58 TOBACCO CULTURE. 



and seller, so that it should only be followed where binding 

 written contracts, covering all details, can be made. 



The value of tobacco is largely a question of personal judg- 

 ment. There are no actual standard grades like those recognized 

 in the wheat and cotton trades, and therefore every grower should 

 post himself thoroughly on the actual demands of the market for 

 the kind of tobacco which he produces, and especially as to the 

 effects of different methods of growing and fertilizing upon the 

 quality of the leaf. 



INSECT ENEMIES. 



Tobacco is attacked by a considerable number of insect 

 pests. The number is perhaps not greater than that prey- 

 ing upon other farm crops, but their depredations may be 

 far more serious, owing to the fact that the value of the 

 growth depends so largely upon the perfection and appear- 

 rance of the leaf, which insects prey upon. 



FLEA. BEETLES. This pest chiefly attacks the young 

 tobacco plant during its first stage of growth. Two different 

 species of these beetles are recognized ; the first is black in 

 color with the exception of feet and antennae ; the second 

 is longer, but otherwise about the same size and of a dull 

 black color, except that its feet, antennae, and under part 

 of the body are light yellow. The injury is done through 

 sucking of the juices of the plant, and being a sucking in- 

 sect, poison is of little avail against it. The surest protection 

 is the covering of the beds with cloth as described, although 



