OF AGRICULTURE. 119 



yet she produces more valuable tobacco than any 

 other State in or out of the Union," The Orinoco 

 and the Prior, for manufacturing, and the white stem, 

 and big Frederick for shipping, are the most profita- 

 ble to the planter, of all the various kinds raised. 

 Having had twenty years' experience in cultivating 

 and manufacturing, and the last five years in selling 

 the article, I am clearly of the opinion that, on all 

 lands suitable, the Orinoco is decidedly the best for 

 manufacturing, from the fact that it is the only kind 

 sweet by nature, if ripe. It should be sun-cured, or 

 as much so as the season and circumstances will 

 admit. If thoroughly ripe, it is much easier to bo 

 cured of the right color, and it stands manufacturing 

 better. If cut before being ripe, it chews bitter, its 

 color is forced, and it will not hold it. 



The Prior is a good kind to cultivate on mountain- 

 ous lands, as it stands the wind better than any 

 other kind, being tough. For shipping purposes, I 

 give the preference to the "White Stein," It can be 

 grown large, and rich, is smooth, and tough when 

 cured, and loses less in weight in curing than any 

 other kind." "FT. H. Brown, So. Planter, Jan. 1859. 



PLANT BEDS. 



The climate, the soil, and variety to be culti- 

 vated being favorably determined, the first, and 

 most important thing to be done, is to secure an 

 abundance of plants. To do this, the planter must 

 look well to the preparation of his plant-beds. Of 

 these he should have several, sown at different times, 

 or ohe large one, divided into several parts, to be 

 sown at different times. To meet all contingencies 



