TOBACCO AND ITS CULTURE. 153 



We must also endeavor to grow our crops at the least pos- 

 sible cost, thut we may be able to compete with growers 

 in the neighboring States. Of one thing we may be as- 

 sm-ed : the increased consumption of tobacco keeps pace 

 with the production ; and although we are frequently told by 

 speculators that the production is being overdone, we soon 

 find that the country is becoming exhausted of desirable 

 goods. 



In reofard to the cost of raisino^ tobacco, in dollars and 

 cents, I shall give the testimony of two gentlemen well 

 known in the valley. 



H. S. Porter, Esq., of Hatfield, in a paper read before 

 the Franklin Harvest Club, gave the items of the cost of 

 raising an acre, which amounted to $197, as follows : — 



Labor, $S6 00 



Plants, land and taxes, shed room, .... 26 00 



Fertilizers, 85 00 



$197 00 



Cr. By 1,800 lbs. tobacco at 12 cents, ... 216 00 



Balance in favor of the crop, ... $19 00 



In this case Mr. Porter used five cords 

 baru-yard manure, 



Which he valued at $7 per cord, .... $35 00 



Also, one ton Stockbridge fertilizer, .... 50 00 



$85 00 



It is a common thino: for tobacco growers to use both 

 barn-yard manure and commercial fertilizer for the growth 

 of the crop. Frequently a quantity of the latter is put into 

 the hill, to act quickly upon the plant. 



Silas G. Hubbard, Esq., of Hatfield, who has had con- 

 siderable experience in raising tobacco with commercial 

 fertilizers only, gave me the following statement as to the 

 expense of raising an acre with the fertilizers, and the yield 

 of the crop, as follows : — 



