17 



Effect of Soil on Burning Qualify of Tobacco. — As a 

 result of the studies referred to above, it was found that 

 while tobacco from sandy soils contained on an average 

 only 0.29 per cent, of chlorine, that from heavy soils con- 

 tained 0.92 per cent, of chlorine, and that tobacco from 

 light soils averaged 2.8 per cent, potasli, while that from 

 heavy soils averaged 2.4 per cent. From these indications, 

 to secure the best burning quality, tobacco should be 

 grown on light soils, and not on heavy clay soils. 



Effect of Fertilizers on Burning Qualities of Tobacco. — 

 As previously stated, that to be of good burning ([uality^ 

 tobacco should not contain more than 0.4 per cent, chlorine- 

 to 2.5 per cent, potash (that is, six times as much potash 

 as chlorine), consequently, fertilizers for tobacco should 

 contain at least six parts of potash for every part of chlo- 

 rine that is at the disposal of the plant. The closer the- 

 relation between potash and chlorine in a fertilizer the less- 

 it is adapted for tobacco. A number of experiments have 

 been made, with potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, 

 potassium muriate, gypsum and common salt as fertilizers 

 for tobacco. 



The chlorine compounds always injured the burning; 

 qualities, and the potassium sulphate and potassium nitrate- 

 often improved this quality, though not always — the fail- 

 ure being due, it is believed, to the potash not being suffix 

 ciently distributed through the soil, or where heavy applica- 

 tions were made to the formation of too concentrated; 

 solutions. 



The tobacco plant gets its growth and maturity rapidly, 

 and requires a constant supply of plant food from the soil, 

 but on the other hand it is exceedingly sensitive to con- 

 centrated solutions. It is importan't that the fertilizer, 

 especially the potash, be thoroughly mixed with the soil 

 to a depth to which the roots extend. This may be ac- 

 complished in a measure by applying the fertilizer some- 

 time in advance of planting. 



