PEAT MOSS IN TOBACCO SEED BEDS. 
Report on practical tests with Peat Moss in 
Tobacco- Seedbeds carried out in Brazil. 
1) Application: About 2/4 lbs. of Granulated PEAT MOSS was used for 
the treatment of one square yard each of the seed 
beds. 
After breaking up the peat as fine as possible it was spread 
over the bed and hoed into the soil about 2/2 inches deep. The 
experiments were carried out at the beginning of August, which 
is rather late for the conditions of this climate. Though the 
soil contained sufficient moisture at this time, the seed beds 
were watered well once more, thus giving the soil the proper 
amount of moisture, it then was slightly pressed down by means 
of a plank, so that the seed bed became absolutely smooth. 
After working into it as fertilizer 10 lbs. of Nitrophoska C 
per 100 square yards, a table- spoon full of good tabacco-seed 
was used for that area. Then a fine spray of about /2 inch of 
dry Peat Moss was employed as a mulch and again slightly press¬ 
ed down as above. The seed beds, prepared in this way, wore in 
a very elastic condition, due to the Peat Moss employed. After 
5 to 6 days time the seed germinated strongly and healthily, it 
may be mentioned that in this country during the month of August 
the soil produces sufficient warmth to addelcrate the germinat¬ 
ing process. Weather conditions were favourable, so that the 
test-beds did require nt further watering. Besides the insulat¬ 
ing layer of /2 inch of Peat Moss spread over the bods guarded 
against evaporation and effects of the heat. 
2) Observations on the growth: The young plants showed a quick,strong 
and healthy development, so that they 
were transplanted already at the end of October/ beginning of 
November. On account of the loose elastic structure of the soil, 
which withstood even violent showers of rain and which remained 
in the same good condition all along, the tobacco seedlings 
developed a tremendous root system with an abundance of fine 
and fibrous feeding- roots and consequently a healthy foliage. 
It was often noticed here that tobacco seedlings could not 
develop a strong root system for reason of the unfavourable 
physical condition of the soil. In such instances the main root 
is striving into the depth without developing sufficient feeding- 
roots, so that the weak plants cannot resist the attacks of 
diseases of any kind, when often 60 to 70 $ of them succumb. It 
is a confirmed fact that the PEAT MOSS vastly improves the. 
physical condition of the soil and gives the plants a consider¬ 
able resistance power against diseases. 
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3) Trans planting: Seed bods treated with PEAT MOSS show the enormous 
advantage, that the seedlings can be pulled out 
easily without the slightest injury to the plant or fine feeding- 
roots. The delicate root system remains fully intact, the custom¬ 
ary set- back in growth after transplantation did not occur, but 
