CIHM Microfiche Series ({Monographs)

ICIMH

Collection de microfiches (monographles)

Canadian Instituta for Historical IMicroraproductions / Instltut Canadian da microraproductions hittoriquas

Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques

':%

The Instituta 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.

Q

Coloured covers / Couveilure de couleur

I I Covers damaged /

a

D D

n

D D

D

D

Couverture endommagSe

Covers restored and/or laminated / Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculSe

Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps / Carles g^ographiques en couleur

Coloured inl( (i.e. other than blue or black) / Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue 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 / Seule 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 intdrieure.

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 ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela ^tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas i\6 filmies.

Additional comments / Commentaires suppl^mentaires:

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-dtre uniques du point de vue bibli* ographique, qui peuvent nfK)difier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdtho- de normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous.

I I Coloured pages / Pages de couleur

I I Pages damaged / Pages endommag^es

I I Pages restored and/or laminated /

Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculSes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / Pages d^olor^es, tachet^es ou piqu^es

1 Pages detached / Pages d^tach^es \v\ Showthrough / Transparence I I Quality of print varies /

D D

D

Quality indgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary material / Comprend du materiel supplSmentaire

Pages wholly or nartially 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 pelure, etc., ont i\6 fiim^es h nouveau de fagon k obtenir la meilleure 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 filmdes deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image possible.

This item Is filmed at the reduction ratio checlted below /

Ce document est tWmi au taux de reduction Indiqu4 ci-destout.

lOx

14x

18x

22x

26x

30x

7

12x

16x

20x

24x

28x

32x

The copy filmed hare ha* been reproduced thanks to the generosity of:

Library Agricultura Canada

The images appearing here are the beat quality poaaible conaidering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract apecificationa.

L'axemplaire film* fut reproduit grice k la g4n4rosit* da:

Biblim.iiqut Agricultura Canada

Lea imagea auivantea ont txi reproduitea avec le plua grand aoin, compte tenu de la condition at da la nettet< de I'exemplaire filmA. et en conformity avec lea conditiona du contrat de fiimage.

Original copiea in printed paper covera are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the laat page with a printed or illuatrated imprea- aion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copiea are filmed beginning on the firat page with a printed or illuatrated imprea- aion. and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatrated impreaalon.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche ahall contain the aymbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"). or the aymbol V (meening "END"), whichever appliea.

Lea exemplairea origiraux dont la couverture en papier eat imprimie aont filmta en commengant par le premier plat at en terminant aoit par la derniAre pege qui comporte une empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration, aoit par le aecond plat, aalon le caa. Toua lea autrea exemplairea originaux aont film4a en comment ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telh empreinte.

Un dee aymbolea aulvanta apparaTtra aur la darniAra image de chaque microfiche, aelon le caa: la aymbole — *> algnifia "A SUIVRE", le aymbole V aignifia "FIN".

Mapa, piatea, charta, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Thoaa too large to be entirely included in one expoaure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa required. The following diagrjma illustrate the method:

Lea cartea. planchea, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmia A dea taux do reduction diff Arenta. Lorsquo le document eat trop grand pour ttre reproduit en un seul cilchA. il eat film* i partir de Tangle aup<rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en baa, en prenant le nombre d'imagea niceaaaire. Lea diagrammaa auivanta illustrent la mtthode. -

1

2

3

1	2	3
4	5	6

««C»OCOPV RESOWTUN TiST CHART

{ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2)

A APPLIED IM/1GE

1653 EasI Mom stre«l Rochester. New rork ,*609 ("6) 482 - 0300 - Phone ('16) 288 - 5989 - Fo«

DOMHaON DEPABTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OTTAWA, CANADA

TOBACCO DIVISION

EXPERIMENTAL WORK CARRIED ON IN 1908

By

F, OHARLAK AND O. CHEVALIER.

Tobacco Bulletin No. A-6

Published by direction of the Hon. SYDNEY A. FISHER, Minister of Agricutture, Ottawa, Ont.

Juxuary, lOOO

1664—1

DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OTTAWA, CANADA

TOBACCO DIVISION

EXPERIMENTAL WORK CARRIED ON IN 1908

By

F. CHARLAN AND O. CHEVALIER.

Tobacco Bulletin No- A-0

Published by direction 10G4— 1

of the Hon. SYDNEY A. FISHER, Minirter of Aflricultui^ OtUwa. Or.*. January. 1909

To the Honourable,

The Miniiter of Agriculture.

Sn, — I have the honour to lubmit herewith Bulletin No. A-6, of the icriea of th* Tobacco Division, entitled ' Experimental work carried on in 1908.' Thia bulktin contains the observations made in the course of our work, and the praotieal conda- sions at which we have arrived.

The third part of this bulletin, entitled ' Chemical fertilisera in tobaooo onltan^' prepared by Hr. O. Chevalier, givea the resulta of preliminary obaervationa mada in Quebec during the season of 1908.

Parts I. and II. have been prepared by myielf .

We hope to be able to publish, in the near future, more complete reauha. Seme questions have, however, been sufficiently studied to enable Canadian tobaooo giowera to derive benefit from our conclusions, which I recommend should be printed for distribution.

I have the honour to be, sir.

Your obedient servant,

F. CHARLAN,

Chief of the Tobacco Ditimon.

Ottawa, Januaiy 27, 1909.

1664— li

CONTENTS.

Pmi.

Part I. Preliminary experiments in the growing of ^cc<l plants. 7

Part II. Experiments in the sterilization of «oil8 10

Part III. Chemical fertilizers in tobacco culture 25

EXPERIMENTAL WORK CARRIED ON BY THE TOBACCO DIVISION

IN 1908.

PABT I.

PBELIMINARY EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING SEED PLANTS.

(By F. Charlan.)

While visiting tobacco districts in Canada and the United States, the writer was «truGk with the grea', ariety in the methods of growing seed plants.

A general practice is to strip the seed plants bare of the leaves remaining on them at harvest time, when other plants, grown for the production of tobacco, are cut to be stored and cured.

The object of this practice, according to the majority of the growers who follow it, is to hasten the ripening of the seeds. We always considered that it was faulty, as the plant, deprived of its breathing apparatus, cannot, under normal conditions, complete the formation of its seeds.

Another practice, advocated for some years by American experts, is to cover the floral cluster with a paper bag in order to prevent cross-fertilization, of which the ▼arious insects of our district, and particularly bees and bumble-bees, are very active agents, as they may carry the pollen for considerable distances. This method allows of a perfect selection of the plants, but we wanted to satisfy ourselves that the paper cover, which is rather opaque and does not allow for free renewal of the air, dods not interfere with the ripening of the seeds.

