CONNECTICUT BROADLEAF TOBACCO. 2 i 



in the fermenting processes that the tobacco is not damaged by the 

 spread of fungous diseases, mold, or other causes of injury to tobacco 

 in cases. The cases are usually arranged to hold about 350 pounds of 

 tobacco. 



CONNECTICUT BROADLEAF TOBACCO. 



The methods of sowing the seed, preparation of the seed beds, and 

 treatment of the beds are practically the same for the Connecticut 

 Broadleaf as in the case of the Connecticut Havana variety. Man}^ 

 of the growers in the Connecticut Valley prefer the tent cover for the 

 seed beds for this variety, two forms of which are shown in Plate II, 

 figure 2. The advantage in the cheese-cloth or light-muslin cover for 

 the seed bed lies in the fact that plants grown under such conditions 

 are as a rule more hardy than plants raised under glass. As the 

 Broadleaf plants make a very rapid growth in the seed bed and field, 

 hotbeds for the production of early seedlings are not as essential as 

 with other slower growing varieties. To sow the seed mix one table- 

 spoonful for every hundred square yards of seed bed with 2 quarts of 

 ashes or meal in order to get an even sowing, and lightly rake the 

 surface of the bed so as to barely cover the seed. If the seed is cov- 

 ered too deep, it will not germinate. 



The seed bed should be kept moist, but not too wet, as too much 

 water not only injures the seed, but favors the development of fungous 

 diseases. In about two weeks after sowing, the young plants will 

 appear, but at this time they make a very slow growth, as the plant 

 food in the seed has been exhausted and the plants must meet new 

 conditions. At this stage, if the surface of the bed dries out, the 

 young plants will be killed, so that it is absolutely necessary to use 

 the greatest possible care in watering the beds. After the young- 

 plants have developed root systems and become established for inde- 

 pendent growth they make a very rapid growth, and it is usually 

 desirable to apply liquid manure. If the seedlings begin to turn 

 yellow, it is a sign that more plant food is necessary, and this can be 

 applied in liquid form. The young plants should be set out when the 

 leaves are about five inches long. Large plants are not desirable, 

 as they grow spindling, while very small plants are likely to die after 

 transplanting if any unfavorable conditions develop. In transplanting, 

 the beds should be thoroughly watered before pulling the plants in 

 order to avoid disturbing or injuring the roots. After pulling the 

 plants they should be placed in a basket, roots downward, and set in a 

 shaded, cool place until set out in the field. 



The preparation of the land for planting should be thorough, and 

 the soil should be in as good tilth as possible. Cover crops, such as 

 vetch, are desirable for plowing under. A disk cultivator is a good 

 implement to fine the surface soil, after which the land should be fitted 



