28 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[February, 



that Mr. Bausman's crop had been sold at 25 cents 

 round. Another crop had brought 2332, 14 and 5, 

 and others 20, 10 and 5. About one-half of the crop 

 in his township had been sold. 



Mr. Hershet, of East Hempfleld, said that aliout 

 one-fourth of the crop in his neishborhood was yet on 

 the poles; about one-third had been sold, at good 

 prices; some of it at 30, 10 and .5. Some farms 

 yielded 2,000 pounds per acre; the average was per- 

 haps 1,700 pounds. 



Mr. M. ShiFFNER, a dealer from Leaenck, said the 

 average price for wrappers was from 18 to 'jS cents.- 

 Much of the tobacco in that section was very poor, 

 being of short growth and much cut up by the worms. 

 Many of the farmers didn't understand their business 

 and handled the tobacco very badly. They had yet 

 a great deal to learn about tobacco growing, and the 

 sooner they applied tliemselves to a regular appren- 

 ticeship the better. At least one-fourth the crop was 

 yet on the poles. 



Mr. A. H. SuMMT reported a fair crop, most of it 

 already stripped, and some of it sold at 20, 10 and 5. 



Mr. A. H. Landis reported the highest prices at 

 25, 10 and 5. 



Mr. W. L. Hershet, of Rapho, had seen sales 

 made in three grades; at 25, 10 and 5, and 20, 12 and 

 5. One-third of the crop sold in his vicinity. 



Mr. Jacob M. Fhantz next read a very interest- 

 ing essay on tobacco growing and the importance of 

 the tobacco interest. After a few prefatory remarks 

 the essayist gave an illustration of the important 

 part tobacco plays in maintaining our foreign ex- 

 changes. The agricultural and commercial statistics 

 of our country show that during 1875 the crop 

 exclusive of seed leaf aggregated -75,000 hogsheads, 

 valued at $29,400,000. Of seed leaf the stock on 

 hand, January, 1875, was 180,000 cases,'grown eh efly 

 in New England and Pennsylvania. After describ- 

 ing some of the varieties of seed leaf tobacco, he 

 proceded as follows : 



I believe in big leaves and therefore usually get 

 seed from the largest plant in the field. If I happen 

 to be somewhat Icnirthy on this part of the treatment 

 you must be charitable ; thirty years experience has 

 perhaps made me somewhat of an enthusiast on the 

 subj.ct of raising plants. But you cannot raise 

 tobacco without having plants, and to raise 

 them in proper time and of proper quality is not only 

 the first, but the most difficult and uncertain feature 

 in the business of tobacco growing. I often found 

 parties having their ground well selected and well 

 prepared, but, failing to raise their own plants, failed 

 in securing a good crop. It is almost impossible to 

 describe on paper or convey orally, how to prepare 

 and treat a plant bed properly. You must "see it 

 to believe," and to do it right an apprenticeship is 

 almost indispensable. But let me try to tell you. 

 Select a spot, and not a small one either, of the 

 richest ground, one previously used for hoed crops 

 preferable ; ground exempt from weeds ; cultivate it 

 thoroughly late in the fall ; and again as early in the 

 spring as the ground will admit of, say from March 

 20 to April 1 ; sow the seed, a tablespoonful to 50 

 square yards. I usually mix seed with plaster paris 

 or ashes, to make bulk, to enable a more even dis- 

 tribution; rake in light and roll or pad with back of 

 spade, to thoroughly incorporate the seed with the 

 soil. I find that a covering of the bed with the 

 bristles of the hog promotes the protection and ger- 

 mination of seed and the young plants against frosts 

 and drought to an extent that is marvelous. Indeed 

 I would go so far as to say that you cannot grow 

 plants with certainty in any other way that is at all 

 desirable. Hot house plants seldom do well. After 

 the plants are started the applicat on of light manure 

 frequently is of the highest importance ; then observe 

 a proper location. A south exposure is profitable 

 and if skirted by a close fence will benefit the grow- 

 ing plants. By proceeding thus you may have your 

 plants ready to transplant by the 20th of May, and 

 be ready to plant at any seasonable weather that fol- 

 lows that period. I realize from a plant bed of the 

 size I named, $'i0 for plants, from men that don't be- 

 lieve in going to the trouble of raising their own, or, 

 going to a great deal of trouble, but in default of 

 having the knowledge of the little details, fail to suc- 

 ceed. 



