440 TOBACCO LEAF. 



this Florida Sumatran seedleaf is specially attractive to 

 the planter, because, under the same conditions, it 

 averages more pounds of cured leaf per acre than do 

 other varieties heretofore grown in Florida. Sumatran 

 seedleaf makes 800 pounds under average conditions, 

 and as high as 1000 to 1200 pounds have been claimed 

 in a few instances. Mr. Curry, who had 130 acres of 

 Sumatran seedleaf under his charge in Florida in 1896, 

 reports an average of 800 pounds of merchantable cured 

 leaf per acre. Being so upright in growth, plants are 

 set 12 to 15 inches apart, in rows three and one-half to 

 four feet apart, giving 10,000 to 12,000 plants per acre. 

 Col. F. B. Moodie, who has done much to develop the 

 industry as president of the Florida tobacco growers' 

 association, and to whom we are greatly indebted for 

 much information, reports that with proper care seventy- 

 five per cent of the crop will be fine A wrappers, the 

 balance seconds, binders and fillers. 



Imported seed is very delicate, but that from the 

 first or second year's growth in Florida is much more 

 hardy. But even in Northern Florida, it is never safe 

 to sow this variety before the middle of March, by which 

 time other varieties are usually transplanted. In Gads- 

 den county, on the Gulf side, Sumatran seedleaf is 

 transplanted as early as April 1 to 10. Under favorable 

 conditions, it is a rapid grower, and within 40 to 50 days 

 will attain the remarkable hight of six to eight feet, and 

 when in flower nine to ten feet. It has been found 

 best not to top the plant at all, and if at all, not until 

 about four-fifths of the leaves have been harvested. 

 Some top to 24 leaves, while others get 30 to 40 leaves 

 on the taller plants. Early planted Sumatra is without 

 spots, but the later planted crop is spotted. If the soil 

 is poor, or the season dry, so that growth is slow, or if 

 the plant is topped too low, the leaves are thick, dark 

 and comparatively undesirable. Harvesting of the early 



