1002 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915. 



The yields in weight of all these varieties are, as may be readily proved, very- 

 attractive and more so because in a normal year the return may be superior, but their- 

 culture is very risky, since at least one harvest out of two is exposed to frost. 



It may be added that in former years the Big Ohio variety was tried at St. 

 Jacques I'Achigan. The ribs of this variety were so strong that in curing the leaves 

 we were obliged to keep fires going in the curing shed for nearly three weeks. 



Comstock Spanish. — This tobacco, in spite of the unfavourable season of 1913,, 

 gave an a.most average crop. One cannot recommend it too highly for the province of 

 (Quebec, on account of its earlincss and the various uses to which it maj' be put. 



Brazils. — The yield was satisfactory, but the texture left something to be desired.. 

 'J'his variety is difficult to get established in the plantation. It does not do well except 

 in very favourable years when the plant finds itself, from the beginning, in surround- 

 ings to its liking and when it is not subjected to too sudden variations later on. It 

 is hoped to use the crop of this variety as " filler" (tobacco for the inside of cigars). 

 The Brazil gave a crop superior in weight to that of the Cuban, but it is much less 

 hardy than the latter. 



Chwizent. — The seed of this was renewed, or rather we obtained our first supply- 

 of Canadian seed of this variety of Nicotiana rustica. This stock will be used in the 

 course of hybridizing work which will be undertaken in connection with the study of 

 the Canadian yellow tobaccos. » 



Erzegovine Giant. — As may be judged from the plate, the stalk of this variety 

 carries more than forty leaves. These, set very close to each other, are of medium size,. 

 (14-inch — 16-inch) rounded in form, and although the opening of the flower occurs 

 very late, the leaves on the lower half of the plant ripen sufficiently early and with 

 little interval between them. 



By judicious topping (a reduction of the number of leaves to twelve, fourteen or- 

 sixteen) this characteristic permitted of the harvesting of the crop which, on August 

 27, showed the characteristic colour of the yellow tobaccos. 



The yield in weight is relatively small. It should be stated, however, that we have- 

 l>een able to increase the number of leaves retained without delaying maturity too 

 much. After curing, the loaves of the Erzegovine had a dry texture, a little too much 

 like paper. The loss of water in the curing process is considerable and the weight of 

 cured tobacco obtained is much less than one would expect from the appearance of the- 

 plant while growing. 



Virgini<i Briglit x Erzegovine — Virginia Bright .r Erzegovine x Virginia Bright. 

 — These hybrids, little fixed in type, act nearly like the Erzegovine Giant, from which 

 they obtain their early ripening habit. The fornj of leaf differs naturally, according 

 as the Virginia characteristic i? more or less dominant. The weight of crop varies in 

 inverse ratio to earliuess; the more apparent the ^'irginia characteristics, the greater 

 the toughness of the tissue, and the lower the yield. 



Erzegovine Stolak. — This also appears to us to he a hybrid. On account of the 

 variations of form in the 1913 crop of this variety, it -was difficult to form an exact 

 idea of its true type. An individual selection li.is been commenced which, if it does 

 not clear up the question, will at least furnish some interesting types. The seed of the- 

 four last-named varieties was furnished us by the Royal Italian Institute of Scafati. 

 These varieties have been established in Italy, where they are used in the production of 

 yellow tobaccos. Their suitability to the climate of Ottav.-a district has been such as 

 to lead to their more extended trial, in 1914. on the Harrow Tobacco Station. 



Most of these tobaccos were subjected to individual selection in 1913. Previous- 

 to this year, owing to the limited space at our disposal and the small staff engaged, it 

 was impossible to give sufficient attention to the work of breeding, hybridization, and' 

 selection, but it is hoped that a good foundation has now been laid for future work 

 along these lines. 



Ott.\wa. 



