444 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



It is very important that the soil at all stages be kept free from weeds. Tobacco is a 

 sensitive plant, and will not grow well in connection with anything else. &quot;Weeds or grass 

 near the roots, though of small size, will affect the weight and growth to an almost incredible 

 degree. Neither will it attain perfection if crowded or shaded in any way. It must have 

 the soil all to itself, and a hot sun. As quick growth is essential in order to produce a good 

 quality of leaf, the aim of the cultivator should be to push the growth of the young plants as 

 much as possible, after they have been started in the field. Next to extremely fertile soil, 

 nothing will secure this result so effectually as frequent cultivation, not only to keep the field 

 free from weeds, but to stir the surface and pi-event the soil from becoming hard and com 

 pact, and thus lessen the danger of injury by drouth. It is a well-known fact that the best 

 preventive of injury from drouth is to keep the surface of the soil mellow around the 

 growing plants. The cultivator or horse-hoe should be used frequently, to keep the soil clean 

 and mellow, hand-hoeing being required three or four times during the season, in order to 

 loosen the soil near the plants and bring the earth up around the roots. The extra plants 

 not required to reset should be taken out when there is no further demand for them. When 

 the leaves are large, they become easily broken, and all such culture must then be abandoned ; 

 but, until this period arrives, the cultivation should be thorough and frequent. 



Enemies of the Tobacco Plant. Although there are several enemies of the 

 tobacco plant, more or less injurious, the principal ones are the cut-worm, and the large green 

 worm called the &quot;tobacco-worm.&quot; The first commits its depredations on the young plants 

 soon after they are set out, by eating off the stalks. Their presence can easily be determined 

 by going among the plants early in the morning, and noting whether there are any small 

 heaps of fresh earth, or small, round holes near the hills. If these are found, they are a sure 

 indication of the enemy. 



Where plants are found with a portion or all of their leaves gone, this is another sure 

 indication of the cut-worm s presence. Ashes in the hill will sometimes destroy these pests, 

 but they are difficult to eradicate. It will pay to search for them in the hill and kill them, 

 where they are very troublesome. All hills that have had the plants destroyed in this man 

 ner should be supplied by re-setting, but the worm should first be dug out and killed, or each 

 plant that occupies the spot will be destroyed in turn. 



The tobacco-worm is hatched from an egg deposited by a moth. The egg is laid gener 

 ally upon the under side of the leaf, and, when first hatched, which is in about six days, 

 the worm is so small that it would scarcely be noticed by one unfamiliar with its habits. It 

 grows very rapidly, and proves one of the most destructive of enemies. 



It begins to eat the leaf on the under side; hence, is not at first easily detected. A 

 small hole through the leaf is the first indication of its depredations. They increase in size 

 so rapidly, and are so destructive, that if left unmolested for a few days the entire leaf would 

 be destroyed. When full grown, the worm will eat nearly an entire leaf of large size in a 

 single day. Their size and length at this period is nearly that of the forefinger of a medium- 

 sized man. 



There are two sets or broods of these worms during the season the first appearing 

 when the plants are about half grown, and the others when the tobacco is almost ripe. It is 

 particularly important that the first brood be destroyed, for if they are not they become 

 transformed into the moth, which lays the eggs for the second brood, each moth laying about 

 two hundred eggs. 



The &quot; yellow-jacket &quot; is said to be a valuable aid in destroying these worms. The &quot; ich 

 neumon-fly &quot; is a parasite of this worm, and destroys many. Dr. Thomas Pollard of Virginia, 

 says that, in worming, care must be used not to destroy the worms covered with a white film 

 or net-like substance, as it is the cocoon of this parasite, and that in sections where this fly is 

 met, tobacco-worms may be found filled with the larvae of the fly, looking like little bits of 



