151 



those which are in any way imperfect are inckided. The tobacco 

 is tied in " hands" fan shaped of from 30 to 40 leaves each, these 

 are tied with fibre, and the tobacco is ready to be baled. 

 Cost of Tobacco grown under Shade. 

 Estimates of the cost were published in the Bulletin for last De- 

 cember, to which the reader is referred. Calculating on the wood- 

 work lasting for 5 years, putting on new cloth each year, and in- 

 cluding cultivation and curing, the cost of the tobacco to the grower 

 varies from 2s. to 2s. 2|d. per lb. 



SUN GROWN TOBACCO FROM SUMATRA SEED. 



A small experiment plot was planted in the open field, to test 

 the quality of cigar wrapper leaf from out-door cultivation. 



A local cigar expert who examined the cured crop thinks very 

 highly of it, and was so favourably impressed by the quality, that 

 he intends growing it on a large scale. He valued the best grade 

 leaf at from 5/ per ft>., about ten per cent, could safely be relied on 

 as being of first grade leaf. 



The plot was planted on the 1 6th November, 1 904, the first ripe 

 leaves were picked on the 7th February, 1905, 159 days from date 

 of sowing ; the average maximum temperature in the shade during 

 the growth of the plants was 86" F. taken daily at 3 p.m., the 

 minimum average temperature taken at 7 a.m., was 67° F. 



The crop was cultivated, harvested, and cured in the same 

 manner as that grown under shade. 



Effect of priming sun grown wrapper leaf. 



It was noticed in connection with this experiment that 

 priming had a marked effect on the growth of the upper leaves, 

 removal of the lower leaves causing an increased growth and 

 thickness in the upper leaves, and with it an increased percentage 

 of nicotine. The quality of the product is thus somewhat lowered, 

 hence the small percentage of first grade wrapper leaf. 



The priming of tobacco is more expensive than cutting the stalks 

 as more labour is required, but the improvement in quality and 

 the percentage of high grade wrapper leaf fully warrants this 

 additional cost. It has this advantage that the leaves are uni- 

 formly matured when they are hung in the curing house, and the 

 finished crop is therefore of a more uniform character. 



Influence of distance in planting on the yield and thickness of the leaf. 



A small experiment plot to study the relation of distance in 

 planting to yield and thickness of the leaf was planted on the l6th 

 November, 1904, harvested and cured in the same manner as the 

 previous experiment. 



Close planting increases the yield per acre, and plants nearest 

 together in the row produced a thinner leaf than the plants set 

 farther apart, the size of the leaf, thickness, elasticity, and size of 

 the veins may all be more or less modified by close planting. 



On heavy soils, efforts should be directed to the production of 

 a highly flavoured leaf. These are qualities which can be sensibly 

 afl"ected by the distance of planting, and the time and manner of 

 growing. 



