20 VARIETIES OF TOBACCO SEED DISTRIBUTED IN 1905-6. 



taken down and packed it shoukl l)e taken at once to the warehouse 

 for fermentation. 



The fermentation of the tobacco is to be done in bulk, and this 

 sweating- process must be watched with unusual care in order to pre- 

 vent disaster to the crop. It is necessary to turn the bulk several 

 times during the process of fermentation in order to keep the tempera- 

 ture at the desired point. The object of turning the bulk is to reverse 

 its construction, thereby bringing the top, bottom, and outside layers 

 into the middle of the new bulk. This plan will permit a uniform 

 fermentation of all the tobacco in the bulk. A convenient and prac- 

 tical size of l)ulk contains from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. The tempera- 

 ture of the center of the bulk should in no case be allowed to rise 

 above 120° F., and after the temperature falls from 8 to 10 degrees 

 the bulk should be turned. The desirable maximum temperature is 

 115° F. It takes usually from six to eight weeks to complete the 

 process of fermentation. After fermentation the tobacco must be 

 sized, sorted according to the different market grades, tied up in 

 hands, and packed. 



CONNECTICUT HAVANA TOBACCO. 



There is a xt'vy limited amount of plant food in tobacco seed on 

 account of the small size of .the individual seed, so that the reserve 

 material for the nourishment of the young plants is soon exhausted; 

 consequently the tobacco seedlings are forced to prepare their own 

 food much sooner than is the case with most other crops. For this 

 reason it is absolutely necessary for tobacco growers to get the soil 

 and plant food in the seed beds in the best possible condition for use 

 by the 3'oung plants in order to aid the slow-growing young plants 

 during the critical period of the first stages of growth. The seed beds 

 should be located so that they will get all the benefit possible from 

 the warm ravs of the sun during the early spring da3^s, as well as pro- 

 tection from the cold north and northw^est winds prevalent at that time 

 of the year. A southern slope where good drainage can be secured 

 is preferable, and a good, rich, and friable soil is desirable for the 

 tobacco seed beds. 



As a rule 200 square feet of seed-bed space should be provided to 

 furnish sufficient seedlings for an acre of tobacco, although if the 

 tobacco is to be transferred at different periods a less area will be found 

 to be sufficient. The seed beds are generally 8 feet wide and as long- 

 as is necessary to furnish sufficient seedlings for the field. They are 

 usuall}" laid out from east to west. 



The framework of the seed bed is usually made of 2 by 12 inch 

 boards, set in the ground from 3 to 4 inches, one side being sunk 2 

 inches lower than the other in order that the sash may lie over the 



