436 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Varieties. There are numerous varieties and sub-varieties of tobacco, the latter of 

 which have been produced principally by the differences in Soil, climate, and cultivation. The 

 varieties most cultivated in the United States are the Connecticut seed-leaf, Havana, and 

 Virginia. The Connecticut seed-leaf is considered best adapted to the Northern section, that 

 with its varieties being grown most extensively there, although the Havana and other 

 varieties are cultivated to a certain extent. It is also well suited to the Middle States. It is 

 usually known in the different Northern States under some local name, which has given rise 

 to so many types of the seed-leaf varieties. The kinds most generally preferred in the 

 Southern States are the Havana and Virginia, although a number of other varieties are also 

 grown. The White Burley is a variety that is quite popular in the Ohio river counties, and 

 some other sections. 



In all the various types of the seed-leaf varieties, the form of the leaf has much to do 

 respecting its value as a cigar- wrapper, these varieties and the Havana being used mainly for 

 this purpose. The leaf that is designed for fine-cut, chewing tobacco, or fillers, may be either 

 broad or narrow, long or short, the form of the leaf making no difference with regard to its 

 use. Formerly the broadest leaves were preferred by most buyers for cigar-wrappers, but 

 recently the long narrow leaf is preferred by many, the preference being about equally 

 divided between the two. The latter is thought to cut more wrappers to the leaf and case, 

 and yields more leaves per plant than the broad, while the former usually gives a somewhat 

 heavier product per acre. The texture of the two varieties is about the same. The broad, 

 spreading leaves are very brittle, and are apt to break easily in working among them. Whether 

 the broad or narrow leaf be cultivated, there will be quite a distinction between the same 

 variety grown in different localities; the nature of the soil, method of culture, etc., making a 

 great difference in the quality and texture of the leaf. Some years ago a number of farmers 

 in the Connecticut valley obtained seed from Ohio, known as the Ohio broad-leaf,&quot; and 

 tested it in various localities in that section. The result was a broad-leaved type much 

 superior in texture and quality than the original plant, and which was known in many sections 

 as the Connecticut broad-leaf. The variety known as the White Burley is said to have origi 

 nated in the following manner: 



A farmer by the name of Marshall Slack, living in Higginsport, Ohio, was engaged in 

 the culture of what is known as the Red Burley tobacco, and noticed one day in his seed-bed 

 three or four plants differing from the others. The leaves were much lighter colored, in 

 fact almost white. Thinking that they looked sickly, and that some insect was working at 

 the roots, thus producing the peculiar appearance, he pulled one of the plants up and exam 

 ined it carefully. Finding nothing the matter, but rather that it seemed perfectly healthy, 

 he permitted the others to grow, and in due time set them out, giving them the same culture 

 as the rest of the crop. These plants throughout all the stages of their growth and cultivation 

 maintained their peculiar color of stalk and leaf, and through curiosity one of the plants was 

 allowed to ripen its seed. This seed was planted the following year, and all the plants came 

 up white. Its cultivation extended until it became quite popular, and thus a different type 

 was originated. It is a vigorous grower, and seems admirably adapted to limestone sections. 



By such accidental means, hybridizing, better culture, together with a perfect adaptation 

 of soil, new varieties may be produced and the old kinds improved, forming new types, the 

 same as with all other plants. There is no crop that has a wider diversity of quality than 

 tobacco, and none that will respond more quickly to extra skill, labor, and management in its 

 cultivation. 



Soil. Tobacco is an exhausting crop, and requires a rich, warm soil. In fact, we know 

 of no plant that is so largely influenced by the character of the soil as tobacco. A deep, 

 mellow soil will always secure the best results; one that is naturally rich or made so by the 

 application of the proper kind of fertilizers. A light, loamy sand is one of the very best 



