10 FARMERS' BULLETIN. 



SELECTION OP THE LAND. 



Few,, if any., plants are so easily modified as tobacco by climate, soil, 

 elevation, nearness to the sea, and different methods of cultivation. This 

 is plainly demonstrated by the rapid changes which take place in the 

 character of the leaf, flavor, aroma, and special fitness for the varied uses 

 and for different markets in introducing seed of well marked varieties 

 into new districts. Each new class of soil, materially aided by climatic 

 Condi-tons, gives peculiar qualities to the cured leaf as to its flavor, 

 texture, color, etc. 



It has long been recognized that tobacco grown near the sea or large 

 bodies of salt water has poor combustibility and, while the taste may be 

 sweet, it commands a low price for the manufacture of cigars on account 

 of its poor burning qualities. 



In tropical countries the favored locations for tobacco cultivation are 

 the interior alluvial valleys. In such places the soils are usually deep, 

 porous, easily stirred, and cultivated, and the periodic overflow of the 

 rivers adds new fertilizing elements to the soil, already rich in plant 

 food. The famous tobacco districts of Isabela Province belong to this 

 class, as well as the valley lands of the provinces of the west coast of 

 Luzon. In the Cagayan Valley the quantity of rainfall, according to 

 two years' observation ending in 1897, is much less than at other points 

 in the interior of Luzon, or in tne southern islands. The total amount of 

 rainfall during the year is 700 mm., the greater part of which falls 

 during the period from June to October. During the months of January, 

 February, and March, when the tobacco is growing and ripening, the 

 rainfall does not exceed 20 mm. Comparing the climate of this region 

 with the Deli district in Sumatra, it will be found that the climatic 

 conditions of the latter region more closely resemble those of southern 

 Luzon and some of the southern islands. The rainfall is distributed over 

 the entire year, while the greatest amounts are recorded in October, 

 November, and December. The total amount received during the year 

 averages more than 2,000 mm. The stations in the Philippines, where 

 equivalent or greater amounts of rainfall are recorded, are Bolinao in 

 Zambales Province, Albay in southern Luzon, La Carlota in western 

 Negros, northeastern Mindanao, and Vigan in Ilocos Sur Province. 



In Sumatra, where the best results with tobacco have been obtained, 

 the soils are mainly volcanic in origin. Where the finest and silkiest 

 tobacco of a rich brown color is grown, the soils are clayey, while the 

 lighter colors of fine cigar wrapper tobacco are grown on loamy and 

 sandy soils, with clay subsoils. In the clayey soils of the Deli and 

 Langkat districts tobacco can often stand droughts of three weeks and 

 longer, without much injury; but in these districts the frequent light 

 showers are of great value to the growing crop. Experience has also 



