8 



spring. This grower advocates steaming in the fall, as fuel 

 is saved by the ground not being cold, and there is no frost 

 to thaw out. Many growers claim that this steaming will pay 

 for itself simply in the saving of weeds. 



Fertilizing the Crop. 



INIaterials used to fertilize the crop are barnyard manure, 

 city stable manure, tobacco stalks, tobacco stems and com- 

 mercial fertilizers of many kinds. Barnyard manure is not 

 extensively used because it is not to be had. However, if used 

 it should be plowed under either in the fall or spring. A great 

 deal of city stable manure is bought. Tobacco stems are used 

 to some extent, but the quantity is limited. Quite a number of 

 growers are plowing under their tobacco stalks which have 

 been found to contain from 6 to 8 per cent, potash. At a to- 

 bacco meeting held during the winter of 1915 one of the 

 speakers asked how many growers present plowed under their 

 stalks, and about one-half of those present replied in the 

 affirmative. This well illustrates the attitude of the grower. 



The bulk of the valley crop is raised on chemical fertilizer, 

 and nearly every fertilizer company makes one or more special 

 brands for this crop. Neither all the good nor all the poor 

 tobacco is raised on one particular brand. Years of experience 

 have taught the grower to be particular about the goods he 

 uses. The materials must be quickly available as the crop must 

 ripen in from sixty to eighty days from setting. The fertilizer 

 also has considerable effect on those desirable qualities known 

 as "body," "finish" and "burn." Cottonseed meal is the 

 favorite source of nitrogen. Other ammoniates used are linseed 

 meal, dry ground fish and castor pomace. Bone of some sort 

 is well liked as the source of phosphoric acid, and sulphate 

 is the favorite potash, muriate being tabooed on account of 

 the chlorine contents which affect the "burn." 



^Yith a coat of manure 1 ton of fertilizer per acre will raise 

 a good crop, but where manure is not available 1^ to 2 tons of 

 the high-grade goods are often used, the idea being to have 

 enough plant food to insure a good growth. After the land is 

 plowed, harrowed and rolled the fertilizer is applied broadcast. 

 For this operation the fertilizer machine is invaluable, es- 

 pecially in windy weather. No time or expense should be 



