BACKWARD PLANTS. 441 



any rubbish that will hinder easy cultivation, or retard the 

 growth of the plants. At this period the most careful atten- 

 tion must be given to the plants, as they are (or ought to be) 

 growing rapidly, and upon their early maturity will depend 

 the color and texture of the leaf. 



In a short time the plants may be hoed for the third and 

 last time (as a fourth hoeing is but rarely necessary). At 

 this time they have attained considerable size, (say two or 

 three feet high) and are rapidly maturing, and ere long will 

 be ready to harvest. At the last hoeing the plants should be 

 " hilled up," that is, the earth should be drawn around the 

 plant under the leaves, causing it to stand firmly in the hill, 

 and keeping the roots well protected and covered. The 

 tobacco plant requires constant cultivation, and the cultivator 

 may be run through the rows after loosening the earth and 

 turning up the manure towards the plants. 



Some growers of tobacco in the early stages of its growth 

 apply some kind of fertilizers to the backward plants; this 

 will be found to be of advantage, and should be done 

 just before a rain, when the plants will start in a manner 

 almost surprising. A little phosphate or Peruvian guano 

 may be used, but should be applied with care or the plants 

 may be retarded instead of quickened in their growth. 



There is much to be done in the tobacco field besides cul- 

 tivating and hoeing the plants. In many hills there will be 

 found two plants, which should be re-set at the second hoe- 

 ing if needed, and if not, pulled up and destroyed, as it is 

 better to have one large plant in the hill than two small ones. 

 Again, after the last hoeing, the tobacco should be kept free 

 from worms. If any have been overlooked they will have 

 attained to a good size by this time, and will devour in a 

 short time enough tobacco to make a " short six." 



From this account of the cultivation of tobacco as practiced 

 in the Connecticut valley, one will readily see that the labor 

 performed during the growing of the plants should not be 

 superficial. On their rapid growth depends the color and 

 texture of the leaf. Plants that are slow in maturing never 



