The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-04-29
Vol. IL.
AgriCI ire.
EASING CUBAN A = sUNATRAN TO-
BACCOs IN : EAST

srsblv interested in 'aising of the
high priced tobacco, it's section,
and in it's last issue publishes let
tor from State Chemist Kilgore re.
gsrding the subject. The larger
mart of the latter, we think, will in
tsrest PROGRESSIVE FARMER readers,
and we publish it in full herewith:
NC. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Raleigh, April II, 1902.
Editor The Free Press, Kinston,
n. c.:
DEAR SIR Your favor of the 9Th,
in regard TO the me vement TO inves-
Hpate the suitability of our soil and
climate to the growth of SumRtra
tobsco is received. From the work
that has been done in the examina.
Non of the soils of the State and
from the character of tobacco which
has heen grown by few individuals
in the State, we feel that our condi-
lions are favorable TO the growth of
this type of tobacco.
The State Department Of Agrioul-
ture has obtained, through the
United States Department of Agri-
culture, seed of both SumatrRn and
Cuban tobacoos and have furnished
these too limited number of tobacco
growers, mainly in the eastern part
Of the State for test. The Depart
ment has also put out bed of Cuban
tobacco on its test farm in Edge
Oombe County, and will grow there
this season four or five acres of
Cuban tobacco, in an experimental
way. This tobacco will be grown
according to instructions furnished
by experts in the growth of Cuban
tobacco; by the first of July we hope
to have one or two experts TO take
harge of the experiment and oom.
Lete the growing and cure and fer
nent the crop. In this way we hope
to get definite information as TO the
suitability of the soil and climate of
Eastern North Carolina for this TO-
bacoo. It is proposed to continue
the work with tobacco another year,
and in fact, until the conditions for
growing these better types of to-
bscoo are worked out, or else it Is
shown that they are not adapted TO
our soil Should our experiments in
Edgecombe County prove successful
loan see no reason why the section
around KinstOn should not also be
we'll adapted 10 this tobacco, as there
are types of soil in the two sections
entirely alike. We know this from
scareful examination of your soils,
IS we'll as those in Edgecombe
County.
We are not yet fully assured of
the assignment of experts TO assist
in this work this season. If the
agricultural bill before Congress gets
reasonable support for the work,
help will be given US, otherwise we
will likely not be able TO obtain it
until another year. When the ex
pert help is given we shall be glad to
do anything that we can TO assist the
farmers of your section In this mat
ter, and l think arrangements can
be made for an expert TO visit Kin
ston and give instructions with ref
erence 10 this tobscco. think 1t
rather late this season for your sec
ton to do anything, as tobacco beds
have been out for some time. / have
ssuau quantity of Cuban and Su-
matra tobacco seed left over from
the supply furnished Us from Wash
tngt0n and ! send these TO you for
such use as you may see fit TO make
Of them. 1 am also sending you a
copy Of the New England Tobacco
Grower, which is specially devoted
TO the growth of Sumatra tobacco in
tie Connections Valley am also
Writing Prof. Whitney, Chief of the
Bureau of Soils, of the United States
department. of Agriculture, to send
you his recent publications on to-
Oacco. You can obtain a special
bulletin on this subject by writing
70 the Director of the Connecticut
Experiment. Station at New Haven.
IT we can be of further service TO
you IN this or any other connection
We shall be glad to have you call
On US.
Very truly yours,
B. w. KILGoRE,
State Chemist and Director.