The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-05-02
TOBACCO CULTURE,
THE KIND OF LAND ADAPTED
TOIT.
Fine Yellow Leaf and How to Make
It-Some Valuable Hints On Planting
and acknowledgements of the
Soil, Fertilizers Used, &C., &c.

Soil, Fertilizers Used, &C., &c.
The lands mostly preferred for
fine yellow tobacco are of moderately
coarse, sandy soil, with deep yellow
ish subsoil. In selecting lots for the
yellow leaf, always select land free
from wet, spouty places. Remember,
that tobacco Of all crops, requires
a thorough preparation of the soil,
and the very best cultivation IS abso
lutely essential to success. If you have
bottom land, follow in the Fall with a
two horse pillow, one that will not turn
up the subsoil too much. If fresh
lands, break carly in the Spring with
single plow if there is much vegeta-
ton, use turning plow, as deep as
the nature of the case will admit if
clean land, use a small plow and plow
as deep as possible. Should there be
a drought of few weeks, repeat the
following as often as necessary until
the land is in good condition. If new
ground, clean off all litter and break
with small cultivator plow to prevent
turning up the undersoil too much !;
plow across the first plowing and har-
row we'll to loosen the turf; with
pitchfork and rake, pile up all the turf
and roots and let them dry few days
and then burn them, then with grub
bing hoe and axe cut and take up all
roots near enough the top to come in
tact with the plow. When ready for
bedding, plow and harrow again to
get up all the roots that appear. The
rows should be from 3 feet 3 inches to
: feet 6 inches apart, the latter only
on very strong land. Barnyard ma
nure should be kept dry and chopped
to pieces until it is fine, manure alto
gether in the drill and will give the
manner in which we usually apply our
| manure and fertilizers. We lay off
the rows before carrying the manures
and fertilizers to the field We never
let more than one load of manure be
exposed to the sun at one time. 1t is
a very good plan to haul and drill the
manure Zone load at time) and then
drill the fertilizer at the rate OF Ioc
pounds to the 900 hills on the aver
age lands we cultivate thinner lands
require more. The kind of fertilizer
depends greatly upon the condition OF
the land. When the fertilizer is drilled
cover it Immediately by turning two
furrows together, running the plow
very shallow in order to keep the hill:
low, then throw out the middle in the
same manner, take sweep made of :
scantllng 4 inches square, feet long
and cut the beds down as low as pos
sible to prevent the tobacco drawing
Then with hoes put the hills three fee
apart and you are ready for planting
1t is a matter of the utmost impor
tance and should by all means hav
strict attention, for if the plants ar
not we'll planted, the growth will b
irregular-to do this be careful not t
bruise while drawing, or break Will
packing in basket, and never plant on
: that is injured. 1t is an all importan
matter to see that the planters do nc
make the holes for the plants deepe
than the plants are long, and whe
the plants are inserted be sure tn
dirt is we'll put to the roots, but nc
packed too hard, as the growth WI
be retarded should there be drougf
of week or two after planting.
After the tobacco has taken hol
SO that there is no danger of KILN
by working, we take small plow an
bar off the rows, leaving ridge {
IL or IA inches, running the plo
deep enough to loosen the soil beneat
the plants, SO the roots will have
sufficient amount of loose earth
grow in. We then take the hoe an
work the ridge thoroughly from hill
; hill, being careful not to work tc
deep near the plant. After first worl
ing let lay SIX or eight days Of there
no rain and The land is not too TO
when the first working is done) the
with cotton plow run two furrows
I the TOW, putting a small quantity
j. dirt to the tobacco, and with swee
run one time in a row, which can
- followed with the hoe if desired al
stirred between the hills; do this
= ofen as necessary to keep the tobac'
, from being checked for the want
work. Never work tobacco deep ait
} u the forward plants begin to come
s top. Ifa heavy crop is desired
re advise light working after the t
u bacco is about all topped. This
c. done by running sweep one time
u row very shallow and sc1aplag t
70 row light with hoes.
30
IL you are weak and WOrn Out, or hl