RAISING SEED. 163 



again at night, until all danger of cold or frost is past. 

 The bed must be kept clean and free from weeds, and 

 well watered. 



The aim of the grower is to raise early, strong and 

 stocky plants, and not those of a weak or spindling na- 

 ture. It is a good plan to have two or three beds 

 planted at intervals of a few days. This ensures plenty 

 of plants, und also meets the possibilities of the season. 

 If the season opens early, those from the first bed can be 

 used ; if later, those from the second or third bed. 

 Plants from the later beds are just what are wanted for 

 resetting. 



A bed ten yards square, if well prepared, should set 

 six or seven acres. But it is always safe to prepare 

 double the area or number of seed beds thought to be 

 necessary, for no tobacco grower ever regrets having a 

 surplus of plants ; in that case, he may select the best. 

 For transplanting to old land, the plants should be 

 larger than for new land. 



RAISING THE BEST TOBACCO SEED. 



To raise good tobacco requires, in the first place, 

 good seed. This is more essential in tobacco than any 

 other crop, because the range of types, grades and prices 

 is wider in this than any other crop. And the seed 

 controls all these as much, if not more, than any other 

 one factor. Tobacco, apparently, has a natural inclina- 

 tion to depart from a fixed type and break into sub-vari- 

 eties, thus adjusting itself to the climate and soil in 

 which it is placed. Moreover, the pollen is easily dis- 

 seminated, and may be carried half a mile or more, caus- 

 ing much crossing where several varieties are grown 

 near together. To grow good seed requires time and 

 patience, but it will pay better than any other work 

 done on the crop. Seed is often saved from any well- 

 growing plant, regardless of the chances of cross-fertili- 



