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

WW \ an alNsi5 a6undane' nti''Do
of strong, healthy plants he can no
hope to make good crop of tobacco
The following article written by Mai
R. L. Ragland, an expert and author
ity on the subject of tobacco culture
will be found of interest and value
especially to new beginners:
PREPARATION FOR PLANT BEDS.
| There are two modes for raising
plants-in hot bed or cold frame, OF
in the open air-one or the other hay
ing preference according to locality;
the former being more practiced north
of forty degrees of latitude, while the
latter is preferred south of that line.
We will here give both, that planters
may choose.
THE HOT BED.
Select a southern or southeastern
exposure, sheltered on the north, dig
and shovel out a space five by twelve
feet, or any required length, to the
depth of eighteen inches. Place straw
to the depth of three or four inches in
the bottom of this trench, and cover
with fresh unrotted manure from the
stable to the depth of six or eight
inches; then cover the manure with
soil-woods-mould is best-fve inches
deep, and surround the beds with
planks twelve inches high on the north
side and six inches on south. These
will make frame over which sections
of canvas covering should be placed to
keep the bed warm, promote growth
and protect the plants. These sections
NAV be made of frames five feet long
and three feet wide, with common do
mestic cloth tackled thereon as a cov-
erlng, and they answer every purpose
as glazed sash, are cheaper and less
destructible, and may be used for sew
eral years to grow tobacco or horticul-
tural plants. Once used you will be
10th to do without them for the latter
purpose. But, to return. Tobacco seed
is sown on the bed thus prepared at
the rate OF two teaspoonfuls to a bed
five by twelve feet. To SOW regularly,
mix the seed with fertilizer, ashes or
plaster, and SOW in drills three inches
apart. A bed twelve feet long will
require four sections of canvas cover
ing, which are light and handy, and
may be put on or off, or adjusted at
plasure. When the plants have pretty
we'll covered the surface of the bed re-
move the canvas during the day, and
only replace them when there is danger
of frost, or to keep off the flea-bugs
There is the advantage of having earlier
plants by this mode and perfect safety
from the fiea-bug, which will repay for
the additional cost of raising at least
a portion of the plants needed for the
crop by this safe mode.
OPEN AIR BEDS.
But there is no question that open
air beds are cheapest. And where this
mode OF raising plants is practicable,
it is greatly to be preferred for the
main supply of plants. 1t is we'll
opinion that plants raised |
in open air stand transplanting better
and usually grow ffquicker than plants
raised in hot bed or cold frame
SELECTION OF LOCALITY.
On the selection of a proper locality
for plant bed, and its preparation
largely depends the timely supply of
strong, healthy plants, without which !
it is impossible to raise a crop of fine ,
grade. The planter, therefore, can not ]
be too careful in choosing a sheltered |
spot, neither too wet nor too dry, as
rich naturally as can be found, and !
located SO as to possess different de-
yrees of moisture.
Go into the woods, original forest, I
# possible, and select spot near |
branch or stream Of water, embracing
both hillside and fiat, and having
l southern or southeastern exposure,
protected by woods on the north.
Burn over the plat intended for plants,
either by ~. old or new method. The
irst consists in placing down bed of
wood on small skids three or four feet
apart on the ground, we'll cleared and
'aked. Then fire this bed of wood
Ind permit it to remain long enough
% cook the soil brown tor half an inch
1eep. With hooks, or old hoes fastened
o long poles, pull the burning mass
If brands distance of four and half
'r five feet. throw on brush and wood
md continue burning and moving
he fire until the bed is burned over.
Never burn when the land is wet. 1t
will require from one and half to two
hours to cook the soil properly. /
Or, better still, rake off nicely the
'las to be burned, then place down
'oles from two to four inches in diam
ter, three and a half to four feet i:
part, over the entire surface to be
,urned. Then throw brush thickly
'ver the plat and weight down with
rood, over which throw leaves. trash