It was also desired to ascertain the best time for harvesting ripe seeds in our climate, whether during the hot spell at the end of August, or at the beginning of September or later.

A field of Comstock Spanish, grown at the Ottawa Experimental Farm in 1908, was chosen for these experiments.

The seed plants were carefully selected and divided into three lots, as follows :—

Lot X, including only those plants the seeds of which were entirely grown (fer- tilized and ripened) under cover of light paper bags.

Lot XX, including plants the seeds of which were produced entirely in the open «ir.

Lot XXX. In this lot the flowers were fertilized under bags, which werv, removed later to allow the capsules to ripen in the open air.

A distinction was made in lots XX and XXX between ripe capsules and half ripe capsules. The ripe capsules were harvested when the whole capsule, sepals included, was brown coloured. The half ripe capsules were harvested when the sepals were still gieen, but the capaule itself was already brown.

There was another special lot composed of two seed plants, the seeds of which were harvested, one capsule at a time, as each reached maturity. The ripe capsules were removed every four days.

The seeds were tested in the laboratory of the Seed Division at Ottawa, and the percentages of germination were taken as a basis of comparigon for the Tartous seeds. All plants designated by the letter A in each of the lots had their top leavea removed at the time of lopping (this operation consisting in the removal of secondary twitrf and badly formed capsules) ; the plants designated by the letter B were stripped of all their leaves eight days after the harvest; those designated by the letter C were stripped of their lower leaves only, eight days after the harvest (one doubled almost the effect of the priming, the lower part of the stalk being denuded of leaves for a height of eight or nine inches above the ground).

The germination test shows the results obtained at the end of six days and again at the end of fourteen days in the special germinator; also the resulta obtained twenty- ont. days after seeding in garden mould, kept slightly moist and maintained, under small plates of glass, at the temperature of the laboratory, 75 degrees Fahr. or there- about.

These results are shown in Table I. —

Table I.

No.	Dt-Bigiution of the leeda	Germinator	Artificial ■oil
	6 day*	14 days	21 days
661	X-A	p. c. 39 22 13 70 78 21 60 22 2 61 46 66 18 2 60 66 83 83 67 36 7 60 15 7	P.C. 53 37 24 83 89 31 66 36 4 78 76 68 33 13 79 74 90 92 76 53 16 76 26 20	p. c. 73
662	X-B	66
663 C64	x-c XX- A-M	64 84
666	XX— A— 4 M	73
666	XX— B-Jl	83
667	XX— B— A M..	79
668	xx-c-|m	81
668 670 671 673	XX-C-M XXX-A-M XXX-A-iM XXX- B—M	85 84 84 78
673 674 675	XXX-B-iM XXX-C-M XXX— C— 4 M	83 70 80
683 684 686 686 687 688	Conutook No. 1, 20tb August. 24th 28th <• lit September 6th 9th	65 83 89 71 73 46
689 690	Conutock No. 2, l«t 5th	69 36
691	9th	24

SxplaniUion of li^ni and ltUer$:

X— Entirely under bags. B— All leaves removed.

XX— In the open air C— Lower leaves only reuiovwl.

XXX— Fertiliied under bags, ripened in the open air. M— Kipe.

A— Top leaves removed. i M— Half ripe.

I.— Setoltt obtained from head* of flowen kept under bafi.

A glance at the foregoing table reveals large variations in the percentage of germination of the seeds tested in the germinator, as in lot X for instance. With a view to eliminate the ri»k of errors, or of popaiWo faulty manipulations in the labora- tory, wo will now examine the ave:agts: —

Table IT.

Number

6 days

Oerminktor

Udayi

Artificial loil

31 day*

	X. Caiwules fertilized and ripened under baga.
661 66J 663	p. c. 39 22 13 "74 — =24 66 3	p. c. sa 37 » 114 — =38 3	p. c. 72 66 64
	303 — =W-83 3

	XX. Capiules fertilized and ripened	in the open lir.
664		70		83		84
665		78		89		73
666		21		31		83
667		60		66		79
668		22 2		35 4		81
669	85
		253		308		485
			43 16	— =	=51 33	— =80 83
		6		6		6

XXX. Capaulea fertilized under bagi and ripened in the open air.

=40 60

78 j	84
76	84
68	78
33	88
13	70
79	80
347	479
— =57-83
6	6

-=79 83

The percentage of gormiiinting seeds is. in every oase, very much lower for the capsules fertilized and ripened under bags. The percentages given by lots XX and XXX are very nearly equal.

It may be inferred from Table II that fertilization under bags is an excellent method of securing selected seeds, but in order to obtain a good yield of seeds the capsules should be uncovered as soon as the fertilization is completed. At this time, the plant should be watched with the greatest care in order to prevent the formation and the pollination of new flower«.

1664—2

10

With recud to the yield of seeds, the method of growing entirely in the open air

li not ropenor to the method of growing part of the time .mder bags, and it hu one

great objection, that of leaving the plant exposed to cross-fertiliEation, which inTari-

ably leads to degeneration of stock, as selection being impossible, the varieties cannot

. be maintained pure and vigorous. For this reason, it should be entirely discarded

The mixed method is the one which complies best with all the requirements, and we recommend it to aU farmers who are desirous of obtaining good and pure seed. n—Eeinlti obtained from leaving all the leaves on the plant or removing all the

leaves, or a portion of them.

A siimaiary of the results is presentea r Tfble III.:—

Table III.

Top leaves removfd

B AU leaves removed

Lower leaves only removed

Germinator	Artiticial
	soil
6 days	14 days	21 days
•
P.C.	p.e.	p. c.
39	53	72
70	83	84
78	89	73
61	78	84
46	76	P4
294	379	3ur
— =rxS-88	—=76-80	— =79 40
&	5	5

(■erminator

Artiticial Hoil

Oemiinator

6 days

p. c

22 21 60 S6 18

14 days

p. c.

37 31

66

3C

21 days 6 days 14 days

AL-tificial soil

21 days

1T7 5

35 40

235 — =47

I>. c.

66 83 79 78 83

3>9

— =77 80 3

p. c.

13 22

2

2

60

99

— = 19 80 5

p. c. 24

3r>

4 13

79

l.V)

=31

i t>. c

I 64 ! 81 I 85

I 80

' .380 — =76 5

Comparing the results obtained from the test on an .-.rtificial soil, we observe a decrease from A to C, but the differences are slight. However, this is a teet of long duration, and it may happen-as generally happens on the seed bed-that many seede which are late in germinating are included in the results.

