The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-04-21
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


close tab on all matters relating to his
business, figures that the 1915 crop of
Wisconsin yielded close to 38 million
pounds. This is at least two million
pounds in excess of the government
estimate. 1t is generally believed that
the agricultural departments figures
of our crop statistics have been below
the actual production in this state for
some years past The revenue depart
ment's statistics of tobacco on hand.
issued twice year, bear out this con-
tention, for 1T is check on the crop
estimates issued by the agricultural de-
partment.
A new method to avoio the expense
of steaming tobacco beds has been
tried out by few growers with some
degree of success. 1t is to saturate
the beds with gasoline or kerosene and
apply the torch. 1t is claimed that the
weed seeds are killed as effectually as
by steam, but the plants do not make
quite as rapid growth. If the price of
gasoline continues to soar, however,
we do not recommend the new scheme
as an economical one.
-.
The best way to use the formalde-
hyde is in a solution of four pounds of
40 per cent formaldehyde (formalin) to
so gallons of water, or one ponnd to
12a gallons. Sprinkle evenly over the
newly worked surface with two or
more applications. The amount of the
solution to use is approximately three
fourths of gallon to each square foot
of bed. Cover with canvas immedi-
ately and leave covered over night to
prevent loss of fumes. After treating
wait two days before sowing seed.
-
The Importance of having good to-
bacco plants to set out when the wealth
er conditions are right was emphasized
last year. The biggest part of the crop
in many sections had to be transplant
ed when the ground was too dry. The
dust was so thick that the small
amount of water which is ordinarily
put in with each plant simply formed a
small ball of dough around the roots
and baked so hard that the original
roots were killed. Later when the soil
had wet up enough to incorporate these
balls of baked mud new roots had
to develop and this helped to stunt
many of the crops which proved so un-
satisfactory Tobacco is quick grow
ing plant and must be ready to push
ahead with great strides in that por-
tion Of the season which is best adapt
ed to it. A good start is not quite half
the battle, but first quality crops are
seldom harvested from second rate
plants. The bed should be placed in
sheltered position where it will be well
protected from chilling winds. Many
growers select the place for their to-
bacco beds in the fall, applying some
fertilizer and narrowing it in. 1t cot
tonseed meal is used or any slow act.
ing fertilizer this is the best plan. 1t
is not essential, however. Growers no
longer use the old brush covers. Either
cloth or glass is put on as soon as the
seed is in the ground. Glass gives
little quicker results than. cloth, but
must be used much more carefully as
! it is easy to ruin the seedlings if prop
er ventilation is not provided. On hot
DAYS the sash must be raised. Damp
| ing off, is caused by just the lack OF
air. Where beds are not steamed, and
| the weed seeds killed in that way, a
/ great deal of attention must be given
| to the matter of wedding. If the max
| imum amount of seed is used the beds
| also must be thinued to certain ex-
tent. Great attention is given to the
| Young plants while in the bed as grow
ers find it best to force growth from
the outset. Many sprinkle with man
ure water, water with nitrate OF soda
| dissolved in it, or water to which am
monia has been added at the rate Of
| one teaspoonful to gallon. Some
| growers also SOW dry ground fish in the
| beds before watering them. New Eng
| land Homestead.
| The prohibition of tobacco imports
| into England has caused a tremendous
| commotion in the English tobacco
| trade. The terrible distress predicted
| by this measure of the British govern
ment is being voiced in any number of
| interviews in the English trade press.
A member of one of the largest tobac-
CO houses states that by this measure
| the cigar trade will be hit worse than
any branch of business. Boxes had in
| creased Is to 80 per cent In cost, labels
were very much up in the air and all
classes of common cigar tObaccos were
selling from so to 100 per cent higher
Equally with the domestic industry
| the Havana import trade will suffer
/ tremendous losses. Not only are the
importations of Havana cigars likely to
stop altogether, but any number of the
great British importing houses are
heavily interested financially in Havana
cigar factories and these financial in
terests are bound to suffer severely by
| the stoppage of Cuban cigar Imports
/ u. S. Tobacco Journal.
| ***
Manufacturers of tobacco and cigar
cites will not be allowed to different
late as to the character of the coupons
placed in their packages to meet the
recent decision of the U. s. Supreme
Court. according to a ruling by Inter-
nal Revenue Commissioners Osborn.
IL, - e nf