Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-26

the GAINESVILLE tobacco growing region
district Of country known throughout th'
world for the richness and usefulness OF it
tobaecos. Mr.. Ross raised during the pasl
year more than one thousand pounds to the
acre by adopting the process which he here
recommends, while his neighbors, many Of
them, did not get more than five hundred
pounds TO the acre. We have been long
satisfied that manure applied to the surface
and lust barely covered, especially when
well rotted, does much more good to any
crop than when turned six or eight inches
beneath the surface. The percolation of
the rains through the soil distributes the
fertilizing elements evenly when put upon
the surface. and if covered slightly nothing
is lost by evaporation. Experience is always
the best teacher, and we can assure our
readers that the plan here recommended
has resulted from an ample experiences:
/ give the following as the best and most
economical way Of using manure on tobae-
and material used than any other which |
have practiced or have observed and which
win state followed in my last crop With
the happiest results:
Haul out all the long coarse manure and
throw on the land broadcast before the last
blowing or narrowing. Then haul out the
finer and richer manure, such as hen-house
and stable manure, old ashes, scrapings of
the lots where stock has been fed and about
hog beds and in fact everything which
promises to make plant grow off rapidly
and put on your tobacco land in following
proportions, though more is better and less
will be of great benefit.
Throw out eighty good shoyelfuls in
each heap at distance of twenty-siX yards
apart. This will give one shovelful of ma
nure to six hills feet inches each way,
which is about the favorite distance to
plant tobacco in the GAINESVILLE region.
Make the rows of manure heap straight
across the field in the direction you wish
the rows of your tobacco to run.
Then after the hills are made and planted
inthe usual way, carrying manure in bask-
cts from the heaps, and just about double
handful upon the top Of each hill. 1t will
be best for the hands in putting on the ma
nure to take two rows each; and carry them
clean across the field, taking the manure
from the nearest heap all the time, the
greatest distance any of it will have to be
carried will be about fifteen yards, and it
will not be found to be a very tedious pro-
cess after the hands learn it well. l think
a good hand can easily work about two
acres per day in this way.
After the manure is put on the hill, it
o1ght to be chopped in by two or three
slight strokes with rather small hoe in the
top of the hill, being careful not to knock
any of it off the hills, where it is all want
ed. Then give the hill light pat with the
fat of the hoe and it is ready for the plant.
l have found the advantages of applying
manure in this manner to be very many
and superior. A few Of which will give:
1. The rains carry the manure down
through the hills feTtilizing them,
and making them soft and
light. 2. The roots Of the plant
come in contact with the manure as soon
as they are set out, and every plant COM
mences growing at once and at the same
time, giving All even stand and much easier
to cultivate. 8. The plants grow off so
rapidly that they are soon too strong for the
clt worms, grasshoppers and other insects
TO destroy them. 4. The roots soon
acquire strength and vitality to make their
way through the harder and closer soil and
gather all the essentials for a perfect plant.
5. The farmer will gain back all the
extra labor and pains Of this process by
being able 70 put his crop in the barn many
days sooner, having it off his hands and out
of all danger and trouble from our enemies,
the worms. Putting on manure in this
way l do not think saw single plant that
died from the effects of the manure. l will
say in addition that it would be much better
to prepare all the manure in large compost
heaps before putting it on the ground and
in this way thoroughly mixing all the ashes,
stable manure and rich earth of all sorts
Land plaster should be used for
tobacco either on the beds and on the plants
IN the field freely. e. Is. Ross.
Montgomery, Tenn.