The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-04-25
NOTE COOK SKETCHES


The sterilization of tobacco seed beds
is becoming more and more the COM
mon province of Wisconsin growers
each year as the benefits are recog-
nized. Within recent years the discov-
cry of the prevalence of root-rot III the
seed bed and in the field has brought
about a wide demand for suitable
method of control The fungus which
causes this root-rot is so small that it
can be seen only with the aid of
microscope. 1t may attack the plant
at any time after the termination Of
the seed, and usually can be recognized
easily by its effect upon the roots. In
the earlier stages brown or black spots
appear on the roots. These vary IN
size from small dots to areas that may
extend along the taproots and laterals
for an inch or more. In these diseased
portions spores, or reproductive bodies
of the fungus, may be found by exam
ination with the microscope. As the
fungus attacks the roots the diseased
parts become successfully brown and
black, and the root tissues die and fall
away, seriously affecting the vitality
of the plant The fungus lives in the
soil from year to year; hence. bed
once infested should not be used again
until the disease has been eliminated.
New seed beds may be infected by
stable manure or decayed leaves used
for fertilizing, or by wind-blown vege-
table matter carrying spores of the
fungus. Seedlings seriously attacked
by root-rot are not fit for transplant
ing, and, furthermore, they may be the
means of establishing the disease in
the field. 1t is especially important,
therefore, that the disease be elm
mated from the seed bed. An effec-
tive and economical method of control
of the root-rot in the seed bed is found
in the sterilization of the seed-bed soil.
The steaming of the soil is the most
satisfactory method of sterilization
which has been developed up to the
present time. The direct application
of the steam to the soil by means of an
inverted pan or hood has now been in
successful operation for number of
years. The seed bed is thoroughly pre-
pared in the usual manner, for sowing
the seed. The soil is well worked, the
fertilizers spread and mixed in the soil,
and the bed brought to fine tilth, so
that after the stsaming is completed il
is only necessary to lrske the bed light
~ before sowing the seed. It IL impor-
tant that nothing but the seed and the
diluting material, also sterilized if nee
essary, should be added to the bed
after sterilizing. A comparatively dry
bed is the first requisite for successful
steaming, as it is practically impossi-
bic for steam to penetrate wet soil.
-
There are other tobacco growing sec
tions aside from Wisconsin where the
necessity of reducing the coming crop
is apparent An organization has been
perfected in Kentucky and a campaign
of education started looking towaad
this result. The unanimous opinion OF
the leading warehousemen of that state
is that unless the growers cut down
the acreage the coming year disaster
lies ahead of the growers. These
warehousemen in the past have carried
growers over from season to season to
the extent of several million dollars,
but the plan is to be abandoned now,
A more thorough investigation into
the whole situation, including the ac-
tivities of the cigar factories, leads to
the belief that the position taken last
week relative to rock bottom being
reached, was an understatement rather
than being too optimistic. March was
bad month in the cigar factories, and
the result of that months operations
spread pessimism far and wide. April
is showing no signs of being better, yet
well-posted members of the trade whose
guesses as to future conditions come
out right oftener than wrong, are pre-
dieting that within another month bus
mess will revive with the cigar fac
tories, and that the remainder of the
year will find them busy and prosper
GUS. If this estimate of the situation
IS correct, it is another reason why the
cigar leaf tobacco trade is due for good
business. A great deal is expected
from the fact that peace will have been
officiall restored before another month
has passed. In some circles it is said
that this prospect has already been DIS
counted. But than is doubtful, because
the situation contains so many peculiar
currents of interest that no man can
properly appraise them all. But this
much may be taken as true: That the
fewer restrictions and governmental
limitations there are upon business, the
better it is for business. Business has