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Generally the plant obtains its finest form and quality of 

 leaf on lands bordering the largest rivers. This is true of 

 the tobacco lands of Connecticut, Kentucky, Virginia and 

 North Carolina, as well as of those in the islands of Cuba 

 and San Domingo ; but some of the finest tobacco grown in 

 the United States is grown in localities some distance from 

 large rivers. 



When possible, select the kind of soil for tobacco that 

 will produce the color and texture desired. For Connecti- 

 cut seed leaf a light moist loam is the best soil. For the 

 bright tobaccos, such as are raised in Virginia, North Caro- 

 lina, South Carolina and Maryland, the soil should be light, 

 or what is commonly called a sandy loam, not too flat, but 

 of a rolling, undulating surface not liable to overflow in ex- 

 cessive rains. New cleared in these last named States is 

 considered better than long cultivated soils. In Cuba the 

 planters select the red soil as the best for fine tobacco. 

 Some planters, however, prefer a soil mixed of one-fourth 

 sand and one-half to three-fourths of decayed vegetable 

 matter. 



Both the Cuban and Americnn planters concur in the 

 opinion that a large quantity of silicious matter in soils is 

 essential for the growth of good cigar tobacco. The rich 

 clay loams on the banks of the James Eiver in Virginia do 

 not grow the highest price tobacco, while the less fertile 

 silicious soils of other sections will produce tobacco of su- 

 perior quality for chewing and smoking. Tobacco of high 

 grade will not grow in the calcareous regions. A better soil 

 is one that rests upon the primary foundation. 



