The art of hand labor is retained in most phases 

 of cultivating, harvesting and curing. Equipment for 

 accelerating the chore of transplanting has largely elimi- 

 nated that general occupational backache, but the hu- 

 man element is still a controlling factor in the operation. 



T 



he start of the season 



"Making" a tobacco crop involves more hand labor 

 than any other major agricultural activity. Fertilized 

 soil, well drained and high in organic matter is most 

 desirable. 



Initially, tobacco seeds are planted in a treated seed 

 bed during March. The seed bed is normally about 

 75 to 100 feet long and about nine feet wide. This size 

 bed provides sufficient plants to set a full acre of 

 tobacco. Immediately after seeding, the bed is covered 

 with a cloth to protect the seedlings from cold winds, 

 insects and to keep the soil surface from drving out. 

 After the temperature remains at a minimum of at least 

 50 degrees, the seeds begin to germinate. 



K 



rom bed to field 



The seedlings are usually transplanted when weather 

 conditions are most favorable, generally between May 10 

 and June 1. After they have been transplanted and 

 when the plants reach the bloom stage, the flowers are 

 removed. "Suckers," small shoot-like growths, used to 

 be removed by hand. Today, most farmers can elimi- 

 nate this tedious chore by applying a special chemical 

 that inhibits the growth of suckers so that full-bodied, 



