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1 June, 1898. | QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 449, 
It is not sought by the most intelligent planters to secure quality by 
growing large leaves and many of them, but rather quality as contained in a 
limited number of smaller leaves; and for this reason it is always advisable 
to plant seed only one year, or two at most, removed from Cuba or Sumatra. 
To restrain the growth of the leaves, the plants are set about as follows:— 
Sumatra plants, 12 to 15 inches in the row; Cuban plants, first year’s seed, 
12 to 15 inches ; second year’s seed, 14 to 18 inches. ‘This gives a leaf about — 
large enough to yield two wrappers, and of the fine silken texture which is so 
much sought after, The rows should be about 3 to 3} feet apart. 
Notwithstanding the output of the State in 1897. was two or three times 
as much as in 1896, prices held their own and if anything advanced a little. 
The average price was 25 to 30 cents per lb. for pole-cured tobacco, while some 
extra choice lots brought 47 cents. The sweated article, ready for the factory, 
in some cases brought as high as 4 dollars per Ib. Of such fascinating prices 
the farmer, as usual, does not get his just share; the shrinkage in sweat- 
ing is only about 25 per cent., and the cost is not over 15 cents per lb., so 
that the farmer ought to receive considerably more than he does. The remedy 
sought by intelligent men is to learn to sweat their own tobacco, and thereby 
secure the splendid prices paid by the dealer to the professional curer. 
In reference to the cost of production, Mr. Sylvester states that the last 
crop he raised cost a small fraction over 1.0 cents per 1b. from the seed to the 
market. A. brother of his grew a crop of thirty-five acres at a cost of 93 cents 
per lb. The same year he sold his crop before a dozen leaves were harvested, 
at 45 cents per lb. The Owl Commercial Company’s manager estimates the 
cost at about 8 cents per Ib.; this is on @ very large crop managed on a 
wholesale plan. 
When the land is fertilised at the rate above mentioned the Sumatra yields, — 
on an average, 700 to 800 lb. per acre, and as high as 1,300 lb. have been grown 
on small and very choice plantings. Cuban tobacco yields, on an average, 500 
to 600 Ib., and has been known to reach 900. From these figures it can readily 
be seen that the skilful and industrious grower, who gives his crop unceasing 
attention, can count on a profit of 200 dollars to 800 dollars an acre, while a 
net cash return of 100 dollars per acre is not above the average to a farmer 
who has “any kind of a crop.” 
TOBACCO CULTURE. 
Awnoruen old and experienced tobacconist writes on tobacco cultivation as 
follows :— 
My experience has been that one of the best beginnings is first to locate 
suitable land, well exposed to morning and noon sun. This location applies also 
to plant land, and should have our careful attention, for we cannot expect a 
good crop taken without a good planting of good plants. 
_ [recommend for a plant bed a location as near by a water stream as you 
can, as you nay need to water your plants, and that the bed be on rich, fresh, 
moist land. Clean off all the shrubbery; grub up the small undergrowth ; 
rake clean, and when the bed is dry (not. too wet, to bake when burnt) burn 
to a light crust with brush or small wood. After burning, dig deep with a 
narrow grubbing hoe, leaving the top soil on top as much as you can; then 
chop fine with a weeding hoe, rake off all roots, &¢., and sow seed—one 
heaping tablespoonful to 100 square yards—then rake lightly, and pack or roll 
smoothly ; then canvas bed or cover with small brush—canvas is best; let 
this covering remain until the plants are the size of a nickel coin, after which 
remove the covering, when you have warm sun, and cover at night while frost 
is likely. If dry, water plants late in the evening ; and one week or ten days. 
before planting leave bed uncovered. his toughens the plants, and will help 
them much in starting from the hill when transplanted. 
