TOBACCO CULTURE 143 



Since the horn worm feeds on the leaves of the plant, 

 it may be controlled in the same way as the flea-beetle, 

 by the use of arsenical sprays. Some planters depend on 

 hand picking of the worms when the number is not too 

 great. The moths from which the caterpillar comes are 

 sometimes poisoned by placing sweetened cobalt in the 

 flowers of the jimson weed from which the insect sucks 

 honey. 



Tobacco bud worms. Two different species of 

 worms attack the buds of growing tobacco, biting holes in 

 the young leaves. One of these, called the true bud worm, 

 occurs frequently in southern tobacco regions. The moth 

 from which the caterpillar comes is small and of a green- 

 ish color. The other species, called the false bud worm, 

 is the same caterpillar that attacks cotton, corn, tomatoes 

 and various other crops. It is familiar throughout the 

 South as the cotton boll worm,, and in the North as the 

 corn ear-worm. 



The best remedy so far devised for these pests is the 

 arsenical sprays already recommended. Clean culture and 

 freedom from weed fringes about the fields will also tend 

 to reduce their number. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. If tobacco is grown in your region, to which class 

 does it belong, cigar or manufacturing tobacco? What 

 varieties are represented? 



2. To what markets is the crop in your vicinity 

 shipped? At what price does it sell? 



3. Do the tobacco growers in your region use plenty 

 of fertilizer? If so, what kinds are used? Is lime or rock 

 phosphate used? Are the seed beds burned before plant- 

 ing? 



4. What method of harvesting is used? Is the drying 

 accomplished by natural air currents or by firing? What 

 is meant by "drying tobacco, coming in case"? 



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