472 SEED PLANTS. 
the most valuable, and could the planter obtain such a crop 
at. option, he could realize the very highest price for it. 
Large growers who find much of their tobacco “spotted” in 
this manner, would do well to keep such leaves by themselves, 
and sell direct to the manufacturer. Both kinds of rust are 
more commonly seen on the plants during a wet than a dry 
season, and particularly if the plants have grown rapidly 
during the latter part of the time. 
' Formerly buyers of leaf tobacco were more interested in 
leaf of this description than now; and some of them, more 
anxious than others, made liberal offers to any grower of 
tobacco who could ascertain how such tobacco could be 
obtained. It is hardly probable that any method of culture 
could be devised so as to obtain such leaf; it seems to be a 
freak of nature, depending somewhat on the soil as well as 
the humidity of the atmosphere, and without doubt is beyond 
the control of the grower. Various theories propounded 
and experiments tried have not met with any success that we 
are aware of. Some growers are of the opinion that light 
manure spread on moist soil will tend to produce leaf affected 
with white rust, while others affirm that such leaf is common 
on high ground when manured with light fertilizers. It isa 
matter of doubt whether such leaf can be obtained by any 
preparation of soil, or any system of cultivation whatever. 
SEED PLANTS. 
The selection of large, well-formed plants for the maturing 
of the seeds, is of more importance than most growers are 
aware of.* Not only should the altitude of the plant be 
taken into account, but also the size and texture of the leaf. 
If a variety foreign to the soil (on which it is cultivated) 
is grown, then particular pains should be taken to select 
seed plants resembling those cultivated in its native home. 
In cultivating foreign varieties, even the first season plants 
may be seen that do not resemble the majority, but are 
*Liancourt says of the selection of seed plants In Virginia :—* The seed for the next yeer 
is obtained from forty to fifty stalks per acre, which the cultivator lets run up ay high as 
they will grow, without bruising their heads." 
