of the strength of the leaf, but by the
most careful culture and improved methods of curing.

The first labor to be performed in connection with the growth of a
crop of tobacco, is the selection of a site for, and the making of,
the "plant bed" or "plant patch." These beds for the early growth of
the plants until large enough to transplant, are made in various ways
and at different times, according to the method of tilling adopted and
the climate. In California the tobacco bed is made in January, in the
Southern States, Syria, Turkey, and Holland, in March. In New England
in April. In Mexico and Java in June, and in Persia in December. In
the Connecticut valley the manner of making the

PLANT BED,

as given by a Massachusetts tobacco-grower, is as follows:--

"No rigid rules can be given for any process in tobacco
culture, which depends much upon weather and season, but
certain advantages may be obtained by skillful adaptation of
general principles to circumstances. This is especially true
of raising tobacco plants, which occupy an extremely slight
depth of ground for weeks after sowing, making it necessary
to prepare the whole soil with reference to the state of
this thin surface. Any slight mistake of treatment may make
in the end a difference of several days; consequently each
item is of importance. While every tobacco-raiser wants
early plants, and appreciates the value of a good location
for growing them, many naturally sheltered spots of ground,
protected from northerly winds by buildings, trees, or
hills, remain unappreciated. Tight board fences are no
protection worth mentioning.

"A heavily manured crop of tobacco would fit such places for
tobacco beds, and leave them freer from weeds than any other
cultivation; and a subsequent use of some commercial
fertilizer would avoid the introduction of weed seed. With
these precautions, and a careful destruction of all
neighboring weeds, a tolerably clean bed may be expected. To
prepare the ground, plow or loosen deeply with a large
cultivator; harrow in two-thirds of the fertilizer to be
used; rake the bed perfectly level, then rake in the other
third; roll once, and another slight raking will fit the bed
for sowing, after which it should be rolled down hard. If
the soil is handled in drying weather, it should be done
qu