A -7 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF SOILS— BULLETIN No. 37. MILTON WHITOEY, Chief. i:XPERTMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO IN ALABAMA. BY GEORGE T. MoNESSand LEWIS W. AYEtt. WASHINGTON: >. < »\ i i: n m i \ I PRINTING OFFIO] 1 9 b Property of the United States Government. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF SOILS— BULLETIN No. 37. MILTON WHITNEY, Cliief. EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO IX ALABAMA. BY GEORGE T. MoNESS and LEWIS W. AYKK. WASHINGT* >V OOTERNMENT PRINTING OFFK B. l 9 6. BUREAU OF SOILS. Milton Whitney, Chief of Bureau. Albert G. Hick, chief Clerk. SCIENTIFIC STAFF. Frank K. Cameron, id charge of Soil Laboratories. Frane D. Gardner, in charge of Soil Management. George T. McNess, Id charge of Tobacco [Dvestigatioos. ClaR] \< i: \V. DORBEY, ID charge of Alkali Land Reclamation. Jay A. Bonsteel, in charge of Soil Survey. Oswald Schreiner, in charge of Fertility Investigations. ASSISTANTS IN TOBACCO [NVESTIGATIONS. Walter M. Ilinson. Henry WeiDberg. George B. Afassey. . Otto OIsod. J. B. Stewart. R. S. Bpley. Lewis w. Ayer. W. \v. Green. B. II. Mathewson. George W. Harris. Harry Rich. Win. B. s< brader. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. I'. s. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils. Washington, D. ('.. October 9, 1906. Sir: I have the honor to submit the accompanying manuscript report on the work of introducing the production of Cuban seed tobacco into central Alabama. The report -hows the progress of the work during the three year- that experiments have been carried on in this State. On the whole the result- are very gratifying, and seem to indicate the ultimate establishing of a profitable tobacco industry in this part of the country. I would recommend the publication of this report a- Bulletin 37 of the Bureau of Soil-. Very respect fully. Milton Whitnei . Ohii f of Ban <">. I Ion. James Wilson, s r< tary of Agricultun . 3 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/alabasingroOOmcne EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO IX ALABAMA. INTRODUCTION. Alabama has never been recognized as a tobacco-producing State, altho the climate and certain soils in different parts of the State are well adapted to it- culture. Prior to 1903 tobacco was grown only for home use. This Mas usually cured by sun and air and used almost entirely for pipe smoking. A very small part of it was stript and made into twisi for chewing, but the manufacture was of the crudest character. The plant was grown in all but three counties, the yield averaging between 200 and 300 pounds to the acre, which in it-elf indicates careless cultivation. Before 1*7 ( .> more than one- third of all the tobacco produced in the State was grown in the eight counties lying along the Tennessee River. The crop of these counties, grown on 757 acres, yielded about L63,2 1<» pound-, and was mainly consumed at home. At the present time -mall patches of tobacco can be found scattered all over the State, but no attempts have been made to build up a tobacco industry. In L902 the Bureau of Soil> made a -oil survey of Perry County and in L904 of Dallas County and found in these counties -oil- resem- bling the Partidos -oil oi Cuba and similar also t<> -oil- in east Texas and Florida, where Cuban -eed tobacco i- being successfully grown. Later it was decided to extend the tobacco experiments in growing Cuban leaf tobacco to this section, and the present bulletin describes the progress of the work there. CLIMATE. In climate central Alabama i- typical of a large part of the Gulf States. The winters are mild, with an occasional cold -pell which seldom lasts longer than three day-. The groia ing season is long, but the heat of summer is not so great a- in some more northern interior sections, and the temperature seldom rises above H ,n I"\ The aver age date of the first killing frost fall- in the second week in \o\eiu ber, while the last killing frost in spring occurs about the middle of March. EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. Normal monthly and annual temperature i.\ months, there is seen to be a . In <• correspondence between the figures Tor Selma ami Marion mid those lor Habana. Examined mouth by month, there are differ ences which may have considerable effed in differentiating the char- acter of the leaf. At Habana the temperature is equable, the ex- tremes being <>ul\ 8 F. apart, while at Selma there i- a range of L8 F. and at Marion L5 F. At Habana the rainfall is very much heavier during the first two months of (he period ami very much less for the remainder of the growing season. soils. y As no records of relative humidity have been kept at Selma and Marion, the following table is given to afford a comparison of the mean monthly relative humidity for the growing season as recorded at Montgomery. Ala., which is probably representative of the area under consideration, and at Habana. Mean monthly relative humidity at Montgomery, Ala., and Habana, Cuba. Montgomery. Month. April May June July August September. 81 . m. 8 p. m. 36 61 88 69 81 64 87 66 90 74 87 64 Habana. Month. Mean. October . .. 78 November. December . January . . . 73 76 February . . 73 March 71 Turning now to local conditions during the period the experiments were conducted, it will be noticed that during the early part of the season the climatic conditions were unfavorable, dry weather and hot winds seriously retarding the growth of the plants, altho later the climatic conditions were favorable to the maturing of the tobacco. The following table shows the precipitation during the growing seasons of 1004 and 1905 upon the experimental field at Marion: Precipitation during growing season at Marion. Ala. Date. Precipi- tation. Date. Precipi- tation. Date. Precipi- tation. Date. Precipi- tation. L904. Inr!i<.<. 1904. Inches. 1905. Inches. 1905. Inches. Apr. 26 0. ■_'•"> July L'7 0.15 M;iv 8 0.62 Julv 25 0.10 Mav 7 .32 28 .64 It .19 1.10 1:5 .->■> 29 1 . 56 15 1.68 29 .10 If. aug. l .61 16 27 30 27 .::. 3 .•20 21 .71 A.Ug. 1 - ::0 6 .20 .31 •> Jane 6 .60 7 1.06 23 .12 - .81 '.» 80 .11 '.»... 22 .71 in 1.08 June 13 .15 10 10 July 3 1.8] 11 .•_'() 17 . 2'.' 11 ;> .'.'1 is . •)'.' 12 •; .10 L906. •21 .09 I:'. .10 7 .08 Apr. :; .•21 ■ >■> .in 11 9 .:;i •1 .1:5 26 1.05 15 . iu 11 .11 .11 29 .'.HI 16 11 17 1.81 15 1.06 July is . 10 19 .05 25 . . . 1.05 . If. 1'.' . 10 21 .82 26 .■2:; 17 . I.'- • > : ■ 21 . 11 2.21 .07 28 1 . 28 May 7 .07 BOILS. Of ili«' various types of -oil- to be found in the Southern States those of the ( Orangeburg series arc bes t adapted for the production of '"•'Ii •■'mar wrapper and lill. a- tobacco. 'I'll.