CIHM Microfiche Series ({Monographs) ICIMH Collection de microfiches (monographles) Canadian Instituta for Historical iMicroroproductiont / Institut Canadian da microroproductions historiquaa The InstituI copy availa may be bib the image significant! checl(ed be 0 □ Covei Couvi □ Covei Couvi □ Coiou Encre □ Colou Plane D □ On!y< Seule D D D This item is fll Ce document ( 10x Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques liistoriquet The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available (or filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming are checked below. 0 D D D D D D D D D Coloured covers / Couverture de couleur Covers damaged / Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated / Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul^e Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps / Cartes gSographiques en couleur Coloured inl< (i.e. other than blue or black) / Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bteue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations / Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material / Relid avep d'autres documents Only edition available / Seuie Edition disponible Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin / La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge int^rieure. Blank leaves added during restorations may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming / II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6\6 f ilm^es. Additional comments / Commentaires suppl^mentaires: This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checlced below / Ce document est film< au taux d« reduction indiqui ci-dessout. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a M possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem- plaire qui sont peut-6tre uniques du point de vue bibli- ographique, qui peuvent nrKXlifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modifteation dans la m^tho- de normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages / Pages de couleur Pages damaged / Pages endommag^es I — I Pages restored and/or laminated / Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculSes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / Pages dteolor^es, tachet^es ou piqu^es [ZJ I Pages detached / Pages d^tachSes jTy^ Showthrough / Transparence I I Quality of print varies / D D D Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material / Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image / Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peture, etc.. ont 6\6 film^es d nouveau de fa9on k obtenir la meiileure image possible. Opposing pages with varying colouration or discolourations are filmed twice to ensure the best possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des colorations variables ou des decolorations sont film^es deux fois afin d'obtenir la meiileure image possible. 10x 14x 18x 22x 26x 30x '■^ V .M 12x 16x 20x 24x 28x 32x Th« copy filmtd her* hat been reproduced thanks to tha ganarosity of : Library Agriculturt Canada The imagea appearing here are the beat quality poaaible conaidaring the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract apecificationa. Original copiea in printed paper covera are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the laat page with a printed or illustrated imprea- sion. or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copiea are filmed beginning on the firat page with a printed or illuatrated imprea- slon, and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatrated impression. The laat recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the aymbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the aymbol V (meaning "END"), whichever appllea. Mapa, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratloa. Those too large to bo entirely included In one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many framea aa required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: L'examplaira film* fut reproduit grice i la gtntrotlti da: Bibliothiqut Agriculturt Canada Lea imagea aulvantea ont «t« reproduitea avec le plus grand aoln, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet« de I'exemplaire film*, et an conformity avec lea conditiona du contrat de filmage. Laa axemplairea originaux dont la couverture en papier eat Imprimte aont film4a en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant aoit par la darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration. aoit par le aecond plat, aelon le caa. Toua lea autrea axemplairea originaux aont filmia en commen^ant par la pramiire page qui comporte una empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee aymbolos suhranta apparaltra aur la derniiro image de chaque microfiche, aelon le caa: le aymbolo —^ algnifie "A SUIVRE". le aymboio V aignifio "FIN". Lea cartea. planchea. tableaux, etc., peuvent ttra fllmte i dea taux de rMuction diff«renta. Loraquo le document eat trop grand pour ttra reproduit en un aeul clichi, 11 eat film* i partir de I'angia aupirieur gauche, de gauche k drolte, et de haut en baa. en prenant le nombre d'imagea niceaaaire. Lea diagrammea suivanta illuatrent la m Published by order of the Hon. SYDNEY A. FISHER, Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont. 6862—1 A.PRIK. lOlO Tn the Honourable Th« Minister of Agriculture. Sir, — I have the honour to tubmit herewith Bulletin No. A-9 of the aerios of tlie Tobaooo Diriaion, entitled ' Work of Experimental Stations in 1009.' The firat part of this bulletin contains • atatemeut of the object of the experi- mental atationa, which ore c'3Toted chiefly to the growing of tobacco, and a brief analyaia of the reaulta iilpeady achieved; the other two parts, prepared b\ the a^entx in 'tharge of the atation«, present a report of tlie woric done and of the progresa made. In these reports, the Canadian growers will find much practical information based on experimental work. I rpconiniend, sir, that this bulletin be printeir. Your obedient aerviint, F. CHARLAN, Ohitf of the Tohaccu Division. l>rrAWA, April, 1910. 6862—1* V A |{ T I EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS FOR THE QROWINQ OF TOBACCO. ConaicltriDC thr rapid growth of tobaeoo eultura in Canada within the laat faw yMia, and tha bri^t pmspecu for tba C^anadian product, which will henceforth be admitted in the manufactiirea of the Dominion on an equal footing with its foreign competitors, the Honourable S. A. Fiaber, Dominion Minister of Agriculture, decided to aatablifh experimental tobacco growing itationa in tba chief diitricta where this induatry !a carried on. ThcM xtatiuna were eatabliahed in 1009. The objaet of tbeae itations ia to study how tobacco culture can be made more profltable in Canada; to aicertain the value of proper methoda; to create improred itraina and produce leeda of tuch strains, for general distribution in Canada; to demonstrate agrioultural methnii whereby the fertility of the land and the h<\irroiinding farms. A three-years rotation comprising S 6 tobacco, grain and clover has been started, an<) we hope it will be tlie means of brinji- \ng back the heavy yields of yore and restoring the fertility, long considered f\a iru'x- liaustible, of the lands of this beautiful region. Special attention was given to certain practical questions of vital interest in the growing of tobacco. Thus it was shown that two things are absolutely necessary in order to ward off the attacks of diseases, so frequent in damp and cold springs, viz.: a better aeration of the seed-beds, and thinner beds. As was expected, the experiment with fertilizers has shown that good results may be obtained from the combined usi^ of farm manure and commercial fertilizers. A new variety, which is destined to take the place of those now thrown in the province of Quebec, has been introduced. It will be pretty generally grrown in a year or two, as soon .ns the quantity of seed harvested is sufficient for general distribution throughout the province. The hybrid Comstock x SunuUra, originate«l in 1908 at St. C&aire, by Mr. Chevalier, superintendent of the Quebec stations, has ^hown remarkable qualities. It is much larger in size and a heavier yielder than the Comstock Spanish; the leaf lias a finer texture and a better shape; it is also earlier and more easily cured. This tobacco is i'. jtined to become the special type of the province of Quebec, for it seems to be adapted to a great variety of soils. On the comparatively heav„ loam of the garden of St. Jacques station, the texture of the product was as fine as on the liglit loams of St. Cesaire. On account of vagaries of temperature, hail. &c., we have not liad th'.' same sucerss with other varieties tried at this station. The Hazlewood. ' m which we expected a crop of good ' fillors.' has greatly suffered, as also our Big Ohio, whose leaves were completely torn. But the experiments with this last tobacco will be continued and wo will then have in Quelx>c the throe following types: For binders, hybrid of Comstock X Sumatra; for fillers, Hazlewood or other Cuban varieties; frr cut tobaccos (pipe and cigarette). Big Ohio. Grown on suitable soils, these varieties will ensure the prosperity of our tobacco growers. B. — St. Cesaire. Here we are iu a comparatively new district where, everything considered, the land is in better condition for the growing of tobacco than in the northern district. Summer is milder and the rainfalls apjiear to be more frequent and more regular. The proportion of light soils is also greater, at least in those parts where the growinj; of tobacco has been heretofore carrieil on. This new centre will soon become a danger- ous competitor for the northern district, and this, we hope, will stimulate the activity of these agricultural groups. In 1009. the varieties grown nt the St. Cesaire station were the Comstock Spanish, tlie Brewer Hybrid and the Hazlewood. Further in this report will be found inforuiation ooncerniug the yii'M of thesi' different tobaccos, and a detailed account of observations made on the plantation. At St. Cesaire the Comstock gives a slightly finer leaf than similar varieties grown in the nortlH'rn counties. The Brewer Hybrid is a good yielder and, in spite of it.s .slow growth, may be utilized to advantage on account of the fine qualiti'-s of its tissui' and the shape of its leaf. If it is found impossible to secure a product suitable for wrapi^r?. we can at least obtain n first-cla*** * binder* tobnecn. The rathir poor iiolds obtuiiied at St. C^saire this year are due to the unfavour- able season, to the hasty preparation of the land— the station being established onlv in the spring— and, chiefly, to the growing of seed-plants which, while giving a fairly abundant crop of choice seeds, have reduced in the same proportion the yield in leaves. n.— THE HABBOW STATION (COUNTY OF ESSEX, ONT.). The county of Essex is largely given to the growing of Burley; this is a large, heavy yielding tobacco, and rather slow in maturing. The climatic conditions of that part of Canada fulfil these requirements, and the growing of the Burley is oiv of the most prosperoua industries in South Ontario. A few black tobaccos (seed leaf type), are grown on a much smaller scale by a few planters. The quantity produced is insigniticant, the more so because the possi- bility of their competing with similar tobac js of Quebec is very uncertain. The Ontario seed leafs— at least those we have examined so far— are generally strong.