CULTIVATIOX. 33 



Your plants have struck and show well, and 

 begin to rejoice in the genial warmth of the 

 vernal sun : but your labour is not done. All 

 manner of grubs, earthworms, and insects will 

 attack the tender nurseling : these you must kill 

 or ward off with lime or sawdust until a month 

 has passed away, and then the plant will be safe 

 from such depredators. As it grows every weed 

 dies off beneath it ; it occupies its space without 

 competition ; but as every living thing has its 

 parasites — man has twenty within and without 

 him — so has the tobacco. A peculiar caterpillar 

 will attack the leaves and eat them up, if you 

 are not a vigilant morning and evening visitant 

 to nip him in the bud. 



Soon the plant enlarges its dimensions, but 

 the growth must be checked. A dozen leaves at 

 the most are sufficient for each plant ; and having 

 developed that number, it must be topped off; 

 and every flower-bud must be repeatedly removed 

 so as to prevent its flowering, which would im- 

 pair the quality of the leaves. 



Early in September or later, according to the 

 season, is the time of gathering the crop. In hot 



D 