- two soils of thi- series used in tin- experiments in central Alabama arc the Orangeburg fine sandy loam and the ( Orangeburg clay. I loss \ 1( . ::t in; y — •> 10 EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING (THAN SEED TOBACCO. ORANGEBUBG FINE SANDY LOAM. The surface soil of the Orangeburg fine sandy loam consists of a gray to reddish fine sandy loam, with a depth of 15 inches, overlying a red sandy clay. This soil frequently contain- -mall iron concre- tions and at time- hand- of fine gravel. It i> one of the widely dis- tributed soils of this part of the State. It varies in topography from rolling to quite hilly, and the drainage is good. In places the type shows decided erosion, and where the washing is developed with some uniformity over sufficient territory the soil grades into the Orangeburg clay. The Orangeburg hue sandy loam is derived from the sands and clays of the Lafayette mantle and i- one of the characteristic soil products of this geological horizon. The Lafay- ette formation has been subjected to great erosion since its elevation above water, resulting in the very uneven surface features now found. Sandy ridges vary with gravel-capped hills, while in many directions the small streams have developed their miniature valley systems often to a surprizing degree. Much of this soil is still in forest, composed of a fair, mixt growth of pine, hickory, black oak. and red oak. in which lumbering is occasionally conducted. The gravel- capped hills and ridges must be separated as the gravelly phase of this type. The following table o-ives the average results of mechanical analyses of samples of the Orangeburg fine sandy loam: Mechanical analyses of Orangeburg fine sandy loam. Number. Description. Fine gravel. ( loarse Mind. Medium Band. Pine Band. Very fine Band. silt. Clay. 12700,12702.. 12701 12708 Soil Per <■> ni. 1.8 .:: Per •■< nt. L2.2 Per cent. VI. 1 7.6 i; r •■< nt. 36. 7 •_'.".. 2 I'i r n nt. 16. 1 L2.5 I'i r ci lit. li.:. IN. 1 FV /• <•< ///. ORANG1 i:i RQ CLAY The Orangeburg clay consists of a dark-red. heavy, sandy loam. of a depth not exceeding I inches, overlying a red, sandy clay subsoil. In cultivated areas the transition between the soil and subsoil is more gradual owing to the effects of plowing and high bedding. The soil occurs in the more elevated parts of the uplands in both Perry and Dallas counties. [ts topography is at times wry hilly, DU1 there arc frequently to be found high but fairly level areas which make very good farming lands. The occurrence of such level tracts in the most elevated part of the uplands indicates that the present crests of the hills and ridges were once the plane of an extensive and imil'ormlx level peneplain, and these hilltops and ridges arc the results of exces give erosion upon such a peneplain and by no means due to any EXPERIMENT OF 1903. 11 process of violent uplift. The soil is well drained, and in the hillier areas must be protected from washing. The Orangeburg clay owes its origin to marked erosion of the La- fayette sands and clays in the uplands and is developed where the sandy surface soil is measurably removed from such soils, as the Orangeburg fine sand and the Orangeburg hue sandy loam. The tracts of Orangeburg clay are very generally cleared in this region, the native growth being mostly hardwood. It i> said, how- ever, that while crop- produce more on this soil in good seasons than on the sandier types, they are likely to sutler from drought even more than on the sandy typo. The soil has naturally a higher moisture capacity than the sandier -oils, and its liability to drought must be traced to the fact that it is plowed too shallow. This -hallow plow- ing IS not so prejudicial on the sandy soils, because there i- always a considerable sandy root zone before the clay is reached. But on this clay soil, unless plowed deep, the crops are unable to develop a -ulli- ciently deep root system in the unbroken clay, and the surface roots suffer as soou a- the shallow-tilled surface dries out. The average results of mechanical analyses of sample- of the Orangeburg clay are given in the following table: Mechanical analyses of Orangeburg clay. Number. Description. Pine gravel. Band. Medium sand. Fine sand. Very linr Band. Silt. Clay. l_7.it,. 12704.. Soil 0.0 Tr. l'< r <■> ut. 1. 1 1.1 /'r the tobacco in Buch warehouses and such places as maj seem desirable, and shall in no waj be hampered or Interfered with bj tin- wishes or \ i«'\\ s of t he "\\ ner. •V in c.-iM' iin- experiment i-> h success and a desirable tyi I Cuban filler leaf is produced, in order i<» get a free and reliable opinion of the commercial L2 EXFEBIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAM SEED TOBACCO. value of such leaf and for the purpose of establishing a market therefor, the Department reserve- the right to retain for free distribution to dealers and manufacturers any amount up to 50 per cent of the crop without compensa- tion to the owner. It is further agreed that a person selected by the Chief of 1 lie Bureau of Soils will be designated as the owner's agent to sell on the most favorable terms possible the remainder of the tobacco and deliver the gross pro- ceeds to the owner of the land, it being clearly recognized that the crop belongs to the owner and not to the Department, the Department merely acting as an agent in a cooperative experiment to demonstrate to the people of Alabama that a high quality of Cuban seed tiller leaf can be produced on a certain soil found in the course of the soil survey and to secure reliable and accurate in- formation as to the value placed on this product by leaf dealers and cigar manu- facturers. The field on which this experiment was conducted was situated on the outskirts of Marion and contained two types of soil — the Orange- burg clay and the Orangeburg line sandy loam. The surface of the land was rolling; in fact, a hillside. In the upper part the soil was loamy, while on the steeper slopes it contained more clay, owing to tin- partial washing away of the top soil, altho the land had been terraced to prevent this washing. Altho a small plant bed was made. owing to the lateness of the season it was found impossible to pro- duce enough plants at Marion for this experiment, so that most of die plants used were shipped by express from the Bureau's experi- ment station at Nacogdoches, Tex. These were transplanted to the field as they arrived. .About March '21 the soil was prepared by breaking it broadcast to a depth of 6 inches. A deeper plowing would have been better, but owing to the compactness of the soil it was almost impossible to pre- pare the land deeper. After plowing a wooden drag or clod breaker was used, as on the part of the field containing the most clay the plow icft many clods, and in order that the field should be in the best me- chanical condition it was necessary that these should be broken np. Well-rotted stable manure was procured from the local livery stable and this was applied broadcast on the land at the rate of 10 two horse loads to the acre. Stable manure was used in preference to commer- cial fertilizer because of the lack of humus in the soil. This was plowed tinder and the land allowed to lie in this condition until the middle of April, wlien the -oil was bedded up in rows 3 feet apart. During the time the land \v;i> being prepared (he weather Was very dry and some difficulty was experienced in getting the soil in good condition. On April L8 there was a good rain, and transplanting was com- menced on the Orangeburg line sandy loam, but about April '_T> the weather again became cool and dry, which conditions were bad for the young plant- set in the field. The cutworms also caused some trouble, necessitating considerable resetting. Transplanting and re setting were continued until May • ) . 0D which date the entire 8 acres EXPERIMENT OF 1904. 