88 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



with leafless brush, and protected from the intrusion of stock. As soon as the 

 plants attain the size of the silver dollar of former days the brush may be re- 

 moved, though, if the weather is dry, it will be an advantage to have it remain 

 longer, and when removed it should be taken ofl' in the evening. The land 

 designed for the crop should be fertile, and if not naturally so, should be well 

 manured, as tobacco is a plant that delights in rich soil. Any common manure 

 will answer the purpose. If possible the land should be deeply and thoroughly 

 ploughed in the fall or winter. There is twofold advantage in this : iirst, it 

 destroys many insects that would be injurious or desti'uctive to the young plant; 

 and secondly, it renders the ground more friable and more easily cultivated. 



As the season approaches itbr transplanting, which is here from May to July 

 the land should be ploughed again, and kept clean. It is then to be laid off 

 with a plough three and a half feet each way, and a small hill made in or on 

 the check, as may be prefeired, for the reception of the plant. The size of the 

 hill may be according to the fancy of the planter, as it is not a matter of con- 

 sequence. When the plants are large enough they may be drawn from the 

 beds and placed in the hills whenever there is moisture enough to prevent their 

 dying. The best time lo soon after a shower, unless the land is very wet, in 

 which case it should be left to dry or settle some. After transplanting, no fur- 

 ther attention is required till the weeds and grass make their appearance ; these 

 should be at once subdued with the plough and hoe. If the earth becomes dry 

 and hard about the plant it should be lightly scraped with a hoe, which will 

 greatly facilitate growth. As soon as the plants are of size to permit it without 

 injury, the ground should be deeply and thoroughly ploughed, care being taken 

 not to disturb the roots, and the plant hilled up by following with a hoe. In 

 land that has been kept clean this may be the last ploughing, the hoe being all 

 that is needed to keep down the few weeds that may appear. "When the plants 

 are large enough to top, the leaves neai^est the ground are to be broken off" and 

 the bud taken out, leaving on the stalk the number of leaves designed for the 

 crop. This number is much a matter of fancy, yet it has more to do in form- 

 ing the character of the future tobacco than most planters seem aware of. 

 Experience has fully proved that ten or twelve leaves are sufficient for a plant, 

 and this is almost the universal number among our best planters. If the crop 

 has grown well, twelve leaves may be allowed at first ; the next topping it may 

 be ten, and the number thus lessened as the season advances, or as the appear- 

 ance of the crop may indicate. This saves much labor, insures more uniformity 

 in maturing, and adds to the value of the crop, making it more uniform in 

 quality. 



At this stage the attention of the planter is almost constantly required in 

 protecting the crop from the worms and insects that prey upon it, and in break- 

 ing off' the suckers which soon appear at every leaf along the stalk. This will 

 give ample employment to all idlers about the premises. 



As the plant approaches maturity it begins to thicken, and assumes a stiff", 

 eleek, and motley appearance, which the most uu practiced eye Avill readily ob- 

 serve. Should the weather be dry and favorable, the first ripe plants may 

 remain standing till a sufficient quantity matures to make a regular cutting ; 

 but if the weather is unpropitious it is best to cut as fast as matured, as it is 

 liable to injury if allowed to remain too long. 



The harvest time of the crop is an important period, as any neglect then on 

 the part of the planter will result in depreciation of its future value. In cutting 

 the plant a sharp knife is to be used, and the stalk to be split about half its 

 length, taking care not to break the leaves or otherwise injure them. The plant 

 is then to be set with the butt of the stalk up, exposed to the sun. When it is 

 wilted enough to handle Mathout breaking, it should be taken iip and laid in 

 heaps of from seven to nine in a place, and then hung as soon as possible to 

 prevent its being scorched by the sun. The latter part of the day is best for 

 cutting ; there is less danger of the plant getting sunburnt. 



