22 



in the drill of about 24 inches, and topped low ; that is, not more than 

 twelve or fourteen leaves were allowed to each stalk. The result was 

 that the plants produced large, coarse, undesirable leaves. The next 

 step was to give the tobacco less distance in the drill; 18 inches were 

 tried. The result was better, but not satisfactory. From time to time 

 chauges were made until uow the plant is given 14 inches, the fertilizer 

 is doubled, and the tobacco is topped higher, allowing at least sixteen 

 leaves to each stalk. The result is that the leaves are of the desirable 

 size and finer in quality and appearance. 



For a long time the cultivation was continued until the time of 

 harvesting, but this was decidedly wrong. The writer has seen fields 

 of tobacco plowed that were ripe and ready to be harvested, and in 

 consequence the tobacco turned green and started a new growth. 

 This generally increases the yield, but almost totally destroys the 

 quality of the tobacco. At present the cultivation stops as soon as 

 the plants are topped. 



When the Sumatra seed was first introduced into Florida, the land 

 selected, the amount of fertilizers used, and the methods of cultivation 

 and harvesting employed were the same as those practiced in growing 

 the Cuban variety. With this trearment Sumatra proved to be an 

 absolute failure; many abandoned the seed, while others continued to 

 experiment. It was soon found that the soil had to be exceedingly 

 rich, the growth quick; that low topping was ruinous, and that each 

 stalk should have from twenty-four to thirty leaves, according to the 

 strength of the soil. When the land was exceedingly rich it was found 

 best not to top at all, but to allow the plants to go to bloom. Then 

 the leaves would be of desirable size, thin and smooth; whereas if 

 topped, the leaves would curl and thicken. This tobacco is also 

 crowded into the drill, the plants being given only from twelve to four- 

 teen inches. The growth is rapid ; the top leaves soon serve as a shade 

 for the middle and lower leaves, and the results have been most grati- 

 fying. New land proved to be more desirable for this variety of tobacco, 

 and It was noticed that when trees were left standing in the field the 

 plants shaded by trees were far superior to the plants not so shaded. 

 From this the idea of building artificial shade had its birth. It was 

 also found that no good results could be obtained if the plants were 

 cut, but the leaves should be primed off just as they ripen, and at a 

 very early stage of ripeness. 



CHANGES IN METHODS AND IMPROVEMENT IN STYLE AND QUALITY. 



If we consider the tobacco industry in Florida during the past ten 

 years, we will find great changes in the methods and improvements in 

 the style and quality of the tobacco produced. Why were these 

 changes in methods made? Because certain manufacturers knew just 

 what the trade required. After the crop was harvested and cured they 

 were able to discover its faults or good points, and if faults were found, 