Having the plants we get the tobacco ground 

 ready. To get ready means not merely plowing, 

 harrowing and ridging, but heavy manuring early in 

 the season, the previous fall if possible, and not 

 later than April 10th. Plow down the manure, cul- 

 tivate the ground, and after the space of six or eight 

 weeks plow again, harrow and pulverize the soil 

 thoroughly ; ridge rows 3Ji to i feet apart, plant 

 twenty-six to thirty inches apart in the row. This is 

 done from the 25th of May to the 15th of June, de- 

 pending upon the condition of the weather. I prefer 

 planting about June 1st, if the weather is adapted. 

 After this you have plain sailing for about six weeks ; 

 cultivating the ground and destroying the weeds are 

 the only requisites demanding your attention. While 

 this requires physical effort, there is no particular 

 skill necessary. Top when the plant attains a proper 

 size, leaving from twelve to sixteen leaves, depend- 

 ing upon the season as too wet or too dry. From 

 this period suckering and worming claim attention, 

 and just in proportion as you attend to the latter will 

 the crop pan out. 



The product may be increased or diminished in 

 value from ten to fifty per cent, by inattention to 

 this part of the business. About three weeks from 

 the time of topping, the plant witl mature. At this 

 stage of the growth good judgment is required, to 

 know just when to cut it. My observation and ex- 

 periences would lead to the opinion that it is better 

 to cut a little too soon than too late, for good wrap- 

 pers. Curing is the next process. In removing from 

 the field to the shed the ereatest care should be ex- 

 ercised not to bruise the leaf; various means are em- 

 ployed ; when convenient to shed, a sled covered 

 with carpet to protect the leaf will answer a good 

 purpose. A frame arranged on the running gears of 

 a wagon, so as to receive the plants strung on laths, 

 betweenframesof light timber, is a more modern plan 

 and is popular with those using it. Any way that will 

 deliver the plant to the shed without bruising and 

 will do it speedily is a good way. I have not time to 

 speak of the different or even the most approved 

 plans of shed or curing house, but would recommend 

 to all who intend to build to avail themselves of the 

 opportunity of seeing some of the best arranged 

 houses. C. B. Herr, king of Manor, and his son, 

 Bachman Herr, have probably the most complete as 

 well as artistic arrangements in the county. Means 

 of ventilation and ease in regulating it are the great 

 requisites. Properly cured, and your labors are 

 nearly ended. The process of stripping is one that 

 wants care and attention, but as this is the subject to 

 be discussed by Mr. Cameron, I will not encroach 

 upon his theme. I can hardly close after all this 

 talk about the attention necessarily bestowed upon 

 an article to develop its best qualities, without saying 

 a few things about the result in store for those who 

 work diligently all through the campaign, and the 

 importance of the crop in a local interest point of 

 view. 



With reference to the first I would only say that 

 the product of an acre varies from 1,000 pounds, the 

 yield being from 1,000 all the way up to 2,400 pounds, 

 those being perhaps the extremes, and the value in 

 money from |_00 to $600 per acre. I have no doubt 

 that the nominal value can be raised to $800, and 

 perhaps $1,000. Now, as to the local influence of a 

 crop that amounts in the aggregate in this county to 

 from ?.', 000,000 to $3,000,000 a year and all labor, 

 and labor, too, that employs everybody from 10 years 

 upward. No raw material, imported and to be paid 

 fsr in gold, enters into the business. In the tobacco 

 areas of Lancaster county, you find no poor people ; 

 all make money and are happy. 



