Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22
Tobacco Culture.


The cultivation OF tobacco seems to be
attracting unusual attention in the South,
stimulated, perhaps, by the numerous re-
cent publications, claiming a greater
prosperity for the tobacco farmers Of VIZ
gina, Kentucky and North Carolina than
for any other class Of farmers. There are
indications that the tobacco area will be
extended southwark this season and, in
anticipation Of that event, the agrieultu-
raj press is busying itself telling the
planters how to cultivate it. Not long
since we wrote on the same subject and
viii only say here that all the Southern
States are adapted to the growth OF this
plant and many sections cultivated it
years ago, but, as usual, every body rushed
into the new industry, then encouraged
by fancy prices, and, as a matter Of
course, the market was soon glutted and
the high prices a thing Of the past. We
remember that during our boyhoOd
farmer by the name of sweatman, in
Thomas county, Ga, succeeded in mar
keting a small crop at such high prices
that 1t spread a mania over the country
for tobacco culture which crossed the
Florida line and established the industry
in Gadsden county, where 1t has contin-
ued in a more or less 1Ourishing condition
ever since. AS the more profitable ard
interesting industry OF truck farming,
however, has now been introduced into
that region, it is not probable that the
farmers there will return TO the cultiva-
ton of tobacco, especially in localities
conveniently situated for the shipment of
fruits and vegetables. But there are nu-
merous localities without this conve-
nience and, as tobacco is crop that gains
by age, can walt to advantage and will
bear hauling a much greater distance
over country rOads, it may prove prof.
table addition to the variety Of crops al
ready cultivated by the farmers in such
localities.
The seeds are sowu in April in this lati-
tude, usually in old ash heaps where logs
have been burnt, or they may be sown in
ordinary beds like cabbages or mustard
and fertilized with ashes. When four or
more leaves appear the plants may be set
out three or four feet apart both in rows
and hills, according to the strength of the
soil, which should be high and dry, though
the plants must be we'll watercd through
out the dry or hot season. Az they must
be "wormed" with skill and absolute GER
tainty every day, space between the plants
sufficient to peEmit the passage of a grown
person is a necessity in order to avoid
breaking of the great leaves daring the
search for worms or the eggs Of the par
ent moth.
All our fertile sandy lands, whether
pine or hammock, are well adapted to the
growth Of the plant, but the hammock or
swamp is the best, and the richer the bet
ter. Rough, fresh cleared swamp lands,
If not too wet, may be utilized the first
year in the production Of q crop Of to-
bacco; but the soil should be broken as
much az possible and all root organiza-
tons therein destroyed with certainty if
the best results are expected.
The processes Of watering and wormiDg
can be executed as efficiently by women
and children as by men, and such labor
being abundant about towns and cities, it
would be a work OF philanthropy to afford
them such an opportunity for Femunera-
tive employment. Their services could
also be again employed in the easy work
OF gathering and preparing the crop for
market.