The average yield of flue-cured tobacco in Ontario has increased about 250 pounds per acre in the last 5 years 
when compared with the previous 5-year average. The average yield for the 1958-62 period was 1,504 pounds per 
acre, and that for the 5 years 1963-67 was 1,758 pounds. 
The burley and flue-cured areas overlap in Essex and Kent Counties in southwestern Ontario. Both of these 
crops are being crowded out, particularly in Essex County, because the demand for commercial fruits and vegetables 
for the Windsor and Detroit fresh markets is increasing. Fruits and vegetables are also grown for processing. Crops 
that can be mechanized (low labor costs), such as corn and soybeans, are strong competitors, too. 
The 30 year-old system of acreage allotments for burley was abandoned in 1968 on a trial basis following an 
approval vote at the 1967 annual meeting of the Burley Tobacco Marketing Association of Canada. 
Until this year acreage had been pro-rated among 2,280 Ontario burley producers. Buying companies that have 
been purchasing Ontario burley contracted directly with growers for their 1968 (acreage) needs. 
Production Practices 
Ontario flue-cured growers have made steady progress in production methods and practices. They have been 
assisted by the Tobacco Research Station near Delhi. New varieties are tested and must be approved before they are 
grown commercially. The Tobacco Research Station makes specific fertilizer recommendations for typical soils 
where tobacco is grown. Recommendations are also made for insect and disease control. In 1968 it was estimated 
that 25,000 acres of tobacco land were fumigated for nematode control, compared with 15,000 in 1967. Spray 
equipment of various types are used. The “high-boy” type sprayers are now being used, particularly for applying 
sucker control chemicals. 
The conditional acceptance of certain sucker controls for 1968 created more than usual interest in equipment 
for applying the sucker control materials. Application of sucker control sprays was costing $8-10 per acre plus the 
cost of the chemicals. Maleic Hydrazide (MH-30) was never approved for sucker control in Ontario. 
Fertilizers are being used in greater amounts. Growers apparently are careful to select them on the basis of soil 
characteristics and other conditions. 
Applications of 1,000 to 1,200 pounds of 2-12-15, 2-14-16, or 2-12-16 per acre are common. These fertilizers 
are costing $70-75 per ton. Many growers also use nitrogen and other fertilizers in some form at planting time and/or 
side dressing after planting. 
Weed control chemicals are used by some growers. Two growers told the author that chemical control of weeds 
in the first part of the season was good, but by the end of the season weeds were as bad as in a normal year without 
chemicals. One of them said that he believed he would rather spend the same amount of money on hand-hoeing in 
the earlier part of the season. 
Many growers use irrigation and one grower attributed the success of his 1968 tobacco crop to this practice. 
One grower reported that he irrigated his fields two to three times. His labor cost was $7.50 an acre per application. 
An additional cost was about 75 gallons of gasoline used in a 16-18 hour period, but the gasoline cost would not all 
be charged to a single acre. Most irrigation water comes from farm ponds. 
Heavy rains feli in early June soon after the crop was planted and some areas reported 34 inches in 2 days. One 
area had over an inch of rainfall on June 25 and no more until mid-August. When such extended periods of dry 
weather occur, irrigation is of direct benefit to farmers who have the equipment and use it. 
The degree of fertilizer leaching varied considerably among fields, and growers tried hard to remedy the 
situation. 
The Harrow Research Station, located in the burley area, assists those growers in production practices. It is 
conducting some interesting research in an attempt to determine the optimum temperature and humidity for curing 
Canadian burley. It is possible growers might want to move away from stalk-cutting and stalk-curing. Burley is now 
being grown on lighter soils than formerly, and fertilizer applications are heavier. One farm growing about 15 acres 
of burley (some of it new hybrids) was using 1,800 to 2,000 pounds of tobacco fertilizer; sometimes side dressing 
with nitrate of soda is used. Average yields on that farm ranged from 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre for several 
years. 
