The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-22
For the Farmer and Mechanic
Culture and Curing Of Tobacco
In North Carolina Continued
Progress of me Tobacco
Industry.

Industry.
The area of tobacco has been enlarg
ed in most of the counties reporting,
showing a gradual growth from 1876 to
1879, Clay, Guiltord, and Warren alone
reporting a decreased area.
AS to quality. the crop of 1879 is gen
erally reported better than that of the
three preceding, only two counties re-
iporting deterioration in quality by com
parison with l676-T7-'7o, and the care
directed to the production of quality
rather than quantt, renders the exhibit
as to yield per acre apparently more un-
favorable, nearly half the schedules re-
iporting a decreased yield per acre, two
Ic0unties about the same, and one-hali
an increased yield for 1879, as compared
with lS76-'77-'78. If the comparison
were with the years when shipping leaf
was raised, the diminution would be
general; but this comparison is only in
fine tobacco culture. 1t Is worthy of no.
tiCe here that the counties where the in
dutry is older show increased yield. The
most experienced planters have learned
to combine body and weight with quail
I.ty, and the production of different grades
in the crop in comparison between 1879
and 1869, shows the rapid change in
in the character of product. In 1869 the
shipping leaf averaged 36 per cent; in
1879, Is per cent; while the proportion
of fine tobacco, wrappers, filters. and
smokers, was enormously increased in
all the counties. In many localities
fine tobacco has only been grown since
1869
The chief reason given for the great
change in the character of the tobacco
grown is the decline in price fer shipping
leaf, conciding with the demand for
fancy leaf at high prices.
The deterioration of quality in certain
localities is attributed to the following
causes: High prices have led many to
untertake the culture of line tobacco
without experience and on unsuitable
lands; others have been induced to plant
more than could be perfectly cultivated;
and hasty and careless handling and
and curing have been the faults of still
| others all these resulting in the pro-
duction of much light, chaffy tobacco.
This deterioration is reported at from
| to per cent in Granville, which is
the best fine tobacco county. The gem
eral produ t of this county is, in the
main, of improved character better cul-
tivated, and handled with increasing
care and skill but the average quality
has been somewhat lowered by the
numbers Of inexperienced and unskilltul
men who have rushed into the business
of growing fine tobacco.
VARIETIES OF TOBACCO.
Slight differences in nomenclature, To-
cal names, and the uncertain use OF des-
criptive adjectives make it difficult to
reach absolute accuracy IN treating OF
the varieties Of tobacco cultivated.
The Orinoco, popularly called N some
localities Iron Oak is a widely grown
plant. of which at least three varieties
are reported The Yellow, tie W hite-
stem, snd the Little or Sweet Orlnoco.
The yellow OriuocO is early, natures
well. becomes bright on the hill, and
has broad, heavy leaf Of fine, silky
Texture. The White-stem Orinoco grows
brighter and winter on the hill than most
varieties. and is more easily cured the
d sired color. The fiber is also white.
, Silky Pryor has a long, sharp-pointed
leaf. and grows thin on the stalk, with
leaf very tough and plant when cur
ed, which can be handled drier than any
other variety.
The Bullock has broad. smoothe leaf,
with no rut1le on the stem, 1t stands
heat well in curing. The leaves are tar
apart on the stalk, and it bears few
suckers, often not more than four OF
J five to the plant nor do suckers start
from below the surface OF the hill. On
account of the space between the leaves,
hand can sucker one-third more OF this
variety than any other.
The Cary makes a good sample, has q
round leaf. and yellows well on the hill
Virginia Seed-leaf and Tally are alsc
grown to some extent.
The Yellow Orinoco has largely the
preference among planters, the Goocf
and the Bull-face coming next, and per-
haps the Yellow Pryor next to them
and the Little or Sweet OrinOcO. the
. Blue Poor. the Adcock, the Mann, anC
the Cunningham, are extensively cult
waited One general truth is establish
ed: the soil adapted TO coarse shipping
tobacco will not produce fine tobacco
with any variety, and rice cersd.
All varieties are dark brown or rec
when grown on red clay soils with heavy
dark or brown top soil, but incline tt
brighter and lighter hues on sandy, gra,
soil, with yellowish, subsoil, and cur
from bright red to mahogany and fin
yellow. On all fresh lands, except tn
very best fancy tobacco soils, all varie
ties are somewhat lighter and brghte
than old lands. This is especially tn
case with those lands which will onl
!. produce shipping leaf after the first o
second year.
Such is the effect of soils, that tn
purity Of any variety can only be pre-
served by procuring seed from the so
which produces its original and mos
perfect type. This is a rule, however
of very little practical value until eXpt
riments shall have determined the entr
3. subject of adaptability. and even the
the purity of any given variety ca
only be maintained by great care. Th
seed plants must be remote from an
other variety to avoid the intermiXtul
OF pollen by insects. and the seed is
be selected from the crown, that alor
. reproducing the same plant. Seeds trol
the lower aud side shoots grow plan
resembling those coming from seet
of suckers indeed the side shoots a
4 but suckers.
ANOTHER LIFE SAVED.-About tv
years ago, prominent citizen of Chicat
was told by his physicians that he mu
Tbo,, cad biS svctoYn uaS CO do bl