The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-02-24
BY PROF. E. P. sANDsTEN.

breeding purposes Over % crosses be-
tween these different varieties we're made
ard che resulting seed saved for planting
the coming year. This work was under
taken with the idea of producing, if pos
sible, by pure breeding, new varieties
which would further increase the yield
and improve the quality. The writer
believes that we have not as yet found
an ideal variety of tobacco for Wisconsin.
FERTILIzING EXPERIMENTS.
To test the value of different fertilizer
ingredients, series of experiments were
inaugurated as follows:
During the season of 1903 the expert
ments we're conducted in Rock and Col
umbia counties. During the season of
1904 the fertilizer experiments were dis
tributed as follows: Rock, Columbia,
Cra = seords Vernon and Eau Claire coun-
ties.
The result of last years experiments
is not known, since the tobacco has not
been taken down, though some interest
ing results are anticipated. It is the in
tention to extend this work further if
money can be had from the present leg
islature.
It is difficult to give formula of fer
tilizing ingredients that will be suited to
all conditions. AS a general formula,
however, the following proportion is rec
ommended:
Nitrate of Soda 200 pounds.
Sulphate of Potash, 250 pounds
Dessicated Bones, 250 pounds.
This amount is for one acre. Ii the
soil is rich smaller proportion should
be used; if very poor, a larger amount
It is best to apply the fertilizers in two
installments, the fret installment just
before the setting of the young plants
and the second one three weeks after.
The fertilizers should be carefully dis
tributed broad cast or with drill. Since
quality of the leaf, fertilizers containing
them should, under no consideration, be
used. It is preferable to buy the high
grade chemicals like the ones mentioned
and mix them at home rather than to
buy ready mixed compound, for which
a proportionately higher price is charg-
ed. There is no reason why the grower
should not mix his own fertilizers. The
fertilizer ingredients mentioned may be
obtained from the following concerns:
Edmund Mortimer & Co.. Is Williams
New York, N. Y. This concern handles
the nitrate of soda and sulphate of pot
ash. Dessicated bones may be obtained
from The Michigan Carbon Works, Chi
cago, Ill.
COVER CROP.
The Horticultural Department has en-.
deavored to find crop that could be
sown among the tobacco at the time of
the last cultivation, and after the tobac-
co had been taken off the field it would
grow into thick mat, remain green dur
ing the winter, grow in the spring and
finally be plowed under in time for next
crop. The writer has found that Harry
Vetch (Vicia villosa) answers these re-
quirements. In purchasing the seed of
this plant it is necessary to impress the
scotsman with the fact that the true
Hairy Vetch is wanted, otherwise one is
apt to get an annual which is useless.
This plant is nitrogen gatherer, like
the clovers and on this account is of
special value, as it supplies the large
amount of nitrogen required by the to-
bacco crop. About 60 pounds should be
sown to the acre.
SHADE GROWN SUMATRA TOBACCO.
This line of investigation was under
taken to settle somewhat more definitely
the adaptability of Wisconsin soils and
climate for its production. The expert
ments have fully demonstrated that
Wisconsin can grow the Sumatra tobac-
co on commercial scale if a market for
the leaf is forthcoming. At the present
the writer would not advise anybody to
60 into the business, since there is prac-
tically no market for the leaves: but
should market be tried and prices go
upward there is future for this partic-
ular industry.
1t is hoped that our legislature will
make ample provision to continue the
tobacco experiments for an indefinite
period. Should this be done, plans have
been made to carry on extensive expert
ments in curing and fermenting tobacco.