CULTURE OF CIGAR LEAF. 407 



growth and, perhaps, rank vegetable matter, is preferred 

 for cigar leaf. 



Rotation of Crops. The present practice among 

 growers of the best quality of cigar leaf iu the Connecti- 

 cut and Housatonic valleys, is to select the land most 

 suitable for the crop, and continue growing tobacco 

 upon it year after year. There are several reasons for 

 this practice, as stated by Frye, Sanderson, Andross 

 and others. 



In the first place, tobacco is so sensitive to the influ- 

 ence of fertilizers, or to an accumulation of vegetable 

 matter in the soil, as to raise serious objections to any 

 rotation. It is claimed by growers of highest experi- 

 ence, that tobacco fields need long and careful prepara- 

 tion to get into a condition that will yield a large crop 

 with a perfect burn, thin leaf, bright and light colors. 

 The manuring and treatment of the soils which may be 

 best for other crops, may be objectionable for tobacco. 

 The lower grades and cheaper forms of commercial fer- 

 tilizers used for corn, grass, potatoes, etc., usually con- 

 tain chlorine, salt and other substances that would have 

 a bad effect on tobacco, directly following such a crop 

 in a rotation. 



The form in which potash is used is especially im- 

 portant. An oversupply of potash is not exhausted in 

 one season, but apparently remains in the soil until 

 taken out by successive crops. As the onion is a large 

 potash feeder, and also responds to delicate feeding, it is 

 probably the best crop to alternate with tobacco. Ash 

 rich in potash is usually employed on onions, either in 

 the form of carbonate of potash, or chemical fertilizers, 

 supplying it iu the form of high grade sulphate. The 

 close culture of an onion field also assists in improving 

 its mechanical and uniform condition, and in other ways 

 assists in preparing the soil for tobacco. Potatoes are 

 also good potash feeders, but it is not safe to use them 



