Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-04-09
Soil for Tobacco.

it outside the province Of this paper
to lay down any rule that would hold
good in all sections as a guide in the
selection of soils for tobacco. As a
general proposition, any we'll drain
ed soil in any part of the United
States, capable of producing Indian
corn, can produce tobacco. BY this
statement we would not have our
readers infer that tobacco can be
grown with success or at q profit
wherever Indian corn is produced,
but the proposition that it will ma
ture and ripen holds good. The
heavier and darker soils invariably
producing the darker types. There
are three classes Of soil recognized
by the tobacco growers of Wiscon-
sin. First, the calcareous sandy;
second, clayey soils, light and dark;
and third, prairie soils. The first
produces plant that natures a
week or more earlier than the others;
the leaf is apt to be light in color,
elastic, thin and silky. On quite
sandy soil the leaves often grow
rough, lacks tenacity, and very often
devoid of the main essential, gum or
finish, as it is more commonly call
ed Clay soils varying from light TO
heavy, grow a good quality when
not too heavy and well drained The
timber growth of this soil with ha-
Eel underground after the second or
third crop will produce the very fin
est quality of leaf grown in the State.
On heavy clay the tobacco seems in
clined to grow too thick and coarse.
The third class of soils-prairie--
produces by far the largest proper
ton of Wisconsin leaf. 1t is natur-
ally rich, deep and black, and when
well drained, as most of it is, the
very best results are obtained. 1t
produces a leaf large in size, soft and
silky, even in color, and rich in gum
or finish. The soil lies loose and
requires less cultiyating than clay
lands and is less liable to wash. The
largest yields per acre is obtained
from prairie soils. Tobacco grown
on new land has a harsh, woody, stiff
leaf inclined to be light-coored, and
contains but little gum. The work
ing of the soil one or two seasons
with an application of fertilizers
changes the characters of the
leaf, gives it elasticity fit for
wrapping purposes. A dark soil
will sustain more vigorous exist
ence in the plant than light soil,
other things being equal. The rea-
son for this is apparent when it is
considered that dark oolors absorb
rays Of light and light colors reflect
them. The more sunlight that can
be absorbed by the earth and the
plant, the more vigorous growth
| The myriad rootlet mouths of the
plant will discover the hidden ray
and devote il TO its use. The dark
colored soils are warmer in cold PEE
riods, and they are colder in hot, by
reason Of the lessened reflection from
the surface. Every argument is in
favor of the dark soil Witness the
richness in growth Of the soils made
dark by the carbon Of decaying veg
etable matter in the great West and
in bottom lands generally The col
or partially accounts for the yigor
of the soil
On all dark soils the season begins
earlier and lasts later The dark
soil imprisons the sunshine by abb
sorption, and holds it for gentle dis
tribution to the need of the plant,
while from the light soil it rebounds
wit arrowy and destructive intensity.
In the reflection of the suns rays
from any object they are gathered
together and are more severe than
the direct rays. The burningglass
is an example.
The Law Of the land to be selected
for a tobacco field is matter of
small importance providing it is
we'll drained and sufficiently level TO
prevent washing. Moderate slopes
running to the east are preferred by
some, as the effect Of the early morn
, ing sun is visible upon growing to.
3 bacco. Slopes jutting upon watar.
courses and lakes are conside
good sites, as the influence of
water often prevents early fro
Avoid low sags or cold, wet fie I
as being the first to be touched v esi
frost. Select for your tobacco fl, Of
; the richest land your farm conta ma
and if not naturally rich make i.
artifcially. You cannot get it
rich. Manures upon tobacco la "
pay the better returns than upon | ye
: other crop.--Eagerton Tobacco ,fl aIs