338 TOBACCO LEAF. 



especially the old sod lands in the bluegrass districts 

 because the yield is much larger, the greater number of 

 growers prefer the freshly opened lands, where white 

 oak was the original tree growth. The southern and 

 eastern sides of the elevations are usually selected for 

 growing tobacco. In such situations the plant grows 

 into its greatest beauty and most useful qualities, and 

 ripens more evenly and more quickly. Where the soil 

 is derived from the highly calcareous, sandy, blue lime- 



FIG. 99. WHITE BURI/EY ON SCAFFOLD. 



stones and has been kept in bluegrass sod for many 

 years, an excellent manufacturing leaf is grown, not so 

 silky, or so bright in color, or so soft to the touch, or so 

 lustrous, or elastic, or high priced, as that grown on the 

 fresh oak lands, but heavier in body and richer in 

 gummy matter. This old-land product is preferred for 

 manufacturing plug and navy, but not for making cut- 

 ting tobacco, as the amount of gum present unfits it for 

 that purpose. The old-land product is considered, 



