178 



TOBACCO LEAF. 



in southern New England, in an ordinary season, also in 

 New York and Wisconsin. Earlier planting than June 

 5th rarely gives as large growth of leaf, or as fine qual- 

 ities in the cured leaf, or as large a yield per acre, as 

 plants set during the medium season. The plant needs 

 the most favorable portion of 

 the growing season in which 

 to develop to ad vantage. The 

 warm nights of early August 

 Sare especially favorable to the 

 production of the crop, and 

 the more advanced settings 

 have so far matured, at this 



season, as not to receive the 

 greatest benefits. Again, the 



1 condition of the weather dur- 

 ing the curing season has 

 much to do with the outcome 



FIG. 34. END OF FRAME SHOWN of the crop . Very early to- 

 IN FIG. 33. bacco must be housed propor- 



tionally early, and at a season marked at the North by 

 hot, dry weather, which causes the leaf to dry, rather 

 than cure ; and it also runs greater risk of pole sweat. 

 On the other hand, late-set tobacco is liable to be dam- 

 aged by early frosts ; it has the advantage that it 

 doesn't have to contend with the cutworm, which 

 usually disappears early in July. About the 10th of 

 June is usually the best time in New England, New 

 York and Wisconsin, or a week or ten days earlier in 

 Pennsylvania and Ohio. Tobacco will then ripen while 

 the nights are cool, and the leaf will have greater body, 

 character and weight. 



In the extreme South, or with certain varieties of 

 tobacco, the time for setting is quite different, as stated 

 in connection with those topics. 



