is

TRANSPLANTING.

[Illustration: Transplanting.]

As soon as four or five leaves on a plant about the size of a dollar
have appeared, they are large enough to transplant. Take the plants up
with care, sprinkling with water and keeping covered. In taking them
up, the earth may be allowed to remain on the roots, or shaken off,
at the option of the grower. As a general rule, however, the earth
should remain rather than be shaken off. Remove to the field and drop
one at each hill, and where the plants are small, two. A common custom
is to "set" every tenth or twelfth hill with two plants. This is a
good plan, as they are frequently needed during hoeing time to "fill
in." If holes have not been made, insert the first two fingers, making
a hole large enough for the roots to remain in an easy and natural
position. Press the earth gently around the plant if the soil is
moist, but if dry, more firmly. See that the plant stands in an
upright position. If dry after "setting" the plants, water them, and
if a protracted drought follows, cover them up with grass or hay
dipped in water; remove, however, in a day or two.[75] Plaster may
also be used to advantage, as it keeps the hill moist, besides
fertilizing the plant; put a little just around the plants. In taking
up from the bed select large ones, leaving the smaller ones to grow.
Transplanting should commence as early as possible that this result
may follow.

[Footnote 75: Walker says of tobacco culture in Colombia
(South America):--"It is advisable to cover the plant
with a banana leaf, or something similar: by this means
the tobacco is protected from the heat of the sun, and
from the heavy rains, which would not prove less
prejudicial."]

[Illustration: Transplanting.]

Plants with large broad leaves are considered the best, those that
grow tall and "spindling" or "long shank" plants, as they are called
at the South, are rejected and should not be set out when others that
are more "stocky" can be obtained. Avoid, however, setting too large
plants, as they are not as apt to live as smaller ones. Transplanting
should be done as fast as possible, that the tobacco field may present
an even appearance and be ready to harvest at one time. If the plants
are to grow and ripen evenly, the transplanting should be finished in
a week or two from the time of the first setting. This can generally