124 WALL'S MANUAL 



CULTURE. 



The two leading objects to be kept in view in the 

 culture of tobacco, are the same as those mentioned 

 in the culture of corn, viz. : first, all weeds and grass 

 must be kept down; second, the ground must be kept 

 mellow and well aired, The culture should commence 

 as soon after planting as possible, and kept up 

 constantly until the plants are too large for its con- 

 tinuance* Within a week or two after planting, the 

 soil on the surface of the hills may become crusted, and 

 grass and weeds begin to make their first appearance* 

 In either case, the hoes should be used, to scrape down 

 the surface of the hills, A clean, loose suface will 

 thus be formed around the plant. This should be 

 followed by a deep plowing, which should be made 

 so close to the hills as to cut down a considerable 

 portion of the ridge, the dirt being thrown from the 

 plant to the middle of the row. By a subsequent 

 plowing, the soil (as soon as possible), should be 

 thrown up again to the plants, and the hills dressed 

 up with the hoes, By all the other plowings the 

 soil should be thrown to the plant, and the ground 

 kept loose and mellow until the plant becomes too 

 large to work with a plow, 



PRIMING AND TOPPING. 



When the plant has grown to the height of two or 

 three feet around bud or " button" will make its 

 appearance in the center of the plant. This is the 

 flower bud. At this period some of the lower leaves 

 must be pulled off, so as to leave the stalk naked for 

 five or six inches above the ground. This is called 

 " priming," At the same time the priming is done, 



