34 FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IN FLORIDA



 .1.















 Fig. 18: One Row Tractor Drawn Transplanter
scalded condition resulted from a very cool April, followed by a
cool dry May and a sudden change to high temperatures. Con-
tinued cultivation, caused many fields of tobacco to wilt and
many of the top leaves scalded. Continuous cultivation during
dry weather is not recommended unless irrigation is used.
 At present growers are cultivating alternate row middles
once a week. Many growers will cultivate soil to the tobacco
and have a moderately high bed which aids in drainages and
against nematodes by furnishing additional soil for lateral
roots higher up the stalk than in a flat culture. Ridge culti-
vation is recommended, particularly where tobacco is grown
on low wet or poorly drained soil.
 Topping and Suckering: Topping is the removal of the plant
seedhead or flower. It is recognized that topping and suckering
add to the quality of the tobacco, which increases the dollar
return per acre. To discuss this topic it will be necessary to
present pro's and con's. When and how to top tobacco may be
based on several factors. If weather conditions have been un-
favorable for uniform growth and there is still plenty of
fertilizer available for vigorous plant growth it is doubtful
if it would pay to top the tobacco early. It is often advisable
to leave seedheads and let them help utilize the extra plant
food when the rains begin. If the crop has grown and matured
 vation~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~' isrcomndd priclrl heetoac sgrw
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 Topin an ukrng opn s h eoa o h ln
 sedha or~ flwr tieonzdta opn n ukrn
 add~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~~~ toteqaiyo hetbco hc ncesstedla

 reur per ace.T dsus hi opc twilbencesryt
 prsn r'sadcns.We n owt o obcomyb