-r than their competitors of Quebec and much less elastic. Some hope may- be entertained for the culture of the aromatic varieties, suitable for 'fillers,' and certain tobaccos of this type (Cubnii. llnzelwoocl. Big Havana) were tested this year at our station. But there is another very interesting variety, both on account of its relatively recent introduction and of the special curing proc.«.s it requires, and whose future seems to be almost assured ; we mean the Virginia. Like the Burley, this variety demands a long and warm summer to become s\iffi- ciently ripe, but it requires an entire diflFercnt soil. The soil must be sandy, or slightly gravelly, very permeable, and contain as small a proportion of lime as possible. Soils of this nature are sometimes met with in the southern part of the county of Esstw. but they must be carefully selected. The Virginia will not only give the grower as good, if not better cash returns than the Burley, but grown in a moderate scale, in place of the latter, it will enable the grower to avoid the over-production of Burley which has occurred in some yeiir=. It will fill a real want of the Canadian manufactures, and although the product obtained is sometimes only of second grade, it will nevertheless always ho able t<> replace the same product at present imported from the Southern States. The chief characteristic of the flue-cured Virginias is their bright colour, obtained and fixed by a special curing process. On account of the rather high temperature and the comparatively close atmosphere to which this tobacco is submitted during the curing process, the aroma is also quite characteristic and seems to bo highly valued by a certain class of smokers. The yield per acre is less than that of the Burley, on account of the necessity of topping rather high and thinning rather low. practically keeping on the plant only the middle leaves, which all ripen almost at the same time. The result is a product of uniform colour whose price is much higher and may reach, for a good crop, from 15 to i5 cents per pound. An interesting test of fertilizers has been undertaken, and it is intended to con- tinue this experiment on a larger scale in future seasons. The question of the seed- beds has received special attention for. in spit*' of the comparatively favourable climatic conditions of the county of Essex, this question is more important in this part of Canada than many tobacco growers seem to think. In the near future the hot and half-hot bedii .ill n~,k.ki i in general u« in Ontario and whichT^ld ^ Zl "^ "*''["' '^ '"" ^ offer ao little chance of »ucce«. """^ '^"«' '"'''' " *^' »' 1«<>». F. OHARLAN. bed* 1909, P A R T I I WORK OF THE TOBACCO DIVISION IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC IN 1909. By 0. Chevalier. The first part of this report relatee to tobacco culture in general. It treats of the actual condition of this industry in the province of Quebec and of the improve- ments we hope to achieve, both from an agricultural and an economic point of view. The second part, lees general, is an account of the work done on our two oxperi- mental stations of St. Jacques and St. C^i-iie. PAST I. Before attempting to show to what point of perfection we desire to bring the tobacco growing industry in Quebec, it may be useful to state in what condition it was found, and briefly recall the progress made since the Tobacco Division of the Department of Agriculture was organized. The production of tobacco being profitable, the farmers rapidly enlarged their plantations, the more so as they generally considered that this plant was easily grown, and for a long time they were content, so to speak, with planting and harvesting the crop. In many cases, however, the quality of the product was judged sufficient to justify the granting of protective duty. This protection awoke the ambition of the farmers and stimulated their desirt to improve the product, so as to make it more suitable for the Canadian manufacturing industry. To help them in this work the Tobacco Division was established. That a considerable change had taken place was apparent at my first inspection in the province of Quebec. To-day the farmers know that tobacco requires consider- able care and is very exacting in fertilizers. They give greater care to the selection of their soils, to the choice of varieties and they are familiar with the vaiious agri- fultnral processes necessary for a plant which reaches so great a development in so short a time. Th«> success of the teats and the rapidity of the progress are largely due to the care with which the diflFerent varieties were localized; for instance, the Comstock Spanish (a light tobacco), was grown at St. Jacques and St. Cesaire, and Canelle (a strong tobacco), at St. Alexis, county of Montcalm, and especially in the county of Two Mountains. Ligh' varieties are now planted much closer than formerly, and it has been shown, on a farm of St. Cesaire, that it was possible, by planting 18 inches X 30 inches apart, to obtain a well developed and very thin leaf, and a yield of 1,700 pounds per acre, or 800 pounds more than the old average yield. Several farmers are beginning to produce their own seeds; as a rule they know how to select their seed- plants, they are aware of the dangers of cross-fertilization and degenere«cence of species, and they avci.l these two drnwhscks by covering the seed-planta with bags. 10 lender these improved condition, we arc able to undertake a series of experimenU of 8 mopo definite character, and con^quently to go deeper into the details of the sub- ject The work done during the season of 1909 may be summed up as follows:— 1. Unification of the methods followed by the diflFeroit growers. 2. Experiments with commercial fertilirers. either singly, or with farm manure. 3. Improvement in the shape and size of the varieties now grown in the province of Qiiebec. A. UNIFICATION OF METHODS. Thinking that a knowledg.- of the methods followed by the growers would he useful, we have prepared a complete series of .juestions covering all the operations from the establishment of the beds to the delivery of the product to the manufacturer mi. asking m each .use for a justification of the niothoda follow^. The statements will moreover be verified by frequent visits to the farms. In addition to the advantages that sneh statistics may have in rexulating the market it has been thought that, owing to th.-ir official character, they would stimulate the zeal of the growers of each parish, just as con.petition does. The average obtained by each planter being known, nothing will be easier than to determine the average yie d of .T g.ven variety in the different parishes. The publication of these result, will stimulate the competition between parishes, to the great advantage of tobacco culture These statistics, of interest to all growers, will be the neces8arv comple- ment of the district exhibitions where the only competitors are those who expect to wm pn^es They will moreover be the means of estal.li.-hing a regular correspondence between the growers and our division, which will be a distinct improvement, hnmlly. l.y their answers to these questions, the farmers will become known to us ludividimlly. and we will thus be enabled to go deeper into details with each of them ;..Kl to complete the general advice already given in publications and lectures. The schedule of questions follows:— Pari.sh Xanie and surname iif grower Viirieiy prown. . . _\rgj, Xatnre of preceding, . rops aii.l yield ,)l)tained— 1st yetir 2nd year. . . , Xatnre .ind preparation of beds— Thiekne**; of seeding Hot or cold Fr:i!!:.^. a-l3« ...;- ,-.'.ttoii 11 Niiture of seed — Origin.. Age. . . . Price. . • Pate of sowing. . Quantity of scod \i»<-d. iif ijcnniiiatii'ii. Seeding — 1. Dry seed 2. Oerminntod seed M.ili..' Number of dnys r«'> — Compoeitioii Condition Quantity uew> it, or which may easily be brought necrest to the standard without too much outlay will be selected for the growing of tobacco. Our work will thus be more rational and all useless tests will be avoided. The standard soil has now been chosen. We consider Mr. Leduc'B farm, nt St. Claire, which us given an average yield of 1,436 lbs. of fine Corastock per acre, as being, provisionally, the best type of tobacco soil in the province of Quebec. " izerd, do so i soil stood istioii bacco iisted ed to With farm 1 No. ental 'OUgll iving C— mPROVIHO THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE LEAVES. The experiment included only one variety, the Comstock Spanish, the best adapted to this country. By continued selection, the leaf of this variety has been improve« 'n Canada! The tobaooo grower, hare been warned again.t the danger, of auch a trmle and have been .hown that the ule of damage.) tobacco, wa. di.placing on the market an . .lual quantity of good tobacco. Particular .troM waa laid on thi. point in a lecture Biven at St Jacquea. on January 14. IDOfl. and in which the farmer, were told that it would be infinitely better to um damaginl tobacco, a. a fertiliier than ae a market- able product. All our representations, however, have been u«;Iess. ami the trnde in (Inniaged tobaccos continues as before. To check thi. evil we recommend the use of early varieties which, ripening earlier, are less expowd to frosts, and also the cutting off of the three or four lower leaves. We hope the a»K>ciation« will follow our lead and will heartilv contribute to .hi. work. They have promiwd to include in their regulations strict provision, agamtrt the Mle of damaged tobacco.. However, without being too pewimistic we do not think this trade can be completely suppreewsd with the means at our dispersal for this reawu only that our collaborator, are themMlve. growers who may have damaged tobacco, and W tempted to dinnjse of them without delay. It would probably l.e preferable to resort to more rigorous measures, and it might perhaps be expedient for mir lejri«lntors to deal with the matter. n.-DETAn OP THE WOBK DONE AT THE EXPEWMEHTAI STATIONS OF ST. JACQUES AND ST. CESAIRE. A.— St. Jacqnei Experimental Station. In accordsMfo w!,h th.- plan of operations outlined in l.ulletin -No. \-5 of the ,.l,a.co =erie». the .iren .f the St. .Taoqnes station wa. divided into three equal lots of three a^re, ea^h. a„d a three year's rotation was at once started. The total .^.a of thP atation iK^ing ten acre,, the remaining acre will he put in toba<.«o v»ar aft<>r year M, ..r-lf-r tr, -]f.n,.'.n=.rate. hy oomp«ri.„n. the advantages of a good rotation IT btablhhmtat of Sm4 B«dt. Owing to the unfavourable atmo*pb<>rin conHitinn* ut the •prinu of l!Mt{) the work had to be dklayed until the 17tli of April. The teed waa town on six botlit il feet x 5 feet oach. a total area •■{ >''"M i«<]iiar« fi>«t. The fix bedi, five of which wen* hot hocfai iiikI one n colil b<'<), weri> prepared in the following manner: Hot beds No*. 1. 2. 3. 4 and «— 10 inchea of horae manure well packed down. 6 inchea of vegetable earth (mould). i to i inch of forest soil finely pulverized. Cold bed, No. 5— 1 layer of tobacco atems. 1 layer of straw, rather thin. 6 inchea of vegetable earth. 