The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-21
Tobacco Beds.

During March plant beds ought to be pre-
pared and sown, says Home and Farm. 1t
is generally understood among old tobacco
growers that early sown beds are more GER
tain to produce early plants. There Is no
doubt that late beds are more liable to in
jury by drought A few dry days during
the month of April the surface Of the bed
may become cracked and dry. The moist
ure for an inch or more is taken out by the
wind and sun. The result OF this is a sore
disappointment in the hour of need for the
delicate seed have persisted where they lay
Farmers often charge their failure to bad
seed, when If a close Investigation were
made the cause would be found to be a
want of moisture Then, let us say in this
connection, keep close watch over the bed
during dry weather, and should the surface
become dry before the plants are safely up,
apply water gently, and plenty of it. though
not enough to wash the surface The seed
if properly sOwn, are on top of the ground
or nearly 30. On this account water APP
piled TOO ra idly will drift them into any
depression of the surface, leaving other
parts barren.
LOCATION OF BEDS.
The location should be selected with the
view of sunshine and warmth. OF course
the soil ought to be Of the best, incllning to
be moist and loomy. Avoid all shade except
that cast by the canvass. An old fence
where the land inclines to the east is desira-
bic, or fiat near the creek is excellent pro-
vided there has been no deposits of clay
from the hillsides Provision in such a To-
cation as this should be made against food
lug either from the creek or hill.
PREPARING BUDS.
Clear away all distractions and with a
karw L.
the burrows all one way Follow with q
hoe and take out brier and iron weed roots.
See that the sod is turned over after each
furrow and the surface kept as even as pos
sible.
II the surface should be too moist to work
well, leave it a few hours to dry in the sun.
Then with rake or harrow. put in thor
ough order, as this is the end of the prepa-
ration. In the olden time it was thought
necessary to have log heap to burn suf-
ficieutly. These were placed on poles and
moved occasionally depending on the
amount of heat given out. No doubt many
OF the old farmers remember what warm
work it was after the burning the soil was
dug up with hoes, a tedious performance.
But now we have a better way. Over
this prepared seed bed put layer OF brlers
or any dry brush that will burn readily.
Over this place any rubbish from the trim
mings Of the orchard, pieces of fence rails,
etc. , etc. Now set fire at points to suit the
wind and set down and see IL burn. After
the heat has died out somewhat you will see
parts of the stuff left. With a pitchfork
pile these on places that seem to have es-
capped turning and let them be consumed.
When the ground has cooled sufficiently
without removing the ashes, mark OF in
squares of about three feet in order to SOW
both ways. For ten feet square scant tea
spoonful is ample To get an even distribu-
lion OF the seed mix thoroughly with dry
earth or bran; after sowing brush or rake
lightly. After trying many devices 70 sup
port the canvass we have found wire b be