The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-04-30
Tobacco the Most Profitable Weed

GToBACCo was first cultivated In America,
The early explorers OF this continent
found the natives making use OF tobacco
for smoking, chewing and medicinal puT-
poses Tobacco was cultivated by the FIRST
colonsts In colonial Virginia. and as early
as 1919 10000 pounds OF tobacco was shipped
to England from this colony. Its consump-
tloE rapidly Increased after this time, so that
within few years 1t became the leading
export OF Virginia and was OF tho main
sources OF revenue for the people.
In 1I3l tho provinces of Virginia and
Maryland exported S1S75,OO0 worth of to-
bacco kentucky early became n leading to-
bacco state, and that commonwealth now
produces onc-third OF the entire Yield OF
the product in the United States Tobacco is
now being grown In twenty five states of the
union, U60o0 acres being devoted TO this
crop More thnn G33 100000 pounds was
produced in tho United States in 1905 the
farm value of this crop being $5S,5O0,00O
Tobacco belongs TO the Solanaceac family.
which Includes. among other plants, Irish po-
tatoes, red peppers and Jimson weeds There
are more than 100 varieties OF tobacco in
cultivation The leading varieties grown In
America arc the White Burley Zlmmcr Span
lsh, Cuban Orlnoco Connecticut Seed Leaf.
yellow Prior. Havana Seed Leaf and Sumatra
Seed Leaf
selection as does the tobacco plant 1t is n
plant that crosses readily, and TO improve
the seed 1t Is necessary 10 place q sack over
The flowers before the pistll is ready 10 re-
cciye the pollen. thus preventing Insects from
bringing pollen from undesirable plants md
crossing. The first step In saving seed f.
to select the type OF tobacco that ono wished
10 grow. 1t is easy 10 picl; out a desirable
tobacco plant. because all OF Its chnracteris-
ties are before tho eye. II one Is breeding for
long leaf. a broad leaf. or q narrow leaf
or plant that holds its leaves up well or
one that has long lnternodcs or short intor-
nodes or one that has pointed leaves or round
leaves, or one that has Iino veins OF coarse
veins OF ono that has width between veins.
he can readily do so by selecting his miami
and protecting its pistil from cross-Dollinn-
uon' All lateral flowers should be pulled off
leaving only n few at The top A few davs
oelore the pollen is ripe Il sack should be
placed over the flowers In order TO prevent
any possible oroFs fertilization. If one wishes
to cross or hybridi2e with some other plont
no can do so BY taking tho stamens out be-
fore the pollen Is ripo and the day after ap-
plying 10 the flower rom which the stamcns
were removed the pollen from another plant
by means of a oamefS-hair brush All small
leaves. suckers and lateral branches immo-
diatcy below the seed head proper should be
carefully removed and tho mouth OF the bac
tied around tho stalk Just under the lowest
remaining branches.
Many of the improved varieties of to-
bacco have been brought about by crossing
standard varieties, and many of the stand
ard varieties of tobacco. such as the Yyhlto
BurlCy have been improved by careful scicc-
ton and preventing cross -polllnatIon with
undesirable plants.
II is necessary 10 thoroughly prepare the
soil in making preparation for n seed bed
for young tobacco plants. Tho bed should
should have southern exposure so as to
obtain as much heat from tho sun as possible
The bed should be burned thoroughly to de-
stroy all weed seed and insect eggs. and