the young plants thrived beautifully and quickly. The main root 
was short but strong, the fine feeding- roots had solidly grown 
into particles of the peat, with which the seedlings could be 
transplanted into the fields. It was a pleasure to observe how 
extremely well the plants withstood the detrimental effects of 
transplantation and how quickly and evenly the growth continued. 
Furthermore they showed a diceded tendency to feed on the ferti¬ 
lizers to a much greater extent than ordinarily, in fact the 
Peat Moss- treatment evidently results with the plants in all 
the preliminary conditions for producing quality- tobaccos. 
In this country the seed beds generally suffer from various 
kinds of fungus - diseases which often kill 100^ of the seedling 
specially so on a sandy soil. A cover of algae forms on the beds 
preventing the essential air- circulation in the soil, while at 
the same time the moisture helps the growth of the fungus. In 
order to counteract these evils the beds were systematically 
given a thin cover or spray of dry Granulated Peat Moss just 
high enough that the young green leaves remained visible here 
and there. Whenever the fine peat layer was washed off the leaves 
by rain, the treatment was repeated until transplantation-time• 
Already after the second spray with peat dust, the algae dis¬ 
appeared and the upper soil showed the desirable loose structure, 
permitting the seedlings to develop an abundance of feeding- 
roots and to grow healthily. The dry peat dust evidently absorbs 
any excess in leaf-moisture and consequently prevents spreading 
of the fungus. When the plants which had already sufferd from 
this disease subsequently resumed their growth, the beds were 
treated with fertilizers such a.s Nitrophoska B and partly 
also with sulphate of ammonia.. In this manner seed beds which 
were already doomed could eventually bo saved, a great result. 
Such treatment of the beds with dry peat dust should be under¬ 
taken as soon on the plants develop the 4th, 5th leaf. Peat Moss 
has the further great tendency that it prevents the growth of 
weeds. 
The many kinds of diseases to which tobacco-seed beds are 
subjected require special precautions and methods, still no 
radical remedies seem to exist so far. The safest preventative 
against the effects of seed bed- diseases seems to be to obtain 
in the beds a soil of the best possible physical condition, which 
permits raising strong, healthy seedlings. Only such seedlings 
have a good chance to withstand the attacks from fungus and 
other enemies, and practical experience has taught that the use 
of PEAT MOSS in tobacco seed beds is a reliable medium to ensure 
a final success. 
