself ; the tiny root and 

 leaf are scarcely discernible during the first week's growth, and if during 

 that period the soil is allowed to become dry to a depth of half-an-inch 

 the plant dies and nothing is seen of it. Sometimes small black ants will 

 remove the seed in the same way that they collect the seed of trefoil. In- 

 other cases the seed is buried too deeply when sown, and never germinates. 



As growing the young plants is, perhaps, the most critical process in 

 connexion with the growth of the crop, it is intended to go fully into a 

 description of the best systems under which to make seed beds and care 

 for the young plants. 



An area of 50 square yards will require an ounce of seed, which should 

 provide plants for say 8 acres of pipe tobacco or 4 of cigar. It is always 

 wise to sow twice the quantitv required, as it is a great advantage tn have 



1. UP-IO-L»ATE lOBACCO BED, SHOWING HESSIAN COVERING. 



plenty of plants to draw upon in the event of a fall of rain making the- 

 ground .specially suitable for planting out at any time. The cost of seed 

 is small as compared with the benefits derived from observing this rule. 

 It is also wdse to sow the beds in relays — about three w-eeks between each 

 .^ceding. The late plants will be found to come on much faster than those 

 sown early, but it is wise to have them in case of accident to the early 

 beds. 



When choosing a site for .seed beds, be careful to get a patch of well- 

 drained land, not too close to standing water. Running water does not 

 matter ; it is, in fact, an advantage when watering is necessary. Stagnant 

 water is more liable to cause the disease know-n as Blue Mould — the worst 

 trouble the grower has to deal with in Australia. 



A dark sandy loam, or free red chocolate soil, with a northern aspect, 

 is very suitable. Plenty of sun is advisable as the plant likes warmth, 

 and the sun kills the germs of disease. Cold clay soils are not suitable 

 r's they are liable to hold water too long and also crack badly when 

 drying. They are also bad to draw the young plants from when read}- 



