434 SETTING. 



allowed to remain on the roots, or shaken "off, at the option 

 of the grower. As a general rule, however, the earth should 

 remain rather than be shaken off. Remove to the field and 

 drop one at each hill, and where the plants are small, two. 

 A common custom is to " set " every tenth or twelfth hill 

 with two plants. This is a good plan, as they are frequently 

 needed during hoeing time to "fill in." If holes have not 

 been made, insert the first two fingers, making a hole large 

 enough for the roots to remain in an easy and natural posi- 

 tion. Press the earth gently around the plant if the soil is 

 moist, but if dry, more firmly. See that the plant stands in 

 an upright position. If dry after " setting " the plants, water 

 them, and if a protracted drought follows, cover them up 

 with grass or hay dipped in water ; remove, however, in a day 

 or two.* Plaster may also be used to advantage, as it keeps 



TRANSPLANTING. 



the hill moist, besides fertilizing the plant ; put a little just 

 around the plants. In taking up from the bed select large 

 ones, leaving the smaller ones to grow. Transplanting should 

 commence as early as possible that this result may follow. 



Walker says of tobacco culture In Colombia (South America) : "It is advisable to cover 

 tne plant with a banana leaf, or something similar : bj; this means the tobacco i8 protected 

 from the heat of the BUU, and from the heavy ralni, which would not prove less prejudicial." 