The area of lands adapted to the growth of fine 

 tobacco is so small that an overproduction is almost 

 impossible, and while, perhaps, some wild adventur- 

 ers attempt to get rich all of a sudden by putting out 

 ioo much, the experience awaiting them in their ne- 

 gotiations with the keen-eyed, tender-fingered tobacco 

 buyer will usually bring them not only within proper 

 limits, but often drives them out of the business in 

 disgust after a single season's practice. 



Would time allow, I would for the benefit of those 

 not so familiar with the resources involved in this 

 subject give them an idea of the contrast between 

 this county and others in the State and elsewhere, 

 where they have not the advantage of soil, etc. The 

 farmers of the tobacco areas of Lancaster county 

 know of panicx only by name, and are utilizing the 

 fruits of their toil not only in supplying the demands 

 of the physical man, but the home comfort, the im- 

 proved school house, the patronageof our institutions 

 of learning, all bear testimony that while they don't 

 encourage the indulgence in costly luxuries, they are 

 not unmindful of this attention to the cultivation and 

 development of the higher faculties. 



Mr. I. L. Landis thoroughly endorsed the views 

 of the essayist, and moved that a vote of thanks be 

 tendered Mr. Frantz for his valuable paper. The 

 motion was unanimously agreed to. 



Mr. J. M. Stehman asked Mr. Frantz to state 

 whether his experience showed that there was any 

 advantage in planting tobacco in ridges four feet 

 apart rather than three and a half feet. 



Mr. Frantz said it made very little difference. If 

 the rows were only three and a half feet apart the 

 plants should be set rather farther apart in the rows. 

 He believed that twenty-two inches was the proper 

 distance between the plants if the rows were four 

 feet apart. 



Mr. John Brady, of Millersville, said that Mr. 

 Shuman, who farmed for Mr. Bausmanthe fine crop 

 already referred to, laid out his rows four feet apart, 

 and set the plants twenty-eight or thirty inches 

 apart, in good strong land the plants grow vigorous- 

 ly and the leaves have room to expand and become 

 very large. He named another farmer who put his 

 rows five feet apart and raised immense tobacco. 



Mr. Kendig believed the leaf would be finer and 

 better if not so large, if it were planted closer. 



Mr. I. L. Landis said he would like to hear the 

 views of some of the growers as to the variety of to- 

 bacco they preferred for planting. 



Mr. Kendig thought it difficult to determine the 

 several varieties. They have been SQ much hybri- 

 dized it is almost impossible to distinguish them. 



Mr. Lane presented specimens of the broad-leaf 

 Connecticut and also of Connecticut seed leaf. He 

 preferred the latter, as the leaves obtained a greater 



length, and were equally fine. In planting he 

 marked out his rows Sl^ feet apart, and run them 

 north or south, so that the sun can better get at the 

 plants, which he has heretofore set 24 inches apart. 

 This year he will set his plants from 18 to 20 inches 

 apart. He believes he will thus get finer tobacco. 



Harrt Mater presented some fine specimens of 

 broad-leaf Connecticut, which he preferred to any 

 other variety. 



Mr. P. S. Reist asked the essayist whether hay 

 would not do as well as bristles to cover and protect 

 the young plants in the seed beds; whether there waB 

 any difference in the quality of tobacco, cured in dif- 

 ferent states of the weather. 



Mr. Fkantz answered that neither hay nor straw 

 were fit to use in tobacco beds. He had found noth- 

 ing so good as hog bristles. They protect the young 

 plants from both frost and snow, prevent the ground 

 from dying out, and yet allow the plants sufficient 

 air to encourage their growth. The bristles can be 

 used for four or five years in succession. His plan is, 

 after he takes them from the bed in spring, to stow 

 them away in barrels, and before he again uses them, 

 he loosens them up by running them through a 

 threshing machine. In answer to Mr. Reist's second 

 question he would say that tobacco cured much bet- 

 ter where there were frequent changes of the weather 

 than when there were few changes. 



