Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-03-02
Plants Make the Tobacco Crop

This is a very positive statement
but it does not oVer-emphasize the
situation. OF course it would not be
worth while to have good plants I'M
less they were put on the proper
type of soil, we'll fortified, cult
waited and handled, but it is equally
true that it would not be worth
while to go to the expense of plant
ing out an area of land to tobacco
unless good plants were available
to set thereon. The Importance of
this matter is likely to be over
looked especially by the beginner.
1t takes forethought and effort to
establish a good tobacco seed bed
and to produce early and vigorous
plants in sufficient quantity to meet
the requirements of the situation.
The best methods to pursue are
therefore worthy of study and con-
sfderation, and some data rela ting
to this subject has therefore been
prepared for the benefit of our read
ers. 1t is based on the findings of
the tobacco specialist of the divi-
sion of agronomy of the Georgia
State College of Agriculture. Ger
ties to study this phase of tobacco
production more thoroughly than he,
and hence the conclusions present
ed relative to this matter should
engage the careful attention of all
farmers who expect to grow tobac-
co in 1920.
The earliness and quality Of the
plants are Influenced largely by the
location, fertilization and care of
the plant bed. 1t is a general prac-
tice in the flue-cured sections to
prepare the plant bed on freshly
cleared land. The reason for this
is that such land contains an album
dance of humus, and is not compact
ed and baked by heavy rains and
the sun. Plants, grow faster on
fresh land than on land cultivated
for a long time.
1t is good practice to select the
place for the bed in the woods. Few
grass and weed seed are likely to
be there and the bed is better pro-
tected from the cold spring winds.
The particular spot chosen should
be loamy and friable.. 1t should be
naturally moist but should have good
drainage and be free from standing
water at all times. When practica-
BILE it is desirable to locate the bed
places the land is likely to be moist
and in case of drouth can be watered
easily. Great care should be used in
selecting beds near ponds and
swamps, Plants cannot be grown on
crawfish land If the land is a type
that remains wet and cold the plants
will make poor growth and will be
weak Made land, that is, land that
has been made by soil washing in
from adjoining fields, is not de-
sirabIe as it usually contains a
large amount of weed and grass
seed.
The proper size of bed necessary
to insure plenty of plants as rec
| commended by different tobacco ex-
perts varies a great deal.
The size of the bed recommended
to furnish plants enough for five
acres, varies from 100 to 200 square
| yards. 1t is unanimously agreed
| however, that too much bed is bet
| ter than too little. The beginner
will find it a safe policy to prepare
200 square yards of bed for each
five acres Of tobacco, that is, bee
five yards wide and. forty. yardS
! long. For man who has had ex.
| perience in preparing beds Isl
| square yards will furnish ample
quantity of plants for five acres Of
| tobacco.
If the lay of the land will per
nit, it is desirable to have the bee
not more than Is feet wide. and a!
long as. necessary to get the required
lumber of yards. This shape make