The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-06-02
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


tobacco growers can now turn their at
tention to preparing the fields for the
tobacco crop. The plant beds have been
coming forward SO rapidly of late that
the work of putting the soil in condi-
tion for transplanting must be pushed
along without much delay or the plants
will be too large for the settlers to
properly handle them. The present in
dications therefore are that planting
will be under way by the goth which is
about the average date for starting
this crop in this latitude. So the sea-
son with all it's delays will effect the
tobacco crop but slightly.
-
The information reaches us that the
new tobacco crop not yet planted IN
Ohio is being contracted for quite
largely by New York dealers at some
what increased prices over those of re-
cent years. To most of our readers
this might appear like long gamble.
We have seen buying start in this state
after the crop has been pitched in the
fields and half or two-thirds grown, but
only in rare instances have contracts
been entered into for the delivery of
crop not even planted. The most rea-
sonable explanation for this unusual
rush to gain control of the Ohio crop is
the well known shortage in domestic
filler tobacco. The most active de-
mand for any kind of tobacco has been
for the filler types for several months,
which was reflected in the active move
ment of Wisconsin "B' stock. 1t is
generally admitted that before an
other crop can be ready for consump-
tion domestic filters are bound to be
we'll out of the market and scarce.
Heree it might appear to the New
York packers having large trade de-.
pending on them for supplies good bus
mess to control the new crop on the
searly bird" principle. But the spec
ulative feature of such transactions is
more of gamble than most people in
the trade care to indulge in.
~
Reduced yields or total failures in
last seasons tobacco crop have induced
numerous growers in Wisconsin to put
their plants on new ground. Root rot
is one of the main reasons for this en-.
forced rotation of tobacco. AS root
rot does not in any way affect corn or
small grains, many Of the old tobac-
co fields have been set aside for this
purpose and their high state of fertil-
ity and gooo tilth will be almost sure
to produce good yields. The question
now arises What shall be done to pre-
pare the newer soil for tobacco? Grow
ers who have tried commercial fertil
izers with but little success on the old
tobacco ground should not be discour-
aged, authorities state, but should keep
up the good work on the new soil as
we'll. Acid phosphate is especially rec
commended at the rate of 500 to ], 200
pounds per acre, applied as surface
dressing shortly before planting. The
cost of acid phosphate at this rate an
acre, according to James Johnson of
the horticultural department, College
of Agriculture, is not prohibitive to the
average Wisconsin grower, and he
should at least give it a trial, particu-
larly on his new fields. Growers who
have not steamed their beds and whose
plants come on slowly should not for
get to use nitrate of soda on their beds
at the rate of two to three pounds in
barrel of water. Soak the beds thor
oughly with this solution a couple of
times during the latter part of May
and first part of June.
-
Sprinkle the plant beds with solu-
tion of one tablespoonful of liquid am
monia dissolved in two gallons of water
and repeat every week until plants are
large enough to set. This not only de-
velops the plants rapidly but also drives
away insects. Liquid ammonia is not
expensive and can be obtained at any
drug store. Try this if your plants are
slow in developing.
~
A billion and half dollars was rep
resented at Washington Monday when
the greatest convention of tobacco mer-
chants in the history of the country
began in the New Willard. There are
500 delegates representing every branch
of the industry. From growers to leaf
dealers, to manufacturer, jobber and
the men behind the counters. 1t is the
first national convention of tobacco
merchants. Cigars that king couldn't
afford to buy in any quantity will be