1 inch of forest aoil. Compelled as wc were by special circumstances t<> hasten the vstiililishn.ont of tli<> experimental station, we coidd not make a very discriminat" selection of the vegt- table earth or mould. We had to apply to a doren grower e we I'ould collect thf needed quantity of mouhl. It is evident that under these c itions the moulds wer<' vastly different in nature and that the final mixture was in rather inferior quality. Moreover, theae moulds contained a great quantity of weed seeds, and of clover seeds which, as ia well known, are very injurious to seed beds on account of tho rapid development of the roots of this plant. Sowing, All the beds were dry-seeded : (1) Comstock Spanish. Three beds (Nos. 4, 6 and 6) were sown on April 20. Bed No. 4 was sown at the rate of | of an ounce per 100 square feet; bed No. 6, W of an ounce per 100 square feet; bed No. 6 (cold) i of an ounce per 100 square feet. On becfa 5 and 6 a special fertilizer, called Eureka, was tested. On bed No. 6 it was spread evenly over the soil at the rate of tV of a pound per square foot, before the forest mould was added. On the cold bed (No. 6) different quantitiea of the Kureka fertilizer were applied. This bed was divided into four equal plots to which were respectivt^ly applied : — Plot 1. Eureka, i lb per square foot. <1 O tt 1 il u " 3. " A " " 4. Check plot (no fertilizer). On June 7 the foUowing observations were made on bed No, 5: Piul Nu. 3 had the best seedtiu^!), mure tender aud earlier, and witli more ubuud- ant root-hair than those of the other plots. It is obvious therefore that the Eureka 6862—2 w IS f..rtili.er Kiv,.. ,h. »*., ,«„lu when .p^io.! .U ,he r..e of o,..-.i„oo...h nf . po,.„a «. the r... of one-ei^t of . p«u„d p., ^...^ ,„„,, ^hj,, „„^ ^, J"^ (2)^Bi. Ohio n«. No. 2. .o... on April 21. .t the r.t. of one.«.v«,.h of .„ ZLr '"f rr ^'"*' ""-'*♦-"•'■ "' • »*>""«* of the Kurok. fertiliser, oiirrfully inix«l w,i!, thr «„.• -iirfare «>il. wes applied ..f „n?: '"'"'■ /r'!""'" "' '^^ '^^ •■'• •°'"' "" ^P'» ««• •' '»>• ""«• »^ one..ixth of nn oiiiior |ier huiKh.-.! square feet o..n:'!„ aI:::;'^: "'-'■•""" " '•- ^- ^' --' - ♦••^ -- -^ — ve„th of .„ ot oiif-nevc-iith of nil ounce, on April 21. J6h ir«.lowo«i. Bed No. 1. .own on April 27 at the rate of one-«,vonth of an ounce per liun.lre 4^ iinil 50 F. only. The t..„.pernt„re of the ho. bed. never fell below 45' F.; the lowest ten.per.ture _^r^.l.^,.„M l.e.1. wa» observed on the first of May, .t .ix o'clock in the morning -.Hilt 2Ttr'''T''' """"^P''*"^ -"«'io" killed a groat number of The bo.U wero very frequently watered, but very lightly, only so that the soil - or 4 degree, higher m temperaturo. Sprinkling, must be light or the fertilizer »>" l^' <«med away and the youn^ plants uprooted. tal h tnr^L r^r °' :*"" '"""^ ''^ -n-fen-tion. Thi. p«K,ess f.cili- tates he running away of these drops of water and can be recommended. I),.rinl''t^"~''-\'^'T" ''• "'"'^' ^"'^ "^*'"" ''°"''"^' '^^ Comstock seedlings came up I ..r ng he^ eight days the sun shone twice only and but for a few hours. ThegerTs ■an liar.ll,. be s« en in the cold bed. '^ hen ,p .„,a to re...a.„ stationary up -o Afay 9. when the first two" leave, appeared O'stinctly on a certain number of plants. appeared I* Oh May .1 tlw SiiniHtrt, ■» wi-ll h* the ConnifK-lc x Siimatni hybrid, had two ll'IIVPt. The stand it fairly even, with the j.;c«ptioii of the c<>lt!eda town with Cuban and Ilailewood ahowed two-b-ayrd leedlingt. Wttding.— Weeding operation* werr begun on May « on the ( omiitoclc l*il. Thi* worlc wfl* v<»ry hard on account of the poor quality of thr noil. It wm itnpoM^ibl. to begin wccdinff earlier, owinjr to the damp and cold winther. and up to May »t thi ■eedliuffa had grown to little that there win danirrr of \i|ir>HitiiiK them while wecdinir. Fach bed waa weeed» ot .nstoclt, e«p«'ciaily the cold bed, show many empty ^pace«. How- ever, there ia no race of diteatc. The aeedling i- sound nml iuirdy. The . iiply spaces are probably due to tlic cold w^-ather, which has killed the germs. The seedlingt of Big Ohio have made better pruuregrt and urc in very good con- dition, coiisifk-ring the season. Their rapid growth is probably due ti. ihc inHuen.-. of the Eureka fertilizer. Judging liy the appenrance of bed No. r. it is certainly bettor to mix tlie fertiliser with the fine surface soil than to mix it with the moold and spread the fine surface soil over it. The seer. This last fertilizer gave excellent results. The seedlings were much benefited by these sprinklings and grew so rapiilly that between the Ist and h of .Tune some of them were ready for setting out. The following observations were suggested to us by a '•lose study of our seed beils. Bnd of those of various growers: Qerminated and Dry Seed. The cold bed, which can be prepared much quicker than the liot bed and whidi. on this account, is becoming more and more popular, compels the grower to s-nv germinated seeds. I'nder such conditions the work on the seed bods is greatlv gimpli- 6.«C2--2i 80 Had, but it is p„«sible that the grower* have valued too highly the advantages of sowing gorminatod seeds. The artificial germination of the 8ee3 nourished by assimilation of carbon, which is performed by the green parts of the plant. ConK-quently. the object must be to stimulate as much as possible tho development of these ^reen parts, and it is only under full sunlight that this developmont can take place. When the see vigorous and is seldom affected hy disease m normal years. Such are the reasons against the praetice of sowing germinated seeds on col.l beds .n the province of Quebec. It may be objected that by merely bursting the t..pnmont of the seed v^ithout mixing it with sand the grower may perfectly succeed in a normal year. This is true, but it may be w.ll to state here that the "spring of lOOS was not normal and that snow fell to the depth of 1 foot on May 1. 1909 Dry- seed better withstands cold, and its germ is more easily acclimatized than a germinated seed whose plantule has been artificially developed, and suddenly transplanted into an .msu.tah e soil. Finally, we may state that hot beds were ready eleven davs before the cold bed. Thickness of seeding^. After a careful study of this question we have come to the conclusion that the I-8t .pumtity of seed to use is ^ of an ounce per 100 square feet. An experiment to this effeet was carried on at both experimental stations of St. Jacques and St ( esnire, where the following quantities of seed were tried: i. i, ^, J of an ounce per 100 square feet of bed. With W of an ounce of «.>n- as many as 10,000 seedlings. Many growers have been persuaded, but a few are still obstinate and coiitimie to sow their beds too thickly, and are compelled to resort to nurseries. This method cannot be recommended, for the digging up of the beat plants to reset tiiein in the nursery injures the bed. Moreover, the young seedlings transplanted in the open always 8u£Fer from the sudden change of conditions. Thus, in the nursery thr seedlings are placed twice under unfavourable eonditions. Shonld the bed be covered immediately after sowing t Many growers cover the surface of the beds with bags as soon as the ^uwiiiK i^' done. In this cast> tl»e germination and growth of the germ take place in the dark, or at least under diffused light. The diaadvantageri of this prin-esi have lieeu described above. I'nfortunately the l)a>rs are often left too lonjf, and n Kr<'at numb«'r of germs get entangled in the loose meah and are destroyed when the bags are removetl. The remaining seedlings, grown almost in the dark and in a vitiated atmofiphere. arc deprived of light and oxygen. It is better to use a white cotton oo cotton covers facilitate the running away of the water of cuideiisaliini and |irr)teft the surface of the bed. Preparation of the soil and planting. Work could not be started on tlie land before June 2. Up to tliat date the soil was t'K) damp and twelve consecutive days of fair weather were rc tons to ilic acre, t\w land was cultivated as follows: — J. Ploughing. 2. Harrowing with disc harrow. ;!. Harrowing with ordinary harrow. 4. Rolling. .1. Harrowing (twice). fi. Rolling. 7. Planting. To ascertuiu the nature of , . soil, one acre was reserved for th.- test of the fer- tilizers mentioned in bulletin No. A-6 of the tobacco «.rie^. The results of this test are (jiven in a special chapter of the present report. Planting. The plantinsr of the Co.ns.ock was begun on June 8 and completed on the 12th Ih.8 was done by machine; the plants were ^t at distances of 18 inches x HO inches rhe B.K Ohio was planted on the 10th and 12th of June, at distances of 3 feet X -f feet, but the Cuban and Hazlewood could not be set out before June 21 ; these were set at distance, of 30 inches x 30 inches. It will be shown further that it would have iH^en better to plant these varieties at the ordinary distance. 18 inches x 30 inches. t.nnlly. on June 10, on a small plot of poor and badly prepared soil, 160 seedlings of o.nstook X Sumatra hybri.l, and 200 seedlings of Sumatra were planted for a test I'otli at distances of 30 in.?hes x 30 inches. Thoso two varieties v .re planted by hand and on the same day, so that their growth might be watched and compared. The work of setting out the seedlings was carefully done. The seedlings were pulled up in the morning after a copious sprinkling. Only soimd, tender and well- rooted seedlings were chosen. They were ca^-fully placed in a box whose bottom was covered with a layer of grass always kept moist. Care was taken to spread Paris green after replacing the plants that had been poorly set. The i^covory was almost perfect and was completed by the ,hower of June 14. The replacing of dead or wilted plant.s was begun immediately after the rain. Owing to the perfect condition of our beds, which remained sound until the end with the exception of a slight yellowing on the Hazlewood and Sumatra bed. good seedlings could easily be found to fill up the empty spaces. Tp to June 17 only two per cent of the plants had to be replaced and most of tlK> failures were due to cut-worms „nd wire-worms. Then the wire-worms began to attack the Big Ohio which had to be almost completely reset three times. Moreover tlK. «,g Ohio plantation was overrun with weeds, and on June 24 it had already been' weeded twice, once with the horse-weetler and once with the hoe. I'P to this date the progress oi the plantation was very slow. The temperature was most unfavourable and the snowfall of June 18 seems to have checked vegetation I t.e Big Ohio was even taking an alarming appearance. We knew already that the erop of this new variety would not be up to our expectations, a. it suffered too mud, Iflay both in the planting and ti.e recovery after transplanting. The recovery of the Cuban and Hazlewood was fairly satisfactory, hardiv .>„„•.. han 5i per cent of the plants having to be replaced. As these varieties were planted late, the cut-worms and wire-worms were about to enter the pupa stage and caused comparatively little injury. On June 25 the Comstock x Sumatra hybrid has the best appearance both on the plantation nnd on the seed bed. At that date the leaf development of the hvbri.] ,.„, double th.",t of the Sumatra and h a. great as that of the Comstock On July 5 the whole plantation had been twice cultivated by machine .nd l,v I'and. but -t was only after the warm and abundant rain of July 10 that it made rapid ..-.