TOBACCO IN THE PHILIPPINES. 77 



easily cultivated and in good physical condition. Small areas of loam 

 or heavier soil are found in several places; but these are usually low 

 depressions, where flood waters accumulate and stand long, thus allow- 

 ing the fine particles of clay carried in suspension to settle on the 

 surface of the ground. The lands cultivated to tobacco are the bot- 

 toms or lands subject to floods from the high waters of the Cagayan 

 Eiver. Once or twice during the rainy season these lowlands are 

 flooded to the depth of several feet by water carrying in suspension 

 considerable quantities of fine sediment rich in fertilizing matter 

 which, on standing, is deposited on the surface of the soil. No 

 artificial fertilizer is used on the tobacco lands, and plants are entirely 

 dependent on the fertilizing action of floods to supply the necessary 

 amounts of the elements of fertility. 



While the amount of fertilizing matter annually furnished these 

 soils by the overflows of the Cagayan Eiver is considerable, there is no 

 doubt that with the aid of fertilizers much better results would be ob- 

 tained. 



Growing Tobacco under Shade. 



In the province of Isabela one hectare of land was devoted this 

 year (1903-1904) by one of the tobacco companies to an experiment 

 in growing tobacco under shade. The construction of the shade was 

 the same in all essential particulars as that commonly used in the 

 Connecticut Valley and in Florida for growing fine-grade Sumatra 

 tobacco, except that bamboo and bejuco (rattan) were substituted for 

 hard-wood posts and nails. Owing to unavoidable delays, the field was 

 planted too late in the season to obtain a representative result this 

 year. It was observed, however, that the plants under shade were not 

 attacked by insects and had broader, finer and darker-colored leaves 

 than the plants outside. The superintendent in charge of the work 

 expressed himself as convinced of the practicability of this method for 

 producing a fine grade of tobacco for wrapping purposes. The In- 

 sular Bureau of Agriculture will conduct an experiment the coming 

 season in growing Sumatra tobacco under shade. 



Methods of Cultivation in Use. 



The first operation in growing tobacco is the preparation of the 

 seed-bed. This the native usually makes near his house, or preferably, 

 in some cleared piece of ground in the woods near by. New or virgin 

 soil is preferred, so that the young plants can have a vigorous growth 

 and be in suitable condition for transplanting. Any brush and 

 stumps that may be on the land are gathered and burned until en- 

 tirely reduced to ashes. The ground is then stirred with the native 

 plow or with an iron bar having a flattened end with a sharp edge. 



