BUREAU OF SOILS. 183 



the information at present obtainable it does not seem that the prod- 

 uct will be of equal value with that of the Connecticut Valley. The 

 Department is still of the opinion that the conditions essential for the 

 raising of a high grade of Sumatra tobacco are limited in extent and 

 can be closely defined hx the soil survey. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE FILLER TOBACCO DISTRICTS. 



The experiment of raising Cuban filler in Lancaster County, Pa., 

 last year was not a success. It is believed, however, that this was 

 due to a misunderstanding with the growers and a consequent lack of 

 care and thoroughness in the cultivation and handling of the croj). 

 While it was thought that these investigations should not have been 

 interrupted or discouragement felt at the lack of success in this first 

 attempt, it was impossible for financial reasons to maintain a party in 

 Pennsylvania, as a promise had alreadj^ been given to start the work 

 in Ohio. Accordingly^ more careful plans were made, and a crop was 

 grown on the upland soils of the Miami Valley under the direct and 

 immediate sujpervision of the Department's experts. This croi3 has 

 just been harvested, and it is too early to determine the value of the 

 I)roduct. From other crops that have been raised in the locality from 

 imported Cuban seed, which have been fermented by our experts and 

 thoroughly examined, it would appear that a desirable type of leaf, 

 aj)proaching very closely the imported Cuban leaf, can be produced. 

 The quality of the leaf is not at present all that could be desired. 

 There is something harsh about the aroma, but it is thought that this 

 can be considerably toned down, if not entirely eliminated, by thorough 

 methods of cultivation and fermentation. 



The tobacco situation in Texas has been thoroughly studied, and it 

 is thought that a desirable leaf will be produced there by careful 

 methods of cultivation, fermentation, and assorting. 



CONFERENCE OF TOBACCO EXPERTS. 



A conference has recently been held in Washington by the tobacco 

 experts of the Department to consider the general situation and to 

 advise as to the methods to be pursued during next season, especially 

 in Ohio and Texas. The call for the conference was as follows : 



Gentlemen : You are called together to confer with one another and to apprise 

 me as to several points in reference to the present condition of the tobacco 

 industry of the United States, A\nth particular reference to the development of 

 the f lature plans of the Bureau of Soils in connection with the tobacco investi- 

 gations. 



Your discussion will necessarily embrace a wide range of subjects, but I 

 would like you particularly to consider the following points: 



The question to be considered is whether a filler leaf can be produced in any 

 part of the United States closely approaching; the best type of leaf grown in 

 the island of Cuba, with the characteristic mildness of flavor and with the aroma 

 which that leaf possesses. If we can not produce tobacco equal to the finest 

 Cuban leaf, can we produce tobacco equal to the average Cuban leaf imported 

 into this country? 



It has been the opinion of the Bureau that the closest approach to the Cuban 

 leaf has been produced in Ohio and Texas. A number of samples of Ohio 

 tobacco will be submitted to you by Mr. Massey, who should be able to give you 

 very clear information in regard to the character of the crop and the possibilities 

 of improved methods of cultivation and fermentation. I wish you would examine 

 this tobacco crftically, leaf by leaf, and see whether the character of the leaf, that 

 is, the size, shape, texture, and body, is such as we want to produce, and whether 

 this really compares favorably in these several qualities with the sample of imported 

 Cuban leaf which is submitted to you Vy Mr. McNess. You will also see if any of 



