FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 383 



used for posts, will last considerably longer, by seting the 

 end in the ground which was uppermost as it grew. 



TIMOTHY-GRASS (Phleum Pratensis ) This is a 

 coarse grass, but agreeable to all sorts of caule, and suita- 

 ble to low moist grounds. It is a native of America. The 

 name of Timothy was given it in the Sou-hern States, by its 

 having been carried from Virginia to Nonh-carolina by one 

 Timothy Hanso. It is also called bulbous catstail-grass. 

 See GRASSES. 



TOBACCO C Mcotiana ) This plant has its name from 

 Tobago^ one of the Carribee islands. Ii was first introduc- 

 ed into England, and thence into Europe, by the famous 

 Sir Walter Raleigh, 



For raising the young plants, burn a piece of ground 

 early in the Spring, rake it well, and sow the seeds. When 

 the plants have acquired leaves of the size of a shilling 

 piece, transplant them. They require a dry, light soil, and 

 a rich one, wtll mellowed with ploughings. Dung of the 

 hotest kinds are suitable to it, though cowdung in sandy 

 soils will do well for raising it. Transplant the young 

 plants when the ground is wet, as in the case of cabbage- 

 plants, and afterwards hoe them and clean them of weeds 

 as you do these, and destroy the large grten worms which 

 feed on them. The plants are to be set about three and a 

 half feet apart. 



Cut off the tops of the plants at the height of about three 

 feet, more or less, as they may be more or less thrifty, ex- 

 cept those designed for bearing seed, and let these be the 

 largest. The cuting should be done so early as to let the 

 upper leaves acquire a size equal to the lower ones, and 

 let them all be cut off at the same time, whatever the size, 

 in order that good thick leaves may be afforded. Let the 

 suckers which shoot out from the foot of the stalks be also 

 broken or pinched off, as they appear. 



The ripeness of tobacco is known by small dusky spots 

 appearing on the leaves, and by their feeling thicker than 

 usual. Then cut them down at the roots, on the morning 

 of a sunny day, and let them lie singly to wither; but be 

 careful not to let them get sunburnt. When withered, lay 

 them in close heaps, under cover, to sweat, for about forty- 

 eight hours or more. After this, hang them up under cover 

 to dry. The way to do this is by runing two stalks on the 

 sharp ends of a stick, and thus suspending them across a 

 pole, at proper distances from each other. As the plants be- 

 come dry and brown, place them nearer together, when the 

 air is damp, so that the leaves do not crumble. When they 

 have hung till all the greenness has left the leaves, and 



