360 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. [Pub. Doc. 



Selection of Land. 



In selecting a field for growing tobacco I would select a 

 light or warm sand}" loam that had grown potatoes as a pre- 

 vious crop, or rather, would prefer a field where a crop of 

 clover had been turned under the year previous. The sub- 

 soil should be porous to allow of quick drainage ; yet the 

 experience of the past extremely dry season would show the 

 desirability of a soil that would stand a drought, if such can 

 be found. 



Our best pine-plain lands have been producing some of 

 the finest tobacco grown for the past few years, especially 

 when grown largely upon mixed fertilizers, and it is an open 

 question whether these light soils may not prove to be the 

 very l)est for tobacco, leaving the heavier soils for grass, to 

 which they are more especially adapted. 



Preparation of the Field. 

 The land should be ploughed in the fall, and if possible 

 horse manure at the rate of ten or twelve cords per acre 

 ploughed in. The use of a little quick-acting tobacco 

 fertilizer as a starter ought to give you a good growth. I 

 prefer 6 or 8 cords of horse manure, and 1,500 pounds of 

 cotton-seed meal, and 500 pounds cotton-hull ash, or 300 

 pounds high-grade potash. Many use too much potash. In 

 the spring, if not manured in the fall, plough as early as soil 

 is in condition and again just before setting. If set by 

 hand, sow fertilizer in rows, three feet apart, and ridge, 

 setting plants from fifteen to twenty inches apart. 



Setting Plants. 

 Never set a small plant. Before plants are large enough 

 to set, plough your land and sow fertilizer and harrow thor- 

 oughly, making the field as smooth as possible. I prefer to 

 have the fertilizer sown at least one week before setting, to 

 prevent burning the plants. Too much care cannot be given 

 in lifting the plants after wetting the l)ed. If the ground is 

 not too hard, they may be pulled with one hand and kept 

 bunched in the other. When the hand is full, place in a 

 shallow box, rdots down. When the box is full, sprinkle 

 and place in a cool, shady place or cellar where they may 

 remain until wanted. Great care should be exercised in 



