FIELD CROPS. 548 



with calico, while on the corresponding shaded plat only 2.5 per cent 

 were affected. Ten per cent of affected leaves occurred on the 

 unshaded plat given but 300 lbs. of lime and 5 per cent on the cor- 

 responding- shaded plat. On the whole, the shaded plats contained a 

 smaller percentage of leaves affected with calico than the unshaded. 

 The author considers that the experiments were conducted on too 

 small a scale to form the basis for final judgment. 



Another effect, apparently due to shading, was the increased preva- 

 lence of the so-called ""natural spot." Fully 30 to 40 per cent of the 

 shaded plants were sprinkled with small whitish spots of dead tissue, 

 while not more than 1 or 2 of the unshaded plants showed them.- 



Relative to the effect of shading on the growth of the plants and the 

 qualit}^ of the leaf it was found that the shaded plants grew much 

 slower than the unshaded, and showed the ))ud lower down and were 

 therefore topped unnecessarily low. After topping the shaded plants 

 filled out and produced unusually large, thin leaves of a verj^ dark 

 color. The unshaded plants were ready for cutting 2 weeks before the 

 shaded plants. The difference in the weight of cured leaves from the 

 shaded and the unshaded plats was quite marked. The average weight 

 of plants from the shaded plats was 0.27 lb. and from the unshaded 

 plats 0.34 lb. The stalks also of the shaded plants were noticeably 

 smaller and lighter than the others, a fact due in great measure, it is 

 thought, to lower topping. The greatest yields from both the shaded 

 and unshaded plats were obtained where the larger amounts of lime 

 were applied. 



"The total thickness of the leaf was decreased by shading by over 30 per cent; the 

 upper epidermis by 31 per cent; the palisade layer by 35 per cent; the spongy paren- 

 chyma by 27 per cent; the lower epidermis by 14 per cent." 



The quality of the finished product was judged by experts. 



' ' The tobacco, on the whole, was pronounced of poor quality ; that from the unshaded 

 plats was coarse, with harsh and wiry veins; that from the shaded plats was objected 

 to as having been immature when cut and consequently of very poor color and of so 

 thin and smooth a texture as to be practically worthless. It was noticeable that in 

 the case of both the shaded and the unshaded tobacco the plats which received the 

 largest quantity of lime showed a good deal of ' white vein. ' The best of the unshaded 

 tobacco was adjudged to be that which had received lime at the rate of 1,000 lbs. per 

 acre. The best of the shaded tobacco was that which received lime at the rate of 

 2,000 lbs. per acre. On the whole, the shaded tobacco was pronounced far inferior to 

 the unshaded. This latter opinion did not prove to be shared universally; one expert 

 buyer, who knew nothing of the history of the tobacco, pronounced in favor of the 

 shaded tobacco, both as regards texture and quality. . . . 



"No difference could be observed, as regards the character of the ash, between the 

 tobacco which had the least amount of lime and that which had the most; in both 

 cases the ash was grey, flaky, and deficient in firmness. The burn of the tobacco 

 from all the plats was equally poor." 



The results of the experiment suggest ''that the use of lime may not, 

 in all cases, exercise the deleterious effect on tobacco that some grow- 

 13411— No. 6 4 



