A 



are then covered with clear plastic and framed by a 

 protectixe wooden box. 



Ahont a week later the seeds begin to germinate. 

 The seedlings mnst be meticnlonsl) cared for to assnre 

 them enongh snn and water without overexposure to 

 the sometimes radical winter elements of southern 

 Louisiana. The beds are covered at night and uncov- 

 ered during the day so they can soak up the energy 

 the sun pro\ ides. 



In earlv March, when the best of the small seedlings 

 are about three to four inches high, the\ should be 

 pulled from the beds and transplanted into the fields. 

 The transplanting process can take place as late as 

 .\la\ , but the Perique farmer reminds us that the earlier 

 the tobacco is put into the field the better it will be. 

 ( Because of flooding and excess rain, the crop was set 

 out late in 1973 and it was feared it could amount to 

 e\en less than that of 1972 when Hurricane Agnes 

 plowed through St. James Parish leaving a path of 

 destruction in its wake). 



labor intensive task 



The Perique farmer undergoes much expense and 

 worr\- during the growing season. Fertilizer, insecti- 

 cide, barrels, nails, and other material must be pur- 

 chased to maintain his tobacco farm. The amounts of 

 labor and worr\ that go into a crop vary each year 

 as farmers adjust to the different reactions of nature. 



A 1972 cost estimate, according to the Louisiana 

 Cooperative Extension Service, showed that the St. 

 James Parish tobacco farmer had to spend $537.87 to 

 care for each acre of tobacco he planted. 



