The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-04-29
AGRICULTURAL.
About Raising Tobacco.

The main secret in the culture of
new land is to keep it clean and well !
stirred. This may usually be done by
two workings IN the proper time,
though a third working will often be
very beneficial. IL the land is freshly
hilled, about two weeks after planting
the hills should be scraped down and
little fresh earth drawn round each
plant. About three weeks after this
it should be killed. up, and in ordinary |
cases this will b., sufficient. except tol
keep down the sprouts that may put
mp. Tobacco ought not to be worked
after topping, as it will break and
bruise the leayes. Ploughing smooth
newland once at the last working is Of
service, but il il is rough and stumpy,
keep plough ont of il altogether.
Old land requires more work than
new. AS soon as the plants get suf-
ficient hold, narrow up your cultiva-
tor so as not to disturb the roots, and go
through it once for the first hoeing.
Thea cut up the remaining grass and
weeds with hoe, and level the soil
around the plants, stirring it slightly
In ten days or afortnight go over it
again with plough or cultivator, twice
in row, using short single-tree to
avoid iniuring the plants. This time
you can stir the ground more freely
around the plants, and should hill them
slightly in hoeing being careful not to
cover any Of the leaves. After this, it
is better-to perform all the work with
hand labor, in order to save the plants
from injury. Stir the ground with a
hoe as often as necessary, TO keep
down the weeds. sst
1t worms are plentiful the plants
should be examined at least twice a
week, three times week would be
better. All the worms, as well as all
Of the eggs to be found on the leaves
should be carefully deStro, ed
The work of topping should be per.
formed ) as soon as the seed bnds APP
pear. No rule can be given which
will apply to all cases, as much de.
ponds on the variety grown, condition
Of the soil, and whether your cropi'
well advanced or otherwise. With al
early crop, OF rich soil, DO not tab,
off with the top more than one or two
Of the top leaves, if any at all; Will
on the contrary, if your soil is poo
and crop late. top down to that num-
Der Of leaves which according to you
judgment, will fully ripen. The mum
Der of leaves 10 be left on plan
varies in different sections and lunde
different circumstances from eight i
twenty:
Printing consists in removing tn
lower leaves of the plant to the helgh
of five or six inches from the ground
they are removed for two reason
First, If allowed to remain they will b
made worthless by coming in contac
with the soil; second. to improve IN
quality Of the remaining leaves, as i
topping. Do not commence printing
until the principle part Of your toppin
is done; then continue it iegularl,
and save every leaf with as much cal
as if it were gold. Though light
weight, you will get some as fine e
bacco from these primings asAny
your crop, and tits simple folly
throw them away
All the suckers or sprouts, or sma
leaves at the bases Of the large one
as you may be pleased to call then
must disappear, otherwise they will I
tard the growth and prevent early m
turing Of the plant -Er. sg zs,s