13 had been set and a good stand obtained. The tobacco on the upper part of the field, or the Orangeburg fine sandy loam, made a good growth, but that planted on the Orangeburg clay started growing very slowly. On May 16 there were experienced some very heavy rains, and on the clay land about 3,000 plant- were lost by drowning. These were resel as soon as the climatic conditions became favorable From this time until June 13 the weather conditions were favorable, with the exception of a slight hail storm on May 30, which, however. did very little actual injury to the crop. The tobacco on the loamy soil continued to make good growth, and on June 6 it had reached the height of 4 feet (see V\. I), while that planted on the clay soil seemed to be stunted and some of the plants had budded. About June 20 there occurred a period of drought, and some part- of the crop began to fire at the bottom of the stalk: but on June 27 there was another rain and the tobacco seemed to take on a fresh growth, the condition of the crop over the entire field being promising, and especially so on the Orangeburg line sandy loam, where about 1 acre of the tobacco was 5 feet high. Harvesting was commenced "the latter pari of June, when the tobacco that was first planted was cut and hung in the barn to cine. About July 16 it began to rain, and continued showery for ten days, which necessitated the placing of (ires in the barn to prevent the tobacco becoming damaged from pole sweat and mold. By July L9 all of the crop was hung in the barn. From this time on the climatic condition- were favorable, there being alternate damp and dry periods, which greatly facilitated the curing of the leaf. ()n July 27 the tobacco that was firsl hung in the barn was taken from the poles and stript, and this work continued until Augu-t 1. by which time all the crop had been stripl and packed in boxes ready for shipment to Nacogdoches, Tex., where it went thin the process of fermentation in the Bureau's warehouse. The 3 acre- yielded 1. •*)<>'> pounds of (Mired tobacco, or an average of 135 pounds of merchantable tobacco to the acre, EXPERl WENT OF 1904. Owing to the abnormal season of 1903, when drought toward the time of harvest prevented the tobacco from ripening properly, and because of the marked effects of climate on the quality of tobacco, ii w a- not considered fair to draw final conclusions regarding the adapt ability of Perry County -oil and climate to the production of a Cuban seed filler from that season's experiment. Therefore arrangements were made with M r. John Sprotl for leasing 1 | acres o( Orangeburg line sandy loam and l j acres of < Orangeburg ••lay. together w iih facili ties for curing the tobacco. Team- and tools were also furnished the Bureau by Mr. Sprotl at reasonable price-. The two fields on which 14 EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. this experiment was conducted lie sonic 7 miles east of Marion, across the Cahaba River. The Orangeburg line sandy loam field is situated in what ir- known as the second bottoms and the previous year had been planted in corn followed by cow pea-. The Orangeburg clay field was situated on the top of a hill, of which there are many in this locality, and had for several years prior to 1904 been fanned by tenants, who used it for cotton. Consequently the field was pretty well depleted of vegetable matter and not in such good mechanical condition as the Orangeburg line sandy loam Held. These distinct types of the Orangeburg series were selected to make possible a further comparison of their relative merits in the culture of tobacco. The results of the previous year's experiment were clearly in favor of the loamy soil, which stood the extremes of the 1 weather better than the clay soil, besides responding more readily to fertilization: hut the test in that year, owing to shallow plowing of the clay soil and the unfavorable season, was not considered definitive. PREPARATION OF SEED BED. The preparation of the seed bed was begun on February '1 by cut- ting the wood necessary for burning the bed. but on account of the unfavorable weather conditions the actual burning of the bed was not commenced until February 11. This was performed by placing poles across the bed. CJpon these poles was placed the cord wood and brush which formed the fire. This was allowed to burn until the soil had become heated several inches deep, when it was drawn over another section of the bed. fresh brush and wood being continually placed upon the fire, SO as to form a good bed of ashes upon the burned land. This Operation of dragging the fire was repeated until the entire sur- face of (he bed had been treated. The bed was then allowed to cool oil', and before the ashes from the fire could be blown away by the wind or washt off by the rain the bed was dug up and all the large roots removed. After this work had been performed a line-toothed rake was used to remove all the line roots and trash, thus leaving the l)C(| in a line pulverulent condition. Cotton-seed meal was then ap- plied broadcast at the rate of loo pounds for the 242 square yards of the bed. This was worked into the surface of the soil and the bed was raked and leveled oil' again, thus leaving it in the best possible condit ion for receii ing the seed. Poles were then placed around the bed and made secure by stakes, earth being drawn up to the poles on the outside so as to prevent ;i 1 1 1 1 1 «_» of the bed iii the ("is 1 of heavy ram-. For the convenience of the laborer- when watering or weeding had to be done, the bed was di\ ided into three sections. PREPARATION OF LAND. 15 The seed was sown on February IS at the rate of a tablespoonful to every 10 square yards of bed. Seed imported from the Vuelta Abajo district of Cuba was used, and after being -own was lightly covered and watered. The entire bed was then covered with cheese cloth as a protection against insects and heavy rain-. During dry weather the bed was watered every morning and when necessary weeded and poisoned, and by April 21 the plant- were Large enough to transplant. PREPARATION OF LAND. In preparing the -oil (Orangeburg clay) on the Sprotl hill a •• scooter " plow was used to Loosen the soil on each side of the old cot- ton -talk-, this field having the previous year been planted to cotton. The -talks were then pulled up and placed in piles and burned. Owing to the lack of organic matter and the compactness of the -oil. it wa- deemed advisable to plow the land with a Long " scooter " plow, a- a hardpan or plow sole had been formed about 4 inches under the soil thru continued -hallow plowing. The land was plowed in both direction- and to a depth of 8 Inches. Still deeper plowing would have been better, but owing to the condition of the -oil it wa- impos- sible with the tool- available. A furrow was then Laid oil' every 3 feet, and in this furrow were placed 500 pound- of cotton-seed meal and 500 pounds of cotton-seed hull- per acre. This wa- thoroly incorporated with the -oil. after which two -hallow fin-rows were turned on it. thus forming a ridge or -mall flat bed upon which the plants were to be set. The Orangeburg line sandy loam held was found to be in a much better mechanical condition than the clay held. The former had been in corn and cow pea- the previous year, and in the fall the corn- stalks and cow pea -nibble had been plowed under with a 2-horse turn plow, thus adding considerable humus a- well a- about l<» pounds of nitrogen t<> tie- acre, furnished l>\ the cow pea -nibble. Most of this vegetable matter had decayed during the winter. A few of the corn-talk- remained, and a- these would be a considerable hindrance in the cultivation of tobacco the} were gathered and burned. The -oil in this field being a sandy loam, underlain by a • •lay at a depth of about II inches, it was much easier to prepare than the other. The held wa- bedded, four furrOWS to a row. with a L -horse plow. Into the furrow thus formed was placed the same amount of fertilizer as was used on the Sprott hill field. This was thoroly niixt with the -oil with a round-hovel plow and two lurn furrows placed upon it. thus forming a slight ridge. In this condi- tion both fields were Left until the plant- were Large enough to trans plant. 