The manner of preparing tobacco beds was fur- 

 ther discussed by Messrs. John Bhadt, M. D. Ken- 

 dig, A. H. SuMMT and I. L. Landis. 



Messrs. Levi 'UrosS, Mr. Shiffneb and Peter 

 S. Keist endorsed the broad-leafed Connecticut as 

 the best variety. The last named gentleman was 

 glad to see the interest that was beginning to be 

 manifested in the proper modes of growing tobacco. 

 He wished that every grower in the country would 

 make it a point to attend these meetings, and learn 

 how to grow tobacco. He would recommend new 

 beginners to commence with a very small crop, not 

 more than half an acre, so that if they failed their 

 loss would not be serious. It is a dangerous under- 

 taking to commence with a large crop, to the exclusion 

 of other staples and then perhaps lose it all for want 

 of knowledge, or from the ravages of worms or hail 

 storms. Let growers first learn just how to do it, 

 and that one good leaf is worth more than half a 

 dozen poor ones, and then they can safely go more 

 largely into its culture. In conclusion he thought 

 the meeting of the society should adjourn as early as 

 4 o'clock BO as to allow members from the country 

 ample time to get home. 



Mr. Cameron oflered the following amendment to 

 the by-laws : 



"The duties of the executive committee shall be 

 as follows : To take charge of all the business of the 

 association that is entrusted to their care, and report 

 in full and in detail at the meeting following. The 

 committee shall incur no expense without the ap- 

 proval of the association at its regular meetings." 



The amendment was agreed to, when on motion 

 the society adjourned. 



The Linnaean Society. 



On Saturday, February 24, the society met with 

 President Kev. J. S. Stahr in the chair. Five mem- 

 bers were present. Opened in due form. 



The donations to the museum consisted of an im- 

 perfect stone axe, from William McKeown. 



The additions of the historical collections were five 

 envelopes, containing about forty clippings from 

 sundry papers, referring to historical events. Also 

 an impression from both sides of a coin — deemed a 

 curiosity by the owner. This was submitted to the 

 inspection of Prof. J. H. Dubbs, who from the date, 

 "1560," and letter N, and its resemblance to German 

 coin of that period, supposed it a coin of Nuremberg. 



The additions to the library were volume xv and 

 the missing portion of volume xvi of the proceedings 

 of the American Philosophical Society of Philadel- 

 phia ; the report of the Commissioner of Education 

 for the year 1875, and a copy of the Public Libraries 

 of the U.S. of America; Special report, 1876; a 

 bound copy of the "Three Earls," per F. R. Diffen- 

 derffer, esq ; number of pamphlets embracing "Fi- 

 nance of Lancaster city to June, 1876," catalogues 

 of Books and Papers and sundry publications, both 

 in Europe and America. 



S. S. Kathvon read a lengthy and interesting paper 

 on "Insects as Food." J. Stauffer made some verbal 

 remarks on the Cunila and the Russian and Cali- 

 fornia 80-called Frost Plants — and referred to his 

 article on the subject published in No. 8, for Feb- 

 ruary 24, 1877, in the Sciejttijic Americait . 



Under the head of scientific miscellany, Mrs. Gib- 

 bons referred to the late lecture and labor saving ma- 

 chinery A letter was then read from the correspon- 

 dent member elected at last meeting, M. I. Hoffman, 

 of Reading, thankfully accepting the same. 



As there are about forty volumes at the binder's, 

 the finance question loomed up — and as no act on was 

 had by delinquent members, from the hints thrown 

 out, it is persumed they wait for the notice — which 

 it is always a task to give and by no means pleasant. 

 No further business offering, adjourned to meet on 

 Saturday, the 31st day of March, 1877, at two o'clock, 

 p. m. 



