THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



When level culture is practiced, the land should be marked both ways with a small plow 

 adapted to the purpose. The rows should be at least three feet apart, and the marks for the 

 hills from two to two and a half feet. Much depends upon the nature of the soil and the 

 variety to be grown. A rich soil will require a* greater distance than one moderately fertile, 

 while a variety of large, spreading growth will also require more room than one of smaller 

 growth. Many farmers make the rows the distance of three and a half feet by two and a 

 half, while on very rich soil the practice in some sections is to extend the distance to even 

 four feet by three and a half. There should only be sufficient distance for the plants to 

 spread well and secure a vigorous growth, any waste of space being a waste of manure used 

 to enrich the soil, as well as the labor in preparing it; besides, if the plants are too far apart, 

 they are more liable to be blown over or broken by the wind. On the other hand, if crowded, 

 the growth will be more slender and the plants will not mature as perfectly, or produce as 

 heavy a crop. Where the furrows made by the plow cross each other, small hills should be 

 made with a hoe, and the top patted down, indicating the place where the plants are to be 



set. Where ridge-cul 

 ture is practiced, the 

 ridges may be thrown 

 up by lapping the fur 

 rows of the plow, or, 

 what is much better, 

 a tobacco-ridger may 

 be used for making 

 the ridges and mark 

 ing the place for the 

 plants. The wings of 

 the machine gather the 

 earth into a ridge, to 

 gether with the fertil 

 izers that are spread 

 br o ad cast. The 



GOSLEE S TOBACCO-RIDGER AND POTATO^OVERER. 



smoothing-plate that the machine rides on smooths the ridges, and the wheels with the points 

 partly make the holes for the plants, and space them off. The accompanying illustration 

 represents a tobacco-ridger manufactured by Belcher & Taylor, Chicopee Falls, Mass., and 

 may be also used in the cotton and potato fields with good effect. A corn-marker is some 

 times used for marking off the ground. In these marks a cultivator having reversible shares is 

 run, with the shares turned inward and the front one removed, which forms the ridge. A 

 light roller follows, having cleats nailed across at equal and sufficient distances apart to mark 

 the distances for setting the plants. This preparation for setting tobacco should be made just 

 before the plants are ready for transplanting. 



Transplanting. The tobacco crop requires between four and five months growth, 

 from the time the seed is sown until the time of cutting, and nearly half of this time is 

 confined to the seed-bed; hence the necessity of much care to secure the best possible 

 condition of the plants at the time of transplanting. 



The best size for setting is when the leaves are from an inch and a half to two inches in 

 length, or, as one planter expresses it, &quot; about the size of a dessert-spoon.&quot; The time for 

 setting, in the latitude of New York, is in the month of June, although some set them about 

 the 24th of May. This is, however, quite early. From the 1st to the 20th of June is gener 

 ally considered the best time, when the season will admit. In a warmer latitude the 

 transplanting will be comparatively earlier, according to the climate. If set too early, the 

 plants mill be liable to become chilled, and will not thrive as well; while if delayed too late, 