The plants from these late seeds, hindered ic their growth by earlier and more vigorous plants. wiU never give good seedlings for transplanting. Detailed informa- tion on this point will be obtained by comparing the results of the germinator test.

A heavy yield is not so important a consideration as vigour and evenness in the seedlings. Of course the seed should have a fair percentage of germination, but the germm.t.or should be such that the plants are as strong and as even as possible.

- i:. at lot A, in table IH, we see that the number of seeds germinated at the end of .._ days is very nearly 60 per cent, which is a very fair percentage. This number gradually increases to 76-8 per cent on the fourteenth day until it stops at 79-4 per cent on the twenty-first day. in the artificial soil. The proportion of late seedlings is comparatively low. With such seed, evenly distributed, and not applied in too large quantity, a very even seed-bed will be obtained, all the plants of which will be about the same size, and about equally vigorous.

In lot B. it is seen that the yield at the end of six days is only 35-4 per cent; it nses slightly until the fourteenth day (47 per cent), then the rise is quite marked from the fourteenth to the twenty-first day. This seed will give fairly early plant..

11

but only a small number of them. The rest of the plants coming when the fint hare already fairly well developed, will be hindered in their growth by the lack of space, and the result will be a very uneven seed-bed, which will give only a small number of seedlings ready for setting out at the time of the first pulling out.

The same trouble, but in an aggravated form, will arise from the use of seed from lot C. Here, the rate of germination in six days is only 19-8 per cent. It ia still very low on the fourteenth day and rises only from the fourteenth to the twenty-first day when it becomes about normal, 76 per cent.

Such a seed-bed would show here and there some plants fully developed, and witb a tendency to harden, and in their midst a rather late plant which, hindered by the first occupants, will have a tendency to weak growth.

There is no doubt therefore that the seed from lot A will give the best results aa regards the percentage of seeds germinating in a rather short time (6 days), which is about the necessary time for the germination of the seeds on hot beds.

This seed will give an even bed, yielding the greatest possible number of seedlings for setting out at the first pulling.

In a previous work we have mentioned the possible danger of repeated pulling. On a bed needed down with such seed the number of pullings will be reduced to a minimum.

We were not surprised to observe that the seed plants in the lot from which all the leaves had been removed on the 8th of August gave seeds very much inferior to ♦^bose of the lot from which the top leaves only had been removed. We cannot at present, however, give any satisfactory explanation of the low percentage obtained with the seed in the germinator tests from lot C, in which the percentage was very much lower than that of the seed from lot B.

These observations are, however, only preliminary. The seeds obtained from the plants under test were put in the germinator at a very early date, and probably the germination test which we intend to make in April will give somewhat different results. At any rate, it will enable us to throw more light on the subject. To com- plete this experiment, it will be necessary to ascertain the density of our seeds and to find out the quality of the plants they are able to give by making a growing teat.

However, the conclusion can safely be drawn that the seed originating from lot A is greatly superior to that of the other lots, and we would advise growers to keep all the leaves on the seed plants, except those from the top, which will be removed when the time arrives for lopping and the floral clusters are uncovered.

in. — Inflnence of season and temperature at maturity.

Two plants of Comstock Spanish had been selected with a view to gather sys- tematically the ripe capsules at intervals of four days. The time of ripening variea with the position of the capsules on the different branches of the floral cluster, and in many couatries the capsules are gathered one by one in order to make sure that they are quite ripe and to avoid the loss of seed, which occurs when the capsules are left too long on the plant and so burst themselves open.

Some authorities also say that axillary capsules, which are the first to ripen, ought to gi'e earlier plants.

1664— 2i

12

The reaulte of the testing of seeds obtaine.1 from the two plants of Com.tock Spanish are giyen in the following table.

Tabu IV.

Number of IMtrent {danti

Date of barveiitinK

AugiMt ao.

.. 24.

nerniinator tent

G (]«}■•

14 dkyH

Artificial Miil

21 dayH

September 1 . S. 9.

II.

1	74	K
83 1	90	81
82	92	89
«7	7rt	71
3ti	63	73
7	16	45
GO	7.1	m
1.1	26	•£:>
7	20	24

The seeds obtained from plant No. 2, during the period extending from the 20th to the 28th of August were destroyed by mice which overran the apartment where the capsules had been spread. As to the period from the 1st to the 9th of September we see that the seeds from both plants behaved in exactly the same manner.

It was not the earliest seed that gave the greatest yield but the seed harvested on the 24th or 28th of August. The increase is well marked and manifests itself regularly m every one of the various trials: 6 days and 14 days in the germinator. 21 days m an artificial soil. A remarkable decrease appears for the seeds harvested on the Ist of September, and a still greater decrease for those harrested on the 5th. The seeds picked on the 9th are evidently poor seeds, which should not be use,!.

The following observations may be deduced from the preceding table:—

1st. Judged on the percentage of germination, the best seeds are those that were harvested between August 24 and September 1. They were fertilized during the heat of summer under the most favourable circumstances, nn.l their ripening was effected durmg a warm spell in the best condition.

2nd. The capsules picked on the 20th of August, including as they did a large proportion of axillary capsules, gave a slightly inferior yield. This was expected a^ most 0. these capsules were ill developed. They may ripen early, but they do not appee; to be in the way of the great circulatory current which takes place in the panicles between flowering and fertilization.

3rd. All seeds harvested after the 1st of September show a decrease in the per- centage of germination, and hence of vitality. F.rtilizati.m took place rather late in some cases only during the latter half of the month of August, and it seems that' the lowering of temperature, especially at night, had already been sufficient to check the formation of the capsules. This is shown by the fact that the latter capsule, like the very first, are comparatively little developed.

The following practical indications are obvious:—

(a) All axillary capsules, which are not of absolutely normal development, should be removed on ivcry ooeasion wlien the seed plants are examined.

11 •

(h) A focond lopping should be made as (toon as the protecting bags are remored and nftcr the roqiiircHl niinib<>r of c-apsiilcs have been fertiliied. The capsules should hv Htricfly limited to the number that the plant can ripen in a certain period. The lenjrfh of the period varies with the conditions; it can only be determined by experi- ence ; in our trial, it was extrndofl to the Ist of September, an extreme date.

(c) The formation of any new flowers, which might become fertilized when beyond the control of the grower, should, of course, be prevented.

((i) All late capsules, at the extreme date mentioned (September 1) should be removed, and only those which arc well shaped and quite ripe should be gathered.

It will be easily understood that it is impossible to fix dates. These may, to some extent, vary with the seasons, and certainly with the climatic conditions. In Canada, climatic conditions often vary considerably in the different tobacco growing districts. But from the preliminary tests made during the year 1908, we infer that there is an optimum periml of comparatively short duration (about 12 days) during which an effort should be made to pather the tobacco seeds.

