The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-07-19
Tobacco Culture.

the first planting can not be over
estimated. If dry, warm weather should
follow, the indifferent plants. together
with those poorly set, are apt to die.
Add to these those destroyed by insects
and sometimes the result will be not
more than half stand. 70 overcome
this difficulty, if possible, the rcplant-
ing ought to be done as early us prac-
ticable. If cultivation becomes neces-
sary, make hills where The plants are
missing and replant with good stocl1y
plants. If plants are abundant and the
weather dry the planting may be
pushed by watering each plant as put
out. Have known persons determined
to have crop to plant it while others
were waiting for a season.
To do this if the ground is dry, 1t
may be necessary to make hills. Burst
away the dry clods and as far as posi-
BILE use the moist soil. With the corner
of the hoe make a deep incision in the
hill; into this pour about half pint of
water-put the roots in the moisture so
made and draw the soil about the
plants. If the weather is cool and the
ground moist, have known the plant
ing pushed from day to day, even with
out the use of water In this case,
however, it may be necessary to put a
slight protection on the south side Of
the plant. This process will appear to
be slow, but, if persisted in, sometimes
pays well, as it sometimes happens no
rains will fall for several weeks, while
the ground is ready and the plants
crOwding each other in the bed.
In these operations the plants should
have every advantage. Take them from
the bed with care, so that if possible
every fbrous root is preserved to them.
Keep them clean. mOisten frequently
and keep them protected from the sun.
By June Is the planting should be
finished and the resetting done. After
the rains have ceased the grass and
weeds will begin to show. Whether
they do Or not, blowing should begin
as soon as the plants have taken hold
of the ground. A gentle team and a
good pillow are Indispensable; and be-
sides this man with strong arms and
plenty of patience are a necessity
Every plant covered by the pillow should
be uncovered, and at the end of the
rows the horse should be turned on
the outside. 1t must not be forgotten
that every plant destroyed at this juno
ture takes that much from the value of
the crop. Since it is not probable that
one can be supplied that will be asval-
liable as the first planting. When large
fields are planted the work to be done
with the hoe is the most expensive. If
the ground has been we'll prepared and
the plants put in straight rows SO that
the blowing can be done thoroughly,
much of this expense can be avoided.
AS soon as the grass and weeds start
begin blowing, and be sure the work is
done well, Cut or cover the grass be-
tween the plants with the hoe; don't
stop to hill up and dress off and be al
ways thinking with the hoe-it costs too
much. If there should be rainfall be-
fore the hoeing is completed, pillow again
and keep blowing. If the grass and
weeds are not too formidable, let two
or tire hands keep along with the pillow.
If the land has been we'll prepared
nothing green has been left-of
course the insects that live on
vegetation when they come to life
find it veritable desert, some of
them will attack the young plants.
Prominent among these is the cut
worm. In planting the land close
observer will see these lying about and
is not surprised when they begin their
4c l,