loOcT.. 1912.] T.uiic for Tobacco Land. 637 



The ash of the tobacco plant contains large proportionate amounts of 

 lime and potash, with a low ])eMcentage of jjhosphoric acid, as the following, 

 figures show, viz. : — - 



Xitrogen 

 Potash 



Phosphoric acid 

 Lime 

 Magnesia 



4.12 



6.20 



.62 



5-50 

 1.67 



Tobacco is evidently largely dependent on lime as a food, and for that 

 reason alone a supply should be provided where it is known a deficiency . 

 exists. It is also necessary that considerably more than is actually re- 

 quired bv the crop be present, as the period of growth is short. " being from. 

 twelve to twenty weeks," to enable the tobacco to obtain a full supply. 



A crop of Connecticut seed leaf from i acre, including stalks and leaves,, 

 w-eighing 4,075 lbs. in all, takes from the soil : — 



138 lbs. of potash. 



94 lbs. of lime. 



97 lbs. of nitrogen. 



16 lbs. of phosphoric acid. 



30 lbs. of magnesia. 



The application of lime, apart from its \alue as a food in itself, is of 

 even greater importance in regard to its effect in releasing and indirectly 

 supplying potash and nitrogen for the crop's benefit. As the analysis- 

 shows that potash is the element of food taken in the greatest quantity from 

 the soil, and, as is well known, lime has the effect of liberating and making 

 available potash for the quickly growing crop, it is evident that for this 

 purpose dressings of lime sHould be applied. 



^ "^ • • • 



Potash in sufficient quantity is not only necessary to tobacco to insure 



a heavy yield, but its influence on the quality of the leaf is highly beneficial, 

 counteracting the bad effect on the combustion or burn of tobacco caused 

 by an excess of magnesia or chlorine in the soil. Lime also assists in 

 supplying nitrogen indirectly, and at a greater rate, owing to its influence on: 

 nitrification, and the temperature of the soil is slightly increased, an impor- 

 tant matter in regard to tobacco. 



The mechanical effect of lime on the soil in relation to tobacco-growing- 

 is especially valuable. All tobaccoes thrive best, and are of better quality, 

 when produced from free and well aerated soils, consequently the floccu- 

 lating power of lime on those soils, liable to set closely, renders them more 

 open and friable, bringing about the desired result. 



Its effect on sour soils is highly beneficial in counteracting acidity, and in 

 this way, not only inducing a better growth of the crop, but materially in- 

 fluencing the curing processes and fermentation later on in the sheds, 

 this being due to the effect of the alkali supplied to the plant, which, if 

 deficient in quantity, interferes with the development and action of the 

 enzyme, or ferment, through whose agency the cure and fermentation of 

 the leaf is perfected. 



