The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1906-06-08

NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


Even with a late spring Wisconsin
tobacco growers find themselves with an
abundance of plants in readiness for an
unusually early transplanting In the
light of this condition, it is pretty safe
statement to make that if proper atten-
tion is given to the care of the seed beds
there need be no occasion of failure any
season of growers to have sufficient
plants for supplying their Wisconsin
fields within the ordinary limits for
transplanting the crop in this state. 1t
is oftener that the plants are ready be-
fore the fields than that the growers
have to wait for the plants to reach the
proper size. The tobacco plant is capa-
BILE of making such phenomenal growth
under favorable weather conditions that
is seldom equalled by anything else
planted in the ground, and few days of
just the right kind of weather brings
about surprising results What is most
troubling the growers of this state today
is how to take care of the plants before
they are too large for transplanting to
the fields.
~
No tobacco grower should expect to
raise good crop without thorough cul-
cultivation is intended to keep out the
weeds is erroneous. While the weed
question is an important one, it is not
is very heavy feeder and requires the
Lor 0L -
cultivation may be stated under four
separate heads:
First, to put the soil in the best physi-
cal condition. By this we mean that the
soil should be thoroughly pulverized and
loosened SO as to perm. air and moisture
to penetrate deeply.
Second, to aid in the decomposition of
insoluble compounds and make them
available for plant food.
Third, to conserve moisture by the
prevention of evaporation by means of
we'll pulverized surface, which in dry
seasons result in dust mulch.
Fourth, to kill weeds.
To begin with it is necessary that the
soil intended for tobacco should be plow
cd deeply, at least six inches. This is to
~permit the roots of the plant to pene-
trate to the greatest possible depths.
Land so plowed and prepared will en-
courage deep roofing of the plants, and
enable them to withstand drouth much
better than on shallow plowed soils. The
land should be thoroughly pulverized, as
lumpy soil is not congenial for the plant.
1t is preferable to have the land plowed
at least two or three weeks before plant
ing, so as to give it a chance to settle be-
fore the planting is done, as it will en-
able the plants to take hold of the soil
more firmly and quickly. Land should
be narrowed and kept free of weeds.
Cultivation should start as soon as the
plants are set and continue at frequent
intervals throughout the season, until
the leaves are too large to permit of cul-
tivation. Never work the land when
wet, as this Injuries the texture of the
soil and will result in decreased yield.
1t is better to wait until the soil is in
workable shape, even if the weeds are
numerous. It is not generally recognized
by tobacco growers that the root system
of tobacco is not confined to the imme-
diate surroundings of the stalk, but pen
citrate in between the rows. In fact the
spread of the root system of the tobacco
plant is equal or greater than the spread
of the leaves; hence the Importance of
frequent cultivation of the rows. From
the foregoing it will be seen that the
question of cultivation has an important
bearing upon the yield, and that a field
we'll supplied with fertilizer may make a
poor crop if the soil conditions, as de-
pendent upon cultivation, are neglected.
Early cultivation is of the greatest i'm
! portance, and it induces the deep root
ing of the plants Ii cultivation is ne
elected for the first three or four weeks
after planting, the feeding roots will
seek the surface where it can come into
contact with the air, and thus become
surface feeders, leaving the soil below
without any roots. Such plants will not
stand drouth, nor will they develop to
| the highest perfection. The root system
! of any plant can be made shallow or
deep as the cultivator chooses, but aim
should always be to get deep root sys-
tenn.
***
| In recent years the cut worm has
| proven an active enemy to tobacco farm
ers, says the New England Homestead,
throughout many parts of New England.
| 1t is bothersome pest, not only here,
| but in other tobacco sections as we'll. 1t
| derives it's name from the fact that it
eats through or cuts off at the surface of
| the ground the plants upon which it
feeds, thus destroying more plant life
| than it actually consumes. To wait un-
| til the cut worm makes its appearance
means the risk of the loss OF large per-
| centage of plants. Some Ohio growers
have experienced success in using tur
| pentine emulsion to water tobacco plants.
! However, this did not meet with favor
in several sections of New England,
| where it was tried last spring. Poison
| ing the worms with paris green seems to
be the most eficacious method employed
| by New England farmers. Thoroughly
mix one pound of paris green with about
so pounds of bran or middlings. Just
before using this mixture it should be
moistened slightly with water sweetened
with molassas. A small ring OF the poi
son is strewn about each newly set plant
or teaspoonful dropped in two or three
places. Where fields are badly infested
| this poisoned bran should be drilled
along in various parts where most acces-
4 Ill