-.. Finally. ,be ..in .f J,,, 12. foiia.ved ly four days of great feat, brought 33 the plantation into excellent condition, considering the general conditinn of tlie season. Thinning and hilling. This special work, little practised as yet by o-ir growers, wa^ started on July 17. It consists in the removal of the three or four lower leaves of the plant and hilling up by hand or with the plough around each plant. These lower leaves, necessarily soiled by contact with the earth and always more or less torn by rain and wind, are of poor quality and simply increase the quantity of waste products. It is therefore lietter to remove them. Far from causing a reduction in weight, as many growers think, the thinning, on the contrary, increases the yield, since the leave* of koolant8. whicl topping was proceetled with. The different varieties dates : — Comstock: (12 to 14 leaves) July 22. Big Ohio: August IS*. (The stand being very uneven it \vii< inipossibli- to ilft«r- niine the uniform nunilier of leaves to be left.) Cuban : August 14. llazlewood : August 14. Sumatra: August 14. TIm^ Comstock x Sumatra hybrid was topped on .July 14; 10, 17 and 1* b ave-* Were left on the plant. As will be seen, this variety, by far the first to be toppe.l. has proven to bo very early. The toppina: was followed by a careful pruning. This operation wil* normal, save for the Big Ohio, whose immense leaf development renders this work very diffi- cult. Although vary late, the crop was making rapid progress. Unfortunately. tlii hail storm of August 19 greatly endangered the success. On aci-ount of the large diniensioti of its leaf, the Big Ohio suffered gn^atly. All the leaves were perforated and many of them completely torn. The Cuban and llazlewood varieties, which grow to a considerable height and the leaves of which are of a rather brittle texture, suffered still more severely. From this date the crop of Cuban and llazlewood ma.v 1h' considered as a complete loss, as it will give nothing but waste products. The Comstock suffered less, probably on account of the great flexibility of the leaves. This storm, which lasted a quarter of rn hour only, has nevertheless done severe damage; a certain grower of Ste. ^farie Salome estimates liis loss at $.100. By a fortunnt* chance the Rnmatra and the Comstock x Sumatra hybrid wove completely spared. Crop and yield. n.rve.ti„8r w«« sUrted .. «,o„ „ the first signs of maturity .pDe.r«l Th. .r«.i.l b.ild, .b,„ ^., i. .hojfulr ^il^Z":'^ •' ■ "" " V'»ri<-tifit. Coni»tock*.. Biff Ohio . CuT»n Hazalwucxj Sumatim** Hybrid*" Date of li»rvf»t. VieMs |K to IH. dHO lU I 24 to 27 K.V) „ .. „ l«to27 .. «76 „ Angunt 2ft ,875 „ Thi« 18 thf ntiniatHl yield. phases ""'*' "''**° •=«"*'>« ""^itwn of growers to certain special Winter uid ipring pIongMng. Good plouglung is an important factor in the success of the crop. The tobacco plant requTes a great deal of moisture, but it easily .uffers from an exLa of it It t CvItiTfttion. ..f ^s'ZTjT ;'"' *f °^"''°" ^"^- " ^-' P-'--^ the destruction powdered suC" ' ""' """ ''"""^ '" *"« '"™'* '»"» '- ♦»•• 26 Besetting pluita. Too little care is generally given to the resetting of plants. A hole in diiit in which the new plant is set without any care, or the hole is dug with a planting tool which p«cks the earth so tightly around the tender root^ that they are squeezed ami cannot spread properly. We have tried another process which has insured an almost perfect recovery. This consists in digging with the hand, or with any implement, ii small trench which i then filled with water; the plant is set in the water and the s.iil is gently put back around it. As will be seen, the work is done in exactly the same way ns with the planting machine. Hauling to the curing-shed. We would like to see the present system of hauling replaced by a better one. An ordinary wagon is used in which the laths are loaded; it would be better to use a special wagon fitted with a rack and in which the tobacco could be hung, just as in the curing-shed. The waste that results from friction and crushing would thus be reduced to a minimum. Beinlti of an Experiment with Chemical Fertiliten. This experiment, whose object was to determine the fertility of the soil at our St. Jacques station, was carried on an acre of Comstock. six lot"? which were treated in the following manner: — The field was diviuna. shnp. <.f th-: .xtven.ity uf tho Sumatra leaf and is better developed than the Comstot-k, as shown in the following table:— «7 Comttock — Average 15 leaves: length, 1831 innlies; width, 9.3.7 inches. Hybrid- Average 16 leaves: length, 9-Wi inches; width. 11 01 inches. Finally, the riba are plac. .1 in a very iidvaiitnKeoiH iHisition. 'I'licv nrf iilmiKt pprpendiculnr to the main rib, widely spaced and very fine. Average space between the ribs 'calculateje quantity of wrappers, as the ribs once dry, are remarkably fine. The hybrid was set at distances of 30 inches by 30 inches, but could be easily planted at distances of l'.> inches by 30 inches. There is no doubt that in the last case the tissue would have been thinner still. The following method was followed in computing the yield per acre: the plants of three separate lots were left with 16, 17, and 18 leaves respectively. The yield of each was weighed separately and gave the following results: — 16 leaves 3"5 ounces. 17 " 4-12 " 18 " 4-25 " iin average of 4-40 ounces per plant. This gives four plants to the pound. If the average thickness of the stand were 7,500 plants per acre, the iiveragc yield per acre would be '"'%=-l,875 pounds. The weight of 130 plants was 30-25 lbs., which is evidently 4 plants to the lb. This figure speaks for itself. It is still more st-iking when compared to the yield of Comstock which seldom reaches 1.300 lbs. The manufacturers to whom samples were submitted were very enthusiastic about this new product, a;id they were prepared to pay as high as 20 to 25 cents, and even from 30 to 40 cents a pound, if properly fer- mented. It is probable tliorofi/rc that we have here a very interesting variety, to whn-i' ounds per acre. Cvbaii and Hulewood. Thew two v.rietiw. which wert Mng t«ted .. filler,. w«re alw a f.ilu«, thi. .ve«r. the crop bei„« de.troyed by h.il. However, it wa, poMible to .^certain Z they ..re rather late and that their acclimatization will take .on.e time. « rather bntUe tertur* but of good ah.pe however. a,.d comparatively ea.y to cure. Ihe work on the St. Jacques station, in 1900. wa. completed by fall ploughing to the 19th of October. Farm manun, was applied at the rate of fifteen ton. per «.ro over a two-yea« clover crop and buried by a narrow ploughing. 6 to 8 inches dcTp B.— EXPEMMEHTAI STATION AT ST. CE8AIRE. .tatio?" rr'"" '"T"^ '* ^'- ^'^- '" °^ '•'^ ^"'"' «»""*'*>"• " •» St. Jacques where tobacco w.ll be grown every three year. only, and one of one acre only where obacoo W.I1 be grown continuously. The climate of St. C6s.ire being Mightly warmer han at M. Jacquc. two new and rather tender varieties, the Bi^w.r hybrid and the lfflzl«.wt.od. were tested besides the Comstock. Seed Beds. 1 Com,/ocA-.-Three hot beds of 12 feet by 5 feet wer. «,w„ on April 20 at the r«te of A of an ounce per hundred square feet of bed. Save for a few bare spots due o cold wcathei^for the frames had to be opened early to avoid rotting of the seed- hngs-the stand was uniform. On the first of May the plant was hardy and sound but late. Setting out could not be started before June 7 2. Hazleu'ood.-Ty.o beds 12 feet x 5 feet, sown on April 20 at the rate of ^ of an ounce. Th.s imported seed has shown itself tardy and very tender; cold weather and roo trot h«ve k.lfed a large number of plants. It may be necessary to disinfect the moulds .n 1910. The plant is slow in development and has a tendency to elongaTe .Sprinklings w,th solutions of fowl manure had to be i^orted to to help the plants. It was ready for planting on June 12. 3. Brewer A,6rirf.-Two beds of 12 feet x 5 feet sown on April 24 at the same rate as the preceding lots. Vegetation slow at the start, but at the d te of setting out, on June 17. the beds were covred with vigorous and sound s..dlings with ' '7/, '"iu • '^^' ""'* "°*""' '"'* "'"'"* '^^^ ^ -- ♦•«> extremely slow Ftart. followed by a rapid growth. Th.^ plants were sot out after .„.i„g ,..„^hing and manuring, on land well kept niid well tilled. • ^ Transplanting: — 1 acre of Comstock, 18 inches x -30 inch*.*, .Tune 7. 1 acre of Hazlewood, 18 inch.s x 30 inches, June 12. 1 acre of Brewer. IS inches x 30 inches, June 17. M The iwdling* took well, and the intecU doing pnMstically no injury, th.- .rop gave promise of being «ucce«sful and unifonn. The Comgtock. which ii »cclin)«tized in our country, had n «tart over the otlier variety. Of tiie two new varieties the Brewer appears to be the iloweat. The alternate rain, and heat were very favourable to the growth, but the droughl of Auguat dela.vod the growth somewhat. The ill-effecti of the drought were checke-I by frequent cultivation. Harreiting. The throe varieties were harvested on the following dat*>s: Coraatock, September il; Ilazlewood, September 16; Brewer, September 19. The yieldi are as fdlowe: — Comstock »74 lbs. per arr-. Hanelwood ^'^5 •o 1 20-* " Brewer i.-'- OESEBAL 0B8ESVATI0N8. Hanreat. It was most gratifying to note this year that a great many growers began to harvest their tobaoco as soon as the first signs of maturity appeared. Great car.- should be taken in all seasons to ascertain the proper sUge of maturity, especially lu such a dry season as the last one. The drought having checked asaimilation, ao to SF^ak, the leaves looked ripe about August 25; but these signs disappeared with the rains of the last days of August, and the growth started with renewed vigour. No set rules can be laid down for harveeting, but this operation requires the greatest care. NeverthcleES it is easy enough to determine the proper time for har- vesting. The leaves show a tendency to ■ "ve inwards and give out a characteristu- dry crackling when bent between the fingers. But the clearest sign of maturity u .perhaps the apparition of small markings, of greenish yellow colour, on the tips of the leaves. These markings are sometimes rather dilficult to detect, but they are olearly perceptible when looking through the leaf. It is rather difficult to distinguish between prematurity and real maturity. How- ever a careful observation reveals that in the case of prematurity the leaves may be marked but there is no sound of crackling when bent.^ This condition is due to the drought which checks assimilation, while evaporation continues. On account of the lack of moisture the gummy and resinous matters of the tobacco are over-saturated, and. as a result, the leaves have a remarkable flexibility; in fact, it is observed that the leaves prematurely ripened are much more gummy to the touch than leaves really ripe. >4: 30 mean, of p„ui„, . , , ,,^, ^,^,,^ ,.^ -J^- J.^^ c.p. .. ,he «o.. efficient n.en.; p„e w.^ r::tZ'::; ;f"" '" ^^ -'^ ---'^ -<' ♦"• --. Thu.. it h« been «,at J^^t "!♦ Z ""^'^ '^'"'" »"'«"" «<» •>«"«•*• between . Hvin, ,e.f and a J.V.eaf Cr Lh T"^ *'" ''"" '' ' '"•''•"^"''" -"*r of the toba«x> plant; ,J,e phy.iLi „ ?"' '" ''"'' "'*'* '" "■« "P"*" ■'f -0 may ,1.,,. .,,...11.0 i IdVt .' '"*^ '"** ^'^^ «"nn«rcial maturity. Wew Kethod of Harreitinf . tHo Plan., nre speared on^he ,„t : T /'%''t"'"' "' ^'^ '"^""'» '-^^ -'^••■ As the stalka are beiL o^/l I "^ °^''^''"' " •" ^«"°ws: .-th. loaded .th tr:r;Lrer.t:. z :: ;;'■; 'r r° ''- '-''- ^^^ bara snatained by two rack« The tobaeJ ^ ''"" P'""*^ "" '«" "o""- 't .•« hauled into the eurinU^ ThT 1'!^°?^" ""' '"'" ' '^'^ •-""• '-'»- tb... the one ^ne.lly emjoyrand p^el tt n, """^'T '^ '"""' ^'^'■♦"'- 1. The tobacco which is ausZdeST .^ the following advantage. :- not to.,eh the ^„„d. and. con^eS. tTe tJ:':^^:''''^:!''' -^""""^ "^^ contact wUh the earth and the injury • ^uc^toT: l^ "^ ""' '"'"""' ^•^• no ^^^^zr^^z^:2xr '' ''-' '•"^"^- -^-^-' -- --^ ""t l.e 'aths were ea.ier to hnn.He "" "'™ ""* '^^"'"^^ «" tbe contrary the Tobacco Stalks. >ta]|-. left in the yards, on highway- in thp Aut T T. ^"^'^ ^"^ tobacco •i-: it should h. rememl,ered h?t 't T '''*';^-' *<■■ This is a very wasteful pra,- - .