The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1911-06-02
CROP ROTATION WITH TOBACCO.

There is no other common farm crop
which is so frequently subjected to con-
tinuous culture on the same piece of
ground as tobacco. The cause OF this
can generally be attributed to one or
more of the following factors:
/. The relative scarcity of suitable
tobacco soils on some farms.
2. The tobacco field being in high
state of fertility is considered too val
liable for the growth of other crops.
3. The field being in good filth from
frequent cultivation is more easily
worked than new fields.
4. There is usually greater free
dom from weeds on the old tobacco
soils.
5. There is a general opinion that
good quality tobacco only can be raised
after previous tobacco crop.
These factors are generally supposed
disadvantages of rotating tobacco with
other crops. Some of these reasons
farms where it is desired to grow to-
bacco every year. On the majority OF
farms, however, rotation can be prac-
ticed if desired. The principal advan-
tages of rotation of tobacco are as fol-
lows:
1. Rotation affords the most rational
system for the maintenance of fertility
on the farm.
2. 1t increases the yield of all crops
grown in the rotation.
3. 1t conserves fertility which would
otherwise be wasted.
4. 1t increases the humic content of
soils which adds to the quality of the
leaf produced.
5. 1t will keep more land on the
farm in high state of cultivation.
6. By including clovers in the rota-
ton the soil may be supplied with the
most valuable fertilizing element, nj
trogen.
Some buyers object to tobacco grown
on clover sod, stating that the leaf be-
comes delicate in texture and incapable
of standing the sweat. This explana-
ton seems plausible in an excessively
moist season, on soil excessively rich in
nitrogen, as a surplus Of nitrogen
causes a rank leafy growth. Although
this theory lacks experimental evidence,
to show that unfayorable results follow
from such rotation, it may be we'll to
mention as a matter of caution that a
rotation of this nature should not be
attempted on lands already we'll sup
piled with humus and nitrogen, such as
low soils and new prairie soils. On
sandy and clay loans, however, there
is no need of fear that any material
depreciation in quality will result. Ro-
tation is not to be recommended on
soils producing a good yield of fine
quality with ordinary amounts of fer
tilizer. AS soon as any depreciation
occurs, however, permanent system
should be established.
The best system of rotation for Wis
consin tobacco has not yet been worked
out. This will vary, like fertilization,
and must be modified to suit each indi-
vidual farm and field. The simplest
system naturally requires that there
shall be twice as much land on the farm
suitable for tobacco raising as there is
tobacco grown in one year. 1t would
not be advisable to rotate tobacco each
year for some of the reasons mentioned
as favoring continuous culture.
A model rotation would be to grow
tobacco three years in succession on
the one field. On the other during this
time grow crop of corn followed by
barley and clover. On some soils four
year rotation would probably be more
satisfactory, sowing timothy with Glow
err The fourth year would then pro-
duce crop of clover and timothy. The
second crop of which should be plowed
under in the fall. Oats may be substi-
tuted for barley on the poorer soils,
though there is much danger of consid-
cradle lodging in moist seasons.
COVER CROPS FOR TOBACCO.
Rv a ''coyer CROP is meant one
which is either grown with the main
crop, or after the main crop, with the
sole purpose of benefting the land.
The benefits of such crops are as fol-
lows:
l. Cover crops add humus to the
soil.
2. They take up the excessive avail
able plant food and conserve it for the
following crop.
3. They prevent excessive washing
and teaching of plant food.
4. Where legumes are used they add
large amounts of nitrogen if good
stands are secured.
In view of the fact that tobacco soils
lie practically bare of vegetation for
fully ten months of the year, it would
seem to be highly beneficial if good
system of cover cropping were intro
duced. For this reason it is urged that
the growers take this up on trial on
their own farms, putting in from one
fourth to one acre only, the first year.
The most common plants used for
cover crops are cereals and legumes.
Of these, only two can at present be
recommended for use by tobacco grow
ers in this state. These are rye and
hairy vetch (Vicia villosa). An objec-
ton to rye is that if its use is followed
by a dry season the ground is left in a
poor physical condition for tobacco.
The ripe straw decomposes with diff
Guilty, and leaves the ground in dry,
loose condition. This can be overcome