The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-01-28
TEN YEARS WITH TOBACCO.
Results OF the experience Of Practical
Planter.

Perhaps the easiest part in the manage
meDt of tobacco crop is that of cult
vaticn. If she plants have been careful
" grown and tenderly set in we'll prepar
ed land, and the seasons are at all favor
able, the growth of the young weed j
rapid and pleasing to be behold. From
this time on until maturity the plente
has but to watch The fields closely, kcel
the land we'll stirred ard protect the crol
from the ravages Of grass and weeds
Still those who have served long in tn
apprenticeship of growing the COLDER
weed have discovered things to be don'
here and there which it is we'll for ever,
planter to know. The experiences o
such men are valuable, and the write
has secured from two of the oldest ant
best known planters in the South the gis
of what they know on the subject of crol
management. One of these, MAJOR R. L
Raglsnd, of Virginia, perhaps the bes
known tobacco planter and seedmsn in
the South, condenses his advice to plant
ers in the following language:
"It is important to commence culti7a-
ton soon after planting, to loosen the sol
and start the plants growing. just at thi'
point many planters tail to do their duty
which no subsequent work can atone for
Early, rapid and thorough cultivation ii
necessary to produce first class tobacco
If the preparation has been thorough
thrice ploughing, followed each time
with hard hoe, will suffice for the
crop.
"For the first ploughing no implement
is better than the wing coulter, the next
best the cultivator or double shovel
which the coulter points. The second
ploughing may be efectually done with
the turning plough or cultivator; il
grassy use the frat. The last ploughing
is most effectually done with three fur
rows with the sipgle shovel-a furrow on
each side-then spliuting the middle
with the third and last furrow.
"Never scrape down tobacco With the
hoe without putting back on the hill Oh
bed as much dirt as is scraped down.
This will prevent baking and save many
plant should dry spell follow the hoe
working.
"Any process which stirs the soil eff
fectually and often and keeps the plants
free from grass and weeds will constitute
good cultivation, no matter how and with
what implement done. Old lands will
require more work in cultivation than
new and dark grades more than bright.
Short singletrees should be used after the
plants are half grown to prevent tearing
and breaking the leaves"
The other expert in tobacco crop man.
agement referred to is Col. Davis, OF
North Carolina, who for many years was
the foremost tobacco planter in his State,
and one who has used his pen wisely aud
we'll in giving his fellow planters the
benefit of his experience. Colonel Davis
condenses his advice in the following
paragraphs:
"The cultivation of the tobacco crop,
though thorough, should be superficial
that is to say only the surface soil
should be stirred, the subsoil being left
intact.
GAS soon as the plant has taken root,
which is shown by Its changing color, it
should be worked with the hoe only by
removing the crust of the hill, and draw
ing loose earth around the plant This
destroys the first crop of grass and helps
to destroy the cut worm. But if the land
between the rows has become foul it
should be ploughed with the bull tongue
or shovel at the first working.
"When the plants have covered the
hills-say breadth of twelve inches
they should be worked thoroughly with
both plough and hoe. This ploughing
should be with the bull tongue or shovel,
using short singletrees, and running ii
close to the plants and throwing out the
row with four or five furrows. If the
land has become very foul turning
plough is preferable. With the hoe all
the surface soil should be drawn into bills
around the plants as at frat This work
ing is lay-by with the plough, which
should never be used after the plants
have come to top. But later than this
should the land become foul, it should be
scraped with the hoe only. Any vegeta
tiou which springs up after the plant has
attained its growth does it no harm, bu
is beneficial rather in keeping the lower
leaves from being sanded. But to the
eye of the genuine farmer 1t Is unsightly
and is disadvantageous if wheat croI
is to follow. It had better be kept dowr
to the last"
With such comprehensive advice the
planter need not 60 astray in the man
agement of his tobacco crop, so far a.
the cultivation is concerned. Care shoule
be taken never to work the land when tot
wet, or sure damage to the plant will fol
low. AS already binted above, the plan
ter must also be watchful not to bruis'
the leaves of the growing plant. With
new hands this precautions is necessary, a.
reckless hoeing or ploughing can dt
great damage to the crop.
II. f. HARMAN.
Winston, ". c.