Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-04-03
The Tobacco Crop.

Tobacco culture has become so
successful a branch of farming in
some sections of Wisconsin, that
many who have never before given
it much attention, are now almost
tempted to give tobacco growing a
trial. To such the following brief
points on the culture May be of
value.
Select for your tobacco field the richest piece
of land you have on the farm: the character
of the soil is not of so much importance ex-
cept that it be rich. Tobacco land, more than
any other, should be MANFRED with liberal
RaRd the be OF yoa Ta
would the devil, if you have any regard for
the quality of leaf produced. OF the very
The popular variety is the Spanish or Havana
seed The pedigree of tobacco seed must be
as clear ana pure - that of choice stock for
breeding purposes. Scrub stock may be fed
stock; and so it is with seed. Ifit is not pure
and true to name, no matter what may be the
condition of the soil, or how faithful the Guilt
walton, the crop at best can be but mongrel.
The first principle of success is good seed.
Plant beds may be started as early as the
ground can be worked in the spring. Select a
rich spot of ground, if little sandy or sheltered
all the better, plow of spade strip six or eight
feet wide and as many rods long as you intend
to plant acres: Rake until thoroughly pulver-
lied and free from Jumps. Then for the purpose
of moisture, fertility and warmth apply top
dressing of good stable manure, the fresher the
better if free from seeds. which should be raked
into the soil before seeding. To SOW the seed
evenly mix with ashes. sawdust or meal. An
ounce of seed will sow a bed ferty feet long by
six feet wide and with proper care ought to give
plants for two acres. Many planters buy one
ounce for each acre. The surface of the bed
should then be covered with straw, hay, or what
is better canvass to prevent the winds from dry
inc the surface and also draw heat
cessul grower gives the following directions for
applying canvas. In making my beds fit the
boards closely 10 tire ground, packing the soil
well at the lowet cd ot the boards to exclude
wind and cold air. | use II inch board on the
north and one inches wide on the south, with
the end board sloped TO match. Make beds 6
feet wide, use two widths ordinary unbleached
factory cloth, hemming wool Irvine in the edges
and lacking to the boards with large size lacks.
1t is also policy to SOW later beds say May 10th,
sprUuted seed to guard against the failure of the
first sowing. Great care should be exercised dur
ing the first two weeks not to allow the surface
of the bed to become dry, otherwise the tender
SPROUTS will be destroyed. Ordinarily plants
will begin to show themselves about May 10th
and as soon as up should be pushed as rapidly as
possible. Liquid manure can be applied with
good results, one gallon TO every 100 square
yards, and the beds kept free from weeds and
grass. Plants should be large enough TO set
Iwhen six leaves are the size of silver dollars
bage, feet Y % inches. so as to work with a
horse only one way or 2I2 feet each way so as 10
work both ways
Every tobacco grower should subscribe for one
of the newspapers devoted to this trade The
best and most practical for Wisconsin farmers is
the Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter published at
Edgerton, Wis, at Sl.50 per year. This paper
2lso supplies planters with pure and reliable
seed at 80 cts per ounce. :" The Tobacco Growers
Guide" published by the editor of this paper is
the most complete treatise ever published on this
subject, would also prove a valuable assistant to
new beginners in tobacco growing. Send 80 cents
to F. W. Coon, Edgerton. Wis.