4:72 SEED PLANTS. 



the most valuable, and could the planter obtain such a crop 

 at option, he could realize the very highest price for it. 

 Large growers who find much of their tobacco " spotted " in 

 this manner, would do well to keep such leaves by themselves, 

 and sell direct to the manufacturer. Both kinds of rust are 

 more commonly seen on the plants during a wet than a dry 

 season, and particularly if the plants have grown rapidly 

 during the latter part of the time. 



Formerly buyers of leaf tobacco were more interested in 

 leaf of this description than now ; and some of them, more 

 anxious than others, made liberal offers to any grower of 

 tobacco who could ascertain how such tobacco could be 

 obtained. It is hardly probable that any method of culture 

 could be devised so as to obtain such leaf ; it seems to be a 

 freak of nature, depending somewhat on the soil as well as 

 the humidity of the atmosphere, and without doubt is beyond 

 the control of the grower. Various theories propounded 

 and experiments tried have not met with any success that we 

 are aware of. Some growers are of the opinion that light 

 manure spread on moist soil will tend to produce leaf affected 

 with white rust, while others affirm that such leaf is common 

 on high ground when manured with light fertilizers. It is a 

 matter of doubt whether such leaf can be obtained by any 

 preparation of soil, or any system of cultivation whatever. 



SEED PLANTS. 



The selection of large, well-formed plants for the maturing 

 of the seeds, is of more importance than most growers are 

 aware of.* Not only should the altitude of the plant be 

 taken into account, but also the size and texture of the leaf. 



If a variety foreign to the soil (on which it is cultivated) 

 is grown, then particular pains should be taken to select 

 seed plants resembling those cultivated in its native home. 



In cultivating foreign varieties, even the first season plants 

 may be seen that do not resemble the majority, but are 



*Llancourt says of the selection of seed plants In Virginia : " The seed for the next year 

 is obtained from forty to fifty stalks per acre, which the cultivator lets run up ay high ft 

 they will grow, without bruising their head*. 1 * 



