TOBACCO. 625 



Size and Cultivation. Tobacco requires a warm, rich 

 soil, not too dry or wet ; and, though it will succeed well on 

 recently turned sward or clover-turf, it gives a greater yield 

 on land that has been cultivated the year previous, as it is 

 less liable to be infested by worms, which sometimes destroy 

 the plants in the early stages of their growth. The land 

 should be twice ploughed in the spring ; first as soon as the 

 frost will permit, and again just previous to setting. Pul- 

 verize the surface thoroughly by repeated harrowing and 

 rolling, and it will be ready to receive the young plants. 

 The time for transplanting is from the 1st to the 20th of 

 June, taking advantage of a damp day, or setting them im- 

 mediately after a rain. If the ground is not moist at the 

 time of transplanting, it will be necessary to water the plants 

 as they are set. 



" The ground should be marked in straight rows three feet 

 apart, and slight hills made on these marks two feet and a 

 half apart ; then set the plants, taking care to press the earth 

 firmly around the roots. As soon as they are well estab- 

 lished, and have commenced growing, run a cultivator or 

 horse-hoe between the rows, and follow with the hand-hoe ; 

 resetting where the plants are missing. The crop should be 

 hoed at least three times, at proper intervals, taking care to 

 stir the soil all over. 



" When the plants begin to flower, the flower-stem should 

 be broken or cut off, removing also the suckers, if any appear, 

 leaving from twelve to sixteen leaves to be matured." 



Harvesting and Curing. In ordinary seasons, the crop 

 will be ready for harvesting about the beginning of Septem- 

 ber, and should all be secured by the 20th of the month, or 

 before the occurrence of frost. The stalks must be cut at 

 the surface of the ground, and exposed long enough to the 

 sun to wilt them sufficiently to prevent breaking in handling. 

 They should then be suspended in a dry, airy shed or build- 

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