The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-06-19
TIE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgetoo, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.

stricken tobacco sections or the East say
that plants set with the machine trans
planters have stood the drouth much
better than hand setting, even when
watered out. This experience has been
observed by growers everywhere for
years past and is only one of the advant
ages of using the machines. There is
very little tobacco set now in this state
by the old fashioned, backaching meth
ods If it were not for the improved
transplanters, we imagine there would
be very little tobacco grown in Wiscon-
sin these days when machinery is en-
ployed in almost every step Of agricul-
ture.
*x<
Frost on the morning of the 18th was
severe enough to touch vegetation on
low places throughout the tobacco grow
ing sections of the state. Not only were
unprotected plant beds scared, but
plants that were already in the field
show the effect of the freeze on low
lands. While the injury is not at all
serious, it can hardly be claimed the
frost has helped the growth of the to-
bacco plants in any way. It is so rare
that frosts come so late in the season
that growers can scarcely remember
when plants have been before touched
with frost during the transplanting sea-
son. The unreasonable cold spell that
eliminated with light freeze Thursday
night served to hold back the growth of
the plant beds and delayed the trans
planting with a good many growers, but
as the planting season had bat Just COM
menced there was little to be gained by
having the plants in the field while the
cold weather prevailed.
***
The packers of last seasons crop have
broken bulks and carried their investi-
cations far enough to gain pretty fair
information concerning the process of
curing that is going on. There is always
constant uncertainty regarding the
passing Through the sweat of every crop
as we'll as more or less uneasiness about
damage from black rot, must, white
mold, and other inperfections that to-
bacco is subject to in the case. The in
yestigations so tar lends assurance that
the case damage in the crop is likely to
be below the average of recent years.
A sprinkling of black rot will be found,
but not in extent to become serious
factor. A far greater loss will be sus-
tanned in mould among the low grades
something that was expected when the
goods were packed. It is believed that
the total damage will amount to less in
the Wisconsin crop than in any of the
cigar leaf states. Reports reaching US
from Pennsylvania, Ohio and the eastern
districts that there is damage in nearly
all packings and quite extensive in GER
tain localities. Sampling will not COM
mence for some months yet so the exact
conditions will scarcely be known fully
until that time, but packers are pretty
we'll satisfied with the knowledge they
now possess.
The last legislature provided for an
appropriation out Of the general fund of
81, 500 annually for two years for investi-
cations in the growth and curing of to-
bacco. The experiment station will con-
duct experiments on fertilizers of tobac-
co to determine the effect the soil has on
the yield and quality of the field tobacco.
The Sumatra will be grown under cover
among the tobacco growers in Rock and
Columbia counties. Varieties will be
grown which are best adapted to the eli
mate and soil of Wisconsin. Sumatra
was grown under canvas at GAINESVILLE
last year by private parties. The result
OF the experiment was decided success.
The leaves are now being sold at 81 per
pound. It is the opinion of expert to-
bacco men that in texture and fineness
the Wisconsin canvas grown Sumatra is
superior to the Sumatra grown in Con
necticut. e. P. Standsten, horticultur-
ist connected with the university agri-
cultural school, is in charge of the work
and will conduct the experiment, watch
ing the tobacco in it's growth from the
seed bed to the bale. Commercial fer
tiliZers will be tested and their relative
values determined. The best time of
planting and the effect upon the growth,
maturity, texture and burning quality of
the leaf. The best methods of harvest
ing, curing, sorting, fermenting and the
most advantageous ways of packing the
leaf. The Messrs. Heddles intend to as
certain the cost of each separate opera
ton and the total cost per acre. There
is great difficulty in the fermentation
of the leaf which requires experienced
tobacco men. Special rooms with equip
ment quite expensive must be used in
which to carry on the work. The curing
and fermentation of the Sumatra leaf
will not be taken up by large number
Of growers since it requires expert skill
and large capital in handling the crop.
The Sumatra has not been grown on
such an extensive scale in Wisconsin to
warrant any definite statement as to it's
future in the state. The experiment
station will endeavor to solve the prob
lem. 1t was considerate of the state to