118 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



TOBACCO. 



This is one of the non-economic crops ; that is, it is 

 a luxury. The world would be quite as well off with- 

 out it, but people will use it, and others will supply 

 it, so it is our place to consider its culture. There are 

 few, if any plants that are so well understood from a 

 cultural standpoint. The art of raising it is among 

 the most advanced ; the fertilizer and its effects on 

 this crop is better understood than for other crops. 



VARIETIES. 



The varieties are as numerous as the places and dis- 

 tricts that grow tobacco for market. For the Lower 

 South, the Veulto Abagio and the Sumatra are doubt- 

 less the most profitable for export ; and as the seed of 

 the first named is easily obtained, the novice might as 

 well begin and learn on that as on any other. 



RAISING THE SEEDLINGS. 



The seed is very fine, and very difficult to sow 

 evenly. It is not usually sown by a machine, but 

 this can be used with good results. It is quite usual 

 to sow the seed broadcast in a plant bed, and then let 

 the plants grow until wanted in the field. 



Follow the directions given for the preparation of 

 the cold frame with covering, and you will have a good 

 tobacco-bed. If the season has "gotten ahead of 

 you," a hot- bed may be used with good results. It is 

 a common practice to burn a pile of wood on the plot 

 where the bed is to be ; this is for the purpose of kill- 

 ing insects, insect's eggs, weed seed, and to supply 

 some potash and to help irrigation. If the amount of 

 care usually bestowed on a bed of plants be given to a 

 tobacco- bed, no fear need be entertained as to the re- 

 sults. The practice of letting a cold frame grow up to 



