TOBACCO. 



19 



further and produce larger results the first year, for the quantity used when 

 applied in the hill or drill, is generally conceded. But advocates of broadcasting 

 claim that when the crop, to which the fertilizer is applied, is to be followed by 

 another in quick succession — to be sown in wheat as soon as the tobacco is 

 removed — then broadcasting is the best, for reasons which seem too apparent to 

 need explanation. 



Having prepared the land for hilling, apply the fertilizer by whichever mode 

 the planter prefers, and in such quantity as the natural strength of the soil indi- 

 cates, laying off the rows three feet three inches apart, and make the hills about 

 two feet ten inches distant from centre to centre. Mark the measure on the hoe- 

 handle and require the hillers to apply it frequently as a guide. The rows shduld 

 be wider apart than the hills, to afford proper cultivation without breaking and 

 bruising the plants at the final plowing — a matter of no small importance, o.z 

 the least bleinish on a fine leaf nearly destroys its value as, a wrapper. 





This plate illustrates the work of hilling. It is becoming common to plant on the drills instead of 

 in hills, where thorough preparation has been made on clean soil. But it is well to chop fine that portion 

 of the drill where the plant is intended to be set, and then-pat it firm with the hoe to facilitate planting 

 and cause the plants to root better. 



Planting. — Having prepared the hills," you are ready to plant any time after 

 the 1st of May. Planting is often most effectiially done when the hills are being 

 made in May, and the land is moist with the winter's sap, by planting in the 

 afternoon the hills made the same day. If properly planted, very few of the 

 plants will fail to live. Observe to draw the plants one by one from the bed, and 

 handle so as not to bruise them. It is a waste of time and plants to set out very 

 small plants, but wait until they are proper size — the largest leaves about two and 

 one-half to three inches wide. Put a basket of plants in the hands of a boy_ or 

 girl, who drops a plant on each hill, dropping in one or two rows, according to 

 -age or expertness. The men follow, with each a planting peg made a.V hard wood, 

 six inches long, one and a quarter inch in diameter at large end, ::,nd tapering to 

 a point. Each planter takes a "hand plant" to start with (unless the dropper 

 has learned to drop two plants on the first hill), and pushing his planting pe^ 

 some two inches into the hill, withdraws the peg, inserts the plant, and by a 

 dexterous movement of the peg and the knuckles of the left hand, closes the dirt 



