5 H Cultivation of Tobacco in Ireland. [oct., 



Preparation of the Land and Rotation of Crops. — Old pasture 

 land should be avoided in the first year after breaking up 

 and until found free from slugs, wire worms and leather jacket 

 grubs. Corn stubble is to be preferred, but new meadow lea 

 or good tillage land may be used. Autumn ploughing after 

 well-rotted dung has been distributed broadcast is advisable. 

 Thorough spring cultivation and cleaning is required before 

 drilling and distributing the artificial manure which should 

 be done just before planting. 



Planting. — Should be done from the 20th May to 1st June, 

 according to weather and variety of tobacco. The distances 

 between plants should vary with the variety and class of 

 tobacco grown. In general, much closer planting is practised 

 in Ireland than in America. Only in exceptionally dry weather 

 is watering resorted to. Soon after the plants begin to grow 

 it is necessary to remove any suckers or laterals that may 

 spring from the axils of the leaves. This is a peculiarly Irish 

 phenomenon. At this time cultivation should begin and 

 continue until the plants have covered the ground. The soil 

 should at all times be kept mellow and free from weeds. The 

 usual attention to suckering is required, but topping or breaking 

 out the flower head should be somewhat delayed in Ireland, 

 as the plant is inclined to bloom prematurely. Some varieties 

 should not be topped at all. 



Harvesting. — Occurs according to season and method from 

 1st August until frost. With heavy shipping, Red Burley and 

 certain Turkish and cigar varieties, the entire plant is harvested 

 in one operation, but with yellow cigarette tobaccos and cigar 

 wrapper varieties the leaves are harvested separately. The 

 peculiarities of the Irish climate have caused many minor, 

 innovations in harvesting and curing operations. 



Curing. — All recognised systems of curing have been tried 

 and a new system involving forced ventilation has been tested. 

 Air curing, where supplemented in unfavourable weather by 

 some simple means of heating, is a success with many types 

 of tobacco. Curing with wood fires is a practical method where 

 large supplies of hardwood are available and cheap. . Flue 

 curing is efficient, but expensive, on account of cost of fuel. 

 Steam heated barns are almost ideal, but are very expensive. 

 Forced ventilation by means of fans and air ducts has not yet 

 been proved to have any advantage. 



