10 



first plowed and the grass allowed to rot, after which the surface is 

 leveled and the weeds removed with a hoe preparatory to sowing 

 seeds somewhat later. The time of preparing the seed beds ranges 

 from August 1 in some districts to September 1 in others. As a rule 

 the seeds are sown about the close of August, and a second sowing of 

 seeds is made from eight to fifteen days later, in order to have later 

 plants for replacing those that may die after the first planting in the 

 field. The seed is simply scattered over the surface of the bed. The 

 quantity of seed used varies in different districts, but is always very 

 large. In from eight to twelve days after sowing the plants begin to 

 show above ground and at this time the beds are caref ully weeded. 

 The work of weeding is generally done by women and children, who 

 also go over the beds every day and search carefully for worms and 

 insects, which they destroy. It requires from forty-five to sixty days 

 for the plants to acquire size suitable to be transplanted to the fields, 

 at which time they have about eight leaves. 



FIELD PREPARATION AND PLANTING. 



Plowing is commenced, if on level or very slightly rolling land, 

 generally in August ; but some planters begin to plow in July, using 

 the American moldboard plow, if they possess such, which is very sel- 

 dom the case. Often two or three neighbors combine to purchase 

 one, thus saving a great deal in the cost to each. About a month 

 after the date of the first plowing the land is gone over with the 

 native wooden plow, which is much easier to handle. In October 

 the land is plowed again, or gone over with a hoe. Some planters are 

 now using the harrow (rastrillo). 



As a rule the planting is begun early in November, although in 

 some localities the plants are set out any time from the end of Octo- 

 ber until the end of February, as may best suit the convenience of 

 the planter. 



It is said that the early plantings produce a larger percentage of 

 wrappers, on account of the plants not being troubled by insects 

 biting holes, and the filler is milder. At Cayey the planters prefer 

 to set their plants out late in November and early in December, as 

 they claim that tobacco planted at this time has more aroma. As to 

 the number of plants per acre in a field there is a wide divergence of 

 opinion. Some of the planters in the Plata district set the plants 16 

 inches apart, with 24 to 26 inches between the rows. Others set them 

 12 inches apart, with 36 inches between the rows. Setting 18 inches 

 from plant to plant and 36 inches between the rows is also practiced. 

 Others again plant very irregularly, having no stated distance between 

 the plants, in some cases filling the spaces between the plants with 

 corn and beans. No instances are known where tobacco is planted 

 with the special object of producing wrapper or filler. The usual 

 method is to wait until the time of harvesting to classify the tobacco, 