16 EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. rBANSPLANTING. Several day- before transplanting the young plants from the bed into the field, the cloth was taken off the bed for the purpose of hard- ening the plants >o they would be better able to withstand the heat of the >un after being set out. Transplanting was begun in the Orangeburg fine sandy loam field on April 21 and in the Orange- burg clay field on May 9. the entire crop of 3 acres being set out by May 13. Owing to the dryness of the weather at this period, great care had to be exercised both in pulling the plants from the bed and in transplanting them in the field. The bed was first saturated with water, so that the plants could be pulled with as little damage to the roots a- possible. They were then placed in small. boxes and con- veyed to the field, where the following method was used in planting: Hole- were dug in the bed every 10 inches, and into each of these about one-half pint of water was poured. The plant was set in the moist soil, dry soil was drawn about it. and the whole prest firmly about the roots. This method of planting, altho rather tedious, gave very satisfactory results, as the dry soil prevented any baking of the surface around the plant and also retarded the evaporation of moisture. In most of the older producing States tobacco is set by a machine, Three men are required to operate it. one to drive and two to W'rA the plants. It not only opens the furrow, but waters and covers the plants ;tt the -nine time. From 3 to 5 acres can be transplanted in a day with one of these tobacco setters, and as a rule better results can be obtained than where hand setting is practised. Tobacco sel by a machine has been known to grow and produce a line crop, when the climatic conditions would have been fatal to hand-set tobacco. A- the industry extends in Alabama and Larger acreages are planted by the individual farmers, there i- no doubt that machine setting will supplant the present method of -citing tobacco. CULTIVATION AND PROTECTION kGAINBI tN SECTS. About ten day- after the plants were sel in the field they were idven their firsl cultivation. Hand hoes were used, breaking the crust which had formed upon the bed and placing fresh moist soil around each plant. Three hand hoeings were given the crops in both fields, after which wing sweeps were used entirely. While the plants were small a 12-inch wing sweep was used for the siding furrows and an L8 inch wing Sweep to plow out the middle-, but after the plants were larger an L8 inch wing sweep was used for both siding and mid- dle breaking. Both fields were kept clean of grass and weeds and the last cultivation was giver each field just after the plant- were topt. Leaving the tobacco on a rounded bed, with a furrow between the rOWS deep enough to carry oil the water after heavy rain-. Shal- Bui. 37 L Plate I. Bui. 37, Bureau of Soils, U. S. Dept. of Agricultu'e. Plate II. Fig. 1. -Carrots of Alabama Cuban Filler. Fig. 2. Bales OF Alabama Cuuan h TOPPING, SUCKERIXG, AND HARVESTING. 17 low and thoro cultivation was practised at all times, care being taken not to disturb the roots of the plants. In cultivating tobacco it is necessary that the crop should be plowed with a shallow cultivating implement, such as a wing sweep or cultivator. A light mulch should always be kept upon the surface of the soil to prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture that occur- if the -oil is left for any length of time without being stirred. It is a frequent mistake among tobacco farmers, even in some of the older tobacco- producing States, to give their tobacco crop a certain number of workings and then u lay it by " the same ;i- they would corn or any hardier crop. They need not be surprized if maximum yield- are not -cciired with this method. Cultivation should be given the crop at least once a week, and after each heavy rain, just a- soon a- the condition of the soil will permit. Several kinds of insects were encountered (hiring the various stages of the plant*- growth. Just after transplanting cutworm- gave some trouble, making it necessary to reset a portion of the held. These were overcome by using paris green mixt with middling- or corn meal. A mixture of paris green was also used to combat the ravages of the bud worm, and when the horn worm appeared the crop was sprayed every two week- with a mixture consisting of 1 pound of paris green. 1 pound of lime, and L25 gallon- of water. By con- stant watching and the prompt application of the proper remedy, insect pests were kept under control. TOPPING, SUCKEBING, AND HABVESTING. The flower bud appeared from seven to eight week- after setting out the plant-. These, together with several of the top Leaves, were taken out. care being exercised that no damage was done to the rest of the plant According to the vitality of the plant, from fourteen to sixteen leaves were left to mature, and in no instance, except where the plan! \\;i- -elected for the production of seed, was the flower bud left. No definite rule can be laid down as to how many leaves should be taken off with the bud. a- the climatic conditions during the growing Season, the purpose for which the plant i- grown whether for wrapper or filler leaf it- vitality, and general character must determine how low or high the topping should be done. Afh-r the plants were topt suckers appeared at the junction of the leaves with the -talk. These were :ib«> taken out when large enough t<> !><• removed without injury to the plant In all. the crop "This mixture It recom oded by the Bureau of Entomology. For Informa- tion on tobacco ins.rts and meant of control see Farmers' Bulletin No. 120, 'iiir Principal Insects Affecting tin- Tobacco Plant, by L O. Howard, urologist, r. s. Department of Agriculture 18 EXPERIMENTS IX GBOWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. was suckered three times. A few plants suckered freely before the top was taken there was a continuance of dry weather, but on this date a slight fog brought the tobacco on the lower tiers in "order." and 680 pounds were stript from the poles. The weather again turned cool and dry and no more tobacco could be taken down until October 17. when '2(H) laths of tobacco were brought into order and stript by hanging them in an open shed and saturating the dirt floor with water. On November 2 there was a good rain which brought the remaining tobacco in order, and by November 8 the entire crop had been stript and graded, three grades being made, namely, sand Leaves, middles, and tops. The grading was done so that the tobacco could be better handled in the warehouse, as leaves from different parts of the plant, owing to their different character, require different treatment in the fermenting process. The tobacco was then tied into hands containing from forty to fifty leaves and packed in boxes for shipment to the Bureau's warehouse at Nacogdoches, Tex., where it went thru the fermentation and final assorting. I I KM I.. MA I [ON. The 680 pounds of tobacco that was shipped from Alabama the Latter part of September was placed in bulk at Nacogdoches on OctO ber 20, and the remainder of the crop T0(» pounds was bulked in November. In fermenting this tobacco the following method was used: To support the bulk a platform was made, 5 feel wide and L2 IVet long, raised about I Inches from the floor of the fermenting room. At the ends of this platform were placed headboards 5 feel wide and about <) feet high. A Her covering the plat form and headboards wit h paper the bulking was begun by laying the two outer rows, placing FERMENTATION. 