The length of the favourable [Kriwl varies also with the climate. It is certainly much longer in distrit-ts where the end of the summer is particularly warm, and probably the test made at Ottawa indicates one of the shortest terms that may be (ibtnineil in countries where tobacco growing is carried on.

rv. — At what time should the capsules be gathered in order to make sure of

obtaining^ ripe keeds.

Table V gives the results of the germination test made with seeds gathernl; 1st, when the capsules were completely brown (these we call ripe capsules); 2nd, when the capsules were brown and the sepals still green (these capsules we call half ripe).

Table V.

Number

Gemiinator	Artificial suit
6 days J 1-1 days	21 dayH
p. c. p. c.	p. c.

A.— Ripe capsule!!

66s	70		fa		84
GC6	21 : 2		31 4		83
66»	85
670	61		7«		84
672	56	:	6S		78
674	2		13		70
	212		277		484
	— -	-35 33	=	46 16	—=80-66
	! « 1		6		6
	40 74

14 Table V— (7on<$nu«d.

Number.

UeiTDiBfttor

Artificial loil

p.0.

14 dayi

31 d»yt

P.O.

p.c.

B.— Half ripe oa|Miile*

m

668

«n

873 675

A ali^t difference in favour of the seed gathered ripe and germinated on arti- ficial aoil is obaerved: 80 66 per cent instead of 80 per cent. But, in the test with the germinator, the half ripe seed obtains the preference: 65 16 per cent instead of 40-74 per cent.

We do not consider these results as final, as the investigation could not be carried U f ar aa desired. However, we consider that the method followed by many farmers of gathering the floral clusters whilst the sepals are still green, is justified. The only precauti<m necessary is not to hasten the operation.

Further experiments will enable us to elucidate some points which, so far, have remained doubtful, but the following practical conclusions may be deduced:—

Concluaiont.

(a) All the leaves should be left on the seed plants with the exception of the leaves at the foot of the plant which disappear at piiming, and of the top leaves which would be removed at the time of topping, if the plant were not reserved for the production of seed.

It is impossible to say just how many leaves should be thus removed, but seed plants in a tobacco field should look like plants normally topped, but apparently a little longer than the rest owing to the naked extremity of the stem which is sur- mounted by the floral cluster.

(6) In order to avoid hybridization and undesirable crossing, the mixed method of cultivation described above is recommended: (fertilization under bags and ripen- ing in the open air).

(c) The harvest should be completed early. The late capsules which have not been removed or which, owing to unfavourable weather conditions, have not ripened sufficiently, should be sacrificed. It would be well for the grower to study these conditions in order t» ascertain the extreme date at which good seeds can be har- vested in his locality, so that he may always keep well within the limit.

15

(d) It i* not necessary to wtit until the colour of the fepals is quite brown before remoTing the capsules. One should wait, however, until the capsule itself is quite brown.

(e) It seems ahnost superfluous to add that the first requisite in seed produc- tion is the exercise of the utmost care in the selection of the parent plants.

The seeds which underwent the germination test were not passed through the •eparator. They included, therefere, a mixture of light and heavy seeds such as is obtained by shelling all the capsules on the same plant. We were, therefore, in the same position, unhappily too general, of the farmer who does not separate his seeds. Such a farmer will doubtless be the first to profit by these experiments. This does not imply that by using a separator one may be indifferent as to this or that method of cultivation. On the contrary, those who use this implement always try to get good ■eed, well ripened and heavy. They may, perhaps, be able to derive benefit from the above remarks.

In conclusion, we gratefully acknowledge the valuable services rendered to us by the Seed Division at Ottawa. The results obtained are due in a large measure to its willing co-operation.

Ottawa, December, 1908.

PAST n. EXPERIMENTS IN THE STERILIZATION OF SOILS.

PRELIMINARY NOTE. (By F. Chavlan.)

For two ponsociitiv.' ycnr* ( 100(1- HH»7) our .xporiiiimtal tifid at the Ottawa Experimental Farm ww wvprtly attnc-k<'.l by the MosaiV .liwaw. or Wipht.

It wiw hoped that the Htcrilizntion of the soils forming the set^i bods woul.l help, at least to a certain extent, to eontrol this diwnse. and an ex,M>rinunt (similar to one already done in the Tnite.! .States) whs undertaken with a view to aseertain the value of the methods of disinfection or sterilization recommended.

Two modes of sterilization were nsc-d: formalin and steam under pressure. The formalin treatment which wa- tritnl durinp the autumn of 1907 is very simple. The proportions used are those in.licated by Prof. Shelby, of the Woost-.r Experimental Station (Ohio).

A quantity of new soil sufficient to make a six-inch la.ver over the seed bed was prepared. This soil was spread over a thorouRhly cleaned floor and sprinkle<l with a solution containing il lbs. of formalin to .10 grnllons of water. The quantity of w.lution used was at the rate of one gallon jur square foot of surface. The operntion was repeated twice, at four days' interval, in order to avoid any losses of liquid and to insure nn even distribution.

The lienp of soil was then carefully nii.xed with n shovel so that the solution might p«mieate the mass and allow the formalin to evaporate after doing its work of disinfection.

The intention was to sterilize another lot in the spring, but we were prevented from doing so by unfavourable weather. It was feared that, if the formalin was appliwl too late, it could not evaporate before seeding time.

When it was not being mixed with a shovel, the heap of earth was kept under shelter to exclude the snow and to prevent contact with other materials which might have caused an infection.

The sterilization with steam was a very simple affair. An ordinary box was used, and at six inches from the bottom a coil was place<l. consisting of an iron tube closed at one end and iK'rforatcd with holes permitting the stenni to escape through the soil to be sterilized. The outside arms of the coil were at a distance of six inches from the vertical side of the box. The box was filled up with soil to a height of 1-2 inches above the coil. Therefore the total thickness of the layer of soil used in each operation was 18 inches.

The pressure, registered with a manometer, was (!0 lbs., „„d . a.-h -.peraiion lusted 30 minutes.

IC

I

IT

Aftir 10 iniiintr. .., «.. fl„, tniiiKniturc- of riir h.up wa- at thv l.-iiiiwrature of the gtcam. and the latt.-r oa^*^! to i-..n.|,.ii«. aixl <«iiir out throiiirh ihf iiitprsticm. The oprratioii la«to<l thi-nforo 2(1 miiUitiH. at *Hl 11.^. pr.s.urf. Tlii- wan quite Kuffi- cient for iMX)|<inK "'nx- ,«.tat.KM pla,.,-.! h- .Ii.tIc-. .ift.r thv ,,rarti<-«. foil ,w.-.l l.y Amerioan growrr*. .ithvr at thr top part (.f thr b.,1 .,r nt tl..' iK.itoin of th.- box.

