9 



season of the year when seed beds should be planted. As the cost of 

 transportation of plants for some distance would be very small, it would be 

 better to go a considerable distance from the field intended for tobacco 

 in order to' secure a location having a suitable soil, sufficiently elevated, 

 and yet near a small stream that will furnish water for the young plants. 



The nature of the soil is a very important factor in the production of 

 good healthy plants. The best kind of soil for a seed bed is a rich, 

 black virgin loam; such soils can generally be found in the forest. In 

 regions where forests are scarce, plots covered with a dense growth of 

 shrubbei'y make a very desirable location. 



After a suitable location has been selected, all undergrowih should be 

 removed and the soil broken up to a depth of twelve or fifteen centimeters, 

 exposing the roots of grass and weeds to the sun. This preliminary 

 work should be done one month before planting time, then all roots, 

 sticks, and other waste material removed and the soil thoroughly pul- 

 verized. The soil should then be sterilized (or heated) in order to kill 

 the insects and seeds of grass and weeds that are liable to interfere 

 with the growth of the young plants. 



This sterilization of the soil may be accomplished in different ways, 

 but the most practical method is to burn brush or logs on the surface of the 

 ground. In using brush it should be placed on the bed in a layer not 

 over one meter high, and the fire started on the leeward side in order 

 that it may burn slower and the heat have a better chance to penetrate 

 the soil. A slow, steady fire will heat the ground better than a quick one. 

 If the brush is dry better results will be obtained. The ashes from 

 the burned material funish a good fertilizer for the young plants. 



After the soil has cooled off, it should be finely pulverized again and 

 made into low ridges, 8 or 10 centimeters high, 1.5 meters wide, and 

 as long as desired, leaving a small foot path between them, thereby in- 

 suring drainage. 



SOAVING THE SEE1>. 



Tobacco seeds are very small and it is a difficult matter to scatter 

 them evenly over the bed so as to get a uniform stand of plants. It is 

 advisable, therefore, to mix the seed before sowing with a few handfuls 

 of corn meal or dry ashes. The use of meal is also a partial protection 

 against ants, which will be occupied carrying away the meal while the 

 tobacco seeds are sprouting. 



Many planters make a great mistake in using too large a quantity of 

 seed, and as a result the plants are so crowded in the bed that they run 

 up a long spindling stalk and have such low vitality that many of 

 them die on being transplanted to the field. Those which do survive 

 require several weeks to get a firm hold in the soil and start growing. 



