TOBACCO. 63 



ON TOBACCO. 



The preparation of the ground for tobacco seed is 

 very simple. If the cultivator has ever prepared 

 ground for cabbage seed, he has an idea at once how 

 it should be done. If the ground is new,- brush should 

 be burnt upon it for the purpose of cleaning it. To 

 avoid burning, some recommend weeding the bed ev- 

 ery year, after the crop comes off. 



PLANTING. 



The proper time for planting, is from the last week 

 in May to the middle of July. In the first place, 

 however, the seed should be sown. As it is uncer- 

 tain as to the number of seed which will vegetate, a 

 great many more should be sown than will be requir- 

 ed; say about half a pint to a piece of land 12 feet 

 square. When they come up, it is a custom to rake 

 out the superabundance, with a rake made of sharp 

 iron points or nails, placed about one-half or three- 

 quarters of an inch apart. This rake is carried 

 through the plants with an irregular motion, so as not 

 to leave them standing in rows. Some do this by 

 hand, as cabbage plants are thinned. The proper 

 time for this operation is about the beginning or 

 middlepf May, a little before the time for planting, 

 and when the plants are of the size of a fip or half- 

 dime. 



