CULTURE AND CURING IN KENTUCKY. 65 



Spot ,nd field-fire are almost certain to show themselves in fields where unfit material has been used for manuring 

 in the hill, or where the best material has been injudiciously applied. 



Commercial fertilizers are used to a very limited extent, and almost always in the hills, the quantity varying 

 from a heaping teaspoonful to a tablespoon fill lor each plant. Opinions differ as to the effect of these fertilizers. 

 In some instances more weight and a better quality of product have been obtained by their use, but in the large 

 majority of cases no apparent benefit has been derived, either because used in too small quantities, or because they 

 were adapted neither to the deficiencies of the soil nor to the demands of the tobacco plant. 



Upon new lands manures are seldom applied, but their use is as decidedly favorable as upon old lauds, and 

 always proves a profitable expenditure. 



In the heavy tobacco districts about one-half of the land planted in tobacco is manured in one way or another. 

 Ordinarily the final preparation of the soil to receive the plants is made with the plow. A "list" is made upon 

 the marking furrows by running a one-horse turn-plow on each side, throwing the earth together into a narrow bed. 

 Furrows are then turned at right angles to the ridges. The tops of the latter are then cut off with the hoe, and 

 the exact position for the plant is marked by clapping the earth, thus firming the surface and fitting it for the 

 operation of planting. When the soil has been thoroughly pulverized this method is rapid, economical, and as 

 perfect as can be desired. 



If the laud is cloddy and not well fined, it is necessary to make the hills with the hoe, breaking the clods and 

 chopping the earth closely and drawing up the soil upon one end of the cut ridge, the hill being raised a little 

 above the general surface. 



Not unfrequeutly the tobacco plants are set in the loose earth at the crossings of the marking furrows without 

 other preparation. It is claimed that by this method the plants are more likely to survive, because better protected 

 from the drying winds and the heat of the sun, and because the roots are less likely to suffer for want of needed 

 moisture. The early cultivation of plants set in this way is not so conveniently done, however, and the method 

 is of questionable economy, except when circumstances require a resort to it to save a "season", (a) or for want of 

 time to make more thorough preparation. 



The land being made ready, and the plants of proper size, the first sufficient rainfall puts the ground in condition 

 for planting. The most careful hands are set to work to draw the plants from the bed, only such as are strong 

 and well developed being taken, and these are bruised as little as possible. The drawing is so managed as not 

 unnecessarily to disturb the surface of the bed, so as to leave the remaining plants in the best condition for thrifty 

 growth. The plants are carried to the field in baskets. A man or boy, with a basket, goes in advance, dropping 

 a plant upon each hill of two rows. Two planters follow, each upon his own row. A smooth, round stick, 12 inches 

 long, 1 or '2 inches in diameter, and pointed, is carried in the right hand, with which the planter makes a hole 

 of proper depth; the plant is then placed in position with the left hand, and the soil pressed closely about the 

 roots by a thrust of the stick on one side of the hole. The farmer frequently tests the thoroughness of the work 

 by catching the tip of a leaf of the newly-set plant between the forefinger and the thumb, and if the soil has been 

 sufficiently compacted about the roots the tip of the leaf will break off, leaving the plant in place, but if it is 

 pulled up in this way it is evidence of imperfect work. Good planting is very essential to insure a quick start 

 and a perfect and uniform stand. The earlier cultivation can only be successfully managed when the plants .are as 

 nearly as possible of uniform size and every hill is occupied. 



If replanting is necessary, it is done at the first opportunity, always using large and vigorous plants. If the 

 cut-worm kills a plant, the destroyer must be found before setting another plant, or the work may have to be 

 repeated more than once. Grasshoppers sometimes attack newly-set plants, feeding upon the partially wilted 

 leaves, and frequently eat out the bud. The field is inspected daily, so that the presence of insect enemies may be 

 known and proper precautions taken to protect the plants. Vacancies are supplied as quickly as possible, and 

 every effort is made to get an even start over the whole field. The early plantings make the better yield and 

 quality of product. 



CULTIVATION OP TOBACCO. 



As soon as the plants are established in their new position cultivation is commenced. Usually a one horse 

 turn-plow is run close to the plant row on each side, throwing the soil from the plants. This is called "barring 

 off", a term in common use in tobacco and cotton culture to describe the operation of turning the soil away from 

 the plant row. When nicely done, this leaves the plants standing upon a narrow strip of undisturbed soil, easily 

 and rapidly cleaned of grass or weeds by the hoe hands, who follow the plow. The soil displaced by the turn-plow 

 covers up and destroys the grass and weeds which have started in the "balks" or middles of the rows. If the 

 middles are free of grass, a single or double shovel is sometimes preferred for the first cultivation, and the work 

 is certainly of superior efficacy when this implement can be used. 



The first cultivation completed, a second is immediately begun, barring off the rows at right angles to the first 

 plowing with the turn-plow or with the double shovel. No hoe work is necessary, unless the plowing has been so 

 long delayed as to permit the weeds to get a start. 



a A "season", in the vocabulary of the tobacco planter, means such a degree of moisture in the soil that the plants may be removed 

 from the seed-beds to the field without endangering their vitality in transplanting. The word is also used when there is humidity enough 



in the atmosphere to bring the cured product in a condition or order that it may be handled without damage. 



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