Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-05-17
For Improvement of
Wisconsin Tobacco.

Tne results of the experiments in to-
bacco raising, carried on during the
past two years by the University of
Wisconsin Experiment Station indicate
great possibilities in the way of i'm
proving the quality of Wisconsin tobac-
co. Since Wisconsin is one of the
leading tobacco growing states in the
Union and is annually producing a
crop estimated at over $4.OOO,0 900, sue
cessful efforts to improve this tobacco
product will prove of great value to
the state. For nearly half a century
this industry has been developing slow.
ly but steadily, practically without
state aid. While great progress has
been made by the Individual grower in
producing high grade tobacco, there
have been number of unsolved prob
lens which vitality concern the future
Of tobacco growing in this state. 1t
was with the purpose of Investigating
these problems that the State Univer-
sity Experiment Station was granted,
by the last legislature, $4,000 for two
years, and with this appropri alton has
been conducting the Investigations,
the first results of which are now being
published.
The purpose of the investigation
conducted by Prof. E. P. Sandsten
have been to improve Wisconsin tobac-
co seed so as to increase the yield,
quality, and to secure early maturity
of the tobacco; to test commercial fer
tilizers and their effect on the burning
quality Of the leaf; to test the value of
cover crops; and to ascertain the pos
sibility OF producing shade grown Su-
matra tobacco profitable in Wisconsin.
AS the most serious complaint
against Wisconsin tobacco is it's lack
of uniformity, on account of the mum.
Der of varieties grown, Prof. Sandsten
undertook to develop pure strain of
tobacco seed that would produce a
satisfactory yield to the grower, and
desirable quality for the buyer. After
looking about for some time for
variety that would nearest fulfill the
requirements for typical Wisconsin
tobacco, and after consulting the lead
ing tobacco dealers. Professor Sandsten
selected pure strain O. Connecticut
Havana seed leaf, Wisconsin grown.
and procured enough seed to plant one
acre. A fter careful cultivation, about
seventy pounds of tobacco seed was
harvested from this field, the greater
part of which seed was put in two and
three-ounce packages and distributed,
free of charge, by the University Sta
tion to the tobacco-growers in various
sections Of the state for trial. The
reports received from these growers
last fall were very gratifying and the
expectations entertained in regard to
this seed by the University Expert
ment Station were fully realized,
During the past season the work of
improving the seed has been continued
and two acres were planted from this
seed, one acre in Rock County, and
one in Crawford County. The seed
from these two acres were harvested
under very favorrble conditions; it has
been thoroughly tested for purity and
terminating power, and is being rapid
ly distributed among tobacco growers
for the coming season. It is the aim
of the Experiment Station to bring the
seed to the notice Of every tobacco
grower in the state and to give them
an opportunity to test it under their
own conditions, If this strain of to-
bacco seed should prove acceptable to
the growers of the state, as we'll as to
the buyers, it would greatly increase
the value of the crop and help to esta b.
lish higher reputation for Wisconsin
tobacco outside of the state.