The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-16
RAISED A CUBAN TOBACCO CROP.
Interesting Experiment in Connecticut and Its
Expected Enect-Good Crop This Year.


Hartford. Conn, Sept. e--An experimental
crop Of Cuban tobacco has been grown this
year by A. fl. Brothers Of Poquonock. The
growth Of the plants was watched with much
interest. az this field bears the only tobacco Of
the kind grown in the State. Two years ago
Congressm man f.. Stevens Henry sent a small
package OF Cuban tobacco seed to Mr.. Brothers
The seeds we're planted In the spring, but only
eight plauts matured. From these few plants
were obtained the seed that Mr.. Brothers planted
this spring. from which no has raised about
one-third Of an acre OF Cuban tobacco. The
crop was cut this week, but not until IL has gone
through the sweat and has been cured will
It's utility for cigar purposes be known.
The plant differs considerably from the
ordinary Havana seed tobacco. II is much
simmer and the leaves are smaller and droop-
ing, The texture is heavier. indicating that
the leaves may be used for wrappers. although
Cuban tobacco Is not generally favored for
wrapping, the leaf not being sufficiently smooth
and thin. Mr.. FLOYD, a Government expert,
has watched the development OF this crop
with interest. and a test will he made to de-
termine II a complete cigar, filler and wrap
per. Of satisfactory favor can be made from
this Cuban tobacco.
A curious feature Of the crop Is that It is
and handsomely spotted, and as no chemicals
have been used II Is supposed that the spots
are. caused by The stings Or eHudations Of in
scots. II this is the case the kind Of insect Is
unknown. More tobacco Is being artliCially
spotted in the field this year than ever before.
The spotting is done by the buyer. and when
there Is a loss it falls upon him still the growers
are not wholly satisfied with the scheme. They
Say that there is a shLinkage Of from 200 10 800
at not over city pounds, but whatever it Is il
falls upon the buyer. Great care has 70 be
II HT i is IN APPLIED SDT ddp t%9 fteoil the phi plant ntt's are burned mHt%
and made worthless. In some fields in this
state buyers have ~intrusted the work of spot
ting to inexperienced hands, with the result
that in parts Of several fields the plants are
wilted and burned.
the largest and best for years, and should the
season be a good curing one the farmers. will
receive prices above the ave age, as light
wrappers n good quality are scarce In the
market. Last season many new tobacco barns
were put up and building Is going on this sea-
son. Almost every farmer has q little more
fore, and scientific principles are being an
piled TO harvesting, ard curing the crop In
PoGuonoCk has done much toward stimulating
scientific tobacco culture In this region. At
tention has been given to, artificial
through, the entire season to prevent
injury by hail aud, Improvement In tho
mniechanioal facilities for handling the crop.
Connecticut Tobacco Growers Association,
have fought against the Introduction Of Cuban
and Porto Rican tobacco. but are now assured
that tho prestige Of Connecticut tobacco for
wrapping purposes cannot be put In jeopardy
by competition with outlander tobacco. At
the same time the agitation has been valuable
In teaching the farmers that 1 they would
succeed In making tobacco raising profitable
they must apply more up-to-date methods
aud scientific principles.
harvesting has been going on the past week
and the seasons crop everywhere Is bounti-
full and OF excellent quality There has been
no damage by hail this year, and both early
and medium fields are of luNlriant growth.
The late set, also. will be above the average
~ the mild weather continues a little longer
Lighty-fve per cent. 81 the crop Is reckoned
as good, 10 per cent. small, and per cent.
pinched Cottonseed meal and cotton hull
ashes are the PRINCIPAL fertilizers used Buy
ers are slow In making prices, as II Is n Presi-
Dental year. They are also holding OF TO see
how the crop cures. From Is TO % cents n
pound is the average price expected, and.
besides, many farmers get a guarantee Of from
$50 to 500 an acre.