>on and n.an.nese. piro^hate^rer rl:t:rLl ^^'can "^ "^'"^ oic ui lime, une can appreciate 31 tlierefore the Rnnt io«» that r»iuh» from the throwiiiR «w«y of tho wn»te prwlmt «ft4>r strippinir. Wh»t would be the mo«t prnctical mean« of utilizinit the fertilixinu value of tlii- wMt« product? True, tobanx) Htalkt*. on Hi-^tunt of thi-ir very nature, deoompowi •lowly, and they cannot bo returned at onoe to tiie flelil or even put on the raanun- pile; they would Ktill \x> almost intact when the manure i» ready to bo api>'ie^ The beet way would bo to make a compo«t of the Htalkn. The stalks could be u»e•• occasionally sprinkled with liquid manure, it will "oon chnnjp' into n rich mould, A year ut least is necessary for this transformation. This mould— which can be obtained with very little lubour— will make a vflluablc Hupplemcnt fir the lack of manure. Lastly, in the houses where wood is iwcd a . fuel, the ashes shimld be I'nrefully collected end mixiil with the compost. This addition of potash, mainly ns carbonates, will be most beneficial. But aprinklinirs with liquid manure are necessary to secure a ftoal compost, for they furnish the elements and bacteria by which fermentation is started and regulated. There are very few farms in Quebe*- where liquid manure i« collected. It is considered as use- less, and the farmers jtet rid of it aa soon as possible, either by facilitflting it« absorp tion into the soil or by aendinir it into the nearest ditches. This is a very poor practice that should be immefliately nbnndoncd. Some farmers were surprised when we told them about the hijrh value of liquid manure. It is therefore our intention to make this question the subject of n special lecture, insisting on the necessity of collecting liquid manure; first from nn nirricultural point of view, in order to reduce the loss of fertilirinff elements, and. secondly, for hyirienic reasons, since its infiltra- tion in the soil may contaminate drinking water. The saving of the waste pre luct, the collection of liquid manure, the digging.' of a pit for compost will certainly necessitate more labour, but thia will be amply made up by the increase in the yields of the crops and by greater cleanliness of the farm. Thifl is a question which I'oncerns general agriculture, not tobacco culture alone, btit we thought it was worth mentioning here. Appreciation of varieties. Brewer hyhfitl.—Cirvnt hopes arc entertained for this new variety. In the yenr 1000. which was far from being favourable to tobacco culture, the Brewer hybrid yielded 1,202 lbs. per acre. The product is comparatively light, of good colour, and the shape is suitable for cigar manufacturers. Although a tender variety, it gives promise of becoming Hcclimatized in a fairly short time in the province of Quel)ec. if well grown. The seed beds require special attct tilth and freqiient'y cultivated, for this v.iriety offers little reaist.'ir.ee to ought. However, we think the Brewer hybrid is an excellent tobacco for binders. Hazlewood. — This variety is also very tender. Its greatest defect is the brittle- 3i ..«. of the le.v... which .r. dammpnl by the l«..t wind. A li«ht h.iUtoro. «v dw- troy th« c«i, d«o.t compWuly. .. h.p,Kined .t 8t. Ji«qu.f in Augu.t. 1909 Th. .ucJwin, n«|ui«. o.«£ul .tfntion. m thi. variety for». . pt*t qu.ntitv of •iicker*. Mpecially .t the foot of Uw plant. It . worth further expenmontin,. u i, „»• 876 pound, of tob.oco to the .ere. Th. 33 PART III EXPERIMENTAL WORK CARRIED ON IN 1909. I7 W. A. Bintt, 1J.A., Maatftr DoBdnioA lip. 8Utlon, Earrow, Euex Oouty. Tbe Experimental Farm waa eatabliihed at Harrow, Vaux county, in the ipring of 1909. The object of the woric undertaken waa: to mike a lyatematio teat of the beat rotation of eropa to follow, to make a itudy of ami an experiment with the beat typea and rarietiea of tobacco to be grown on the varioui aoila of the two countiea of Easex and K^at; to make a practical teet of Virgini.n tobacco and the flue curing proceaa; to begin a Mriea of experimenta with a view to finding out the lureat and beat method of rearing atrong healthy plants; to find out the most economical meant of incre«iing the yield and reatoring the wanted fertility of aoili that are adaptely to tbe whole farm of the average grower, ainee he can not hare one- fourth of the land in tobacco, still it is advisable that some such arrangement be adopted on thai part of the farm whcr:- 'd acco is to be grown. Su-h a practice will avoid having any ' Burley sick ' land. C0B5 AND OAT EZPESIXEHTS. While tobacco was tbe principal crop experimented with, com and oats were teeted on a smaller scale. Six of the leading varietiea of com were tried on plota Hoc of an acre in size. Reid'a Tellow Dent, a yellow com, was the largest yielder. It gave very promising results particularly in the general crop where it yielded over 135 bushels per acre. This variety had fairly large fodder, was extra well eared up, and was well matured considering the late season. The White Cap Yellow Dent, Easex Dent and Improved Learning, also gave good results. A seeding with clover just before the last cultivation of the com is being tested. It has been claimed that this is one of the surest methods of getting a cloae, uniform stand. The following varietiea of oata: Daubeney, Siberian, Libert: f lanette, Banner and Early Ripe, were tested on plots Hoo of an acre in size. In » ^gth and length of straw, yield and freedom from disease, the Banner stood forem^it this season. The general crop of oats was sown with pedigreed seed of the Ligowo variety, this particular strain b^ing selected by hand for five years. This work in registered seed grain waa undertaken in co-operation with the Canadian Seed Orowers' Associa- tion. 6862—3 34 Since oats were not well adapted to the soil, the area for cereals was sown with registered seed of the Dawson's Golden chaff variety of fall wheat. Then again it was much easier to get a thick catch of clover with wheat as a nurse crop, and it was imperative that clovers form an important part in the rotation. PLANT BED EXPEBIHENTS. Preliminary STote. Too many growers do not realize that the nourishment in the small tobacco seed IS very limited, and the young seedling is early calleil upon to rely on the food from fhe sail of the seed-bed. The poU-ntial supply of food stored up in the seed and required to nourish the young embryo is very small compared with that stored, for example,. in wheat or corn. Consequently the grower sometimes fails to realize the importance of having all conditions of heat, moisture, and food supply agreeable to the exacting noods of this delicate plant. The soil may not be sufficiently pulverized; there may be an excess of moisture due to overwatering, or, if a very sandy soil, there may not bo a sufficient supply, the bed may not be warm enough and perhaps, most important of all, the soil may not be sufficiently rich in humus and the leading elements of plant food, namely, potash, nitrogen and phosphoric acid. The .strong3st and thriftiest plants I have seen grown were produced in the bush, without oven a cotton covering. However many farmers have not a wooackw3rd snring of 1909 caused many tobacco beds to be sown too late, anu £•■ ;:.:' Mi.-.Jerofi the r«Did, unifonn growth we like to see after the seed is sown. Her e th< ro waa n prr. ■ scarcity of plants at plantini; time, and the majority of the farmer c!o i-l get no 9( ('iings, even at the high prices offered. Such experi- ences, togethe w ./i tht !ary number of failures reported annually, indicated the necessity for more luh^u. it'n- on the subject. Owing to our planting some eight different varieties, the area in beds was greater than that required to plant the same amount of land with one variety. There was 826 square feet of beds. We had plenty of plants, consequently a large number of some varieties was not needed. However some difficulty was experienced in getting a sufficient number to plant a plot one acre in size, with a single variety, at one time. Construction of beds. The bed area cunsistej not of one continuous long bed, but of several movable sections, each section being 14 feet long and 5 feet wide. (See iUustration.) The frame was constructed so that it could be easily lifted and placed under cover when the plants were pulled. It was built with a slope of 1 inch to every foot, the back being 5 inches higher than the front. The total cost of the frame, four sash 3J feet wide by 5J feet long, at $.5.25 each, and the work connected therewith, waa $14.75. This was quite an outlay, but it was a permanent equipment that will last for many years. The ordinary man who is handy with tools could reduce this cost greatly by doing the carpent. r work himself, by using lighter material in the sash, and priming and glazing it. Sash made of li-ineh lumber would answer as well as IJ-inch material and the former would be lighter to handle. The kinds of beds. Bfd? were established according to the following methods: Hot bed covered with glass; cold bed with glass covering, cold bed with cotton cover top; cold bed with different proportions of plant bed fertilizer applied; the same kind of cold bed with glass covering but without any fertilizer. All the beds received the same care, were .sown April 16 and 17, while the soil did not vary in physical composition. Table I. No. 1.— Hot bed, no fertilizer, 1 to 2 inches of black mould on the surface of the ordinary soil; sown with dry seed; Big Havana variety, April 16. No. 2.— Cold bed, fertilized with a special plant bed fertilizer, Victor guano, at \^ lb. per aq. foot; black mould on the surface; sown with dry seed, Hazlewood variety, April 16. No. ;i.— Cold bed, fertilized with special plant bed fertilizer. Gold Dust, at i lb. p^r sq. foot; black mould on the surface; sown with Cuban variety, dry seed, April 16. No. 4.— Cold bed, fertilized with Gold Dust at Mo lb. per sq. foot; 1 to 2 inchee black mould on the surfnce; anwn with drj- seed of Comstock- Spanish variety April 16. 6862— 3J No. 6. — Cold bed, fertilized at i lb. per sq. foot with Gold dust on the surface of the ordinary soil; no black mould used; sown with dry seed of Improved Broad Leaf Burley, April 17. No. 6.— Cold bed, fertilized at i lb. per eq. foot with Victor Ouano ot ;he surface of the ordinary soil; no black mould used; sown with dry seed of Little Oronoko variety, April 17. No. 7.— Cold bed, no fertilizer, black mould used on the surfacv., watered all the time with a solution of nitrate of soda ; sown with dry seed of Yellow Oronoko variety, April 17. Note. — All the above beds were covered with glass. No. 8.— Cold bed, cotton covering, fertilized with Gold Dust i lb. per sq. foot on the surface of the black mould ; sown with c-voUen seed of Improved Burley, April 17. No. 9.— Cold bed, cotton covering, fertilized with Victor guano % lb. per sq. foot; black mould on the surface of the ordinary soil; sown with swollen seed of Improved Burlp.v, April 17. Oeneral Observations. The beds were examined on the following dates and observations made: — April 25. — A little swollen *>ed, sown under glass but not mentioned in above tabic, was up nicely on above date, eight days from date of sowing. The first seed to show germination. April ."50. — Dry seed sown under glass was coming up a little, while No.l, the hot bed, was showing up more than the others. None of the seed sovm under cotton had Rerminatal yet while the same swollen seed under glass was growing well. Tip to this date, the temperature ranged from 60° to 75° F. The weather was cold and stormy. May 3. — Seed sown under cotton, made its first appearance of gerjiination to-day. No. 1. the hot bed, was making most rapid growth at present. Comstock-Spanish showed a good stand. The Cuban was not doing well. No 1 bed, where no fertilizer was applied, was up as well as any of the bede receiving fertilizer The temperature ranged as follows: bed No. 1, 81° F.; No. 5, 76°; No. 9, 46°. Note. — The Burley seed of a neighbour's bed under cotton and sown for 20 days was ju.1t beginning to germinate. This indicated the backwardness of the season. May 5.