B. P. I.— 193. S. P. I. D.— 52. 



VARIETIES OF TOBACCO SEED DISTRIBUTED IN 

 1905-6, WITH CULTURAL DIRECTIONS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the distribution of tobacco seed by the Department of Agriculture 

 small samples of seed of improved native and standard foreign -grown 

 varieties are furnished for experimental purposes. The object of this 

 distribution in regions where tobacco is not grown at present is to 

 enable farmers to make a reliable test of the adaptability of their 

 conditions of soil and climate to tobacco culture. In the established 

 tobacco-growing sections the growers may secure improved varieties 

 by testing the seed, sent out in this distribution, adapted to the condi- 

 tions of culture and purposes of manufacture for which the tobacco is 

 grown. The Havana seed tobacco of the Connecticut Valley and the 

 Florida Sumatra type of the southern Georgia and western Florida 

 districts are striking illustrations of the beneficial results of the intro- 

 duction of new varieties or the importation of standard foreign-grown 

 tobaccos. 



Many illustrations might be cited of the importance of testing dif- 

 ferent varieties of tobacco in the established tobacco-growing sections, 

 and it is the object of this distribution to furnish tobacco growers care- 

 fully selected seed of improved strains of standard varieties of tobacco, 

 in order that the}^ may obtain the best types of tobacco adapted to 

 their conditions of soil and climate. 



In all cases where foreign-grown or improved native varieties have 

 been successfully established in any region, small crops have been 

 grown until the^strains have become adapted to local conditions of 

 climate and soil and a uniform type has been secured b}^ continued 

 and systematic selection of seed. 



In the distribution of tobacco seed this season, unless a particular 

 variety of tobacco is requested by the growers an attempt will be 

 made to send the variety of tobacco which experience has shown to be 

 most nearly adapted to the conditions under which the tobacco is to be 

 grown. It has been found by experience that an attempt to produce 

 a tobacco on a soil not suited to the type planted will in most cases 

 15304— No. 91—06 2 9 



