The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-07-09
TOBACCO CULTURE.
HTessrs. z. and 2. Alexander Tell how
It Should be Done.

Messrs. L. and P. Alexander, Of
New Liberty, Ky, in letter to the
Homo and Farm, give the following
interesting hints on the subject OF
s:Tobacco Culture:
FOR the first TIM in several years the
farmers in this county are having trouble IN
getting out their crops. The cut worms de-
stroyed the plants in many OF the beds.
while those left were retarded in their growth
by the late Geld spring, so that but few were
ready for the usual May planting. Here we
arc now past the. middle of June and the
sun ranging in the nineties. and not more
than one-half the crop in the field. And
above all not enough plants to finish the
planting under favorable conditions. Besides
This the cut-worm. wireworm and grass
homer together with the heat OF the sun ls
to be encountered and overcome before sue
cess is assured. The wircworm is an lnsld-
eous enemy, attacking the plant at the sur
face. bores do~n the stalk to the root. The
plants death is not sudden. but nevertheless
sure. There is no remedy but to put out
new plant. His color is dingy white with
reddish head, and is very difficult to find and
destroy. We have not noticed them so plen-
tilul for years.
Those who grew the weed before canvas
was thought o. understood the difficulties in
tba vay. Under the old plan Of growing
plants it was rare chance that planting was
done before the first of June. We can callto
mind that in the year 1866 we planted an
acre or more on the oath Of May and thought
It remarkably early. So advice from those
who have usually succeeded under these dlf-
fcuties will not be amiss. Late ID the sea-
son the work of planting out should be care
fully done. Boys as a rule are not success,
nor are lazy or incompetent hands OF any
kind
We made II point to put out every plant,
so we thought it.would live.
# the sun was hot or the season light the
plants were put deep in the ground and
chip, stone or q sod was placed on the
south side Of the plant-not to protect!ts
leaves but to preserve moisture and keep the
root of the plant cool. A we'll grown plant
with rather long shank is best for this kind
of work. It's wonderful sometimes under
what difficulties plant will live and thrive
aud at other times they will show but little
resistance to the direct rays OF the sun.
Usually one Of the following reasons is the
cause:
First-The want of care in taking from the
bed. Secondly, the lack Of Gaze in putting II
out. Third. the sun has dried the soil below
TIE TOOL. IcrtGlES lIV SlCoG0o9 o4AoNoS'J Va
all is short. poor plant. with but few hbrous
roots, as such have q poor chance.
70 make season is 4 tedious and tiresome
Undertaking. but it can be successfully done
by those having the nerve and backbone. Ii
the water is not convenient make arrange
mer.s TO bring il to the field in sufficient
quantity. The ground should be freshly
worked or hills made. Each setter is accom-
panied by water carrier with dipper. The
hill is opened. the plant put in and half pint
of water is poured into the cavity anG the-
soil drawn OVERT with gentle pressure the
operation is completed. This work IS best
done in the evening.
When the plants are put out and com
meociny to grow they should show them
selves slightly ABOVE the plane OF the held.
This enables Gle e cultivation; not only take
out -+Ae-#ee4scd grass, but to break the
crust formed bv-t.,e--eeet,t- -Fafn.- MaeJ OF
the young plants are now struggling TOR an'
existence and the slightest help at this juno
ture is veryimportant.
If the conditions are such that fresh soil
cannot be thrown about the plant WITH
piow it should be done with hoe. II the
weather is dry and warm as now great care
should be taken not to disturb the pans N
in the least. The tramplng OF the team on
or near is generally fatal. In plowing at the
.hc open ground. 50 as not to turn over the
end Of the rows.
Rep!an:;ng should be done with good s;ockJ
plants on freshly made hills. Aa effort to
make the crop of even growth should never
be lost sight OF. To do this it should be az
tended to at the earliest practical moment,
as when the first planting begins to occupy
the land the latter ones have poor chance.
When this cannot be attended. in due time
we advise that it be omitted entirely.
Fer:iiizing is again beginning to occupy The
attention Of the farmers IN this section. The
success was quite satisfactory last yea.
though used to limited ~xtent. We believe;
however. that whenever perfect plant food
for tobacco can be found it will GO into gen
eral rse. The old fields OF this country on
which many crops have been grown are
making poor returns, for the constant labor
required for this crop. So something must be
done 10 increase The yield and quality. We
arc making preparations to give it trial
this wear. and. Of 9oIrSa will report succs*s
or failure tothe Home and Farm.