Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-01
FARM AND PRESIDE
For the Herald.
Tobaeec.


Tobacco gets its Aseienti6e name
Nieotsana, from John Nfot, Of I.angue-
doe, who, 1t is commonly reported,
first introduced it into Europe. Vir-
ginia Tobacco is native Of Central
America. The island Of Tobago and
of the province Of Tobacco in Mexico.
1t was first exported from this province
to Europe, nearly 300 years ago. 1t
gets its name Of the province Tobacco.
The Indians used tobacco for smoking
when this continent was discovered by
the white man, Sir Walter Raleigh first
introduced this proetice into England
more than 200 years ago. 1t first made
its appearance as ali Indian vegetable
medicine, possessed of wonderful cura-
tive qualities. A sort of panacea for
all the sickness that human flesh is
hsir 10. Men have not really changed
a great deal in 500 years, for they as
willingly believe IN the curative pro-
nerties of some ,'Indian vegetable"
hunlbugs now as they ever did; and
this generation spend their money as
eagerly to be s.doctored" by Indian
ignorance as did their ancestors Of 800
wears ago. And it is, doubtless. owing
to this belief, that it was good medi-
cine, that, the use of tobacco became
50 general. It is remarkable iilustra-
ton Of the force of habit.
We propose to look after the eulti-
walton of tobacco as a means by which
the Shenandoah farmer may make
money. Isit profitable crop? The
cost Of cultivation and handling will
not mueh exceed the cost Of cultivatlng
and handling a crop of corn, fit costs
as much.
An acre Of ground may reasonably
be expected to produce from 1900 to
1000 lbs. It frequently produces as much
as $500 lbs. New ground. first crop, is
always lighter than tobacco grown upon
old ground Of the same quality. A
second crop upon new ground is always
better than the first. Tobacco sells
from s. to $40 per hundred. The price
depends upon the careand Judgment with
which you. handle it. Now you can
make the calculation for yourself. Men
who raise tobacco here say it is the only
crop that does pay.
Farmers sometimes object to cult
waiting tobacco because it eXhausts the
soil. It is true that it does exhaust the
soil. But If the objection means that it
exilausts the soil more rapidly tsan
other crops, it is mistake. L have
been informed by observing and careful
farmers that i does not exhaust the
soil as much as Indian corn. Il will. Of
course, like every other crop, thoroughly
exhaust the soil if crop after crop be
removed from the soil. and no return be
made to the field.
What kinds of soil are best adapted to
tobacco? A rich, dry loan, newly clear
ed IS best. The soils that lie along the
banks of the creeks and runs, that flow
down from the \. w. side Of the Valley
in your county affords an Illustration of
a good soil for this plant.
But it can be successfully grown upon
the stiaest limestone clay. But this
sort Of soil must be prepared by
thorough tillage and be well MANFRED
with vegetable manure-to make them
loose and porous.
Shipping tobacco is the only kind that
can be successfully raised in the Valley.
Yoa will therefore direct your attention
to this end. Therefore in selecting
your seed. you will find the white stemn
variety the best for this purpose. What
IS called Connecticut seed-leaf" re-
quires shorter season. Tobacco
growers pay but little attention to the
variety in the selection OF seed. but this
seems to me, to be important to sue
cess. In our next we viii look after
the preparation Of the plant bed.