TOBACCO. 15 



OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. 



SomG varieties are far more easily cured yellow than others, but no fixed rule 

 can be given for regulating the degrees of temperature to fix the color, during 

 , the curing process, in consequence of the variable condition of the material 

 operated upon, which variations are caused by differences in soil, climate, variety, 

 weather, and season. Therefore, the curer must at last rely mainly upon his judg- 

 ment id regulating the temperature so as to make a successful cure. During 

 some years (such as 1889 proved to be up to 9th of September) all tobacco planted 

 on gray lands well drained and in some one or other of the reliable yellow varie- 

 ties cured yellow readily when heat was applied. In fact, it was almost impossi- 

 ble for any one, with even a modicum of experience and common sense, to fail 

 in curing the desired color. But that portion of the crop ripening after the 10th 

 September required far more skill to yellow and cure successfully, and the reason 

 for the change was in the changed condition of the tobacco. 



It would extend this branch of the subject much beyond prescribed limits to 

 explain the rationale of a super-abundance or lack of sap in the leaves, more or 

 less oil and gum, and how these affect the color under the application of hot, dry 

 or moist air during the critical process of curing. But it is becoming plain to 

 most planters with more or less experience, that success in curing is oftenest 

 obtained for ripe plants of the earliest plantings grown- from the earliest varie- 

 ties. 



It is notorious that gxeen plants will not yellow properly, nor will the utmost 

 skill in curing fix and retain the desired color in immature tobacco. Warm, calm 

 weather greatly aids in curing successfully. Therefore, it is important to plant 

 such kinds as possess fine texture, grow rapidly and mature early, when the 

 weather conditions are most favorable to curing the finest and brightest goods* 



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS WHICH APPLY TO ALL THE TYPES. 



The foregoing, in relation to raising plants and what follows, under the head' 

 ings. Preparation of the Soil, Manuring, Planting, Cultivating, Pruning (called 

 "Priming"), Topping, Worming, and Suckering, apply substantially to all the 

 types up to the Gtage of harvesting when different methods become necessary, 

 which are specified under each type. 



SELECTION OF SOIL, PREPARATION AND MANURING. 



The tobacco plant thrives best in a deep, mellow, loamy soil, rich or made so 

 with fertilizers. The subsoil ought to be sufficiently porous to permit the water 

 falling on the surface to pass downward readily, and not to accumulate to drown 

 and stagnate. 



If old land is selected, it ought to be fallowed deep in the fall or early winter, 

 that the frosts may pulverize it. Turn under, if possible, some coarse farm 

 manure, for its decay will greatly help to loosen the soil, while furnishing food 

 for the crop. As a coarse manure for yellow tobacco, nothing is better than wheat 

 straw turned under in the fall and winter. The plants rarely fail to ripen yellow 

 in color on land thus treated. 



