The Bossier banner., 1892-05-12
FARMER AND PLANTER.
TOBACCO CULTURE.
A Few Hints to Those Engaged In Raising
tae Weed.

All experienced TOBACCO growers cOH-
cede the fact that early planting is the
surest chance for crop. TO this end
preparations should begin during the
winter. If sod is to be plowed, it ought
to be done during January or February,
or at least in time for the sod to rot, so
that the young plants may start readily
after being put out. If there are OBJ
structions in the way, remove them if
possible. Grubs ought to be taken up
by the roots and rocks removed; in fact,
everything that would hinder the thor
ough preparation of the land. Beside
this, should the plow meet with an OBJ
struction in the cultivation of the crop,
the chances are that one or more plants
will be destroyed. If the turning at
the corners has been badly done or the
ground packed from the tramping of
the team, rebreak through these corners
with mold-board to the turning point,
so that the ground may be well broken
throughout.
Now, if you have plowed the land
well it is ready for manuring; the color
of the soil will readily tell where the
weakest points are. Here spread evenly
in the shape of a top dressing, barn
yard manure, ashes, tobacco stalks, are
all valuable, and will doubly repay for
the labor of making the application.
And we go aside to say that the farm
ers of this country who raise tobacco
have yet to learn, to large extent, the
Importance of the manure heap.
When the manuring is done the land
is ready for cultivation, clods must be
| crushed and the sod tori to pieces. If
the ground seems too firm for the har-
row to do its work well sometimes
| light plows can be used with success to
loosen the surface. Rebreaking with a
turning plow is liza BILE to add considera-
| bly, to the work of cultivation of the
| crop, as the weed and grass seeds are
brought to the surface, and will some
times be growing before the plants can
| be put out. In that event it is better
to harrow down and lay off again.
Have an eye to the plant beds, and be
sure you are ready as soon as the
plants will do. If the land is not
stumpy and has had thorough prepara-
ton, put the rows about three feet
apart; if on hillside, give no attention
| to straight rows, but aim to keep them
level with the hill so that the land will
not wash readily and the water kept to
nourish the plants. Don't be afraid of
+ preparing too much land at one time
If the plants fall short it is an easy
matter to harrow and lay off again. since
every time you work the land before
| planting adds to the crop and lessons
| the work of cultivating it. If the plant
beds have been burnt early usually the
| ground has become solid so that the
| plants can not be removed without IT.
| juring the roots. This is unfortunate
and adds greatly to the trouble of re-
moving them. Remember that every
root should be preserved if possible, as
the young plant is sure to need them.
II the boys persist in walking over
the bed land they are apt to do it, keep
them on the outside. Much tramping
OF the bed is to be deplored. This can
be avoided sometimes by broad plank
that will reach from side to side Ex-
ercise care in handling, then put them
in the basket straight and pack them
firmly. Plant in the rows from twenty
four to thirty inches apart. A hand
that sets well and rapidly is worth two
poor ones; in fact, have seen hands set
| tobacco that could have been as
profitably employed sitting on the
fence. In the early planting be careful
that the bud is kept above ground, the
roots put straight down and gently
pressed below the bud. See that the
plants are put in the rows at a uniform
distance, SO that they may have uni
form growth, and If possible mature at
the Same time.
Extra help can be profitably en-
ployed at this juncture. If the plants
are abundant and the ground prepared.
the crop ought to be set at the first sea-
son thereafter. AS soon as the plants
have taken root cultivation should be-
gin. Light cultivators can be used
successfully at first, with the view of
STIRRING the surface to keep down the
weeds and grass. If the land has been
properly prepared and the crop well
put out a breadth of surface not wider
than the hand should be left between
the plants. A gentle horse and strong
arms at the plow are necessary to do
this work we'll. Hoing is sometimes
necessary if the ground is rough and
foul. This, however, is a slow process
and expensive, as at this time everv
moment is precious
Care ought to be taken not to dis
turb the plants by inserting the hoe
near the root. If the weather is drv
and warm they will probably die.
After heavy rain, when the surface
Is baked, blowing ought to begin as
soon as the ground dries sufficiently, in
order to prevent evaporation as much
as possible AS rule it is we'll to plow
every week, and every other week go
over with the hoe and cut awav or
cover the grass between and near the
plants. Plow as close to the plants as
possible in the early cultivation, but as
the roots begin to take possession of
the space between the rows, they ought
not to be disturbed more than possible
L. &. P. Alexander, in Home and