430 VIRGINIA METHODS. 
hilled so as to give about 6000 hills to the acre. This will 
be a sufficient number if the growth is likely to be large. 
Where a ridger is used, manure can not be dropped in the 
hill and in many respects it is well not to do so, as the plants 
A TOBACCO RIDGER. 
are liable to be blown over during a storm—not standing as 
firmly in the hills as plants when no manure is used in the 
hills. If the hills are to be made with the hoe, avoid 
all stones, bits of turf and grass in making them, and select 
only the fresh earth—gently patting the top of the hill with 
the hoe. New made hills are better than old, but it will 
make but little difference unless the soil is very dry at the 
time of transplanting. 
The following description of the manner of preparing the 
tobacco field in Virginia by the old planters is quite interest- 
ing, and: gives some idea of the amount of labor to be 
performed on the tobacco plantation :— 
“There are two distinct and separate methods of preparing 
the tobacco ground: the one is applicable to the preparation 
of new and uncultivated lands, such as are in a state of nature, 
and require to be cleared of the heavy timber and other 
productions with which Providence has stocked them; and 
the other method is designed to meliorate and revive lands 
of good foundation, which have been heretofore cultivated, 
and, in some measure, exhausted by the calls of agriculture’ 
and evaporation. 