(Jn>«t care was taken t<. avoi.l any mixture with untri..f..l ^oil ami all ri-^ks of oontaininatiou.

Two b<-<l», 21 f....t louK l.y t( f.ct wi(l.>. surrouM.l«Ml by boanN an<i .-ovfre.! with Klazcl HashcH wt-rc pr.pHr..,l. ..fter the hot-lH.l Hy.t.n,. ..v.r a lav.r r.f fre.h nianuro .% inch..« thick, and well packed. The nnnn.re was ,..,vered with n layer of earth .1 inches thick.

One part of the bed. separ.ited frpm th.- rest, was tilled with untreate<l soil, of the same origin af* the soil treat.>.l with formalin or with steam. This small bed w,i.s intendwl to serve ns a check plot.

The betls were r. ady on the l.'.th of April. The tenunrature w.w ullowe,! to rise to about 80 Fahr, and on the Itith seediuR was prweeded with.

The bo.l« were sulxlivided into several plots, and each of these plots was sccdc<l with difforent varieties of the seeds un.l.T te-t. The-e were scatfere.l in such a manner as to kIvc an opportunity to show tl... .ffeet ..f ,he various treatments on the same variety of see<ls. Dry seed was used.

The young plants nia.le their npiMarniu- from tlu i.Mh to the 29tli of April, that is from 0 to 12 days after se<'dicir.

The earliest plant came from < .ck plot (C'omst.Kk Spanish) on the 25th of

April. The rest of tlu' I'omstoek g( nated only on tln' I'Ttli.

A vpry old seed— over 10 years of ajre— came up on the 27th. 11 d.i ■■ need-

ing.

The bed treated with formnliii eoiitaiued the ff,]l,,wiiiK varieties: Com., ,cfc

Spanish. Canelle. Wisconsin S,M.,.iul. Haiti. JfazUw ! lirewer Hybrid, Improved

Connecticut Havana.

The bed treate<l witli steam had tlie following viirieties: Big Ohio, Improved Cuban, Comstock Spanish, Burley Broa.l Ix^af. Coniw tieiit Broad Ix-af.

The check plot, as already mentioned, ha.l only one variety: Comstock Spanish.

The plots were seed.-d d.nni at th ■ rate of ."J. 3 gnimiiie- per .W square feet of bed for large lobiiccus: Ohio. Burley an.l Con.ucticut Brond Ixaf ; and 33 gramr . s ,>er 40-45 square feet for tobaccos with weak devi'Iopm. nt : Ci.iielle, Hazlpwood. Com- stock, &e.

The young plants cnine up on the following dates:—

Bed treated with gleam:

Big Ohio No. 1 ^^p^i, ^,g

Big Ohio No. 2 .. .,3

Imported Culiaii .^ 09

Comstock Spauisli „ j,«

Burley Broad Lenf .. .,g

Ctmiivcticut Broad I.iuf ■• og

I'omstoek Spanish .. 07

Bid tnahd with formalin:

Conutock Spanish ^p^i, ^^

Canalle

Wiioonain Specittl. .

n»Iti

Haslewood

Brewer Hybrid

Connecticut Havana.

28 27 27 27 27

Generally speaking, the seedlingr* had a good np|)earance. The following u a ■ummary of the obflcrvations made: —

A. Soil treated with formalin.

Improved Connect icul havma and Brewer Hvbnd.— Very fine planU, about equally early, thick set. tender, well shaped stem, quite white, abundant roota'.

A type of u really good bed (should be seeded a little more thinly in the future however— only J .f the quantity of see«l UB,d).

^o*Z«woo<f.— Slender plant, long stem, easily twisted. The plot shows no signs of disease but is not very good. This test should be repeated, so that the appearance of the plant on this bed may be accurately ascertained.

Haitt.-T?lunt with a tap root, almost without any hair. The main root is very long, a httle woody, yellowish. The plant is of a clear green, almost yellow, but witb a very even colour. It doe, not seem to have suffered any more than the plant of other varieties also seeded on soil treated with fomalin. Local injury caused by excess of moisture.

.u ^r^^'" ^P^^^'-Has greatly suffered from an excess of humidity, but les« than the Haiti; stem often twisted; plant rather vigorous and tender; not rerji even in colour. An attack of the disease is expected on the field.

Canelle.-WeW developed tobacco, even bed, a little thin. The plant seems to spread over the bed. Try various quantities of seed in future.

Cometock ^pa«»A.-Very fine bed. plants well distributed, vigorous and healthy, lo be sown lighter in the future.

B. Soil* treated with steam.

Big Ohio. Barley Broad Leaf, onnecticut Broad Leaf.-Oood plants, healthy and vigorous; came up from the 26th to 28th of April; no signs of diseas^.

Comstock 8panish.-.Good stand, similar to the one obtained on soil treated with formalin. "^-icij

Check Plot.-PhnU healthy and vigorous. Stand a little close, uneven. Cuian.— Rather fine plants; very good stand.

1»

Th« piMta wen readjr for wttiitg out .t the following .Utet:-

Soil trtattd with $ltam:

BicOhio „ »«

._,._^ M«y 29-30

Imported Cuban "25

':!oiMtock SpanUh ..."." ."' "' .. ^^

Burley Broad Lent <• 27

Connecticut Broad Leaf „

Comitock cbe<'k plot .....

so

Soil trerttd with formalin :

ConiBtock Spaninh », ,

Canelle ^'"^ -'

" 05

Wisconsin Special " .. ,.j

Haiti -"

<< oa

Hailewood. . .. • .«'»

_ " iff

Brewer Hybrid „ ^^

Imported Connecticut .. .j»

modi!

as

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. folW-'^' "'■"' """"■""' °" '^' '""*"''"» ^''^^ -'1 observation.

