Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-24
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
BY DR.. ANDREW M. SOULE

may increase the crop producing
power of the soil the effect may be
somewhat injurious to the quality of
tobacco. Lime hastens the decay of
vegetable matter in the soil and
thereby increases the supply of am
monia, which may make the tobacco
coarse and dark. Very poor soil, how
ever may be benefited by an applica-
ton of lime.
1t Is thought by some that lime in
jures the burning quality of tobacco.
Therefore, when lime is used in the
tobacco rotation, it is advisable to
apply it to crops at least two years
in advance of the tobacco crop.
There are great many varieties
of tobacco, but many of them are so
nearly alike that they represent lit
tie variation of type, There is, how
ever, wide difference among some
varieties, based on shane and size
of leaf. We have the broad-Ieafed
varieties, such as Warne, Yellow
Pryor, White Stem Oronoco, SHADES
Golden Leaf Big Oronoco, Adeock
Gooch, Tilly, Willow Leaf and Hes
ter. The narrow-leaf types are repre-
scented by varieties like the Little or
narrow Oronoco and Flanagan.
The broad-leaf types are popular
in sections of the Carolinas that have
light sandy soils. Since these soils
are similar to the light sandy soils
in south Georgia, it is probable that
these same varieties will become
popular in the tobacco section of
Georgia. The broad-leaf types are
preferred because they are adopted
to the production of the high-priced
grades, as smokers. cutters and
wrappers.
The distance between leaves on the
stalk is some greater on the broad
leaf types than on the narroW-leaf
varieties. The distance between
leaves on the same variety will vary
according to the nature of the soil.
With an abundance of moisture the
leaves will be spaced wider apart
than under conditions of drought.
No variety tests have been made
in Georgia, but varieties like Warne,
yellow Pryor, White Stem Oronoeo
and SHADES Golden Leaf have been
grown for the last two years with
satisfactory results. 1t would ap-
pear that variety tests are needed to
ASNSt AAAAtlO HAASH td11CLACS dI0 ,OOS /
adapted to the various soils of the
tobacco sections of Georgia, How
ever, the United States department
of agriculture has conducted numer-
Gus variety tests with fiue-cured to-
bacco for a number of years in the
tobacco-growing states. The results
of these experiments show very lit
tie difference in the standard varie-
ties.
Seed may be obtained from the to-
bacco warehouses or from any repu-
table seed house,
1t has been the practice in Geor-
gia for, the warehouseman to furnish
the farmers with tobacco seed. While
this requires less effort for the farm
er, it will pay him to give some at
tention to seed selection. When a
variety is obtained that is well
adapted to soil conditions, and has
the proper quality Of leaf this va
riety can be not only maintained but
also improved by proper selection, In
selecting seed plants careful atten-
ton should be given to all the points
that make a plant ideal.
Pure strains of seed can be saved
by covering the seed head during the
| blossoming period, so as to prevent
mixing Or crossing with suckers or
undesirable plants. For this pur-
pose a light paper bag can be used.
The bag should be loosened and rails
ed every few days. .When. all Of the
flowers are open and the seed pods
begin to swell the bag may be re-
moved, In harvesting only fully ma
tured and ripened seed should be
saved.
The plant bed is the keynote to
success in the tobacco business.
Plenty of early and vigorous plants
are absolutely essential for best re-
suits in the production Of high grade
tobacco. 1t is the early tobacco that
gives the biggest profits. Late to-
baoco is rarely ever profitahle.