The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-02-20
Tobacco Culture in South Caro-
lima.

l.
c., who is the pioneer of tobacco cul-
ture in that State, and who has made
a success of it from a financial stand
point and produced the golden yellow
weed equal to any of Virginia and
North Cardinals tells in letter to the
Florence Times, of January goth, what
to do to succeed in tobacco culture !:
PREPARING THE LAND.
The tobacco plant thrives best on
land that is naturally drained, with
sandy or gray top soil, and yellow po-
rous subsoil. 1t is said that best re-
suits are obtainable on lands that have
rested for several years, but my expert
ence has shown that equally good re-
suits can be had from land that is
naturally suited to the growth of to-
bacco, and that has been planted pre-
yiously in nearly any crop; provided
you use freely, a fine compost OF we'll
rotted woods mould, small quantity
of stable manure and cotton seed Of
the latter not more than 20 bushels
per acre. Thorough preparation OF
the soil is very essential. 1t should be
fine and we'll pulverized before plant
ing. In new ground all roots and
rubbish must be gotten out of the way.
Those who have not plowed up the
land they expect to plant in tobacco
should do so without delay. On the
tobacco crop there is nothing like good
preparation, remember, and do not
put a plant in the ground until the soil
is in proper condition. The cultiva-
ton is more economical and easy and
the young plants grow off better.
A week or ten days before planting
lay off your rows three feet four inches
apart. Sow your compost in the fur
row, (on land of average fertility
small quantity of stable manure, (abou'
one half as much as is generally used
in cotton culture) 900 pounds cottor
seed meal, 900 pounds acid phosphate
and $50 pounds kainit per acre
Throw two burrows on this with turn
ing plows. Then the land is ready te
receive the plants. For the present
will dismiss this part OF the subject bu
will refer to it again in ample time tt
further assist those for whom this arti
Gle is intended: namely, beginners.
ABOUT BARNS.
For the benefit of those who ar
making preparations to build thei
barns, l will endeavor to describe tn
best l have used in my experiance
The size of the building should b
16x16 or 16x2o feet, inside measure
as preferred 18 feet from the grount
to the plait, with brick foundation ~
or 3 feet high. The brick can be turn
ed the inch way,which greatly econo
mizes material and answers every pur
pose. The pillars at each corner mus
be built strong. The building is a
ordinary frame structure weather board
ed with studding II inches apart, iron
centre to centre, Mannilla paper bein
on studding on the inside, and ceilin
half inch thick and 8 inches wide
nailed on the top of this. The roc
is sheathed and shingled in the ordina
ry way, with an opening 6 inches wild
left under the comb the entire length
A board fastened with hinges is al
ranged to open and shut over thi
space at will. Ventilation is give
from the bottom.
The tier poles are made OF 3x
scantling fastened securely to the side
of the building. The first set bein
seven feet from the floor, and 46 inche
apart, from centre to centre. III
next set must be directly above and 1
or 20 inches higher, and SO on till th
body and roof of the barn is filled
like manner. If disposed fill in tt
, space between weather boards an
ceiling with sawdust, in addition
the paper. This makes the best bar
in use and will last for years if built
good material.
A barn made Of logs with cracl
stopped with mud is largely used, an
are somewhat cheaper,but have new
found them as satisfactory. 1t is a
absolute fact that tobacco cured in II
frame building has a sweeter flavt
l than that cured in the old fashione
log barn. The difference can, hov
ever, be accounted for. In the proce
OF curing the leaf it attracts the moi
5 ture from the mud and logs while it
in the drying state. Especially is th
fact noticeable, and the favor mo
l. impaired during damp weather. II
: ordinary brick furnace and IL in'
flue furnish the heat in both barns.