tooth harrow, or a heavy brush, should be used to level the ground.
In this condition the field should remain until ready for fertilization,
which should be done at least a month b fore transplanting. If fertil-
izer is broadcasted, harrow it in. If placed in drills, open with six-inch
shovel and distribute it evenly and then cover with two furrows.
 When ready to transplant from seed bed level the drills with harrow
running up and down the rows and then plant. Harrowing at this
time, whether manure has been put in drills or broadcast, kills both
weeds and grass and destroys a great many seed of each which have
germinated. Rows are laid of 4, 31 and 3 feet apart. I prefer the latter
distance. Plants are placed in drill from one to two feet apart. I
prefer from one foot to fifteen inches if the soil is rich enough, and it
should be made sufficiently fertile.

 IN FERTILIZING
care should be taken to make the land rich. The planter should not
be economical here. From 1,000 pounds to four tons per acre should be
used according to the quality of the land and the quality of the
manure. If stable or cow manure, from four to ten tons will not be too
much if the soil needs it. If commercial fertilizer, less should be used
according to the grade. See inductions under the head of Analysis.

 THE METHODS OF CULTIVATION.
 The tobacco plant grows off very quickly, and the spread of its roots
is very rapid. The lateral roots run very near the surface, and the
cultivation of the plant should necessarily be shallow. A Planet, Jr.,
cultivator or a wide sweep are good tools to use. In grassy land it will
be necessary to hoe once and possibly more. The plant must be pro-
tected from grass and weeds.
 In plowing it is better to throw the dirt slightly to the plant and thus
form a low bed in the row. Three or four plowings and one hoeing in
grassy land is usually sufficient work to make a crop and in new land less.
It may be only necessary for the last working to run, very shallow, a
sweep through the middle of lurrow to kill young grass.
 TOPPING AND SUCKERING.
 There is a difference of opinion as to the time the plant should be
topped. The Station is experimenting on this point, but has not de-
cided it so far by sufficient testing. The generally prevailing opinion
is that when the plant forms its blossom buds they should be pinched
off. At this time the plant has formed from 12 to 16 and even more
leaves. After topping, sprouts begin to shoot out from stalk where
the leaf joins it. These should be pinched off and not allowed to grow
longer than two or three inches. As these sprouts grow very fast,
sprouting should be very closely looked after. Care should be taken
not to pinch off the sprouts below the bottom leaves, and as the bottom
leaves are not as a rule the best, it may be well not to 'ake off the
sprouts for the.first two. From these sprouls below the bottom leaves,
and which come out above the two first, is where the second, third,
fourth and even later crops are gathered.
 HARVESTING
is very irregular. From the time it begins until the crop is gathered, it
is daily work. This work embraces the period from the first ripening
to the last. Tobacco begins to ripen from six weeks to two months
after being transplanted.