BETTER TOBACCOS 
thousands of lines, resulting mainly from crosses or hybrids, 
a few may be found that possess the right combination of 
characteristics looked for. Our constant goal is the develop- 
ment of high-yielding varieties, each having resistance to 
most of the major diseases, including black shank, Fusarium 
wilt, Granville wilt, and nematodes. Nurseries and observa- 
tion plots are grown on a wide range of soils in different 
belts to obtain adaptability data. From the thousands of in- 
dividual plants that are selected, bagged and studied each 
year will come a few that will go into replicated tests for 
more detailed information on yield, uniformity, suckering 
habits, quality and other characteristics. 
GOOD MANUFACTURING QUALITIES 
In addition to our own evaluation of the cured leaf, and 
that of buyers and graders on the warehouse floor, major 
tobacco companies make detailed analyses and cigarette make- 
up tests on our lines of tobacco that show promise. Thus 
when a new variety is released we have a fairly complete 
picture as to how the tobacco performs in the field and manu- 
facturing plant and the nature of the finished product as it 
reaches the consumer. All data for each new tobacco is ob- 
tained for two or more years, under varying conditions, before 
increase and distribution to growers. 
test tobaccos is obtained as it is harvested in the field. (5) Each priming 
from the hundreds of individual plant selections is tagged and cured so that 
data may be secured on the weight and quality of the cured leaf. Each 
bundle on the stick shown below is from a separate plant. Leaves may 
vary considerably in quality and size from different plant selections. (6) In 
this picture Dr. Rogers is tagging specially selected plants in one of our 
black shank breeding nurseries. These plants have already been bagged to 
prevent uncontrolled pollination. (7) Mr. J. M. Lewis, South Carolina 
Extension Tobacco Specialist, examining one of our black shank resistant 
lines in a Coker breeding nursery near Chadbourn, North Carolina. 
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