21 the butts of the hands even Avith the edges of the platform and allow- ing the tips of the leaves to point to the center. Then another row- was laid on each side allowing the butts or heads to rest two-third- <>f the length of the leaf from the butt- of the first row. keeping the tip- pointing to the center. A third row was then made on each side in the same manner. This made six rows across the width of the plat- form, or sufficient to cover the floor. The second tier was laid in the same manner, and this process was continued until all of the tobacco was bulked. The top of the bulk was covered first with cotton blan- kets and then with rubber blankets. The tobacco remained in the bulk until November 12, when the temperature began to fall. It was taken down, well shaken, and rehulked, building the new bulk as the old one was taken down. In rebulking, the two top layers were taken off and placed in cases. Then the tobacco was taken from the old bulk', layer by layer, and the new bulk built. When about half of the bulk had been turned, the two layers thai had been placed in cases were laid upon the new bulk and the cases refilled with warm tobacco frmn the middle of the old bulk and set aside until the remainder of the old bulk had been packed on the new. when the tobacco in the cases was used to complete the new bulk. The blankets were replaced to keep the top of the bulk from drying out. In tin- way what was the inside of the old bulk became the outside of the new. and what wa- the outside of the old bulk became the Inside of the new. By following this method every part of the bulk received the same degree of fermentation. The following table gives the temj >erat lire of the bulk during fer- mentation. Three thermometer- were used, designated in the table a- .1. //. and C. These were placed in different part- of the bulk — A at the bottom. B in the center, and C at the top of the bulk. Temperature of the bulk during fermentation. [Mite. Thermometer— mometer— A. - in 11 1^ 10 1 1 1 . 11 II N i- i., n l'. 1 \ "■ C - 1904. in il il 1 il 11 1 in in L9M Nov. i i 16 - 28 in 12 II II ll 28 in 11 II II 11 11 in in 10 in II II 24 17 |> 1'.' •Jl 22 :;l Jl i i ll Noi i 11 in 12 10 U li II ll in 11 II II In 7.... Dec i - in. i 11 Bulk turned. 22 EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. The first readings were taken on October 22, when temperatures of 38 . : > ,:> . and 35 c C. were recorded for A, />. and C respectively. From these points the temperatures rose gradually, but not con- stantly, until November 9, being on that date :>0°, 43°. and 40 C. From this point a decided decline began in the ease of thermometers .1 and Z?, the reading for remaining practically stationary. The decreased temperature indicating that the maximum fermentation had taken place, the tobacco was rebulked November 12, being sprayed slightly to replace the moisture lost during the first bulking. The temperature again rose, but the maximum recorded, TV (\, reached November 23, was ('» degrees lower than the maximum recorded for the first bulking. The temperature again declined in all three ther- mometers after November 28, touching 40 degrees on December 5. At this time the Texas tobacco was taken from the bulk and the Ala- bama tobacco rebulked and left in this condition to age, no further record being kepi of the temperature, as all danger from excessive fermentation had past. GRADING AM) BALING. Arte] 1 the tobacco had been thoroly fermented it was assorted into three grades, namely, heavy, flimsy, and broken. The first two grades represented perfect leaves, the only difference being that those classed as heavy filler contained more body than those placed in the flimsy grade. The broken filler consisted of imperfect leaves from both the heavy and light grades, which, because of this condition. would not command as high a price as the other two grades. These grades were again divided, according to the length of the leaf, as fol- lows: The firsl grade contained all leaves L6 inches long, the second 11 inches, and the third 12 inches. In this classification the L4-inch and 16-inch lengths represent the most desirable leaf. After the tobacco had been graded and sized it was tied into hands containing from forty to fifty leaves, according to the length of the leaf. Four of these hands of equal length were tied toe-ether to form 9 carrot (see PI. II. fig. 1). the heads brine- even and the tobacco wrapt from head to tip with Cuban bast. The carrots weighed from 1 pound to 1 | pound-, according to the size of the leaf, texture, etc ion ;i ;i sufficient number of carrots were made they were packed so in :l bale (see II. II. fig. 2) made of yaguas bark, this being the trade package for all southern grown filler tobacco. The bale- were then stacked in pile- 5 bale- high and kept in a warm room to allow the leaf to undergo the process of aging. Each week- the position <>f the bales was changed until the tobacco had become thoroly and evenl \ seasoned. YIELD AND COST OF PRODUCTION. 23 YIELD AND COST OF PRODUCTION. The 3 acre- cultivated in 1904 yielded, in air-cured tobacco. 1,380 pounds, or 4(50 pounds to the acre, but owing to the unfavorable climatic conditions during a portion of the growing season some of the tobacco fired and after curing was found to be worthless. This along with the pole-sweat tobacco reduced the yield of commercial leaf to 1,001 pounds, or 334 pounds per acre. The total cost of pro- duction was $237.36, or 23.7 cents a pound. The following statement gives in detail the actual expenses in- curred by the Department in the production of Cuban seed filler leaf tobacco in the Alabama experiment of 1904: Cost of production. Plant bed: Labor, 100 hours at 7\ cents $7.50 Cheese Cloth, 280 yards at 4 cents ($11.20), good for l' years 5.60 Nails. ."» pounds, at •"> cents ,09 13. 19 Preparing land : Hire of one-horse plow and mule 2. 35 I abor, plowing, 7.~> bours at 1\ cents 5. 62 Cotton-seed meal, \ ton at $25 per ton L8. 75 Cotton-seed hulls. \ ton at $1] per ton 8.25 Horn for distributing meal .50 Labor, distributing fertilizer at 7' cents per hour .7.". Labor, team and driver, l<> hours at :;<> cents per hour ::. 00 39. 22 Transplanting : Labor, 240 bours at 1\ cents per hour 18.00 Labor, team and driver, 17 bours ;it :' pounds al 25 cents per p. mud [.25 Hoes, - al 80 cents each pen ( Jorn meal, 1 1 bushels at si per bushel l. 50 is. 35 Suckerlng and harvest ing : Labor, 300 bours :it 7' cents per hour ■_•■_• :,n Labor, team and driver, >'■:. hours at •"■<> cents per hour 19. 50 [2. 00 24 EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. Coring and stripping: Labor, ol<> hours at ~> cents per hour (15.50 Labor, team and driver, 10 hours at 30 cents per hour .*'.. 00 Packing cases. 4 at 50 cents each 2.00 Wrapping paper, 10 pounds at 5 cents per pound . 50 21. IK) Other expenses : Rent of land. .°> acres at $3 per acre 9.00 Lumber for barn, 2 loads at $1 per load , 2.00 Nails, 10 pounds at •"> cents per pound .30 Laths. 