The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-21

from drought and will not 'hre' NJ the
bottom Of tho pant IL rs good plan 10
plow tobacco Just after good ram Wheu
the land gets dry enough TO pillow, ana
then put in the hoes. az it 10 jess haD'e
10 bc checked IN its growth.
Colonel Davis. Hickory, y. @, says:
"Tte cultivation Of tho tobacco crop
though thorough. should be scpcrfciai--
tha. * 10 say. only the surface soil
should be stirred the subs0i being lett
intact As soon as the plant has taken
root. which is shown By IFS changing
color. IL should be worked with the hoe
only by removing the crust OF the NH
and drawing loose earth around the
plant. This destroys the Dop OF grass
and helps 20 destroy the cut worm.
But IL the land between the rows has
become foul. Il should be plowcd with
bul-tongue or shovel al the first work
ing. When the plants have covered thc
hills say a breadth Of twelve inches.
they should be worked thoroughly with
both pillow and hoe. This plouinG should
be with bull-tOguc or shovel, USING short
single-trccs or shovel, and running II
close 10 the plants. and throwing cut
the row with four or FIVE burrows. II
the land has become very foul, turning
pillow Is preferable. With the hoe all the
surface soil should be drawn into hills
around the plants as at first This work
ing is lay-by with the pillow. which
should never be used after the plants
have come 10 top. But later than this.
should the land again become foul, II
should be sCfapcd with the hoe only.
Any vegetation which springs up after
the plant has attained its growth does
not harm, but is beneficial rather ia
keeping the lower leaves from being
sanded, but TO the eye Of the genuine
farmer il is unsighiiy, and is dsad-
vaniageous n a wheat crop is 10 fol-
low-it had better be kept down 70 the
last"
Major Ragland. Hyco. Va. says: at
Is important 10 commence cultivation
soon after planting, 20 loosen the soil and
start the plants growing. just at this
point many planters fail to do their
uuty. which no subsequent work can
atone for. Early, rapid and thorough
cultivation is necessary to produce first
class tobacco II the preparation has
been thorough. thrice pl0WiHg. followed
each time with a hand hoe, will suffice
for the crop.
For the first blowing no implement Is
better than the wing coulter. the next
best. the cultiyator or double-shovel with
coulter points The second blowing may
be effectually done with the turning-plow
or cultyatOr. If grassy use the first.
The last blowing is most effcctually
donc-three burrows with single shovel,
a furrow on each side. then splitting the
middle with third and last iurrow.
Never 'scrapc down tobacco with the
hoe without putting back OH the hill or
bed as much dirt as rs scraped down.
This viii prevent baking. and save many
plants should a dry spell follow the hand
hoe working
ANY process which stirs the soil cncc-
tually and often. ana keeps the plants
free from grass and weeds viii consti-
tute good cultivation. no matter how
and with what implement done old land
Will require more work In cultivation
than new, and dark grades more than
bright. Short single-trccs should be used
AFTER the plants are half grown 10 pre-
vent tearing and breaking the leaves"
Another contributor says. 1.-The plants
are set by hand, whenever they are ,tad,.
and the season suits. As soon as they
show signs OF living the field is plowed
with side grabs on small sh0yels. running
as close TO the tobacco as may be done
without covering IT, This blowing is fol-
lowed by the hoes. and i'm about ten DAYS
The second blowing is given with doulIt
'''N'~4T tiii tNiHt oul the inl0Qle and Civ
lIls light, mold TO the tobacco. II there
10 any grass left the hoes follow the plows
ana where the plants are large enouen
small hits arc drawn around then. The
third blowing is done with straight shov.
els with cotton bows attached. rs much
art Is thrown TO the tobacco as possible
and If it has been well WORK ID before
heeing Will not be necessary. If the TO-
,baC co Is not too large, fourth pillow.
ing may be given canning a sweel
through the middle, but If there is dan
! ger of breaking the leaves too mucf
with the plow good hoeing. with Ma
hills drawn around the PLAT, VIII nnisl
| the cultivation"
Ihe caution limited at above i'm regarC
10 breaking leaves when the tobacco /.
too large should be carefully considered
Careless hands can and often will &c
great damage TO the crop. unless the,
are watched. 1t does not pay to use the
plow when the leaves have grown a Ger.
tain SIZE for the noe can be made to an.
swer all purposes. \ little care aione
this line Will save many pounds often OF
fine tobacco I'm a single field.