CULTIVATION OF TOBACCO 13 



end of the string is securely attached to a stick of the same length that 

 it is intended the rows shall be separated. This string is divided into 

 intervals by means of colored string,, to show the proper distance of the 

 plants in the row. By means of a sharp stick, holes are made at the 

 proper distance, about 10 centimeters deep and 7 centimeters in width. 

 The holes are watered immediately before the plants are put in. The 

 plants are pulled from the bed when the dew is still on them, and set 

 out late in the afternoon, when the rays of the sun are not very strong. 

 During the daytime the pulled plants are kept in a basket and carefully 

 watered, and covered with cloth. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the 

 coolie drops from the basket a plant beside each hole and, when all of 

 the plants are dropped, commences to plant. He holds the plant in the 

 center of the hole with his left hand and, with his right hand, presses the 

 soil around the roots carefully but firmly, so that he can give the plant a 

 slight pull without removing it. 



As regards the number of plants to the hectare, this depends so 

 largely on experience and the character of the soil and the kind of 

 tobacco that special directions can not be given. Close planting in the 

 row tends to develop a very thin leaf, while open planting allows the 

 leaves to grow to a greater size, and develops the gums and oils so 

 common 'to tobacco. For cigar wrappers it is usual to plant closely in 

 the row, in. order that the leaves will shade each other and develop the 

 line, thin leaves desired for this purpose. In Sumatra as many as 10,000 

 plants are set out in a field of 1-J acres (slightly more than one-half 

 of a hectare). For cigar fillers or for tobacco to be used for manufac- 

 turing purposes, the planting is much more widely separated than in 

 Sumatra. 



As it is always desirable to get a uniform growth, great care should 

 be exercised to have each plant live. Replanting should be done as 

 quickly as it is possible to determine where fresh plants are needed. If 

 the soil is moist and showers are frequent, watering the plants is unneces- 

 sary; but, if the ground is dry, they should be watered immediately 

 after setting and each day thereafter, as long as the plants require it. 

 The quantity of water used is in all cases governed by the condition and 

 nature of the soil. Usually, after setting, the plants are undisturbed 

 for a period of several days, during which time they are taking root. 

 After this time cultivation should be begun and continued rapidly and 

 frequently, until further cultivation is liable to injure the growing 

 leaves. Cultivation at first can be done by a light plow or hoe; but, after 

 the plants have reached a considerable height, only the hoe should be 

 used, and this veiy lightly. At this period the leaves furnish sufficient 

 shade to prevent the soil from baking and hindering the growth of the 

 surface roots. 



Every effort is made, both through fertilizing and cultivation, to main- 



