On Field Experiments With Tobacco 

 in Massachusetts, 1893 — 1896. 



Charles A. Goessmann. 



I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 



The experiments described in tlie follovviug pages were carried on 

 with the cooperation of the Valley Tobacco Experiment Association 

 of Massachusetts. This organization of prominent cultivators of 

 tobacco in the Connecticut River Valley was formed at a public 

 meeting of parties interested in tobacco culture. The meeting was 

 called February 4, 1893, at Northampton, at the suggestion of the 

 writer by W. A. Porter of Agawam, a member of the Board of Con- 

 trol of the Massachusetts Experiment Station. 



The officers chosen on that occasion were President, L. A. Crafts 

 of AVhately ; Vice-President, C. L. Fowler of Westfield ; Secretary 

 and Treasurer, G. D. Fisk of Agawam ; Board of Directors, ^Y. A. 

 Porter of Agawam and C. L. Warner of Hatfield. 



After a general discussion of the object of the meeting the follow- 

 ing plan of operation was decided upon : 



1. To select suitable lands in different parts of the valley to 

 secure as far as practicable diversity of soil and local climatical con- 

 ditions. Hatfield, Westfield and Agawam were chosen for the loca- 

 tion of the experiments. The selection of the particular field in 

 each place was left to a special committee of the Association. In 

 all cases a deep sandy loam was selected for the trial. 



2. To use in each case the same kind and the same amount of 

 fertilizing ingredients, and to continue the observation for three 



