372 



TOBACCO LEAF. 



The land is broken to the depth of six or eight 

 inches in January when it is dry enough to be worked. 

 If plowed too wet, and hot suns supervene, the land 

 becomes as hard as a sun-dried brick. Another plowing 

 is given to the soil about the middle of February, when 

 furrows are run from four to five feet apart and beds 

 thrown on these. Towards the end of February a rake 

 is run over the beds, or ridges, giving each a wide, level 

 top. Other beds are then thrown on top of the original 

 beds with a one-horse plow, and the top of the new bed 

 raked off with a hand rake. The plants are then set 



FIG. 110. CURING PEKIQUE TOBACCO. 



out three feet apart on the beds, usually upon the heel 

 of a good shower, but frequently the plants are set in 

 dry weather and watered every evening for several days. 

 The main planting takes place about the last week in 

 February, or the first week in March. The cultivation 

 is all done one way. 



The crop is cultivated in much the same manner as 

 in other tobacco growing sections, the main purpose 

 being to keep the land loose and to destroy all weeds 

 and grasses that spring up. Topping is done about the 

 15th of May, without priming the plant. Early in the 

 season, from 12 to 18 leaves are left on each plant, fewer 



