TOBACCO. 



as the frost will permit, and again just previous to setting. 

 Pulverize the surface thoroughly by repeated harrowing and 

 rolling, and it will be ready to receive the young plants. 

 The time for transplanting is from the 1st to the 20th of 

 June, taking advantage of a damp day, or setting them im- 

 mediately after a rain. If the ground is not moist at the 

 time of transplanting, it will be necessary to water the 

 plants as they are set. .. 



" The ground should be marked in straight rows three 

 feet apart, and slight hills made on these marks two feet 

 and a half apart ; then set the plants, taking care to press 

 the earth firmly around the roots. As soon as they are 

 well established, and have commenced growing, run a cul- 

 tivator or horse-hoe between the rows, and follow with the 

 hand-hoe, resetting where the plants are missing. The 

 crop should be hoed at least three times, at proper inter- 

 vals, taking care to stir the soil all over. 



" When the plants begin to flower, the flower-stem should 

 be broken or cut off; removing also the suckers, if any 

 appear ; leaving from twelve to sixteen leaves to be ma- 

 tured." 



Harvesting and Curing. In ordinary seasons, the crop 

 will be ready for harvesting the beginning of September ; 

 and should all be secured by the 20th of the month, or be- 

 fore the occurrence of frost. The stalks must be cut at the 

 surface of the ground, and exposed long enough to the sun 

 to wilt them sufficiently to prevent breaking in handling. 

 They should then be suspended in a dry, airy shed, or build- 

 ing, on poles, in such a manner as to keep each plaut 

 entirely separate from the others, to prevent mouldiness, 

 and to facilitate the drying by permitting a free circulation 

 of air. Thirty or forty plants may be allowed to each 

 twelve feet of pole. The poles may be laid across the 

 beams, about sixteen inches apart. 



" When erected for the purpose, the sheds are built of 

 sufficient height to hang three or four tiers, the beams 



