The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-01-14

| ehiS Sth ihhN hSlOoCuC Oi1, anu SCI L
whole on fire and burn at one oper
ton.
But any mode of burning the pl
will suffice, provided that it is effec
ually done. After the plat has bee
burned and has cooled, rake off IL
large Goals and brands, but let II
ashes remain, as they are essentially
first-class manure. Then coulther ov,
the plat deeply, or break with Cru
hoes, and make fine the soil by r,
peated chopping and raking, observin
not to bring the subsoil to the surfac.
and remove all roots and tufts. M
nure from the stable, hog pen or pou
try house, or some reliable CONNIE,
cial fertilizer should be chopped int
and thoroughly incorporated with tn
soil while preparing the bed to b
sown. Experience has demonstrate,
that it is better to use both. But be
ware of using manure with grass seed
The judgment of the planter mus
guide him in the amount Of fertilizin,
material to be applied at this stage
but it were we'll to remind him tha
the tobacco plant rarely responds t.
homeopathic doses of plant food, bu
that the alopathic usage suits it best
Sow at the rate of tablespoonful
of seed, which is about halt an ounce
on every fifty square yards at first sow
ing, and later resow with a heapine
teaspoonful over the same surface, tc
secure good stand. Injury by frosts
and bugs may require third or fourth
sowing. Sow little thick rather than
too thin 70 meet contingencies, and
secure good stand in time.
The best way to SOW the seed is to
mix them thoroughly with a fertilizer
or dry ashes, and SOW once regularly
over the bed, reserving seed enough to
cross SOW to promote regularity. The
tobacco seed is the smallest of all farm
seeds, and consequently requires a
light covering. If the seed are sown
before the 10th day of February, the
best way is to firm the surface of the
bed by treading it over closely, but if
'own later, sweep lightly over with a
broom or light rake. Then run sur
face drains through the bed, with in
clination enough to pass off the water.
To do this properly run them off four
or five feet apart with the foot, then
open with narrow grubbing hoe to
The depth of three or four inches. Then
trench deeply around the outside of
he bed, to ward off surface water and
prevent washing.
MULCHING AND COVERING.
Hog hair whipped fine and scattered
over the bed attracts and retains moist
Ire, protects the plants from frost, and
acts as manure. There is no better
covering for plant bed, but unfortu-
1ately it is rarely ever in full supply.
Fine brush should be placed thickly
'ver the bed, or, if not handy, cover
With straw or chaf free from grain. A
covering of some such material is nec-
'ssary, or the young plants are likely
o be killed by frost or suffer from
lrought, and they thrive better to
lave some protection.
A covering of thin cloth has been
ound to hasten the growth of plants
md protect them from freezing and
injury by the flea-bug. The bed is sur
ounded by boards tackled up close,
o the height Of eighteen to twenty
our inches, according to the size of
he bed; then covering of thin can
as is made the size of the bed, and
acked to the upper edge of the boards
IL around. This excludes cold air
nd heas, makes the bed warmer, and
cts as cold frame, the canvas taking
he place of glass.
Homer & Hyde, of Baltimore, Md,
'repare cloth for plant beds by a
'rocess which greatly promotes dura-
'ility, while rendering the cloth unfit
Or domestic use, and therefore not
liable to be stolen. 1t is a good thing,
S the writer knows from trial.
The canvas should not touch the
ed, but be kept suspended above by
opes stretched across underneath and
rmly fastened to prevent sagging.
A STANDING PLANT BED.
Every planter ought to have stand
ng plant bed, which may be secured
4 the following way: Sometime in
uly or August select one of the best
f the old plant beds, and with hoes
have down the green plants over its
ntire surface, and cover over thickly
18th straw or leaves, then place green
rush thickly over the bed and weight
own with wood. When the whole is
ry, some time in the late fall or early
inter set on fire, and thus re-burn
yer the bed. Then chop and rake
ne, SOW and trench as when first pre-
ared, Repeat the same operation
very year. and, if the bed is manured
it will improve and prove
andby for many years.
TINE OF SOWING SEED.
The time for sowing varies with the
Ititude, variety and season. Between
1e parallels of IS and 40 degrees
orth latitude, composing the great
obacco belt, beds may be sown any
me between the first of January and
9th of March, and the sooner the
etter for the bright grades, which
ught to be planted early to mature,
pen and yellow, preparatory to being
lred early in the fall, when the most
curings are usually made.
elbow tobacco ought to be planted
Ut in May, but June paintings usually
o best in heavy, dark grades The
lanter will consult his interest by
wing at proper time to suit the
rade he desires to raise. !