~The beds were watered for the first time. The temperature waa 6' higher under the glass than under the cotton. The same variation was noted on May 6. There was a nice even stand of plants under the cotton. This was the first indi- cation of any growth. May 7.— The temperature ranged from 90° in bed No. 6 and 85° in bed No. 1. to 70° in bed No. 9. The first weeding was done to-day. May 12. — The variation in temperature in the different beds was as follows: — 8 a.m.— Bed No. 1 72° R; 5. 6. 8. 9. .84° F.; 75° F.; m° F.; 61° F.; 6 p.m.— Bed No. 1 72° F. " 6 90° F. 6 79° F. " 8 C?" F. " » 6.3° F. 37 This table indicates that on this da c 'he temperature increased during tlie day under the glass while it was stationary under the cotton and remained from 16° to 27° lower. No. 1, the hot bed, did not show any rise in temperature and maintained a lower degree of heat. This was owing to the fact that this bed was too wet, being situated on the lowest part of the ground. Nos. 2 and 4 sown with cigar varieties, were making the most rapid growth, many plants having 6 leaves. The Cuban seed was giving a very thin stand. A thick greasy form of mouldiness has formed ou the bed where the fertilizer was applied to the surface of the ordinary soil, but it did not interfere with the subsequent g^rowth of the plants. May 20.— A large number of cigar plants had eight leaves. The plants under cotton were doing well, quite a number having four laaves. There was not so much variation in temperature now between the beds under cotton and those under glass. The difference was 9° F. in favour of the glass. Began watering with nitrate of soda, using a teaspoonful ir four gallons of water. No. 1, the hot bed, which made the most rapid growth at the start, was doing the poorest of any due to the >etback from the excessive moisture in the bed. May 26.— Burley under cotton was doing well. Ilazlewood and Comstock-Spanisli under glass were growing most rapidly. In the mjming the temperature was 9° higher under the glass as compared with the cotton, in the evening 15" to 18" F. higher. The beds were being watered with a solution of nitrate of soda, using a larpe handful t" four gallons of water. May 29.— Comstock and Hazlewood varieties were ready to set out. The glass had been removed entirely from these beds during the greater part of the day. allow- ing the plants to harden up. June 5. — The first planting was from the Comstock and Hazlewood beds. There was not much difference in the stand in these two beds although the Hazlewood plants were rather lar^r and thriftier, owing possibly to the fact that this bed received a heavier application of fertilizer. No signs of disease were observed. At this time, nitrate of soda at the rat>. oi one to two handfuls in four gallons of water was being used every third day in order to force the Virginia type plants. These latter grew slower than any other variety. The plants receiving the stronger solution of soda were making the most rapid growth, as shown by the large dark green le«f«ge. The Little Oronoko variety in No. 6 bed was now ready to set. June 8.— Beds numbered 2 and 3 were again showing an excellent growth. In short, the earliest and strongest plants were obtained from these beds, possibly due to the cigar variety characteristics of rapidity and strength of growth rather than the special merits of the fertilizer or the method of establishment would have made. June 12.— In watering, a so'ution of nitrate of soda at the rate of } lb. in four gallons of water was used every other day. The effects were very noticeable on some beds, particularly on the Virginia leaf plants which were very slow growers. Small spots on some of the beds were turning yellow, due either to an excess of moisture or to the thickness of the stand. Replanting was begun to-day. The observations may be summarized as follows: — 1. The cigar tobacco varieties were ready for transplanting tive to eight days earlier than the other kinds. 2. The plants grown under glass were ten days to two weeks earlier than those grown under cotton. Some of the Virginia type beds had to be changed from cotton to glass covering, to ensure the plants maturing in due season. For slow growing varieties during a wet, col.l, backward spring like that of 1909, the glass covering was the surest and moat successful method. 4. There was no appreciable difference in the thrift and robustness of the plants under glass or under cotton. 5. The nitrate of soda gave very snccessful results as a stimulator of plant growth It must be used cautiously. 0. Wliere the heavier application of fertilizer was given, the plants grew faster in the final stages of growth, but there was no benefit as to the rate of germination. 7 The t.mperatur* ranged from 9° F. higher in the morning to as much as 27' i-. higher in the evening, under glass, as compared with the cotton. 8 The elevated position with good natural drainage was preferable for the loca- tion of the bed. Preparation of the Tohacco Ground. Th,: type of soil-Thc soil consisted of a gray sandy loam containing a trace of tine gravel and particles of very fine sand. It contained a very moderate amount of organic matter or humus. I A ^71"^ *^* "^' ^°'' ^''^^'"^ ^^^ ploughed early, about 5 inches deep, 10 to 12 loads of farmyard manure applied, and disced in a few days before setting. Another portion c^^ the tobacco ground was first manured at the same rate, ploughed and disced. >,o appreciable difference in the ultimate yields of the crop were noted. The manure that was disced in, was easily decomposed and seemed to be thoroughly in- oon^rated with the soil, due no doubt to the moist season and Uie frequent subsequent cultivat^n gn^n. When the n.anure is ploughed in shallow, either method should give good results, although the season has a marked influence. General Care of the Crop. Replanting was begun as soon after tha first planting as the blanks were found ihe cut-worm did considerable damage, particularly in the area of Virginia leaf tobaoro which was replanted three times. CuW.-faiion.-The crop was cultivated about every week or ten days with a two- horso combination tobacco and corn cultivator, which was operated by two men when cultivating tobacco. This implement was used until there was danger of damaging the leaves and the roots spr.ad out too much l^tween the rows, when sball^w nultiva- tion with the single cultivator was adopted. Tlie tobacco required hoeing but once owing tn the splendid work done l)y this s,)ecial cultivator. 89 Just at this point, the writer wishes to emphasize the importance of frequent thorough cultivation, rather deep in the early part of the season, and gradually becoming shallower, thus not allowing the weed* to get a start. Thorough cultivation aerates the soil, favouring bacterial action and rendering the plant food more avail- able. It maintains a surface blanket of loose soil, thereby avoiding evaporation and incidentally conserving the moisture which •■'• so essential to a large crop. In no small degree do we attribute the yields of ou.- different crops to cultivation. There are probably no other crops grown on the farm that respond more to good cultivation than com and tobacco. Spraying with Paris green. — About the latter part of July the tobacco worms became so numerous on the plantation that spraying with Paris green was resorted to. This practice was quite effectual in keeping down the insect and practically all the 9J acres was sprayed once and some of it twice. The two problems experienced in its effective use were: First, the difficulty of obtaining n solution of the proper strength — not too concentrated to burn the leaf, and not too weak to be effective; second, the undue reliance on the complete estermi- nation of the worms ultimating 'i an increased damage to the crop. The proper strength will be decided upon next season. Where hand picking alone, was resorted to, it was very difficult to keep the hern- worm in check. A very effective agent which we purpose trying in the combating of this insect is the duck. I have noticed that on the 230 acre plantation of the Walker Company ducks gathered practically all the worms. Field tests of the different varieties. The following varieties of cigar tobacco were tested: Comstock-Spanish— for binder purposes — planted June 5, at 3 feet between the row, 17 inches in the row. Also a portion of the acre was planted 3 feet by 21 inches; Hazlewood— for cigar filler purposes— planted June 5, J acre, 3 feet by 17 inches, i acre, 3 feet by 21 inches ; Cuban — filler type — planted June 11, 3 feet by 21 inches. Big Havana— filler type— i acre planted June 11, 3 feet by 17 inches. The Cuban and Hazlewood were topped at 10 to 14 leaves. The leaf was quite small, was placed far apart on the stalk and the yield was likewise light, being 875 lbs. per acre. The Hazlewood was considerably diseased or calicoed but the tissw was not materially affected. The Cuban was badly blighted and made a poor growth in the field. The Big Havana made the best showing of the filler types, it being little affected with the mosaic disease. The yield for this season was 1,600 lbs. per acre. The Comstock-Spanish was considerably blighted although its commercial value was not reduced. It was topped at 12 to 14 leaves, depending on the growth and size of the plant. Altogether, it was a very uniform crop having a good shaped leaf; the yield was 1,000 lbs. per acre. It was well adapted to the soil so far as the field observations and the colour of the cured leaf would indicate. Other cigar varieties tested on a smaller scale were Connecticut Broad Leaf, Connecticut Havana, and Big Ohio. The Big Ohio end Connecticut Broad Leaf made an excellent growth and seemed to be well adapted to the soil and climatic conditions. 