U W.!""' "r?" ^ "" moderately ventilated, the temperature -s good- -anvas IS kept over the frames in order to protect from the sun; the plant is noft^'v^^K ! many weed seeds appear on the stand treated with formal^ ' '"'' '"'

....ent. but the plant has come up eater^ • 1^^!^^^ Z r^otZ

B.. -^- ^trrr^t:^:ir^ >- --n the

come up early; it had retained its vitalfty well ""' ""^ °''^' '""'

The Cuban came up late and is very thin Thn n,.«i;»- * *u germination at least. ^ery th.n. The quahty of the seed is poor, in

May 75.— Plants green and vigorous upon all the nlots mo,« J«„ 1 j bed treated with formalin than on the bed Treated with Itel Th ^"^ T " is doing well and maintain, its lead. ^^' ""*'"*^^ P"*

ifoy W.-Seedlings well developed on some plots, re v for f,«na„i ♦• week, particularly on the bed treated with formalfn *'-«Plantmg .„ a

The stand will have to be reduced one-third in general In snitP .f . * j thinnings, the stand is still too thick. P'** "^ '"P^"*^

The beds appear to have received rather too much water. Thev Buffere.1 an m;ury m the night of the 20-21 May, some parts of the bed treated 'wJtl, 7 , have been destroyed, and particularly the part occupiX^heX^.^tif ^^t

20

seems to have been oause.1 by «„ exorss of moisturo. The n,>ht during «•»„• -I. > oecur.^ was particularly warm, an.l the frames had been left o^ ' "" '^

root W \ Trr '" ^', ""'■'" '''"""•'■ "^ '^^ »""' ♦''"«^*^> -ith fonnalin. The

root ha.r ,s plentiful enouKh. but the eolour is pale, yellowish, while on the bed

' A mU :rof 7'""^ "V"'" --" •'^ ^•'^'^ « «•-•'' tendency : hie!:' nr h n ? .r '"" '"" ^' '"'" "" '^' ^^ ♦"'«*«' -'th steam. It is due

probably to the same cause as the injury which has affected the Haiti

The spots observe,! for the last two days did not extend. The injury did its work .n one n.«ht ,„ly and stop..,, the next day as soon as the ventilation lliZo^^ ow.n, o the ...,.np,..t.. n.nu.val of th. sashes, an.l as soon as the wateriuK waj

::t:::t ' ^"■"^" " '^'^ -'^'^ "^ ^'-^ "■^--' ^^^ ^^-^ -- « *->-;

The observations may b,> suniniarizi^d as follows:—

1. .S-.,7 freaM u-ith fonnaUn.-V,n\y ,^.rmin„tion. oven in the case of the Tlaiti, from rather old seed.

VVatcrinp has evi.lently ben t,K. fr.„,u „t for a A.v ,lays. and this has caused the plants to become yellow an,l even to .lie out on s..me parts of the bed. The injury affected only a very small part an.l ,li.l not appear to sprea,!. The poor hairv .l.velopment of the plants in the Haiti variety is the only cause of anxiety

Uhen the frequency of watering was .lecreased. the plants turne.l rapidly green a....n. au.l the colour became even an.l satisfa..t,.ry. except on the part sown with the H.s,.oMs,n Specal. whi.-h has r..Uu„..d a nu.tl.y apiM-arau..... the green parts looking darker. *"

y.J^^l P'"'-*"a.lewoo.i,.-Sl..„d..r. ..|o„gat...l plant. The leaves appear ahnost

2^.W /m,^^ „.Uh ,s/.„m.-V..,.,a,i,.„ slower at first than on the soil treat..! w,th formahn Pos.ble causes: B... seede.1 with large an.. gen..rally slow growi g ^ar,. .es (Oh.o. BuHey. (V.nnecticut Broa.l I.af). The plants are general fy short an.l thick set. especially in the large vari.'tirs.

The Comsto-'k yi.l.I.d well, an.l about evenly .,n both l.e.is.

r;,.;.,„ R„,h.,r poor looking be.l at the start, but ending up w..ll. Coo.l stan.l. til. only stan.l nally satisfactory in the wlu.le test.

The untreate.1 Comstock appears healthy an.l vigorous, but very unev..,, On the whole the be,l treat.Hl with s.eani germinated more slowly at tir.t but P....ky made tip for loss of time; the seedlings remained green an., vigorous ,1 r g th,. whole peno.1 of growth. Xo we,.ds app.-ar,.,! on the plot

The be,. tr..at...l with formalin was comparatively early but very weedy The w..e.,,„, .e..u.re.l has certainly cost more than the treatment by steam, and this apar from the expense of the f,.rmalin treatment.

API'EARAXtK ,)K TlIK I'I,.v\Ts

AT TlIK T1.MK OK SETTI.M; Ol T.

SI

The setting out took place from the 25th to the SUt of Mav K,.»

APPKABAXCE OF TMK PLANTS ON THE FIELD.

The plantation suffered from insects as well as from tJ... r„tK Dur,n8 ,1„ g„„„^ „i„J, ,1,0 f.llowi,,, .„„„,„, „b^,„,i<,„. „^ „.5"-

will n:.tt:'t;::a "•"•' '"■ ""** "■•" """"•• ••• — ^-i ••"-«

Can«.//p._No disease. Tobacco very vij^oro-.is. Ci/i»a.— Tobacco considerably blighUnl.

thref^!!::'''''^ ^'"" '^""'''- ''"'''^^" ^^^^ '"-" •''''^'«'^'- I''-'^ »-d to bo reset

Wtsconsin ^•p..,«/.-Sli»ht touch of disease. Plants very strong.

fi„r/ey.-Tobacco consi.lorubly diseased ; recovery difficult.

Connecticut Broad A.a/.-Rath.r strong attack of blight.

Big 0/„-o._Slight attack of blight but nearly general.

The blight made its appearance quite distinctly on the lOtl. .f i therefore, a laborious treatment of the soil the re It la L T ""'

l>light. affecting the whole croo with tl.. *""'"'*"'; ''«■' '^" " "''"eral attack of

When „. ou,. ... .i....:::!"!;: :rziz;r::vt;:/-"t .*3 r^ tzri:^:- r:;if ;i;:r ■- iir-"-"^^^

barren, oth.r p.r.s were ....... „p of a light loan, of a fairly dark colour, with .

■mall predominance of clay. Between these two kioda, all gradations were repre- sented in the field used for the ezporiment.

The small varieties, Brewer, Hazlewood, Connecticut Havana, succeeded more or less, as they were p' .ited on the drifting sand or on the light loam, and they proved more or lees resistant to the disease.

On the sandy part all the plants were completely blighted. On good soil the injury was slight, and a number of plants remained unaffected.

The same difference could be seen on the plants of the Gomstock variety, which were, planted on good soil and partly on poor soil.

The plants of the Wisconsin variety were very little affected. They occupied almost the best part of the plantation.

The Big Ohio were not much affected, although planted on drifting sand which covered them almost completely at the beginning of the vegetation every time the wind was rather strong.

Moreover, the disease did greater injury in all parts where the plants were elow in taking root, and this was: 1. On the poorest part of the field. 2. On the part where insects hi» ] done the most damage and where the greatest number of pi" ta had to be replaced.