1,500 at $2 per M 3.00 Labor, 30 hours at 7i cents per hour i\ 25* Labor, team and driver, 13 hours at 30 cents per hour I. 50 Fermenting 1,001 pounds of tobacco at 5 cents per pound 50. 05 71.10 Recapitulation of expenditures. Item. Total cost. Cos! per pound on 1,001 pouinK Dollars. Cents. 13.19 1.3 39.22 3.9 3.3 18.85 1.8 42.00 4.2 a. oo 2.1 71.10 7.1 Seed bed Preparing land Transplanting Field culture Suckering and harvesting ( hiring and stripping ( tther expenses Total. 237. 30 I mi- the expense of growing tobacco where the farmers themselves undertook the work. Bee tables on pp. :'.<» and 31. RESULTS OF THE SALE OF THE 1903 CROP. In order to ascertain the opinion of the trade as to the qualities and commercial value of the tobacco grown in Alabama, and to determine the possibilities of establishing its production upon a com- mercial scale, the Bureau deemed it advisable to place the crop of L903 upon the market Arrangements were made with Mr. Herman (i. Vetterlein, of Philadelphia, to undertake the sale of this tobacco. In the fall of L904 the Department issued a catalog showing the num- ber of bales of the various grades of tobacco in its possession, and this catalog, together with samples of the leaf." was widely distrib uted. The Department had no interest in the sale, all nionev re ceived, less the broker's commission of $1 per bale, being turned over to the owner of the tobacco at Marion. Judging from Letters received by the Department from various firms purchasing the tobacco, it seems to have given satisfaction. oThe Department reserved 60 per cent of the crop t<» !»<• distributed as free samples t<» the trade. Bui. 37, Bureau of Soils, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate III Fig. 1.— Type of Building now Used for Curing Tobacco in Alabama. Fig. 2. — Modern Tuuacco Barn: Tyfl of Building that should be Used in Al •• DISTRIBUTION OF THE 1904 CROP. 25 altho some complain that it is not as aromatic nor as smooth as the Cuban leaf. In nearly every case the manufacturers admit that it is one of the best domestic fillers they haw ever tested and predict a future for it, if produced at reasonable price-. The following letter was received from Mr. Vetterlein in regard to the >ale of the tobacco: Philadelphia. Pa.. February !■'>. 1905. Deab Sir: The tobacco grown in Alabama under the supervision of the Bureau of Soils being now sold. I would herewith report that, while there was a vrry complete and thorough distribution of the catalogues calling the atten- tion of tbe manufacturers of cigars and dealers in leaf tobacco to the experi- ments made in the above-mentioned State, the demand for samples to test the merits of this tobacco was not so great as one would expect, and tins can only be accounted for by the fad that the manufacturers of cigars are loath to take up anything new or different to what they have been using for fear of In- juring their established brands of cigars, the result of years of work and expense. However, various samples and bales have been distributed sufficiently to warrant the statement that the Department has succeeded in ^Towing a superior piece of filler tobacco, pari of it being smooth and mellow in taste and flavor and part of it having a trifle more body: but all being very suitable for mixing with Havana or even for using clear. With continued growing and handling it with the natural improvement that one would expect in its continual production, in the end it should find a position in the market where its merits should create a satisfactory demand To secure this desirable result it will be necessary for the growers to be satisfied with small profits in the beginning, and prices should be made accordingly, so as to invite purchasers. Inclosed you will find a statement showing how the tobacco grown by your I department h;is been sold. With kind regards, I remain, lours, truly. II. <;. vi i ii ki.i i\. Statement of tobacco grown in Alabama under the supervision of the Bureau Of Soils and sold hi/ Hirudin Q. I '.». 40, 41. 42, 351 pounds net, at 30 cents l bale. No. 37, 7s pounds net, at 10 cents $10J 31. L'lt Commission at $1 per bale L30. 50 Ii will be seen from the above statement that this tobacco ranged in price from 30 to L0 cents a pound. The prices were for the finished product, ami covered not onlv the original cost of Browing the tobacco and the expense of fermenting, sorting, and packing, l>nt also the shrinkage in weight and other losses incident to these operal ions. DISTRIBUTION OP THE 1904 CROP. In previous experiments in Alabama the Bureau had conducted its investigations in cooperation with the owners of the land on which the experiment was made, but in L904, in order to have the 26 EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. entire control of the tobacco produced, the Bureau rented the land and other facilities for producing the crop. As the object of the Bureau was to bring the product to the notice of the trade in as wide a manner as possible and to receive from the cigar manufacturers and dealer- in leaf tobacco their opinions as to the quality of the tobacco grown in Alabama, it was considered abvisable to make a free distribution of the crop. From October 28 to December 4. 1905, samples were sent to more than two hundred of the principal cigar manufacturers and leaf dealers of the country: and from the letters received by the Department the tobacco seems to have given satisfac- tion. Extracts from letters received from Pretzfeld & Co., of New York, and from Celestine Vega & Co., of Chicago, follow: [ From Pretzfeld & Co.] Samples of filler tobacco and your favor of October 31 were duly received. Excuse if we did not report sooner on same. We find but slight difference in the merit of the tillers and all of them are good and useful. We consider the sample marked '•Alabama*' the most pleasant in taste and flavor and the besl tobacco. [ Prom Celestine Vega & Co. ] Alabama filler tobacco: Size, perfect; burn, perfect: taste, pretty good; texture, very good; curing, very good; packing, very good; value, high. COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS OF P. to:, Encouraged by the success of the earlier experiments, the Bureau issued a circular in December, 1904, giving a brief outline of the work accomplished so far and announcing the purpose of the Bureau to cooperate with a limited uumber of farmers in the growing o\' a commercial crop during tin 4 season of L905. In February, L905, a meeting of farmers interested in the culture of tobacco was held in the court-house at Marion. Perry County, for die purpose of formulating plans to carry on the work. Owing to the inclement weather, a severe ice storm raging on the day sel for the meeting, only a few leading farmer- attended. Nine of these agreed to undertake the growing of tobacco. The total acreage promised was b_M acre-. ;iiid the farm- were well distributed over the county from near Marion to points 12 miles away, thus affording the farmers of the county who had the Orangeburg type of soil on their farms the opportunity to watch tic progress and practicability of growing Cuban seed filler tobacco in their vicinities. To all the farmers agree- ing to cooperate the Bureau of Soils promised to furnish imported Cuban seed ami to supervise the production of (he crop In all it- stage? free of charge. On account of the extremely unfavorable weather conditions dur ing the month of February it was late in the season before the plant COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS OF 1905. 