1 May, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 387 
PREPARING THE SEED BEDs. 
To be successful with this crop all admit that without proper care in 
preparing the tobacco beds, in which to germinate the seed, the crop will be a 
ailure, Therefore in the fall or early spring the ground that is to be used for 
these beds should be very carefully prepared. The most successful tobacco 
growers claim that if you will break or fallow this ground in the fall and cover 
thickly with tobacco stalks, removing them in the month of February ; then, or 
at any time thereafter, when the soil is sufficiently dry (never when too moist) 
lightly burning the top or surface so as to destroy all weed and grass seed ; 
then fallow thoroughly, and sow one quarter of an ordinary teaspoonful of seed 
to 10 square feet of bed; canvas well, and see to it that all side draft is cut off, 
then there should be no failure in plants, if you allow 20 square feet of bed for 
each acre of tobacco desired. 
Importance oF Earty PuLants. 
The importance of early plants has been most generally recognised by 
farmers for the reason that we no longer have fresh, virgin soil, upon which to 
grow tobacco. My motto is “ Be ready.” 
TRANSPLANTING. 
Transplant all your tobacco in the month of May, if possible. Prior to 
transplanting be sure that your ground has been thoroughly prepared. 
Thoroughly pulverize it, so that when the plant has been transplanted the little 
roots will have no trouble in finding food for their nourishment. A quick start 
means much for the crop. 
TopPpineG. 
As soon as what is commonly termed the “ button” begins to appear it is 
ready to top. However, it is generally conceded that in order to get a regular 
crop it is best to make about two toppings, say one week apart. However, 
never under any circumstances permit a “ bloom patch.” If you do it largely 
destroys the body of the leaf. 
Currine. 
After topping let it stand at least six weeks; then it is ready for the 
knife. It has een said that any man can raise a crop of tobacco up until 
cutting time ; from that time on until it is safely housed is where it requires 
the farmer’s best judgment. Be sure the plant is ripe; be careful with the 
knife, and that no leaves are broken. 
Houstina. 
Be careful in hauling it to your barn, that no bruise is made upon the leaf. 
Be careful in placing it in the racks. See to it zealously that each stalk is 
separated evenly upon the stick. Lastly, be careful that you have plenty of 
side and bottom ventilation while curing. Then you can feel assured that you 
have done your part in raising and caring properly for your crop of tobacco. 
The excise authorities are at present investigating a singular case of fraud 
in Dundee, Scotland. By a numberof persons in that city experiments have been 
carried on lately in ground wood, and in connection with a process through which 
the material was put, it was suggested that it might be possible to utilise it as 
tobacco, particularly in the manufacture of cigarettes. An English wholesale 
firm, on having their attention called to the matter, reported it to the authorities, 
with the result that the Procurator Fiscal at Dundee has arranged to have 
witnesses summoned in order, it is understood, to institute a prosecution. 
