314: BEST CONNECTICUT TOBACCO LANDS. 



located in the vicinity of Hartford about fifty miles from 

 Long Island Sound. These lands are near enough to the 

 sound to get the salts in the atmosphere from the south 

 winds that blow up the valley in the precise amount which 

 the plant needs. Not much farther north does the atmos- 

 phere possess this peculiar quality, while lower down the 

 river the salt air is too strong for the plant, and the leaves in 

 consequence are thick and harsh. Fine tobacco leaves can 

 be manufactured as well as fine broadcloth or costly silks. 

 These results depend in a great manner upon the proper soil 

 and the fertilizers, applied together with the most thorough 

 cultivation of the plants. The soil of our best Connecticut 

 tobacco fields is alluvial, varying in composition from a heavy 

 sandy loam to a light one containing very little clay. 



For the past few years light soil has been preferred for 

 the tobacco field, on account of the demand for light colored 

 leaf. The soil can hardly be too light when leaf of a light 

 cinnamon color is desired ; as the color of all kinds of tobacco 

 depends upon the soil and the fertilizers used. 



A quarter of a century since Havana tobacco commanded 

 very high prices, both in this country and in Europe. It 

 burnt freely and purely. The Cuban planters, although get- 

 ting rich on the ordinary crops, were not satisfied with their 

 gains, and attempted to increase their crops by the use of 

 guano and artificial fertilizers. They secured heavier crops, 

 but the quality became poorer. The prices fell off and the 

 planters did not realize as much for their crops as formerly, 

 although the growth was larger. About this time Connecti- 

 cut seed leaf became known as a cigar wrapper, and in a short 

 time took the lead for this purpose, as it still continues to. 

 It cured finely, burnt white and free, and in a short time 

 brought high prices. The profit realized from its growth led 

 some Connecticut growers into the same mistake as it did 

 the Cuban planters, when they, by misguided culture, nearly 

 ruined their crops and injured the reputation of Cuban 

 tobacco. 



Artificial fertilizers and strong manure produce a leaf 



