MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 219 



a manufacturer who has had no practical experience, but has a 

 " bee in his hat," starts a machine, and always thinks it the best ; 

 but all who contemplate embarking in the business should learn 

 what they need from the factories that are making a success of 

 it, and not depend upon the word of the manufacturers of 

 machinery at all. Practical men will give you the best in- 

 struction. 



Tobacco. In writing briefly, as I must, on the culture of 

 this plant, I am embarrassed as I remember that the experienced 

 tobacco grower does not need and will not profit by what I shall 

 write, and that no one who has not practical knowledge of the 

 crop can learn from a single article enough to enable him to suc- 

 cessfully undertake its culture. It is probably the most ex- 

 haustive crop grown on the farm, requiring the best land and 

 heavy manuring to produce a profitable crop, and a large amount 

 of labor, and it is unwise to undertake growing it unless prepared 

 to give it the attention required, and at the proper time. While 

 under favorable circumstances a large profit is often realized 

 from this crop, it often, in the long run, fails to be profitable, 

 and if the same labor and manure was devoted to corn, wheat, 

 and potatoes, it would be better for the farm, and often for 

 the farmer. 



VARIETIES. The varieties of tobacco are as numerous as of 

 corn, and, like corn, there are many local names given it. Among 

 the names given by practical writers I find the following: Con- 

 necticut seed-leaf, Ohio seed-leaf (the two are probably identi- 

 cal), big Frederick, little Frederick, Orinoco, brittle stem, golden 

 leaf, broad leaf, yellow Prior, Cuba, Spanish white Burley, etc. 

 Some varieties are suited to one soil and some to another, and 

 the inexperienced planter should make careful inquiry before 

 deciding on what to plant. 



SEED AND SEED-BEDS. The seed of tobacco is very small; 

 from careful weighing and counting it is estimated that an ounce 

 contains over eight hundred thousand seeds, and the amount 

 necessary to grow plants for an acre is very small. Some writers 

 estimate two thimbles full, but those most experienced recom- 

 mend about one ounce for each three acres. If kept in a dry. 