27 beds could be prepared. Some of the beds were made on the banks of small stream- by cutting off the timber and burning the ground by the dra£ method, while other- were made in gardens or other fertile spots near the house by making a cold frame, as is the common prac- tise in the northern tobacco-producing regions. Six hundred square yards of plant bed were prepared, planted, and covered with cheese cloth. The covering hastens the growth of the plants, keep- out all insects, and protects the seedlings from the heavy rains which are common to most sections of the South. The sowing of the beds began on February 24 and continued to March 10. from 1 spoonful to 1 \ spoonfuls of seed being sown to every LO square yard- of bed. From these beds a fair stand of plants was obtained, the beds being fertilized with cotton-seed meal and nitrate of soda. On only one bed was the stand poor, and this was due to a mistake in selecting the seed-bed soil. This bed was badly infested with nut grass, which being stimulated by the fertilizer outgrew and to a large extent up- rooted many of the young plant-, while more were lost in the process of weeding. The various fields were prepared as soon after the winter rains as the soil was in proper condition for plowing. The land was broken broadcast with ordinary turning plow-, some of the farmers on the stiffer soils using a two-horse and those on the lighter soil .a one-horse plow. Iii all cases the land was broken dee]) at this first plowing. Whenever -table manure was used as fertilizer, it was applied to the fields before they were plowed. Marly in April the held- were laid off with a shovel plow in rows 3 feet apart and the fertilizer — L,200 pounds of cotton-seed meal ami 200 pounds of sulfate of potash to the acre distributed in the-" furrows. This was thoroly incorporated in the -oil with a " scooter " plow, after which two turn furrows were thrown together, making a low ridge or bed. The fields were left in this condition until the time of transplanting, when these beds were mellowed by running a -mall straight-tooth harrow over them. The 1,200 pounds of cotton- seed meal and 200 pounds of sulfate of potash applied, or the stable manure and potash, with or without the addition of cotton seed meal. were mixt in such proportion a- u> supply about loo pound of nitro gen, 24 pound- of phosphoric acid, and 96 pound- of potash per acre. Several days before transplanting the tobacco to the fields the cloth was removed from all of the plant beds for the purpose of accustom ing the tender plants to the direct heat of the sun. Transplanting \\;i begun April 15 and finished on May 15. In pulling the plants from the bed the farmers were cautioned to be careful to see thai the root systems were not injured, especially the tap root. To guard against such damage, the seed '"''I was saturated with water. After pulling the plain- the} were placed in Hat boxes or baskets to facili- 28 EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. tate transportation to the field. In order to have the crops trans- planted early enough in the season, it was necessary to perform some of this work during dry weather, altho whenever it rained or was cloudy the setting of plants was pushed vigorously. During the dry weather hole- from L2 to 1-1- inches apart were dug with a hoe and about half a pint of water was poured into the holes, the plants being set in the moistened soil. Dry soil was then drawn around the plant, which prevented it from being scalded or the soil around it baking. When the transplanting was done during wei weather it was not necessary to dig holes with the hoe. and a small hole was made with a dibble or peg, into which the root of the plant was placed and the M>il presl tightly around it. About a week after transplanting, by which time the plants had taken root, the soil around them was lightly broken with a hoe. This was done as often as necessary, either to break the crust which would form on the surface of the soil after each rain or to remove weeds or grass from around the tobacco. Shortly after the hoeing, cultivation was begun with small sweep plows, plowing three fur- row- to the row. which pulverized the soil on both sides of the tobacco as well as in the middle of the rows. As the size of the tobacco in- creased larger sweep plows were used for cultivating, and this was continued every week, or as soon after each rain as possible, until the tobacco had obtained its growth and was ready to be topt. As far as possible a mulch was kepi on the surface of the soil at all times to prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture, as well as to check the growth of weeds and grasses. The usual insect enemies of tobacco were encountered, such as cut- worms, bud worms, and hornworms. These, with the exception of the hornworm, were kepi in check by an application of paris green mixt either with corn meal or line sifted -and. For the hornworm a solution of pari- green was used, applied with a knapsack spray pump." The crops were poisoned as often as necessary, and in every case the tobacco was poisoned for hornworms prior to cutting and placing it in the bam-. If tin- precaution were omitted the worms would cause considerable damage to the tobacco while in the process of curing, at which time it would lx* almost impossible to check their ravag The tobacco was ready for topping as soon as the seed buds ap- peared. These were taken out along with a few of the upper leaves. A.fter topping the tobae. ... suckers appeared and were removed. Cuban tobacco ha- a tendency to sucker freely, and it was found nee ■ \ lo break oil' the -ncker- three times between the time the crops were topt and their ripening. "A mixture of I i >« > 1 1 1 ■< i of Paris green and i pound of lime n» 125 Dillons of water was used. :is recommended by the Bureau of Entomology. COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS OF 1905. 29 Harvesting was begun the middle of June, Care was taken not to allow the tobacco to become overripe, but to cut it just as it reached the right condition. An ordinary corn knife was used, the stalk being severed about '2 inches above the ground. It was then allowed to lie on the ground long enough to wilt — about thirty minute- dur- ing the heat of the day. or a little longer when cut early in the morn- ing or late in the evening — when it was carried on stretchers or in a wagon to the barns and speared upon laths 4 feet long, from 8 to 12 stalks to each lath. These were hung on tier-, there being sufficient space between the tiers to allow a free circulation of air. There arc no tobacco barns in this section of the country, so, a- the grower- did not feel justified in going to the expense of building until the industry had past the experimental stage, use was made of available buildings already upon the farm-. Gin houses ami corn- cribs were the buildings generally used. (See PI. III. figs. 1 ami 2.) These were fitted with tier poles and made as serviceable as practicable at -mall expense. These accommodations were at best in- adequate and made it very difficult to regulate moisture conditions, especially in a climate where the humidity i- so great during the curing season. During rainy period- it was accessary to place fires in the barn-, the tobacco being removed from the lower tiers imme- diately over tie- fires. Planks