Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-05-17

| lne quallty OF the leaf. These condi-
tons should not be lost sight of in the
| application of commercial fertilizers,
especially on lands poor in humus
| during the last year experiments
| were conducted in several parts OF
| the state with commercial fertil-
| izers on small areas TO test their effect
upon the burning quality OF the leaf.
The results of these experiments go to
show That potash, when used in large
quantities On land poor in humus. does
affect the burning quality. Nitrogen
In the form of nitrate of soda seems
to have little or no detrimental effect.
The same is true with phosphoric acid
On land fairly rich in humus liberal
application of these fertilizers has
shown no injurious effect upon the
burning quality.
Sumatra Under Cover
In order to study the adaptability OF
Wisconsin soil and climate for the
production of shade-grown Sumatra
tobacco, arrangements were made in
the spring of 1903 with S. B. Heddles
at GAINESVILLE to carry on some expert
ments on his two-acre plantation OF
shade-grown Sumatra.
The two acres of ground we're laid
out III sections OF 16x161a feet. At the
intersections of these sections 12-foot
posts were placed, the pests being set
three feet in the ground, leaving nine
feet above ground, Two-by-fours l6
feet long were nailed to the tops OF
these posts running length-wise of the
fields. and two-by-fours 1872 feet long
were nailed across the ends. Seven
feet from the outside or main posts
short posts We're set in the ground to
the depth of about two and one-hali
feet, leaving the post eight inches
above the ground. These posts We're
set four feet apart. Dashboard six
inches wide was nailed to these posts
all around the field and the soil heap.
ed UP close to them to keep out insect
pests from the plantation, After the
posts We're firmly set, number wires
were st etched across the two-by-fours
over the field in line with the posts,
both ends being fastened on the base
board, and made a slanting slope to
give greater stability to the tent and
to prevent the wind from taking firm
hold upon it, Wires numbers IL and
Is were then put on the frame in the
same manner between the posts, ann
over the two-by-fours and across the
other wires. These wires were at
tached by means of staples to the
cloth, leaving the frame and network
of two-by-fours with a network Oh
wires to hold up the cloth between
the two-by-fours.
The cloth is put on the frame in the
same direction as the two-by-fours.
The sloping sides are only IL feet wide
and are fastened TO the outside tvs
by-fours and to the base-bOards. The
door is constructed at the end of the
tent most convenient for use for the
purpose of getting in and out with
horse or team. The tent when com.
pleted looks very much like fla
circus tent with sloping sides. The
cloth is very thin, permitting the all,
rain and sunshine to pass through it
freely. Cedar posts were used in the
construction of this tent but where i
farmer has a wOod-lot, oak posts would
serve the purpose nearly as well. re
ducilg the cost considerably. The
frame work should be put up as stable
and straight as possible The stronger
the work is done the greater will be
its resistance against the wind
The plants are set in rows, much as
in the field the first row being place :;
in lile with the posts, and it should
run. Of course, in The same direction
as the posts or the two-by-fours of the
frame work The rows are laid out
three feet ana four inches apart and
the plants are set twelve inches apart
in the rows This distance gives five
rows in the space of sixteen and one
half feet. 1t is necessary thai a row
should be wide enough to permit a fun
development of the plants ana to give
adequate room in harvesting and in
cultivating.
The shade-grown tobacco should be
given the most thorough cultivation
and care, and each plant should be
siven individual attention. 1t is
absolutely essential that the ground
under the sloping sides be kept free
from weeds of all kinds. No other
crops should be grown under the tent
with the tobacco. If the conditions
are favorable the plants will grow 10
a height Of nine to ten feet and win
fill the tent completely, often pushing
the cloth upward.
The topping is done by simply pinch
ing off the terminal bud and thus leav-
ing all the top leaves to spread and
ripen.
Soon after the plants have been
topped and suckered, the lower leaves
begin to ripen. This is indicated by
the slightly yellowish color they as.
sumo. The four bottom leaves, which
are termed sand leaves" are picked
first. These are laid in baskets lined
with burlap ami taken to the shea
where the leaves are strung, as fol-
lows
\ narrow slot is sawed into each
end OF the lath in such manner that a
string may be fastened by simply
craving it through the slot and wrap
pilg it once or twice around the lath
and then back through the slot; The
string is left long enough to extend the
whole length of the lath and the tying
process is repeated at the other eni.
The table used IN stringing is about
-. feet high and 312 feet wide and Isl
built as long as necessary. allowing