BACKWARD PLANTS, 441 
any rubbish that will hinder easy cultivation, or retard the 
growth of the plants. At this period the most careful atten- 
tion must be given to the plants, as they are (or ought to be) 
growing rapidly, and upon their early maturity will depend 
the color and texture of the leaf. 
In a short time the plants may be hoed for the third and 
last time (as a fourth hoeing is but rarely necessary). At 
this time they have attained considerable size, (say two or 
three feet high) and are rapidly maturing, and ere long will 
be ready to harvest. At the last hoeing the plants should be 
“hilled up,” that is, the earth should be drawn around the 
plant under the leaves, causing it to stand firmly in the hill, 
and keeping the roots well protected and covered. The 
tobacco plant requires constant cultivation, and the cultivator 
' may be run through the rows after loosening the earth and 
turning up the manure towards the plants. 
Some growers of tobacco in the early stages of its growth 
apply some kind of fertilizers to the backward plants; this 
will be found to be of advantage, and should be done 
just before a rain, when the plants will start in a manner 
almost surprising. A little phosphate or Peruvian guano 
may be used, but should be applied with care or the plants 
may be retarded instead of quickened in their growth. 
There is much to be done in the tobacco field besides cul- 
tivating and hoeing the plants. In many hills there will be 
found two plants, which should be re-set at the second hoe- 
ing if needed, and if not, pulled up and destroyed, as it is 
better to have one large plant in the hill than two small ones. 
Again, after the last hoeing, the tobacco should be kept free 
from worms. If any have been overlooked they will have 
attained to a good size by this time, and will devour in a 
short time enough tobacco to make a “short six.” 
From this account of the cultivation of tobacco as practiced 
in the Connecticut valley, one will readily see that the labor 
performed during the growing of the plants should not be 
superficial. On their rapid growth depends the color and 
texture of the leaf. Plants that are slow in maturing never 
