Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-12-12

I
At the request Of the Leaf Tobacco Asso-
citation Of Baltimore, Prof Conrad, late Of the
Agricultural College, gave alta meeting Of the
association held on Thursday last in Balti-
more bis views as 70 how to improve the con-
di,ion Of Maryland Tobacco. lie suggested
that a home market be found for the higher
grades Of tobacco, and make il the most de-
sirable market for tho Maryland tobacco plan
ter, distribute tobacco seed Of the best new
standard varieties to the Maryland planters
free Of charge, and Of such varieties as the
market can use and is willing to pay for DIS
tribute maps Of the Maryland tobacco region
throughout the State, indicating adoption Of
soil 10 Tie certain varieties; issues a circular
calling attention to successful modes Of cur
ing tobacco, and recommend trial, and prom
Use premiums, &c. aud also utilize The pub
lie educational institutions Of the State-the
Johns Hopkins University, the Maryland Ag-
ricultural College and the colored schools
Prof Conrad said the government would give
all possible aid and the Agricultural Depart
ment would supply the seed
Mr.. Martin replied to the Professor and is
reported as having SAID that the association
composed Of sellers, buyers and manufacturers
Of tobacco, feeling that their interets we're
identical with those Of the farmers would be
most ready TO take any action which would
help &c improve either the character or condi-
ton Of Maryland tobacco. While be thought
that any experiments in cultivating new va
rieties Of tobacco should be encouraged, espe-
cially # made intelligently and Systematically
with government aid, and at no cost 10 the
farmers, still he expected little from this, al
ready in the two hundred years, in which to-
bacco had been cultivated 10 Maryland, every
variety Of seed had been tired with no flvora-
bic or permanent result in changing the gen
eral character Of the crop raised, which he
considered fs ths necessary product OF the
Mary land soil and climate, He thought much
could be accomplished in the better Of the cur
ing crop, and thus secure an improvement IN
its quality. With the present method OF cur
ing by natural heat only, the producers for
two months after the crop is cut, is at the
mercy Of the weather, and a ' eek's unayora-
bic heat or dampness may ruin or lujure the
curing Of what would otherwise be a nagniii-
cent crop. If some inexpensive method Of cur
ing by artificial heat without oiurug to the
flavor Of the tobacco could be introduced
among the people of Southern Maryland, he
thought that great and lasting benefit would
be conferred upon them lie knew that in the
past individual attempts in curing by this
means had been most successful, and he be-
level that it was only owing to lack Of gen
era information, Of the method OF the cheap
ness with which il could be used, and Of the
satisfactory results attained that had thus far
prevented its more general introduction
among the tobacco growers
Mr. Martin is very near right in his con-
illusions. Less crop, better cultivation and
handling and some new process Of curing is
what Is wanted TO keep up the standard of
Mary land tobacco, and instre profitable prices.