44 TOBACCO CULTURE. 



ing in contact with the ground ; for the leaves of this tobacco 

 in growing bend downward until they touch the ground. 



To secure the finest leaf there should be a steady con- 

 tinuous growth, without check or set-back by spells of dry 

 weather. It has been found that the use of Sulphate of 

 Potash and Nitrate of Soda as fertilizer ingredients tend to 

 conserve the moisture in the soil. 



Worming. The matter of protection against worms and 

 other injurious insects will be discussed further on. Of 

 course, the prime object is to secure a perfect leaf. This is 

 particularly the case of all wrapper varieties, the market 

 value of which is almost ruined by worm-holes. Worming 

 by careful hand-picking is a necessary work, while poisoning 

 of the plants by the use of arsenates, (Paris green, etc.,) is a 

 practice not to be recommended. 



TOPPING AND SUCKERING. 



The tobacco plant is forced, in effect, the same as hot 

 house plants. The crop cannot be allowed to make its na- 

 tural growth, bloom and produce seed, without seriously in- 

 terfering with the character of the leaf required. "Top- 

 ping" which results in increased leaf production, or enlarge- 

 ment, is therefore indispensable. Each individual plant 

 must be topped separately by breaking off the flower stem 

 by hand. 



There is opportunity for the exercise of much judgment 

 in this process, and strong and thrifty plants require less 

 severe topping than weaker ones. The variety of tobacco, 



