The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-04-06
SOIL FOR BRIGHT TOBACCO.

Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.
The authorities agree that a soil
favorable for bright tobacco is very
different from a heavy tobacco soil,
and that soil of the latter description
cannot give a good light tobacco. A
bright tobacco soil contains very little
clay and large amount Of sand, the
organic matter is very low, less than
one-tenth of what is necessary for
good heavy tobacco soil.
1t is impossible to state exactly the
reasons for these differences in soil &C
ton. One of the principal points is
that a too free supply Of moisture is
prejudicial to good bright tobacco, and
light sandy soil does not hold water
as strongly as clay soil. The danger
with bright is too liberal supply Of am
monia, as the least tendency to rank
ness has a serious effect on the quality.
Though the ammonia must be guarded
cart fully, the mineral fertilizers are
apt to be deficient. In a soil Of this
type the mineral fertilizers-potash
and phosphates-area apt to be in very
slightly available forms while the am,
monia is quickly made useful It must
be remembered that the tobacco plant
has q very limited power of foraging
for food, and as it consumed relatively
little water, the subsol is not reser
voir of plant food.
While it is true that light sandy
soil is best for bright tobacco, it must
not be inferred that q poor sandy soil
is desirable. The mineral nanures
must be supplied literally or the leaf
made will have no substance. The ma
ture of the minerals supplied is also of
importaL ce. The potash should be in
the form Of sulphate, and comparative
ly free from muriates. MuriRtes, or
chlorides, seem to affect injuriously
the burning properties of tobacco; an
important matter with bright tobacco.
The phosphates also are apt to carry
much useless acid. In order to remove
these acids, the soil should be frequent
ly lined; but lime must not be used if
the organic matter is high. In such
case the ammonia would be liberated
too freely and the supply OF mineral
/ fertilizers would be apt to be inade quate.
Indeed, in this case the lime is used
merely as a corrective and is best ap
piled Immediately after the crop is re
moved. The potash and phosphate
may also be applied very early to ad
vantage, as the loss by drainage will be
very slight.
Place no reliance on the natural sup
plies of mineral fertilizers in the soil.
Some plants, notably oats, seem to
have the power of foraging extensively
for potash and phosphates, but tobacco
is particularly helpless in this line OF
the total phOsphoric acid existing in
the soil naturally, about one-third is
available for plant food; of the total
potash, about one twentieth. 1t is i'm
portant, therefore, to keep these min
erals supplied rather more carefully
than in ordinary farming.
The fertilizer recommended by au
thority contains 8 per cent ammonia,
10 per cent. potash and per cent
available phosphoric acid. or this not
less than 900 pounds should be used
per acre. If there is much humus in
the soil, lower the ammonia to one per
cent. The manuring as directed in this
article is necessary on the soil described
as best for bright tobacco, but no form
of manuring will produce bright to-
bacco on a heavy clay soil, or one very
rich in organic matter.
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