The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1911-07-14
TOBACCO CULTURE IN
WISCONSIN.
[BY j. JoHNsoN-wIsCoNsIN EXPERIMENT
BULLETIN NO. 206
VARIETIES OF TOBACCO.

VARIETIES OF TOBACCO.
There are several different types of
tobacco grown in Wisconsin, though
they may be classified into two princi-
pal types: () The Spanish or Havana
type, (2) the big Seed" or Hybrid"
type. Wisconsin should produce only
one type of leaf. The manufacturers
rely upon this state to produce the
Spanish or Havana type. Experience
has also shown that this is the most
profitable and safest type to produce
The 'Big Seed" has only in compare
lively few instances given satisfactory
results to both the grower and buyer.
The only advantage claimed for it by
the grower is that it produces a larger
yield. This argument does not bear
out in all cases, but the main disad-
vantage of it to the grover is that it is
harder to handle and cure without dam
age. 1t has also frequently been shown
to come out of the sweat in a damaged
condition, while the Spanish or Havana
type has stood up WELL
The only varieties of tobacco which
can be recommended for Wisconsin are
the Connecticut-Hava and Comstock
Spanish. Together these comprise fully
eight to nine-tenths of the crop grown
in the state.
SEED SELECTION.
The method of seed selection as prac-
ticed by the growers in Wisconsin at
the present time usually results in the
running OUT of the seed, and in few
cases at the most barely maintains its
original standard. Though the science
of plant breeding is still in it's infancy,
this state of affairs need not exist,
with the present knowledge at the COM
mand of the growers.
In order to select seed the grower
should have definite idea Of what con-
stitutes quality in tobacco, so far as
can be judged in the green plant. The
size and frequency of the veins, size of
midrib, and smoothness of the leaf
must be taken into account. The shape
of the leaf, uniformity in size of leaves
from top to bottom, size and vigor of
plant, number of leaves, number and
size of suckers, are all important char
acteristics. The grower should also
bear in mind that there are two sexes
to the tobacco plant, both of which are
contained in one flower. 1t is possible,
however, for the pollen of one plant to
be transferred by means of wind and
insects to the pistils of another plant.
The seed will then be result of cross
fertilization, and the plants it produces
the two parent plants.
Where the flower heads are not pro-
tected, the plants selected for seed will
not represent that plant alone, but sew
eral poorer plants in the field may have
4,nsh,r I'D 70 on1~ a.
be prevented by placing cover over
the seed heads to prevent any foreign
pollen from getting in. The seed will
then be self-fertilized. The covering
is usually done by inverting twelve
pound manila bag over the flower head
after first having removed all the side
shoots and flowers already in bloom,
and tying the tops of the bags tightly
with string. The bag may have to
be raised once or twice during the sea-
son to allow for. the growth of the
stalk. The covering may be left on
until the seed is harvested, except in
very moist seasons when it should be
aired out occasionally. "Bagging" can
be done at the time of topping or as
soon as the flower stalks are sufficient
ly developed to allow for the removal
of all side suckers and leaves, and firm
enough to support the bag. A greater
number of seed plants should be select
ed and bagged than is needed, as later
developments may show some of the
plants to be undesirable.
Many growers are in the habit Of
leaving large number of seed plants
close together inlone part Of the field.
There is no selection in such methods.
The plant may be large and vigorous,
but that is usually due to a more fav-
orable condition of the soil. Such en-
vironmental characteristics are not
hereditary, and consequently the re-
sulting plants may be no better than if
the seeds had been selected from the
smallest plants in the field. The whole
field should be carefully scrutinized and
only those which show apparent advan-
tage over their nearest neighbors should
be selected
If grower desires to go into seed
selection more intensively, he should
save the seed from few of the best
plants separately and sow these sep
arately in the seed beds. Finally they
should be transplanted in separate
rows in the field, and their location
carefully recorded. They can then be
compared as to their merits, and the
following years seed may be used
which came originally from the one
best mother plant. It is urged that
growers take up this cheap and efficient
method of seed selection to increase the
quantity and improve the quality and
uniformity of Wisconsin tobacco, or at
least to maintain good type of seed
when they have once obtained it.