TOBACCO 537 



found by experience that tobacco grown under artificial 

 shade affords the highest quality of cigar wrappers and the 

 largest proportion of leaves fit for this use. This is the 

 common method of growing Sumatra and Cuban tobacco 

 for cigar wrappers. 



A " shade " consists of a field inclosed by a solid wooden 

 wall about 9 feet high, the entire area of the field being covered 

 at this height with thin cotton cloth or with laths (Fig. 220). 

 The purpose is (1) to exclude a part of the sunlight, thereby 

 making the leaves thinner, and (2) to increase the amount of 

 moisture in the air and the soil, the result of which is a luxuriant 

 and rapid growth. Shade-grown tobacco plants grow tall, 

 often standing 9 feet high. They mature a large number of 

 thin elastic leaves. 



When laths are used, they are usually so arranged as to afford 

 half shade ; that is, the space between laths is equal to the width 

 of a lath. The covering of laths or cloth is supported by a 

 suitable framework of wood and crossed wires. The cost of 

 shading an acre 'with laths is several hundred dollars. Tobacco 

 under shade is more highly fertilized than is customary with 

 tobacco grown in the open, and extreme care is taken to make 

 all conditions of preparation, fertilization, and cultivation favor- 

 able to rapid growth. The result is a large proportion of leaves 

 free from any blemish, and possessing the size and quality to 

 command the highest price that is paid for any American tobacco. 



526. Place of tobacco in the rotation. — The following 

 six-year rotation is recommended in Bulletin No. 165 of 

 the Virginia Experiment Station for tobacco fields in the 

 dark-tobacco district of Virginia. 



First year: tobacco. 



Second year: wheat. 



Third and fourth years: mixed grasses and clover. 



Fifth year: corn. 



Sixth year : cowpeas. 



