358 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



if half of this nitrogen is applied by castor pomace and the 

 other half l)y nitrate of soda ? 



(d) What are the comparative effects on quantity and 

 quality of leaf with applications of equal quantities of potash 

 in the following forms : cotton hull ashes, high-grade sulphate 

 of potash, the same with lime, double sulphate of potash, 

 the same with lime, pure carbonate of potash, and pure 

 nitrate of potash? 



(e) Is it possible to absolutely prevent pole-burn and to 

 cure the crop perfectly on the stalk by the use, in very damp, 

 "muggy" weather, of artificial heat simply as a means of 

 ventilating and partly dr|ring the air of the barns ? 



These questions of the effect of different fertilizers, cli- 

 matic conditions and soil and their relations to each other 

 are now receiving attention from the Massachusetts Tobacco 

 Growers' Association, organized in the winter of 1892-3 in 

 Northampton. The preparation of the fertilizers is under 

 the direction of Professor Goessmann of the Experiment Sta- 

 tion, and the composition is unknown by the grower or those 

 who are to judge of the relative quality of the different plats. 



It is proposed to have three or more pieces in different 

 towns each piece to be dividetl into ten plats, and each plat 

 to be fertilized with a different formuli, these experiments to 

 be continued for a term of years and upon the same ground. 



The past season was very unfavorable on account of the 

 extreme dry weather and only two pieces were raised. The 

 results from these experiuients are, of course, not ready to 

 i)e reported. Each plat will ])c judged by experts before the 

 sweat and again after, which will require much patient labor 

 and time. 



Upon the settlement of such questions as these organiza- 

 tions are working for depends largely the future prosperity 

 of this industry so far as the growing of fine tol)acco in New 

 England is concerned. Of its sale in the market I will 

 speak later on. The area upon which good wrapper leaf, 

 such as the trade demands, can be grown is limited, and i-s 

 practically confined to the Connecticut and Housatonic val- 

 leys, and even within these limits the })roduction has been 

 very far from uniform in color and quality, owing, without 

 doubt, to the fact that in many instances a farmer has tried 



