The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-04-14
obacco Culture il Clarendon County, as
Money Crop.

money crop.
In my last article [ called attention
to the importance Of a proper selection
of soil and plants for profitable crop.
am aware that too much stress cannot
be placed upon the consideration of
these two points. Those VINO are care
full enough in other matters may utterly
fail IN raising profitable crops of iobac-
CO and become discouraged, because
they were needless OF these two de-
mands as a starting point to success. My
observation of the soil Of this county
with my former experience as planter
convince me Q! the certainty OF It's be-
ing made a profitable business here.
Already in the short experience OF
those who have started the production
of the crop in the county we have am
pie evidence of its value as a money
60 into il with a mind to master its pro-
ducJion by that attention to details
which is absolutely necessary. Almost
all other crops will bear neglect aud in
difference to their needs in crucial
periods aud produce a small return to
the farmer, if by no means profitable
one. but tobacco raising must be a sue
cess or it is generally worse than fail
ure. Leaving these points which have
been barely hinted al in the former
discussion. I now advance to the ques-
tion of PREPARATION OF THE SOIL,
MANURING AND PLANTING THE CROP.
In this climate the farmer will begin
to house the bottom leaves of his crop
within 60 Or 20 days from the time OF
trausplanting. It is evident that the
hasty growth of the crop will require
great skill in proper preparation Of the
soil and nourishment applied TO cause
development ia quality and quantity
that will amply reward the producer.
The soil should be deeply fallowed in
the late fall or early winter so that it
may get The benefit OF winter freezes if
there should be any and to permit the
humus supplied from the former years
growth to decay and become fully as
simulated in the soil. This, too, is prof
table in destroying the cut-worm which
often proves so troublesome 10 the early
setting. But this is by no means sui
fcient preparation for planning the
crop. Just before the plants are ready
to be set and the season has come for
setting the plants. the sol should again
be broken deeply and thoroughly pull
verified. Do this if possible SO that a
rain shall not fall on the land
/ efore you are ready to insert the plants.
You are now ready to run the burrows
for the manure, which should always be
put in drill for best result Experience
has taught the farmers of the tobacco
sections, that much profitable time and
labor may be saved in handling the crop
by thoughtful ARRANGEMENT OF THE
ROWS FOR PLANTING THE CROP.
The ordinary distance between tobac-
co rows should be four al feet. Then
tue plants should be set upon patted
spaces about 3 feet apart in the drill.
If there was nothing more to consider,
this information would be all that is
necessary. But the tobacco raiser has
found that one of his difficult problems
is handling the crop after it is made.
How to facilitate handling. it from the
field to the barn so as to save labor and
preserve the leaves from ruinous bruises
is a question of much interest to the eX-
Derienced producer.
Much has been done in solving this
II every fifth space between
rows is made six feet instead of four as
IS the prevailing rule, this wide space
may be used in housing the crop to saw
ing advantage by letting gentle horse
pull tobacco truck, which is made for
the business, along this row just oppo-
site two primers who will carry two
rows each, thus without loss of time and
extra laborers, laying their leaves care
fully on the truck which keep just
along between them. An extra truck
can be ready to supply the place of this
while 1t is drawn to the place of hous-
ing. In this manner two hands will save
almost as much tobacco in the same
ength OF time as a half dozen would IL
the old way. You would do well to give
this matter consideration.
When the drill has been opened and
The manure put in let one furrow be
thrown on it to protect it from the
weather, and when ready ID insert the
plants, if rain has fallen since the ma
aure was drilled in, run two burrows to
list the soil over the manure before set
ting the plant.
The quick growth of the crop and the
quality wanted will indicate to the
grower that it will take larger quail
ty of manure than most crops to make
profitable crop of tobacco.
Then you need d fertilizer that will
give body to the plant and hasten a uni
form growth and maturity of the plant.
The soil and climate will have to large
iy help the planter in arriving at sat
isfactory solution of this problem, gen
orally about 1000 pounds OF especial
tobacco fertilizers" will be the proper
quantity to use when commercial fertil-
iZer is used exclusively. This is often
the best where lying-out land is used
for the crop.
In my next will discuss the planting
of the stalk and the cultivat lion of the
crop. G. W. BLANCHARD.