TOBACTO. 20 n 



-arvcly attainable, unless by first mixing with 3 or 4 times 

 its bulk of line mold. This should be done sufficiently earl) 



'tire proper maturity to the plants in time for transplant- 

 ing, (say by the last of February or early in March south of 



< >iui), and about the first of April north of it.) covering 

 lightly and completely rolling or treading down the earth.-- 

 The plant appears in 15 or *^0 days and will be lit for trans- 

 planting in six or eight weeks. This should be done in damp 

 weather, and tin- plants set singly, at a distance of 2J to 11 

 feet each way. The after culture is like that of corn, and 



i~ts in frequently stiring the, ground, with the plow or 

 cultivator ;uul hoe, and keeping down weeds. The places of 

 fail, or are blighted, should bo at once filled 

 up, and all worms destroyed. 



THE I'KIMINC, TOPPI.M: AM> SUCKBRLNG arc nece 

 t!| -i Mtiuns. The first consists in breaking off four or five of 

 the leaves next the ground which are valueless ; the second 

 i> taking otf the top to prevent the seed stalk from develop, 

 ing, and is regulated by the kind of tobacco. "The first 

 trying will always admit of a greater number of leaves be- 

 ing left ; and in proportion as the season advances, fewer 

 leaves should be left. The heavier kinds of tobacco are gen- 

 -rall\ topped eariv in the season, to twelve leaves, then to ten 

 and still later to eight. The lighter kinds are topped to a 

 UK att-r number of leaves. If the soil is light, fewer leaves 

 -hoidd be left," (Bcatty.) Suckering consists in breaking on" 

 ili'- \<.mi;i side shoots which should be done immediately alter 

 ihev make their appearance. 



H^KVKSTINC maybe commenced with such plant.- as have 

 biM-onio. sufficiently ripe, which is indicated by greenish yel- 

 low spots on the leaves. This will generally occur in Augu.-t 

 at the smith, and in September at the north. The stem of the 

 plant is cut near the ground, and allowed to wilt, but. not cx- 

 pu-od to a hot sun. If there is danger of this, it should l>e 

 rut only in the morning or evening, when properly wilted, 

 which will be in a few hours, it may be carefully carried to 

 the drying house, where it should be hung up by twine tied 

 to the butt end of the stalk, and suspended over poles, at dry- 

 ing distances, with the head downwards. The circulation of 

 air is necessary in the dry houses, but there must be entire 

 safety against storms or winds, as the leaves are liable to 

 break by agitation, and rain seriously injures them. When 

 the stem in the leaf has become hard, it is suffiently dried. 

 This takes place in good weather, in two or three months. 



