THE PRINCIPAL SOILS AND CROPS OF VIRGINIA xiii 



early spring is the preparation of a bed for growing the 

 young plants, which are to be transplanted in the field 

 later in the season. For this purpose we select a protected 

 spot in the woods, choosing a location where there is a 

 fine, loamy, and mellow soil, one that will not bake dur- 

 ing drought. A growth of oak, hickory, and dogwood 

 usually indicates good plant-bed land. Brush and wood 

 should be burned on this spot, so as to kill all weed and 

 grass seeds. 



After burning, break and pulverize the land thoroughly. 

 Then sow one to two tablespoonfuls of seed to the hun- 

 dred square yards. Mulch lightly with pine tags or fine 

 straw, and cover with thin canvas or cheese cloth. 



The tobacco field should be low, rolling, well drained, 

 with good exposure to the sun ; the preceding crop should 

 be clover or cowpeas. The land should be plowed and 

 subsoiled in the fall. Replow the land in the spring, and 

 thoroughly pulverize with harrow and roller. Manure 

 the thinnest portions of the field. Then lay off rows 3% 

 feet apart, apply the fertilizers, and prepare the hills for 

 planting. 



Planting and cultivating. Tobacco should be set in the 

 field about the last of May or first of June, as it takes 

 about ninety days to mature. It is very important to cut 

 it in warm weather; for it is a difficult matter to cure 

 tobacco of a uniform color after the weather becomes cool. 

 As soon as the plants begin to take root in the soil and 

 the first signs of new growth are observed, begin cultiva- 

 tion by plowing between the rows with cultivators, and 

 work lightly around the plants with hoes. After a week 

 or two, the plants will have taken good root and spread 