40 Any grower who wishes a large yielding tobacco would do well to try either of these two last mentioi^ed varieties. Where a fanner has a dark soil containing a large amount of black muck, the Big Ohio might be tried, since, it being a dark type tobacco, should give better resulto than the Burley so far as colour is concerned. Again, a farmer who has a suitable piece of tobacco soil that has been growing Burley for several years and might now be termed 'Burley Sick,' should plant either of these two varieties if a large yield is aimed at. The reason for this condition of affairs is that the demands on the soil of these cigar varisties are different from the Burley. They will give handsome returns on a soil that will not grow this variety. After being set out, the Cuban variety took root extremely weU and made a rapid growth for the Srsi, two or three weeks after planting, but blight very soon set in, due, possibly to the cold dry period in the first part of July, which was followed by heavy raina during the latter part of the month. At all events, the growth was retarded and the leaf developed a rough, leathery appearance. The upper surface became very uneven, and turned a marked yellow, motley colour, from which it never recovered. It would appear that, with this year's experience in view, later planting, possibly not till June 20, would be preferable for the Cuban and Hazlewood. Since these varieties matured in 75 days, there would be plenty of time for the full maturity to be reached and the curing perfected. However we cannot recommend either of these varieties to the grower. Fuller information will be given after the fermentation proces? IS reported on by the manufacturer. Harvesting. Throe weeks after topping, the Comstock-Spanish showed signs of ripening. Of course all the plants did not ripen at the same time, but no attempt was made io single out the riper ones. Harvesting was completed August 23, just when the top leaves .. >re showing the yellowish green spots. Much of the success in curing and final sweating will depend upon knowing when the plants are ready for harvesting. The Big Havana was harvested a little riper than the Comstock, while the Cuban and Hazlewood were allowed to become still riper before being cut In the latter two cases the leaf was quite thick and heavy as compared with the Comstock-Spanish which had a thin textured tissue. Caring and grading. All the above varieties were cured in the ordinary air-curing bam. (See illustra- tion.) The bam was kept rather tightly closed during the first stage to prevent too rapid drying out of the leaf. When the yellow cast followed by the brown colour appeared, the ventilation was increased and the humidity decreased by the opening of the ventilators. Thus a rather slow curing was followed during the first stage while the leaf was dried out rather rapidly during the last part of the process. It is possible that, judging from the extremely open appearance of some bams, a few growers dry out the leaf so rapidly during the first few days as not to aUow those changes to take place which are essential to good curing. It is true that we must avoid pole sweat, and ventilation at the proper time is the only means of avoid- ing it, but some go to the other extreme. By following the above method we had but 41 K very slight trtce of pole bum in the centre of the barn, and the cigar varietiee, par- ticularly the Comstock-Spanish, have air-cured a very uniform dear colour. A spiral ventilator on the top of the barn removed the foul air by suction. For the Burley the writer would recommend plenty of ventilation. Qniing. The cigar varieties have been stripped and graded. The sorting was done as the leaves were removed from the stalk. The first grade known as ' binders ' included the best leaves, all damaged and discoloured ones being kept out of this pile. The second grade known as ' fillers ' comprised all the top leaves and small sound specimens not mentioned in the first class. The third grade included the sand leaves and all damaged members not contained in the above classes. FEBTILIZEB EXPEEIMENTS WITH IMPROVED BROAD LEAF BURLEY. Introdnctory Note. In a vast number of cases the Essex county fanner has found that the yield of Burlcv is either remaining stationary or decreasing, or, in a few cases, the soil is actually 'Burley sick'— a successful crop of this variety cannot be grown. This problem of how to increase the yield with a rational amount of outlay is facing many of the tobacco growers to-day. Heavy applications of manure, however beneficial they may be, or the frequent use of leguminous crops, however large an amount of nitro- gen or potash they may restore to th': = nl, are not sufficient in themselves to meet all the demands of the crop. Such manures need to be supplemented with commer- cial fertilizers, particularly if several consecutive tobacco crops are intended to be grown in a short rotation, and the largest yields are looked for. Of course there are exceptiona to the above conditions; some farmers have adopted a systematic rotation of crops, have ploughed under clover frequently, have employed all the farmyard manure that they could produce or purchase, and with the use of a little fertilizer have maintained good yields. With a view to finding out how to maintain and increase the present yields, a scries of experiments with different combinations of single fertilizers was undertaken. The soil on which the experiment was conducted had grown a successful crop of corn in 1908 and in previous years had been cultivated and manured in the ordinary man- ner. The intention was to prove that on such a soil— a first-class tobacco soil -the yield could be materially increased. It will be seen further that despite the unfavour- able season, we had very good success. One acre was divided into six plots of equal size. The soil of each plot was of like texture, was prepared in the ordinary manner, and planted June 9 with the same type of plants. The distance of planting was the same on all plots— 8 feet 4 inches by 32 inches. 43 Three simple fertilizer! namely: Sulphate of potash, sulphate of ammonia, and superphosphate besides baruyard manure, were used in this experiment. To each plot different combinations of the above fertilizers were applied with atd without manure. One plot which did not receive any fertilizer, served as a check plot. The chemical manures were applied broadcast to the different plots as follows: Table 2. No. 1 Plot.— Barnyard manure — 16 tons per acre. Complete fertilizer — 62S lbs. per acre, sulphate of ammonia. 376 " « potash. 376 " superphosphate. No. 2 Plot. — Barnyard manure — 10 tons per acre. " 3 " — Check plot; no manure; no fertilizer. " 4 •' —Sulphate of potash, 376 lbs per acre. " ammonia, 625 lbs. per acre. " 5 " — Sulphate of potash, 376 lbs. per acre. Superphosphate, 376 lbs. per acre. <; •< — Sulphate of ammonia, 625 lbs. per acre. Superphosphate, 375 lbs. per acre. As shown above the experiment was planned to find out : — First. — The necessity of using barnyard manure. Second. — The influence of chemical fertilizers. Third. — The particular element or elements lacking in *he soil and the demands of the crop. Qeneral Obsenrations. The information to be gathered from the field observations was as follows — September 1. — No. 1 : The manure and complete fertilizer plot was more advanced than Nos. 5 and 6 which had received nothing but fertilizer or than No. 2, which received only barnyard manure. (See illustration.) Between Nos. 1 and 4 the dif- ference in growth was not very marked, but comparing these two plots with Nog. 2, 3, 6 and 6, the difference was very striking. Between Nos. 6 and 6 there was not such a pronounced margin, but on this date No. 6 was beginning to spot up with white blotches. Plot 5, although not presenting the dark rich green noted in plot 4, indicated a very fair yield. September 17. — To sum up: Plots 1 and 4 always were ahead and there was very liWle differouee on the date of harvesting. No. 4 indicated that the Burley plant required a large supply of the two elements, potash and nitrogen, and that the soil was deficient in them. Quite a large number of leaves on this plot measured over 40 iiifVics in length. No. 1 gave a very heavy yield. The close observer could scarcely detect any advantage in this plot over No. 4. The manure plot gave better results than the check plot, indicating that the soil required manure. No. 6 grave a better 4S leaf than No. 6, indic.tiug that pofh w. a very euential ingredient in the produc- tion of a succewful crop of Burley. , ,. . i. .v.« „« The yield, per acre, the value of the crop computed at 15 cent* per lb, the pre- vailing n,.rket price, the cost of the fertilizer, and the net receipt, obtained from the .i. plots, arc given in the following table. The co.t of the ..ngle fert.luer. wa. cal- culated according to the prevailing price, quoted by a leading fert.hzer company. Sulphate of ammonia, $62 per ton; sulphate of potash, |S2 per ton, and .uperpho^ phate. $17 \^T ton. Farmyard manure was valued at $1 per ton. of Lot. ijtiantity ill 11m. o( ft-rtili/rr YinlH |«T nciT. Value of Ciwt of fertiliutT jier iicr»*. r.«t of iiiaiiurt* lifT wri'. Ni-t valii,' of crop (•♦T ftcr*'. 1 tiaS Kiilphatt- of aiviiiionia, 375 lulphate of i>otuh,{ 875 nujwrijhiwphatr, 15 toiM of maniin- ' 2 10 ton" <>( manure 3 Nomanun-. No fertiliztr j 4 375 tulphate of |>oU«h. ota«h, .37.'>, miiwrphoiipli vtc • ■ ', 6 l>25 sulphate of ammonia, 3i5j superphoHphates j 2,42t , 1,724 i,i8H ; 2,32K 1.4Hi 1,434 •M« lit) 2» 18 1."' '"> •♦!" '-'" -w'lo WOO •-'4«!*i r7H 20 l"** 20 349 20 20 fW ='*•' '-""' 211 40 12 93 2<** 47 215 10 19 43 2a-) tl7 Commenti. As shown by the table, plot 1. which had received an aplication of manure and complete fertilizer, gave a yield of 2.424 lbs. per acre, (see illustrat.on) the h.ghes yield of any of the plots. Plot 4, receiving the sulphate of potash and sulphate of ammoni. but no manure, was a very close second with 2.328 lbs. per acre These two yield, were exceptionally high and they exceeded the expectation in the field. The former yield was actually more than double that obtained on the check plot. Ihis latter mentioned plot where no outlay was expended in manure or fertilizer, yielded 1.188 lbs. per acre, with a gross receipt of $1T8.20. This was the small^t net return obtained from any of the plots. Plots 2 and 3 showed the advantage of using barn- yard manure, an increase of 534 lbs. per acre being obtained through its use. An increase of 702 lbs. per acre in plot 1 over 2 indicated the necessity of using commer- cial fertilizer to obtain maximum results. This was due almost directly to the er- tiUzer. although plot 1 had a slight advantage in that the quantity of manure appl.ed was more than on plot 2. , ... , ..i. i i . The small difference of 18 lbs. between the yield of plot 6, fertilized with sulphate of potash and superphosphate, and plot 6, fertilized with sulphate of ammonia and .nperphosphate. is worthy of note. Comparing the net receipts, No. 1- the 'argest yielding plot did not give as largo a net income by about $3, as plot No. 4. This latter fact was but a single instance of the monetary value of testing simple fertil- izers, to find out which ones give the best economical returns, and which the soil required. A comparison of plots 5 and 1 indicated the effect of the nitrogenous manure, sulphate of ammonia. Nitrate of soda, a more easily soluble form of fer- tilizer. would have had the same effect. Plots 6 and 1 indicated the effect produced 44 by the poUth manure, lulphate of piomical method of adding humus and plant food to the soil. Ten tona per acre vi ^c-ased the yield 634 Iba. Third.— An application of sulphate of potash and sulphate of ammonia gave the largest net returns ($.323.20 per acre) after paying for the fertilizer, while sjlphate of ammonia was used; nitrate of soda would answer just aa well and is in a more available foi n. Whereas 1,000 lbs. of these two fertilizers waa used economically, still 250 lbs. nitrate of soda and 300 ba. sulphate of potash, in oonjunetion with a liberal applii-ation of barnyard manure, might be tried to advantage on the average soil. Fourth.— The Burley crop required potash and nitrogrn, and this soil was lacking in these ekmonts, as shown by the increase in yield of 1,140 lbs. per acre in the potash and nitrogen plot over No. 3, the check plot. This data ia in compliance with the investigationa of Prof. Voorhees, one of tho leading chemical authorities, who haa stated • that a crop yielding 1,000 lbs. of cured leaf will contain or remove from the soil 67 lbs. of nitrogen, 9 of phosphoric acid and 85 of potash.' Fifth.— TintH conclusions must not be drawn from a single experiment. The tobacco grower should experiment for himself, using the above data as a guide. Thia 7ill save him any needless expense. Buy the simple fertilizers, mix them at home on an earth floor, using the above proportions, and apply broadcast or in a shallow furrow, which can be filled in before planting. If a very small amount is apt^ied, mix with the soil around the plant after setting. Fine Curing Experiments. Preliminary note. — The yellow or Virginia type tobacco can be auccesafuUy grown only on light sandy soils. The importance of the character of the soil is well illus- trated by the fact that small areas on a farm might produce a bright yellow leaf of the finest quality, while certain portions of the same farm would produce only the 45 Moond or cheaper graUw. However, the ••mod. the dittribution of tho r.infiUl. or • coid backward period in early spring retarding growth, have a very i.i.portant bearing on the final product. Equally a* important a« the nature of the soil. i> the han-lhng of th.