The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-10-27
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


In a table of agricultural statistics
compiled from the assessors returns,
published on another page of this paper,
it may be learned that the acreage
planted to tobacco in Rock county the
past season was 50S1 u acres, light in
crease over that of year ago, which was
5O48 acres. In sugar beets the returns
show an acreage of 3O261s, falling off
of little over 300 acres from year ago,
which was 1890 acres. Thus, while the
farmers of the county are producing a
few more acres of tobacco they are plant
ing considerable less sugar beets. TAX
ing the number of tons produced in 1904
the yield was II tons per acre. These
figures show that the beet craze has
fairly run it's race and growers are re-
turning again to their tobacco crop. 1t
is generally conceded that the coming
season will show much larger increase
in tobacco acreage and very likely de-
crease, too, in the acreage devoted to
beets. Much has been said through the
press how the tobacco farmers of Wis
consln were deserting tobacco for the
more profitable crop of sugar beets, but
when the average yield of the county,
grown on rich tobacco land does not
show above II tons to the acre, the agri-
culturalist is not long deceived. Tobac-
co at 5 cents pound pays better, and
when prices can be obtained anything
like those that prevail this season, the
sugar beet is badly beaten in the race.
**x
beds, prepare the soil for sowing the
seed, or the location of new beds, is in
the fall after the crop has been harvest
ed. In the spring the rush of work most
frequently prevents the proper attention
to this matter, and the result is that the
preparation of the seed bed is neglected.
In addition to this fact, the fertilization
of the seed beds must in part be attend
ed to in the fall in order that that the
elements of fertility be properly incorpo-
rated in the soil, and brought into con-
dition for the use of the young plants in
the seed beds. The location of the beds
should be on slightly southern expos
ure if possible, in order to get the full
benefit of the warm rays of the sun IN
the early spring, SO as to hasten the
growth of the plants. Protection on the
north and west sides Of the beds, by a
clumb of trees, group of buildings or a
high, tight, board fence, is desirable in
hastenlng the growth of the young
plants. If no other means are available,
| a cheese cloth, canvas, burlap or other
cloth curtain can be hung along the
| north and west sides of the beds during
the time of termination and growing
| period of the young plants to protect
them from the cold northern blasts. In
| the fall, not later than October or No
| vember, the soil to be used for seed beds
should be heavily manured with we'll
rotted manure or cottonseed meal. This
application should be made in the fall in
order that the elements of plant food
may be thoroughly incorporated into the
soil during the winter and become avail
able for the use of the young plants at
the proper season. This is especially
true where barn yard manure is used ia
fertilizing the seed beds. The freezing
and thawing process taking place in the
| soil all during the winter and spring, is
the very best means of bringing the in
soluable plant food into such shape that
| it will be usable by the seedlings in the
spring. There is little doubt but that
this primary fertilization is the most ina
portant of all the process in raising the
seedlings, and it should receive the clos
est possible attention by the growers. =
New England Tobacco Grower.
Xxx
! AS the time for stripping is approach
ing so quickly be sure to study the sub
ject we'll and thoroughly, writes an ex-
perienced New England grower. If your
tobacco is light colored and thin, do not
| try to put forty to fifty pounds in the
bundles but make them proportionately
/ 1;orb So &c 70 rtx,