Wherever the soil was good, and where insects had not done too much damage, the crop was nearly normal, and the signs of disease observed since the middle of June showed a tendency to disappear. In fact, some plots like the Wisconsin, part of the Comstock and Big Ohio were practically healthy at harvest time. The Canelle, as already mentioned, was not affected.

Unfortunately these observations are rather irregular, as the writer was com- pelled by other work to absent himself from Ottawa. However, the following con- clusions seem to be justified: —

1. In Canada, or at least in all parts of the Dominion where considerable drop^ in the temperature may be expected toward the end of May, it appears safer only to set out the plants in the first ten days of June.

The general spread of the disease, and the recovery of a nimiber of plants under the influence of favourable meteorological conditions, compel us to admit that if the disease is not entirely caused by adverse atmospheric conditions, it is, at least, largely induced by such causes. As a matter of fact, during three years the disease was supposed to come from the bed, and during three years, after the plants were set out, from the 25th of May to the 1st of June, we either had rains followed by cold winds, or heavy frost, or even falls of snow.

The setting out should therefore only be done when one is fairly certain that there will be no risk of the return of severe cold. In our opinion, this is the cause of the many attacks of disease which have been observed on our plantation, and we expect subsequent observations further to prove this fact. If, as advanced by some authorities, the Mosaic disease, or blight, is due to physiological causes, such as a disorder in the circulation, preventing the normal formation and distribution of soma of the elements which enter in the constitution of ihe leaves, it is certain that the plants will be more liable to it at the time of setting out, when they are delicate and more easily aff.^cted by advprar atmospheric ."onditionp.

23

■i.. It is very important to have, at the proper time, a plentiful supply of seed- lings, and it will be well to sow at intervals so as to have plants ready for resetting when required.

We have observed that the plots from which plants had to be taken up at various times presented at the time of the last pulling some signs of weakening and even of disease. This was apparent on any soil, no matter how treated.

It is a fact that the copious watering, which had to be resorted to before each pulling of plants, may, if repeated at too close intervals, cause an excess of moisture in the beds.

We found it necessary to make a careful selection of the plants at the time of the last pulling, and most of the seedlings left on the bed would surely have been attacked by root-rot if they had been submitted much longer to this excessive water- ing treatment which we were compelled to follow in order to secure the plants re- quired.

It is also on the parts of the field where the greater number of plants had to be replaced that the disease caused the most injury.

Therefore, large beds, with thin seedlings, at properly spaced intervals, and as few pullings as possible on the same bed.

3. In the spread of the disease the insects which attack the young plants when set out play a part which deserves consideration.

Were it only because they force the grower to have recourse to new plants for resetiing, cut-worms, for insta^^ce, play an important part. It has been shown that, unless great care is taken, th* f ' mts from the second or third pulling from the beds' for resetting have a tendency t e more delicate than those of the first pulling.

This alone justifies the sacrifices made for poisoning the worms and emphasizes the need of rotations that may facilitate their destruction and prevent their recur- rence.

4. Generally speakini?— and this applies particularly to the cold parts of Canada —watering should be done only with great moderation, as the variation in tempera- ture between day and night is already sufficient to cause an abundant condensationi ».f moisture at the surface of the soil. When the soil is kept too moist no circulation of air can take place, and the dying out of plants, so often observed in the province, of Quebec, has probably no other cause.

An Italian expert. Dr. Comes, after a careful study of the question, has come to the conclusion that this is a mere accident, and it might be said that the plants simply die from asphyxia.

6. The various treatments, applied to the different soils, give nearly the same results.

On farms where no boiler is available, the formalin treatment is the most con- venient, but wherever steam can be had the steam treatment is preferable, as the soil is ready at once and all the weeds are destroyed.

This means a considerable saving for the grower: the expense of weeding which is not eliminated by the formalin treatment.

Provided the seed has been sown in the right proportion so that no thinning ia required, a bed sterilized with steam do«s not practically require any care, save watrring w<\ rr.peful watch on aeration until the plants ure ready tj be set out.

M

Our seed beds, even the check plot, did not show any signs of disease. The injury observed on the plot of Haiti is considered as a pure accident, caused by an excess of moisture. ThtTcfore, we were dealing with healthy soils, since the check plot itself did not show any diseased plants.

The cases of disease observed towards the end of transplanting on plots from which several lots of seedlings had been obtained, may be attributed to outside germs imported by the labourers, but blight was the only disease observed on the field. Until further information is available, we cannot say that this disease originated in the beds, and in the absence of other diseases, preventive treatment of soils by form- alin or steam may be consiilerwl as an efficient method that could not be too strongly recommended.

In conclusion, I am happy to recognize the very active part taken in this work by Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist of the Central Experimental Farm. Mr. Macoun gave us most valuablt' help in preparing the be<ls, sterilizing the soils and watching the seedlings. Although our experiment is not as conclusive as might be desired, we feel certain of obtaining with the same co-operation better and more definite results in the near future.

Ottawa, Docembt>r, VM>*.

PABT m.

COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS IN TOBACCO CULTURE.

PRELIMINARY NOTE. (By 0. Chevalier.)

In a previous publication entitled ' The importance of rotations in tobacco cul- ture ' the writer dealt with the important question of yields. An endeavour was made to ascertain why the yield per acre of tobacco had remained stationary when it had not actually decreased. The qucition was studied from a triple point of view: (Jhemical, climatic and agricultural. The chemical, by far the most important, received particular attention. Conclusions as practical as possible were drawn from the great scientific laws in the light of which the question was studied.

Generally speaking, the decrease in yields about which the growers complain so bitterly may be attributed to two chief causes. The first is the impoverishment of the soil in fertilizing principles of all kinds; the second, the lack of care on the part of some growers. The latter cause is not quite independent of the first.

In the great majority of cases the growers have put too much reliance on the fertility of the soil. To-day, they observe that this fertility is fast disappearing. Of course, they have noticed the evil, but unfortunately much too late, ^though the law is general, it presents some exceptions. There are growers who have freed them- selves from the old routine and who are not systematically opposed to new theories; in short some growers reason, work with method, and succeed. Others work a great deal more and do not succeed so well. Why? It is merely a question of system, and it is also very often because the latter spend their energy and their time in following a wrong method.

Two great principles apply to the province of Quebec: —

1. Most of the tobacco lands are exhausted, or are rapidly becoming exhausted, and this is due to poor cultivation.

2. When mineral ingredients, in judicious proportions, have been restored to the soil, then, but only then, will it be possible to increase the yields and to make them truly what they should be.

