106 TOBACCO LEAF. 



must be noted that effect of manures and fertilizers will 

 vary on different soils. Indeed, the soil is one of na- 

 ture's wonderful laboratories. The actions and reactions 

 that are going on in the soil chemical, bacteriological 

 and physical vary with different localities and seasons. 

 No hard and fast rules can be laid down, bat each 

 planter, who wishes to excel in growing fine tobacco, 

 must experiment for himself. Certain general princi- 

 ples, however, seem deducible from the extensive studies 

 of Mr. Milton Whitney, chief of the division of agricul- 

 tural soils, United States department of agriculture, 

 as stated in the opening of the chapter on cigar leaf. 



Temperature and Rainfall also prevent exact rules 

 in feeding tobacco or other crops. However carefully and 

 liberally it is fed will be to little purpose if the weather 

 is too cold or dry. Temperature cannot be governed, 

 nor can too much rain be avoided, except by drainage, 

 but drouth can be insured against. Over a large part of 

 this country, tobacco and other crops suffer almost every 

 season from drouth. In Florida, and the middle South, 

 as well as further north, drouth is liable to occur at 

 most critical seasons. The extensive tobacco plantation 

 at Fort Meade, Fla., is therefore equipped for irrigation. 

 Since such simple methods of supplying water to crops 

 have been perfected, tobacco should not be without in- 

 surance against drouth. 



Irrigating Tobacco. Where the hydrant or aque- 

 duct service cannot be drawn upon fqr the supply of 

 water, to be conducted through hose to the field, res- 

 ervoirs may be made, by scooping a hole in the ground 

 on the nearest elevation, and pumping it full of water by 

 means of a windmill, gasolene engine, or other form 

 of power. The power used for such irrigating plants 

 can be employed for many other purposes when not 

 needed for pumping water. The supply of water can be 

 from brooks, ponds and wells, and the cost will often be 



