14 TOBACCO. 



althougli removed from the soil in large quantities, is 

 rarely applied to tobacco as a special manure. Where 

 wood-ashes can be had at a moderate price, lime may be 

 applied in this form. Some ashes are very rich in lime. 

 It has been found that ashes obtained from beech-wood 

 contain 52 per cent, of lime, and those from oak-wood as 

 much as 75. 



Whilst most growers are agreed that tobacco is a crop 

 demanding a rich soil, there is a want of uniformity of 

 opinion as to the best method of manuring. On this point, 

 C. Schneider, a successful Illinois planter, says " manur- 

 ing cannot be done too early, or too heavily. The 

 manures are very different, and equally useful for the 

 different kinds of tobacco. We may classify them as 

 follows : — • 



" To be applied shortly before planting, and in equal 

 quantities, for all kinds of tobacco : 1. Guano, 200 to 300 

 pounds on the acre ; 2. Poultry-droppings, 400 to 500 

 pounds ; 3. Green manure in any quantity ; 4. Sheep- 

 dung, 6 two-horse loads; 5. Cattle manure, 10 two-horse 

 loads. 



" For chewing- tobacco and snuff : 1, Sheep-dung, 10 to 

 12 loads per acre ; 2. Cattle manure, 20 to 30 loads ; 3. 

 Horse-dung, 15 to 25 loads; 4. Hog manure, 20 to 30 

 loads. The last two are useless for smoking-tobacco, or 

 for that to be used for cigars. 



*' The first three manures (guano, poultry-droppings, 

 and green manure) must be followed after the tobacco- 

 crop, by a plentiful supply of stable-manure. The tobacco- 

 stalks themselves, rotted or burned to ashes, sown over 

 the field before the transplanting, or in the planting- 



