172 TOBACCO LEAF. 



called a "hand plant" and greatly facilitates the work 

 of transplanting. 



The test applied to determine the thoroughness of 

 the work is to catch the top of a leaf, and pull it. If 

 the tip breaks, the work is well done ; if the plant is 

 drawn up from the ground, it is evident that the plant- 

 ing has been imperfectly performed. Careful planting 

 is very essential to insure a good stand and a ready 

 growth. If the whole field is carefully set with plants 

 of uniform size, and the soil is of uniform fertility, and 

 the cutworms are not troublesome, the very best con- 



FIG. 28. IMPROVED LOG BARN WITH NIPPED SHED. 



ditions are secured for raising a crop of tobacco of 

 uniform quality and size. 



After setting, water the plants, unless the field is 

 too large. Watering should be done late in the day or 

 early in the morning, Fig. 25. If properly set and 

 watered, nine out of ten will live. Some sbade the 

 plants with short grass or leaves, but on large fields this 

 is impossible. If it rains soon after they are set, or if 

 the ground is quite wet, the plants will soon take root 

 and commence growing. If irrigation is possible, apply 

 the water after transplanting, if soil is dry. Much de- 

 pends upon having a good setting. If there are not 



