39 



must be broken off, care being taken not to break the 

 leaf from the main stem. This causes the leaves to 

 spread. 



The most regular topping is performed by measure. 

 The topper carries in liis hand a measure six inches long, 

 by occasionally applying which, he can regulate the 

 priming with great accuracy ; and as the remaining 

 leaves are numbered, this governs the operation, and 

 gains the object of even topping. The topper should 

 always carry this measure in his hand, as it serves to 

 prevent excuses for negligence and uneven topping. 

 Prime six inches, and top to eight leaves. We have 

 found by experience, that this is the best average height. 

 We sometimes, but seldom, vary from this general rule. 

 If the land is poorer than common, or if, from the back- 

 wardness of the plant, and the advanced state of the 

 season, we apprehend frost, we do not prime as high 

 (say four inches) . If we have an uncommonly rich spot, 

 and there is danger that the top leaves will come to the 

 ground, we should rise in the same proportion. The 

 crop should be wormed and suckered, at least once a 

 week." 



From the Southern Agriculture, by Judge Beatty : 



" When the crop is planted, its cultivation must be 

 carefully attended to. The first thing to be done is to 

 see that the cut-worms do not destroy the young plants. 

 These must be sought after and destroyed. The plants 

 must be kept free from weeds. In this' operation both 

 the plow and hoe should be used until the plants be- 

 come too large to use the former without breaking the 

 leaves. During the last plowing, tobacco should be 

 plowed only during the heat of the day, when the leaves 

 will have wilted^ and will not easily break. 



Tobacco is very subject to be injured by the horn- 

 worm. This insect is very destructive, and, if not de- 

 stroyed, will ruin the crop. The utmost care is, therefore, 

 required, from an early period of its growth, to save the 

 tobacco crop. From the time the horn-worm makes its 

 appearance, the crop should be gone over once a week 



