466 



FIELD CROPS 



April in the states farther north. The seed should be dis- 

 tributed over the bed as evenly as possible and covered very 

 lightly. The usual method of covering is to sprinkle the bed 

 thorough^ with water, though a board is sometimes used to 



Figure 150. — The kind of tobacco crop that is produced when good plants, from 

 selected seed are planted on suitable land and given good care. 



press the seed into the soil or it is covered by brushing the 

 surface of the bed lightly with a whisk broom. 



On account of this early seeding, some protection from 

 cold is necessary. This is usually provided by driving stakes 

 into the ground along the edges of the bed and building a 

 tight enclosure of boards about 1 foot high. This is then 

 covered with glass or plant muslin, the cloth being more com- 



