The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-11
{ Continued from last week'. }

grades, Is OF paTanlouHl "hppon II -
one hut a novice would sow Bull Face
and orig Frederick for the fine manuiac-
t,r;no Grade. or choose the fine varieties tor
hoory coarse stock. A careful, sensible man
will select those varieties which experience
hos demonstrated will best produce the
GRADES for which his soil and climate are
best suited.
We recommend for the dark, heavy ship
ming grades, the Long Green, Big Frfder-
Sex Bull Face and Medley Pryor. with a
nrefererce for the latter where a rich black
leaf is wanted.
For a desirable cutting grade and heavy
ssdr;nker." !. e., a porous leaf that will abb
sorb much manufacturing material, we re-
commend the White Burley.
For mahogany wrappers and sweet flllers,
there is nothing that excels Street OronoHo.
For bright wrappers, IeHow Oro"ho,
YeHop Prior, White Stem and Gooch, each
has preference according to locality ana
fancy.
But what is of transcendant importance
to every planter who studies his interest, Is
to produce first class goods whatever the
Grade. and where it is possible, to place
nnon the market only what is sure to please
the best class of customers.
PREPARATION OF PLANT BEDS.
There are two>modes for raising plants
in hot bed or cold frame, or in the open air
one or the other of which has preference
according to locality the former beng
more practiced north of forty degrees la
titude. while the latter is preferred south
Of that line. We will here give both, that
planters may choose.
The Hot Bed.-Select a southern or
south eastern exposure, sheltered on the
north. dig and shovel out a space five by
twelve feet. or any required length, to the
aenth of eighteen inches. Place straw to
the depth of three or four inches in the bot
tom of this trench and cover with fresh un-
rotted manure from the stable to the depth
of six or eight inches then cover the ma
nnre with soil--woods mould is best--five
inches deep, and surround the bed with
blanks twelve inches wide on north side and
six inches wide on the south. These will
make a frame over which sections or canvass
covering should be placed to keep the bed
warm. promote growth and protect the
nlants. These sections may be made or
frames five feet long and three feet WIDE,
with common domestic cloth tackled thereon
as a covering, and they answer every pur-
pose as glazed sash, are cheaper and less
destructible. and may be used tor several
wears to grow tobacco or horticultural plants.
Once used, you will be 10th to do without
them for the latter purpose: But to return.
Tobacco seed is sown on the bed thus pre-
pated at the rate of W teaspoontuls to a
bed five by twelve feet. To SOW regularly,
mix the seed with a fertilizer, ashes, or
plaster, and SOW in drills three inches apart.
A bed twelve feet long will require four sec
tions of canvass covering, which are light
and handy and may be put on or OFT or adj
iusted at pleasure. When the plants have
pretty we'll covered the surface of the bed,
remove the canvass during the day and only
replace them when there is danger of frost,
or to keep off the fea-bugs There is the
advantage of having earlier plants by this
mode and perfect security against the plant
bug, which will repay for the additional cost
of raising at least a portion Of the plants
needed for the crop. by this safe mode.
Open Air Beds.-But there is no ques-
ton that open air beds are cheapest. And,
where this mode of raising plants is practl-
cable, it is greatly to be preferred for the
main supply of plants. 1t is a well estab-
lished opinion that plants raised In the open
air stand transplanting better and usually
grow off quicker than plants raised In hot
bed or cold frame.
Selection of Locdhty.-On the selection
of a proper locality for a plant bed, and its
preparation, largely depends the timely
supply of strong healthy plants without
which it is impossible to raise a crop OF fine
grade. The planter therefore cannot be
too careful in choosing a sheltered spot,
neither too wet or too dry, as rich naturally
as can be found, and located SO as to possess
different degrees of moisture.
Go into the woods, original forest if pos
sible, and select a spot near a branch or
stream of water, embracing both hill side
and fiat, and having a southern or south
eastern exposure, protected by woods on the
north. Burn over the plat intended for
nlants. either by the old or new method.
The first consists in placing down a bed of
wood on small skids three to four feet apart
on the ground, well cleared and raked.
Then fire this bed of wood and permit it to
remain burning long enough to cook the
soil brown for half an inch deep. With
booLs. or old hoes fastened to long poles,
null the burning mass Of brands a distance
Of four and a half or five feet, throw on
brush and wood, and continue burning and
moving the fire until the BED IS burned
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