PREPARING THE TOBACCO FIELD 467 



monly used, as it gives better ventilation, is cheaper, and the 

 plants under it are less subject to disease. It is neces- 

 sary to water frequently, at least as often as three times 

 a week, for the plants should never be allowed to become 

 stunted from drought or any other cause. 



636. Preparing the Field. As tobacco is a crop which 

 gives large returns when properly grown, it well repays much 

 care and attention in fitting the field and in cultivating the 

 crop. Spring plowing is most commonly practiced on new 

 land and on fields where there is a l)lue grass or clover sod, 

 or where cover crops are grown. It is preferable to have a 

 cover crop on the land over winter to prevent washing and 

 leaching of the soil. It is then disked and harrowed at in- 

 tervals of a week or ten days till the plants are set in the field. 

 This frequent working puts the surface soil in fine condition, 

 helps to hold the moisture, and kills the weeds. The fertilizer 

 is distributed just before the rows are marked for planting. 



637. Setting the Plants. When the danger of frost is 

 past, the plants are removed from the bed and set in the 

 field. Early setting is advisable, as a larger percentage of 

 the plants will survive and the plants will mature when con- 

 ditions for curing are best. In order to retain all the small, 

 fibrous roots and to prevent injury as much as possible in 

 removing the plants, the bed is thoroughly sprinkled before 

 the plants are pulled. They are usually taken up in the 

 morning and packed tightly in baskets or boxes for carrying 

 to the field. If thej^ are not set at once, it is best to keep 

 them in a cool, shady place till wanted. Small or diseased 

 plants should be discarded. If the weather is cloudy, the 

 plants may be set at any time during the day; if it is clear, 

 setting in the afternoon and evening is safest. The plants 

 are set either by hand or with the transplanting machine, the 

 machine being used generally where large acreages are grown. 

 If the soil is dry, water is applied at the time of setting, but 

 it is not necessaiy to do so when there is plenty of moisture. 



