The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-20
OH famleG.
GROWING TOBACCO.

grown from time to time IN acreage, as
well as in quality, until it has attained
reputation in the markets Of the country,
pxeelled only BY that grown in the West
Indies and few other favored localities
This is the result Of that care in its
through its various stages,
which has Of late years been practieed and
studied BY the more careful growers.
With the view of guiding others, not
familiar with the process, | will endeavor
to give brief outline Of the manner Of
treating tho plant through the various
stages, from the seed to its preparation for
market.
The PLANT BED.-In the first place
the successful grower must raise his own
plants, and this is BY no means the least
difficult part Of the work. As the seed is
small and the young plants tender, il re-
quires attention corresponding with these
conditions. The prime requisite is piece
Of ground, of rich soil, and protected from
cold winds. This should be prepared ia
the fall by spading and manuriDg, aud
about the first of April sow seed at the
rate Of teaspoonful to one hundred square
yards, Having previously pulverized the
soil thoroughly, then rake it gently, AID
pat the surface with the back of a spade
10 bring the seed into close contact with
the ground. Mixing the seed with, say .
peck Of wood-ashes, will facilitate the sow
ing Of the mixture with regularity.
How TO Grow STRONG PLANTs.-A
covering of the bed with hog bristles has q
wonderful influence in promoting the de
yelopment Of the plant The bristles may
be removed after the plants have attained
a growth of three or four leaves, and pre-
served for future use, rake being the
best means of removal. Frequent spriuk-
ling is indispensable, as moisture is an ac
tive promoter Of all vegetable growth. a
solution Of some active fertilizer applied
in liquid form is Of great benefit. By care
full attention to your plant bed, thorough
wedding included, they will be ready foI
trausplanting during the latter half of May
in this latitude. From this to say juno
5, plant whenever weather and ground are
favorable; the same conditions that favor
the growth OF cabbage plant will do the
same for tobacco, and all farmers should
know how to start cabbage.
have dwelt with this part somewhat
tediously, but none too much so far the
interests Of the grower, as his experience
will testify to abundanlly. Good panti
ready in time are half the prospect OF 1
crop obtained, and rot having your own
and in time, is like expecting to max,
Abricks without straw
PREPARATION OF GROUND The grounC
cannot be too rich. Barnyard manure is
beyond dispute, the most preferable, If no
the most reliable fertilizer. Gypsum, Woo
ashes, Re-, are good auxiliaries, SANDY
loan is preferable to sitter soil, and thor
oagh cultivation is absolutely necessary
Without this paying crop cannot be ex
peeted. Fall blowing, or carly spring, i
desirable.
SETTING Our THE PLASrs,-WheI
grouad is thus prepared, say about Ma,
20, it should be ridged ia rows, three ant
a-half or four feet apart, if the ground il
very rich. After ridging, cut out linden
tons to receive the plant, say three and I
half inches deep in row, and from TWEEN
ty-two to thirty inches apart, as experiences
may dictate, medium between the tw'
being, perhaps, as good as any, depending
Of course, on sell and season. The plant
should be set below the general level 0
the row, as BY future hoeing the lighte
portions viii be cut down TO level. Al
other cultivation should be the same a
that for corn or other hoed crops-lhol
ongh and frequent No weeds dare
allowed at any time. In an average Sc;
son the plant will mature sufficiently b
the early part Of August to dispense wit
further cultivation of the ground, as ii
plants shading ii win cheek the growth
weeds.
WHEN TO ToP.-Whcnever the plal
develops from fourteen to sixteen leave
break off the top, don't cut il off. Til
arrests the further production Of leave
but will promote the growth Of sucker
which viii have TO be removed, after a
taiaing length Of three or four inches, .
often as they appear.
ENEMIES TO BE GUARDED AGAINST
Il way be well to refer here to two formi,
able enemies Of the plant, viz the blae
eutworm and the green tobacco worn
The former will attack the roots Of ii
plant as soon as it is put into the groun,
The depredations Of this worm sometime
neeessitate frequent replanting.. The
must be hunted and destroyed unti the
disappear, which they viii DO as the SCI
sou advances. The last named general
appears about July I, and feeds on I'll
leaf until the crop is secured in the shed
In fact, they frequently, if not picked o
clean, cling to the leaves after the stock
hung up About these there is but on
advice TO give, pick them of and deslro
them, goisg over the field daily, as Ii
ravages Of the green worm do more to il
jare the quality, perhaps, than any othe
thing,
ToPPISd-Usually, from three to lou
weeks from the time Of topping, the plan
will mature and be ready to cut. Uniforr
size Of leaves, and stiffness OF the lcal
making it liable TO break BY bending an
handling, are the surcsl signs Of maturity
WHEN TO Ger IT.-Cut after the de,
i oif, but not during the middle Of th
day, when the sun Is bright, as you mus
guard against burning while it is undergo
ing the Wiling process, preparatory :
spcatisg and handling in the removal 4
ts.s shed
HANGING " IN TnE BARN.-W hel
suihcieDily wilted, the plan most in praC
tice is speariog or stringing upon lath
four fees long, Eve or six plants to eacl
hath. and then, removing the same int
Sheds hang up for curing. The distanc
between the lath, general arrangement o
shed and management thereof, as to ven
tilation, admission Of light. a., must b.
attended 70. Air and light, having
great influence on the curing and ixinl
Fl color, must be used to the best adyan
tase il catering % The tastes Of the trade
winch ~ tho way, are subject 10 frequen
etanees Sometimes light tobacco is 10 dc
mana and again dark only will meet 4 read,
sale. Strange, but true, frequently whe.
We have j dark no buyers want il Hight
and rice rcfz0
~ removing pluhis 70 The she'd afte
cutting yafious devices are used. sleds