298 TOBACCO LEAF. 



removed and before the rains have washed the substance 

 from the droppings, a very rich, heavy leaf may be pro- 

 duced. Good farmers keep two places for hog pens, so 

 as to alternate with corn and tobacco. 



It is almost impossible for the grower of rich to- 

 bacco to use too much manure, if it is well rotted and 

 thoroughly incorporated with the soil. Mistakes are 

 often made, however, in applying large quantities of 

 fresh manure from the stables just before the land is set 

 in tobacco. This almost always results in impairing the 



FIG. 88. CUTTING HEAVY TOBACCO. 



quality of the tobacco, by causing field fire. It is far 

 better to compost all stable manure with rich dirt, ashes, 

 tobacco stalks, etc., and let the fermentation cease be- 

 fore its application to the tobacco field. Far better 

 results will be obtained. Commercial fertilizers are 

 coming into general use, while planters are more careful 

 to save and compost all possible sources of plant food 

 about the farm. 



