Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-04-01
TOBACCO.
Selection of Soil, Preparation and
.Mogz1rin6.
BY ROBERT L. RAGLAND.

BY ROBERT L. RAGLAND.
(Continued.)
While it is economy to dispense
with the hand hoe in making bills
on old land-the pillow doing all
the work as it onght, when it can
be we'll done-yet, on stnmpy,
rooty and rough land, the hoe is
indispensable in the preparation of
a hill, as it should be made ssre-
ceire the plant. Bnt before the
hills are made, it may be we'll, un-
less the soil is naturally rich, and
such is not often the case with soils
best adapted to yellow tobacco, to
apply some fertilizing material to
hasten forward the plants and ma
tire them properly and early
Here commercial fertilizers have
done and are doing their best work.
Bulky, course mannres often do
more harm than good on new and
pnffy soils. The smaller the bullS
and the more concentrated the fer
tilizing element, the more readily
they are appropriated and assimilat>
ed by the plants, if of the right
material and in the most available
form. Nitrogen, phosphoric acid,
potash, lime and soda are most
necessary for the tobacco plant !;
and "A fertilizer which supplies the
relative quantity of each will never
fail to show good effects therefrom,
if the rainfall is sufficient to quicken
their action.
There are several brands Of fer
tilizers manufactured specially for
tobacco, differing in composition,
prices and merit; anL after re-
pcated experiments with most if
not all of the best, the author gives
it as his decided opinion, that for
fine, bright, silky tobacco, nothing
equals the Anchor Brand Tobacco
Fertilizer, prepared by the Snnfh-
err Feitil;zing Company. Rich
mond, Va. And this opinion is
based upon fourteen years trial ,and
often in competition with the best
of other brai.ds on the market. 1t
Is a tried and proved fertilizer, which
the planter can use without the risk
of getting something nnsuited to
his crop; and therefore we can rec,
omn end it with confidence.
There arc others possessing high
merit, as we know from experience,
snch as Excelsior, Star, Ober's,
Zell's, etc, which will pay to use
on tobacco, as perhaps on no other
crop. A good article of any grade
Of tobacco requires high farming.
Bear this in mind, and act accor-
dinghy.
MODE OF APPLYING FERTILIZERS.
Planters differ in the manner Of
applying fertilizers, whether in tie
hill, drill or broadcast. That the
same quantity will go further and
produce larger results the first year
for the quantity nscd when applied
in the hill or drill, Is generally con-
ceGed. But advocates for broad
casting claim that when the crop
to which the fertilizer is applied. is
TO be followed by another in quick
! succession-to be sown in wheat as
soon as the tobacco is removed
then Eroadcasting is best for reasons
which seem too apparent TO need
explanation.
Having prepared the land for
hilling, apply the fertilizer by
which ever mode the planter pre-
fers, and in snch quantity as the
natural strength of the soil indi-
Gates, laying off the rows three feet
three inches apart, and make the
hills about two feet ten ircEes dis
tant from centre to centre. Mark
the measure on the hoe handle
and require the hillers to apply il
frequently as a guide. The rows
should be wider apart than the
hills, .e afford proper cultivation
without breaking and bruising the
plants at the final plowing--a mat
ter Of no small importance, AS The
least Flemish on fine leaf nearly
destroys its value as wrapper.
PLANTING.
Having prepared the hills, yo'
are ready to plant any time attel
the first OF May. Planting is Otter
most effectually done wien th'
hills are being made in May, ant
the land is moist with the winter
! sap, by planting in the Afternoon
the hills made the same day /
,, properly planted, very few of th
!: plants will fail to live. Observe t
draw the plants one by one frau
the bed, and handle go as not t
5 brnisc them. Itis n waste of tim
and plants to set out very snal