THE CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO. 



The growth of tobacco has brought not only a great 

 amount of wealth into the country, but by reason of exhaus- 

 tive culture, it has brought barrenness and temporary ruin 

 upon many a fair field, which might have otherwise been 

 kept in a productive condition. It is an exhaustive crop 

 as is seen by the following analysis of its ash. 

 COMPOSITION OF TOBACCO. 



Whole plant. Ash, 

 (in 1000 parts). (in 100 parts). 



Water 180 



Ash 197.5 



Potash..... 54.1 27.4 



Soda 7.3 3.7 



Magnesia 20.7 10.5 



Lime 73.1 37.0 



Phosphoric acid 7.1 3.6 



Sulphuric acid 7.7 3.9 



Silica 19.0 9.6 



Chlorine 8.8 4.5 



Tobacco is the most exhaustive crop grown, as far as re- 

 gards the mineral elements drawn from the soil. A crop 

 of 1000 Ibs. takes up as much mineral matter as 3000 Ibs. 

 of hay; as much lime as 10,000 Ibs.; as much magnesia as 

 3000 Ibs. and as much phosphoric acid as 2000 Ibs. Re- 

 peated crops of it therefore soon bring the soil to a condi- 

 tion of exhaustion of its available fertility, and render it 

 barren. Every element of plant growth is taken up by 

 tobacco and the nitrogen is as largely drawn upon as the rest. 

 Its culture therefore is one to be taken up with caution, and 

 every care to supply the soil with adequate food ; and al- 

 though the profit realized from it is very large, this temp- 

 tation should not lead the farmer to sacrifice the soil for the 

 sake of it. The land is not really a personal inheritance. 

 It is most truly given to mankind to use it for the best in- 

 terests of the race, and much like the owners life, which he 



