TOBACCO. 441 



pole like that for any roof. This gives a frame for a covering of muslin of the thinnest and 

 cheapest kind, and in convenient shape to remove and replace, as you choose, for watering, 

 manuring, etc. But if you have liquid manure, you may water and manure at once by 

 sprinkling the cover well with a common prinkling-pot with the nozzle-holes enlarged. 

 After the plants are well started, if there are no flies, or if the plants are big enough to defy 

 them, in good weather the cover ought to be removed at 3 to 4 o clock p. M., and replaced at 

 10 A. M. for several days, to gradually harden the plants to the exposure, and then removed 

 altogether, to harden them for transplanting. Plants may be brought to maturity in this 

 way much sooner than the usual time in open beds.&quot; 



In ordinary open beds, with proper care, the plants will be ready for transplanting in 

 from six to eight weeks after sowing. 



Preparation of Soil, Fertilizers, etc. Lands for tobacco should be plowed in 

 the fall, that the frost may aid in pulverizing the soil, also in the destruction of the worms, 

 insect eggs, and larvae that it may contain. 



It should also have two plowings, or their equivalents, in the spring. The first plowing 

 should be early in the spring, which should be to a shallow depth. When the manure to be 

 applied is not well pulverized, it will be well to spread it over the land before the plowing. 

 When it is well decomposed and pulverized, it can be applied just before the second plowing, 

 which is about the time the plants are to be set. It is best to spread fertilizers broadcast for 

 tobacco. After the second spring plowing, a thorough harrowing will greatly aid in reducing 

 the pulverization of the soil. The roller may also be very useful in aiding the pulverization 

 by crushing the lumps. Very much depends upon reducing the soil to a fine condition, and 

 the labor bestowed here will be amply repaid in the results of the crop, the aim being to 

 render the surface as fine as possible. 



Any well-decomposed manure will do for tobacco, but of course the better the quality of 

 the manure, the better will be the crop. Manure finely pulverized is much the best, since it 

 can be more readily taken up by the roots of the young plants than that of a coarser texture. 

 Commercial fertilizers can be used in connection with farm manure with good effect. Many 

 of the special fertilizers can also be used in the same manner. In the use of commercial 

 fertilizers, however, much depends upon tWe season, a moderate amount of rain giving often 

 remarkably good results, while during a dry season their effect seems almost entirely lost. 

 There is probably nothing better for tobacco than farm manure of the best quality, where it 

 can be obtained in sufficient quantities. Where a sufficient supply cannot be obtained, it may 

 be used in part, and commercial fertilizers be applied in connection to make up the deficiency. 



We have never seen better crops grown than those produced by a liberal application of 

 barn-yard manure, well rotted and finely pulverized. For heavy clay soils there seems to be 

 no substitute for it, since it not only supplies the requisite fertility, but renders the otherwise 

 compact soil loose and pliable. 



A good clover crop plowed under green, and allowed to become thoroughly decomposed 

 before setting the plants, together with a liberal application of manure, is thought by some 

 to be the best preparation for tobacco that a soil can have. Next in value to clover, for 

 green manure, a heavy growth of common peas might be chosen. 



Poultry manure, pulverized and mixed with plaster, is excellent for tobacco. A farmer 

 in Central New York, who has cultivated tobacco for many years, and has tried many 

 experiments with different kinds of fertilizers, recommends this as superior to anything with 

 which he is acquainted. Fertilizers containing the elements of lime and potash will always 

 be found of value to this crop, since they enter largely into the composition of the plant. 

 Wood-ashes are always adapted to tobacco, since they supply a large proportion of potash.. 

 Manure containing an abundance of ammonia, in connection with lime, will always be found 

 highly beneficial also. 

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