

Tobacco Plant Production 
TOBACCO. PLANT BED SOILS 



Plant beds are located on a wide variety of soil types, but 
this in no way minimizes the importance of selecting the correct 
soils for the production of the right kind of plants. The desired 
soil characteristics are that the top one-half inch layer never 
hardens or bakes, the soil never becomes waterlogged but at the 
same time holds moisture, is not unduly leachy, and is relatively 
free from weed seeds and diseases. The leaf mold soils found in 
woods usually have these characteristics. 
Entirely satisfactory plant bed soils are rarely found in the 
open fields except where they have been built up through years 
of effort. 










PLANT BED LOCATION 

Care must be used in selecting the plant bed location in 
order to get the best use of natural heat and moisture. 
Full sunlight is essential to the rapid growth of tobacco 
plants. Therefore, the site should be so chosen that the direct rays 
of the sun will reach it as nearly all day as possible. A gentle 
southern slope is best, as this affords the greatest amount of 
sunlight, thereby producing more early plants. Partly shaded 
beds are more susceptible to blue mold. 








PREPARATION OF BED 
After clearing the area of any undesired vegetable matter or 
trash, it should be thoroughly broken about three to four inches 
deep, with care not to turn the topsoil under. After the soil is 
broken, it should be smoothed and leveled by several rakings or 
harrowings. If organic matter such as manure or compost is to 
be added, it should be applied at this time and should be 
thoroughly mixed with the soil. The plant bed should again be 
leveled. The area is then ready to be sterilized to kill weed seeds 
and diseases or fertilized and sown in the usual way. Full infor- 
mation on sterilizing beds may be secured from your County 
Agent. 







FERTILIZING PLANT BEDS 
Tobacco plants require large quantities of readily available 
plant food in order to make quick growth. The most common rate 
of fertilization is two pounds of a complete fertilizer per square 
yard. Where chemical treatmerts have been used, only one pound 
per square yard will give good results. 
A fertilizer containing 6 percent nitrogen, 9 percent phos- 
phoric acid, and 3 percent potash is recommended. The nitrogen 
in plant bed fertilizer should be obtained from more than one 
source, which should include both organic and inorganic forms. 
Phosphoric acid may be derived from any material carrying phos- 
phorus in the readily available form. Sulphate of potash and sul- 
phate of potash-magnesia have proven good sources of potash. 
Sulphate of potash-magnesia is preferable because it furnishes 
both potash and magnesia. 
The fertilizer should be so applied as to obtain a uniform 
distribution and should be thoroughly mixed with the top three 
or four inches of soil. After the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed 
with the soil, the bed should be leveled in order to keep seed from 
settling in low places. 




















SEEDING THE PLANT BED 


One-third of an ounce (one rounded tablespoonful) of good 
recleaned seed is sufficient for 100 square yards of bed area. Seed 
should be thoroughly mixed with dry sand, or sifted ashes for 
sowing. After the seed are sown, the bed should be firmed well 
with a board, a roller, or the feet. 





GENERAL SUGGESTIONS . 


It is a safe policy to sow a few more yards of plant bed than 
will likely be needed. One hundred yards of bed area for each 
three acres of tobacco should be ample, provided good plant bed 
management practices are used throughout the plant bed period. 
Covers should be removed at short intervals throughout the 
growing season to keep up with growth of plants and to check 
for possible insect damage. 
For complete information on tobacco plant production consult 
your County Agent or write to your State Agricultural College 
Extension Service. 
The above information is taken from Clemson College, S. C., 
Extension Circular No. 291, TOBACCO PLANT PRODUCTION 
IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 