were also placed on the lower tier- over the fires to break the volume of heat and to disseminate it to different parts of the building. Firing was kept up regularly during the rainy weather, the barn- being tightly closed to prevent the entran. moisture from outside. During i\vy weather the barns were closed during the day and opened at night to prevent too rapid curing '•haying" of the tobacco. Considering the type of building- in which the crops were cured and the poor facilities they offered, a very satisfactory cure was obtained by most of the growers. A- SOOD a- the tobacco had cured, which it did in about five week- from the time of banging it in the barn-, it wa- taken from the tier pole-, the Leaves stripl off the -talk-, and sorted into three grades consisting, respectively, of the top. middle, and -and Leaves. These were tied separately, from thirty to forty Leaves to each hand, and afterward- packed in boxes and delivered to the warehouse at Marion for fermentation. The tobacco was bulked on September 9 and al- lowed to remain in bulk until September I s . when it was taken down and rebulked. The temperature wa- n<»t recorded during the first bulking, but when taken down on October 3 the temperature of the bulk had reached 1<>:» F. On this date tin 1 tobaCCO wa- packed in cases for shipment to Quincy, Fla., a- the entire crop had been pur- chased from the farmers at L5 cent- per pound by a firm of Leaf dealers and packers of that city, who finished the fermentation and assort ing in thru- <>w n w arehouse. 30 EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. The yield from 12| acres, not including unmerchantable tobacco, was 4,457 pounds, or 356| pounds to the acre. The loss in weight in handling and curing was 293 pound-, and the average weight of the tobacco a- harvested was 380 pounds per acre. The Largest yield ob- tained by any individual grower was 848 pound- per acre and the lowest 260 pounds per acre, green weight. Art nit! expenses incurred by the grower securing the largest yield. [Area planted, 1?, acres.] Plant ho.l : Stable manure, 13 loads, at 25 cents per load $3.25 Labor, ox and wagon, 1 day 1 1.50 &e doth. 135 yards, at ."» cents per yard 4.05 Nitrate of soda. !."» pounds, at .".] cents per pound . •"><> Labor, 110 hours, at 5 cents per hour 5.50 14. SO Preparing land : Labor, plowing with two-horse plow, 10 hours, at 20 cents per hour__ 2. on Labor, plowing with one-horse plow, 15 hours, at 10 cents per hour__ 1. 50 Labor, distributing fertilizer, horse and wagon, 10 hours, at 10 cents per hour 1. 00 Stable manure, 20 loads, at 25 cents per load 5.00 Cotton-seed meal, 500 pounds, at $1.10 per hundred 5.50 Sulfate of potash, 200 pounds, at $3.50 per hundred 7.00 22.00 Transplanting and cultivating: Labor, 56 hours, at 5 cents per hour 2.80 Labor, hoeing, :'.<> hours, at I cents per hour 1.20 Labor, plowing, one-horse plow, 17 hours, at 1<> cents per hour 1. 70 ro Poisoning : Labor. 12 bom-. :ii ."» cents per hour . 60 Paris green, •"'. pounds, at 25 cents per pound .75 !.:;:> Suckering and topping : Labor, 10 hours, at 5 cents per hour 2.00 Harvesting and stripping: Labor, 125 hours, al 5 cents per hour 6.25 Labor, 230 hours, at '■'< cents per hour 6.90 13. 15 rtage and miscellaneous expenses: Labor, team and driver, 10 hour-, at 30 cents per hour 3.00 — . 5, at s> cents each . 1.25 Renl of barn and Implements, 2 months, al $2.50 — .. - — 5.00 Lath, 2,500, at $2.50 per thousand 6.25 Kent of land. U acres, at $1.50 per acre 2.25 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS OE 1905. 31 Total operating expenses $76.75 Value of 1.272 pounds of tobacco, at 15 cents per pound 190.80 Profit 114.05 Cost of growing tobacco, per pound .06 Actual expenses incurred by the grower securing tin- smallest yield. \ Area planted, l acre. | Plant bed : Stable manure. 1 load, at 25 cents $0.25 Nitrate of soda, 10 pounds, at .". J cents per pound— . ..*'».". Cheese cloth. 40 yards, at :'> cents per yard— 1.20 Labor, 50 hours, at ~> cents per hour 2.50 Preparing soil : Labor, plowing, one-horse plow. 2<> hours, at 1" cents per hour 2.00 Labor, distributing fertilizer, horse and wagon, 1<> hours. a1 20 cents per hour 2. nil Cotton-seed meal. 500 pounds, at $1.10 per hundred 5.50 Sulfate- of potash. 200 pounds, at $3.50 per hundred 7. 00 Stable manure. b» loads, at 25 cents per load— 2.50 Transplanting and cultivating: Labor, .'!<) hours, at r> cents per hour 1.50 Labor, hoeing, 10 hours, at 5 cents per hour .50 Labor, plowing, 13 hours. ;it 10 cents per hour 1.30 .*?. 30 Poisoning: Labor, 10 hours, at 5 cents per hour .T>[> Paris green, 2 pounds, al 25 cents .50 1.00 Suckering and topping : Labor, 30 hour-, at 5 cents per bom- 1.50 1 [arvesting and shipping : Labor. ir><> hours, :it 5 cents per hour 1 Cartage and miscellaneous expenses Labor, cartage, and boxes 2.50 Kent of farm and implements Kent of 1 acre of land Tobacco -inks. Linn. a i $2.50 per thousand 2. 75 10, 25 Value of 379 pounds tobacco at 15 cents per [>ound Operal ing expenses W. 83 Profll over operating expenses 10 02 Cost of growing tobacco, per pound • 12 32 EXPERIMENTS IX GROWING CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. The marked difference in the yield and cost of these two crops was to a slight extent due to the climatic conditions under which they were grown. The soil in both fields was the same, the composition and the quantities of fertilizers applied were the same, but great differences were noticed in the preparation of the soil. The grower obtaining the largest yield plowed his land with a two-horse plow, breaking the soil deeper than the other, who broke his land with a one-horse plow. This difference in preparing the land proved, under the climatic conditions of the season of L906, to be a very important factor in determining the yield and profit of the crops. During a part of the growing season this section of the country suffered from the lack of rain, and all crops planted on land that had received only a shallow plowing in the spring began firing, while those crop- where the soil had been plowed deeper and afterwards kept in a good state of cultivation continued to grow and keep green. The differ- ence illustrates the advantage of such cultivation as will conserve -oil moisture. This object lesson in tillage should be well imprest on every farmer who wishes to obtain the Best results from a crop of tobacco. The land should be plowed deep every year, and if the plowing is done in the fall subsoilihg is also advisable, especially on the Orangeburg types of soil. The crop should be kept in a high state of cultivation thruoul its growth, and as soon after each rain as possible the sur- face should be stirred to produce a soil mulch. The crop should be hoed by hand whenever necessary. This operation is usually re- quired when the plants are small, at which time a growth of grass or weeds is especially injurious to their development CONCLUSION. In L906 the acreage of tobacco in Alabama increased more than 200 per cent, and there seems to be no reason why a profitable Indus- try should not be built up if the farmers will only conduct it along conservative line- and endeavor to produce the type of leaf that is demanded by the trade. Diversified farming must be the future aim of the southern farmers, and the introduction of tobacco in central Alabama will be one more crop added to the staple products of thai -eel ion of the Stale. O III IIIIIIU 3 1262 08928 6438