The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-04-07

SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF THE
SOIL. ....
In our last issue, we gave an ar
ticle on the selection, preparation
of the soil, &c, for tobacco" by Capt.
r. b. Davis, one of the most intel
ligent and successful tobacco cul-
tivators in Catawba county. We
follow this week with an article on
the same subject from treatise by
Messrs. Alex. G. Fleming and
Nathaniel H. Fleming, of Dutch
vile Township, Granville county,
who are recognized authority in the
tobacco belt. Our selections will
always be made from the best author
itiees, and from these only.
THE KIND OF LAND AND ITS PREPAR-
The lands most preferred with
us are of moderately coarse, san
dy soil. with deep yellowish sub
soil. In selecting lots for the yelloU
leaf, always select land free from
cet spouty places. Remember that
Tobacco, Of all crops, requires a
thorough preparation of the soil
and the rery best preparation is alb
solutel y essential to success. If you
have bottom land, fallow in the Fall
with two-horse plow, one that will
not turn up the subsoil too much.
If fresh lands, break early in the
Spring with single plow; if there is
much vegetation, use turning plow
as deep as the nature of the case
will admit; if clean land, use a
small plow and plow as deep as
possible. Should there be drought
of few weeks, repeat the fallow-
ing as often as necessary until the
land is in good condition. If Ne,o
Ground, clean off all litter and
break with a small cultivator plow
to prevent turning up the undersoil
too much; plo,C across the first plow-
ing and harrow we'll to loosen the
turf; with pitchfork and rake, pile
up all the turf and roots, and let
them dry few days and then burn
them, then with grubbing hoe and
axe cut and take up all roots near
enough the top to come in contact
with the plow. When ready for
bedding, plow and harrow again,
to get up all the roots that appear.
The rows should be from 3 feet 3
inches to 3 feet 6 inches apart, the
latter only on very strong land.
Barnyard manure should be kept
dry and chopped to pieces until it
is fine, and will drill regularly. We
use our manure altogether in the
drill, and will give the manner in
which we usually apply our manure
and fetilizers. We lay off the rows
before carrying the manures and
fertilizer to the field We never let
more than one load of manure be
exposed to the sun at one time. 1t
is very good plan to haul and drill
the manure Zone load at tlme) and
then drill the fertilizers at the rate
of 100 pounds to the 1000 hills, on
the average lands we cultivate;
thinner lands require more. The
kind of fertilizer depends greatly
upon the condition of the land.
When the fertilizer is drilled it
should be covered Immediately by
turning two burrows together, run
ming the plow very shallow in order
to keep the hills low, then throw
out the middle in same manner,
take sweep made of scantliug 4
inches square, Z feet long and cut
the beds down as low as possible to
prevent the tobacco drowning.
Then with hoes put the hills B feet
apart and you are ready for plant
ing.
PLANTING TOBACCO.
1t is a matter of the utmost i'm
portance and should, by all means,
have strict attention; for if the
plants are not we'll planted, the
growth will be irregular do this,
be careful not to bruise aChile drdec
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