The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-09-07
CoNNECTIcUTs THE FINEST.
Department of Agriculture Demon

strates Great Possibilities of Con-
 necticut Farms-Long Island Soil
 Not Suitable for Tobacco.
 The scientists of the national de-
 partment of agriculture have shown
 the tobacco planters of Connecticut
 how to raise grade of tobacco equal,
 if not superior to, the finest variety of
 Sumatra leaf in fields the former crops
 of which sold for 15 and 20 cents a
 pound, The cultivated tobacco pro-
 duced under the directions of the eX-
 perts of the government is selling for 7l cents pound.
 The discovery that Connecticut sod could produce cigar leaf tobacco of a l quality as good as the very finest i'm ported article was made by the ex- perts in the soil division of the de- partment of agriculture. Analyses were made of the soil taken from var ious sections of the state when it was learned that it contained qualities very similar to those found in the Sumatra plantations Experiments were &C., cordingly made in growing tobacco in Connecticut under conditions followed in Sumatra. The result was curpris- ing, for the crop was far superior to anything previously grown in the state, These experiments were made last year on a limited scale, only one- third of an acre being put under cultivation.
 This year another crop is being grown, and owing to the great success of last year no difficulty was experi- enced in getting all the land needed for the trial. Forty-three acres are now covered by the plants. and the pro- prletors have already refused two of fers for the total crop at figures never before heard of in the state. One offer was 1000 per acre, and when this was refused it was raised to $1,500 This was also rejected the owners holding off for a higher price. Three hundred dollars per acre is about the highest quotation for the usual tobacco crop of the state Those who have tested the new product say that it's flavor is fine and. pure as Sumarta leaf tobacco, which costs consumers here anywhere from $3 to $4 pound. The foreign article sells in this country for $1 in bond, while it is offered for sale on the market at prices ranging from S2,50 to S4 a pound.
 The secret of the great success in producing this superior grade of to- bacco is to be found in the process of planting and growing, although of course the natural conditions in Con- necticut areiust right A new system Of covering the plants Is the unique feature. The seeds used were Florida Sumatra Befort the shoots appeared framework was constructed, consist ing of strong upright posts and cross beams of sawn timber, the whole being covered by a blanket of cheese cloth Great care is used in spreading and fastening down the cloth the idea be- ing to produce within the enclosure, where the plants are growing, condi- tions as nearly like those of the tropics as is possible. The covering also keeps out insects and the tender leaves are sheltered from hail and wind. The action Is that of a modified hot house, with the difference that the rain falls unimpeded on the growing plants, and the air passes freely night and day. Moreover the cloth affords suf- | ficent protection to prevent rapid ab- sorption by the sun, thus preventing l the waste of needed moisture and the baking of the soil. On a hot day the | in temperature between the shaded fields and the outside is from 12 to IS degrees; on a cool, cloudy day, from to degrees.
 The advantage of the exercise of all | these precautions is seen when the plants begin to grow. They reach height many feet beyond the native | plant while the texture Of the leavens is fine and smooth. Many of the plants grow to height of eight feet before ripening. Although the stalks carry only the average number of leaves they are of such quality that there is practically no waste. They run from 20 to "A inches in length, and from 1,sOO to 2,OoO pounds per acre. As the leaves ripen they are picked and strung" just as is done in Sumarta, the bottom first and so on until those 1t the very top are taken, a dividing period of from three to five weeks. The picking is done by experienced lands and the stringing process is cerformed by women and youngsters.
 Professor Whitney, chief of the soil division of the agricultural depart nent, was asked if the soil of Long
  obacco under the new conditions pare iced in Connecticut. He replied that t was not and that tobacco cultivation would not be a success on Long Is- and. He explained that this plant lever thrives in the vicinity of the ,cean. Professor Whitney said that le intended soon to map the soil of 1ong Island for the purpose of ascer- aiming the kinds of plant life that an be grown there to special advan- 1 age. He will pay particular attention 0 truck farming and may be expected , 0 furnish some information that will e of vast importance and benefit to he truck farming interests there. Hose analysis will be made of the soil f thes various districts and when the nquiry is concluded the results vii be f rinted in the form of an illustrated nap which vii tell at glance just , that kinds of produce will thrive best