- curing proceM. No crther type of tobacco demands ao much akiU. eiperience, and good judg- ment in the curing. A little raisjudgment in maintaining a certain temperHturo for too long or too .hort a period, will largely leaaen the value of the product. Shght differenocs in shade* of colour may mean large margins in the aolliiig price. If iIib colour of a bright wrapper leaf be injured for that purpose, tlie value of the crop may be nduced from r.O to 75 per cent. The iiitrod.iction of Virginia leaf was undertaken with two main object, in view: — *'■>»<.— To develop the production of this type on suitable soik in order to replace a certain amount of the Burley produced, thereby avoiding the possibility of an over- production Btich as was experience*! in l!W>-0. Second.— To stimulate tlie growth of this typo of tobacco on adaptable aoiU. thereby meeting the demand of some ten million pound*-the amount annually im- ported" from Virginia and the Carolina, for the punx»e of pipe emokinK. cigarettes, plug fillers, and wrappers. There is no plausible reason why this tobacco cannot l>e grown on a particular area of light sandy soil bordering on Uke Erie where possibly • successful crop of Burley could not be produced. For the purpose of introducing the Virginia type tobacco on a practical i.imI scientific basis a competent expert was obtained from Virginia to Rrow the .-r.jp according to the most approved methods and to superintend the curing process. Area tn the Virginia J. a/.— Three and one-half acres were piaiite.i from June 9 to 18, with three of the leading varieties, namely: Little Oronoko. V.llow (Jronoko and Wame. (See illustration.) The soil chosen was a grey aandy loam, while some spots tended to be gravelly in nature. No manure was applied but a portion of the ai«a received a light application of commercial fertiliser, to hasten maturity. Fertilizer, used.— On one acre a special tobacco fertilirer was drilled in with the attachment on the planter at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre. On another acre of Warn-, a home mixed complete fertilizer was applied at 375 lbs. per acre in a furrow '.i niche* deep the latter being filled in again before planting. The incrc-ase in yield was not noticeable in the field. Undoubte-llv the method of application and the excessive drouth in the early part of the growing a-asou had a marked influence, by not allowing the fertilizer to become dissolved and incorpor- ated with the soil when the plant needed it moat. Date of planting.-lhe Little Oronoko was planted June 9, 3J feet by ;J2 inches. This variety was characterized by a small narrow leaf and this fact together with the cool dry weather during its growing season, produced a leaf much too narrow and rough. ' The curing revealed a very rich, oily, heavy bodied leaf, too dark to classify iu the best grsdeg. , , ,^ i. The Wame and fellow Oronoko planted a week later gave much better resulu owing to the fact that the very dry cool weather in the first ten days of July, did not 49 •ffeet thcM varietiet to much, and the heavy raina is the laa t few days of the month (timulated a growth before tha final priming and topping waa complated. Whan curad quite a large percentage of the beat coloured gradea ware obtained. Notwithitanding tbii year'a experience relative to the data of planting, it ia the intention to begin planting the 1910 crop not later than May 84 in order to have it mature ua early at poaaible. thereby avoiding froat and the damage from high wind* in the latter part of September. Thia aeaaon'i experience waa contrary to tho general rule that curly planting was neceaaary to give the beat colour. Hence we would recommend that any armer contemplating the growing of thia tol.ncco. ahould make provision for a aupply of early plants. It is preferable to have see-llinini ready not later than May 24, ao if favourable weather prevaile.1 planting mlKht be comnience.1. To this end the glass saahea are preferable for forcing the .voung pinnta. Tlip importance of early planting, for at least a portion of the crop, will be reali«.l when we mention tho abaolute neoeaaity of having a plant thoioughly ripe More hnr^•e«ting, if wo hope to obtain the ideal colour. Then. too. the season, gener- nll.v spoakinK. i« none too long for this type of tobacco. Further the farmer who cures three ncTcs of a good crop in the ordinary sized kiln will find that at least a part of the crop must rip.n early in order to handle it expeditiously and avoid loas from allowing it to stand on the field too long. Because, the kiln will hold but one acre at a curing, and in all pr<*ability one week will e'npee from the time tho bam is fille larire tlml they oannot bo tilled in one day for thi' tnlmcoo in any om- barn ahould not tie ill different stages of greenncsa. Tlk- kilns w«'re built in two sizes, one 20 ftvt liy 20 feet, ancl tho othor Itt feet by 16 fept. (See illustration). The first inciitioiKMi contained five sets nf tiers hori- zontally, an.! five seti of tiers to the eiives, tiie first in't Mug about H feet from tlie ground and each succecdinK set was 3 feet '\ inchen higiicr. Tho sniallvr one con- tainpd 4 sots of tiers horizoiitnlly and the same inimin'r verlK'ally as the furtner kilns. Two brick furnaces, ti fift in lenRth with a 12 inches galvanizcil iron pipe einini. ted to each, distributed tiie heat evenly throughout the building, the smoke being trans- initfod to the open air. (See illustration.) Tho fumactjs were plawd so tliaf the four lengths of iron piping were e1( gree of heat developed inside the kiln, varied with the stage f I' ".'riiij;. tile ■onditiou of the tol acco and the climatic conditions prevailing. It '^ itfecient to state that tho same method cannot apply successful'r in every parti- Lj^r iiriiig. One of the priiiiMpal reasons for this is that all these formulas are a*»»i solely on the temperature. However the condition of the tobacco must be -«!»-ied ;is iosely as the thermometer. The foiiowing is a summary account of tho method used in two of the curings. Ti- varety under test was the Warne: Tuesday. 9 a.m.. till 12 p.m., 85- Fah 15 hours. " 12 p.m., till Wednesday, 12 a.m., 85°-90» F. ... 12 '• Wednesday. 12 p.m.. till 0 p.m., W-IOS" Fah 6 " " 6 p.m.. till 12 p.m., 105°-110'' Fah 6 " Tofnl ,,,.... .39 hours. Note. — This was known as the ' Yellowing process.' Tho ventilators were kept noeed. ti M I 48 WednMday, 12 p.in., till Thunday, 6 a.m., IIO'-WS" F.. . 6 hours. Thunday 6 a.m., till 8 a-m., 180° F S " « 8 a.in., till 12 a.ni., ISS'-IW F 4 " Total 12 hours. Note.— This process was known aa 'Fixing the colour.' The ventilators were oper. till 12 aon., Friday. Thursday, 12 8.m., till 12 p.m., 140*-176° Fah 12 hours. 12 p.m., till 6 a.m., Friday, n6°-190' Fah.. . 6 " Friday, 6 a.m., tiU 8 p.m., 190" Fah 14 " 8 pan., till 10 p.m., 196°-200» Fah 2 " « 10 p.m., tiU 2 a.m., Saturday, 210''-215' Fah. 4 " Total 88 " It will be noted that this curing lasted from 9 a.m., Tuesday, till 2.m., Saturday, — 89 hours. The time required was longer than ordinary, owing to the fact that great trouble was experienced with the coke in the firing. It was impossible to reach the higher temperatures with this fuel. As a summary 8tatem<>nt regarding the tobacco in this kiln we would say that the colour was the best obtained from any of the curings. The high temperature in the final process had a tendency to give it a more uniform shade and drive out the green cast. The following is a summary of the curing in the small kiln, that was fired at the same time cs the former: — Monday, 9 a.m., till 6 p.m., 80°-86''F 9 hours. Note. — The ground tier ' sapped out ' instead of yellowing. Monday night and all day Tuesday, no fire. Trying to get the tobacco to yellow. Wednesday, 7 a.m., till 7 p.m., 90°-95° F 13 hours. 7 pm., till 7 a.m., Thursday 100»-106°F.. . 13 " The tobacco was yellow at above temperature. One ventilator was open. Thursday, 7 a.m., till 12 ajn., 115'*-120'' F 6 hours. The ventilation was closed at 9 ajn., Thursday, 12 p.m., till 9 pm., 125°-130° F 9 hours. " 9 p.m., till 6 a. m., Friday 135''-140'' F.. . 9 " Friday, 6 a.m., till 7 p.m.^ 140''-166'' F 13 " " 7 p.m., tUl 7 a.m., Saturday, 166»-170' F 18 " Saturday, 7 a.m., till 4 pm., 170<'-186'' F 9 « Total 90 hours. Note. — Occasionally the temperature reached 200° F. 49 It will be noted that this curinR was even ii longer time than tho first mentioned, although th«? total number of hours firing was about tho same — Oi) hours. This was owing to the trouble experienced in getting tho toljaooo to yellow in the first stage of the process. Probably this was due to the condition of the tobacco, it being too green to yellow properly. The Fine Curing of the Bnrley. On September 13 the large kiln was filled with Improved Broadleaf Burley. Owing to the fact that the toba<,co presented such a yellow appearand' in the field, it was thought that it would bo an interesting experiment to test it in the kilns. The following is a summary of the temperatures at the different periods:— Tuesday, 10.30 a.m., till 4 p.m., 90°-95° F r.J hours. " 4 p.m., till 8 p.m., gradual ris<> from OS'-llS" F. 4 This was known as ' fixing the colour.' Wednesday — Drying the leaf: — temperature was inO°-140° F. Thursday — Drying tlie stem: — tem|)croturc was 150''-ls0" F. Thursday — Dr;sing the stalk: — M p.m., till Friday, 1 a.m. — teniiH-'rature was 200°--.>2t)" F .1 hour-. It will be noted that this kiln was cured in the comparatively short period of t)21 hours. This was ten hours less than three days. The reason was that over ten hours was saved in the yellowing process, this tobacco having the yellow ciist when put in the kiln. However, it was foimd that tlu> loaf was quite temler. ami on this account did not take the hc>at ns ([uiekly as it wa:- iippliel»->. ( I'l.ATK VII. Kllli f'.r till- Hil. ..f \.rii:li' V ui-'inii "-If 'WA*;; r- V I JNS*BES_'^ ^«L. -,■ ,-^^_ ' J^l^^^ *^ ^C^fc-aito^&tiM* — "»«.d^^i^.xJS^^k. Mato-^ Vi.xn. \ni. Kilti fnr tl,.-riu< iiiiiti^'uf l»n^' f Idik'iit \'iitfiniaf*. (Showiiiu: 'Im- t'\t>Ti"'r ariiiii^ft-nitiit of Hn'i'liu t^.) I'lATE IX. — A ty|iic«l Virginin curing-Hhwi. IW.'J- II ri,\iK f^" ■ BULLETINS ON THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO. No. A-1.— Preparation of the seedlings and the care to be given to them. No. A-2. — Fertilizers in tobacco culture. No. A-3. — The growing of tobacco. No. A-4. — Beport on the tobacco industry in Ontario. No. A-6.— The importance of rotation in tobacco culture. No. A-6. — Experiments tarried on in 1908. 1st. Preliminary experiments in the growing of seed plants. 2nd. Experiments in the sterilization of soils. 3rd. Chemical fertilizers in tobacco culture. Uo. A-7. — Bright tobaccos— Virginia and North Carolina. Mo. A-8. — Experimental work, 1909. 1st. Experiments in the growing of seed plants. 2nd. Sterilization of soils.— Seed tests.— Thicknea of seeding. 3rd. Advantages of the use of home-grown tobacco seeds for the Canadian farmer. No. A-9.— Work of the experimental stations in 1909. 1st. Experimental stations for the growing of tobacco. 2nd. Work of the Tobacco Division in the province of Quebec in 1909. 3rd. Experiments carried on at the Harrow station in 1909. Sent free upon application to the Department of Agriculture, Ottawa.