AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 



279 



more cotton the succeeding year than they would have af- 

 forded by a continuation of cotton. 



The mere growing of cotton is but a part of the care of 

 the planter ; very much depends on classing and cleansing it 

 for market, after it has been housed. Sorting it before it goes 

 to the jennies, moteing and removing any yellow particles, 

 are essential to assure a preference at a common market of 

 competition. 



TOBACCO. {Nicotiana.) This plant is named from To- 

 bago, one of the Caribbee islands. It was first introduced 

 into England by the famous Sir Walter Raleigh, and from 

 thence it spread over the other parts of Europe. 



In order to raise the young plants it is recommended to 

 burn over the surface of a piece of ground earljr in the 

 spring, rake it well, and sow the seeds. When the plants 

 have acquired leaves the size of a quarter of a dollar they 

 are fit for transplanting. They require a dry, light, rich 

 soil, made mellow by ploughing, and folding is also advised. 

 Dr. Deane observed that ' the common way of raising to- 

 bncco in cow-pens and barn-yards is detestable. The taste 

 of such tobacco is intolerable. Transplant the young seed- 

 lings when the ground is wet, as you would cabbage plants. 

 Set them about three and a half feet apart, and weed them 

 as you would growing cabbages. Destroy the large green 

 worms, which are apt to infest this crop. 



When the plants have grown about three feet high, a little 

 less or more, as they may be more or less thrifty, their tops 

 should be broken or cut off, excepting those designed for 

 seed, which should be the largest. The tops should be taken 

 off so early in the summer as to allow time for the upper 

 leaves to grow to the same size as the lower ones. Of this 

 time the cultivator must judge from circumstances, previous 

 observations, or the advice of some person accustomed to 

 raising- tobacco. All the plants should be topped at the 

 same time, whatever may be their height, that they may 

 ripen too-ether, and produce leaves nearly of the same size 

 and thickness. The suckers which shoot out from tlie foot 

 stalks of the leaves should also be broken or pinched off as 

 fast as they appear. 



The ripeness of tobacco is known by small duskjr spots 

 appearing on the leaves. The plants should then be cut 