In the bulletin mentioned, the writer endeavoured to demonstrate the first prin- ciple, and proposed some means whereby the soil might be restored to its normal condition. Of course, this is a rather long experiment, and it will be necessary to' wait three years before the results of it can be discussed. Although full of confid nee, we cannot anticipate the future, and besides, we intend to make a practical den^ons- tration oi the principle this year.

As to the second principle, things, are less complioatoi!, srA it w^'l not be neceis- sary to wait so long for results. We were abk- this year to demonstrate conclusively

26

26

tbat yields may be euily and considerably increased on soils which possess all the requisites for the growth of tobacco.

The experiment which led to these conclusions was carried on the farm of Mr. Leduc, a tobacco grower, of St. C^saire. Always cultivated and manured in a rational manner, the soil of this farm was in the best possible condition for such an experiment.

The intention was to prove that on a soil in such condition— a tobacco soil in short— the yield could be practically increased. It will be seen further, that in spite of rather unfavourable climatic conditions, we had very good success.

A field with an area of 2i arpents (1) was divided in five even lots: A B, C, D, E. of i arpent each. These five lots were ploughed before the winter and all were worked in the same manner iu the spring. The same variety was grown on all the lots: ' Comstock Spanich.' The distance between the plants was the same on all ploU, 18 X 30 inches.

Three kinds of fertilizers were used in this experiment: Barn-yard manure, a speoial complete commercial fertilizer *M,' and another complete fertilizer 'W.' They were applied to the different lots as follows:-

Plot A.— Bam -yard manure, 10 tons per acre; special complete fertilizer 'M,' BOO lbs. per acre.

Plot fi.— Complete fertilizer ' M,' 500 lbs. per acre. No barn-yard manure.

Plot C— Barn-yard manure, 10 tons per acre; complete fertilizer 'M>,' 600 lbs. per acre.

Plot Z).— Complete fertilizer ' M«,' 600 lbs. per acre; no barn-yard manure. Plot E.—Bam-yard manure, 10 tons per acre; no comnercial fertilizer.

As shown by the above, the experiment was planned in order to find out: (1) the influence on the yield of commercial fertilizers with or without barn-yard manure; (2) of barn-yard manure with or without commercial fertilizers. We also obtained Bome indications as to the relative values of the two fertilizers ' M ' and ' M».'

It was desirable to know the exact chemical composition of the artificial fertil- izers employed. As the tobacco division is not organized as yet for making chemical investigations in connection with its work, we were fortunate in being able to apply to Mr. Shutt, the Chemist of the Central Experimental Farm, who kindly consented to make an analysis of our two samples of fertilizers. The results of this analysis are as follows : —

Table I.

Nitrogen.— Total, including nitrates .id ani-

moniacal salts

Nitrogen. — Ammoniacal salts only

Fertilizer M'. Fertilizer M.

%

2 31 0 86

215

^^- '^, V^^^ " ^^ *^ "sqa**^ •Hd ooBtauu, therefor*, 32,4i» sq. feet while the acre is 208f feet square, ooiitaiiiing 43,560 sq. feet. '

8T

Phoaphoric acid — ,

" soluble in water 0-879 7.437

" " citrate 3.456 1.500

** total available 4.335 8.937

" insoluble I.759 1.503

" ioU\ 6094 10-440

Po*"l» 3-333 6058

Mo«t"e 4.37 1010

^'*"''^ Some nitrates pre- No nitrates.

sent. n

Chlorides Light quantities. Very large propor- tion. Sulphates Heavy proportion. Heavy proportion.

Looking at the nitrogen contents, the two fertilizers 'M' and ' M^' are prac- tically identical so far as percentage is concerned. But, in the fertilizer ' M',' this nitrogen is present chiefly in an organic form, while in the fertilizer ' M ' it is present in the form of nitrates.

The proportion of phosphoric acid also varies considerably in both these fertil- izers. The total soluble in the fertilizer ' M ' is a little more than double the total in ' M'.' Again, the proportion of phosphoric acid soluble iu water in ' M ' is par- ticularly high. As to the potash contents, the fertilizer * M ' seems to be by far the richer. As the fertilizer ' M ' contains a large proportion of chlorides, it might have been useful and interesting to ascertain the form in which the potash present was held; in that particular a very important point would have been to determine the per- centage of potassium chloride. However, if the proportion of chlorides is large, I do not think the quantity of potassium chloride is considerable, because a combustion test, for both fertilizers, gave very satisfactory results. To sum up, the mixture ♦MI' seems to be a mineral fertilizer, and mixture 'M' an organic fertilizer. The water percentage of both of these fertilizers confirms this opinion.

Let us say at once that the fertilizer ' M ' gave better results than the fertilizer ' M*,' the effects of which were rather insignificant.

^ It should be noted that the year 1908 was particularly dry, and possibly in a wetter year the fertilizer 'M»,' on gjcount of its mineral nature, would give better results.

The plants were set out nn the various plots at the following dates :—

^^°t ^ Juno 4, 1908.

■D « g u

'■ ^ " 11, «

° " 13, "

" ^ " 13, "

On the first of July the following observations were made : —

In a general way, and keeping in mind the differences in the dates of setting out,

plots A and C. that is to say, the plots havine recrlved both commercial fertilizera

and barn-yard manure, were more advanced than plots B and D, which had received

nothing but commercial fertilizers, and than plot E, on which, as stated, only dung

28

had been applifl. HetWTen plot A an.l plot. B. D an.l E. the difference was very ^^rikiIl|f ; it was iinuh loss i ronoHiu-ed b.twe<n plot (' and p'otg B, D and E. Of all the plot., plot E was the farthest behind. Fertiliser ' M ' appeared to be the best so far. The same conditions obtained until harvcHt time. At thi* time that is from the 16th to 18tb of Aupist, plots B. C and E. although not equal to plot A. were far ahead of plot D. It then became obvious that the fertiliier ' M' ' was of inferior effect.

To aum up, plot A always was ahead and. at the time of harvestinK. there .was very little difference between E and C. which shows that the fertiliser ' M" had comparatively little influence. The poorest results obtained on plots B and D. espe.-i«llv the latter, confirm our previous remnrks.

The yields obtained on the five plots are given in the following table. Thc«e yields are computed to the ' arpent ' for each of the plots :—

Table II.

DeaignatioD of the plots.

Plot A. PlotB, PlotC. I'lot D. Plot K.

Area in 'arpenU'

Complrte ! '

eommtiraial Coininrr«:ial ' fortiliwr M j fertilixer

(quantity M' I

p«r arimit) I

n«ni yiiid nmiiurv

Pate of k' tting out

SOO SOO

lb«.

.'WO fiOO

t'lllX

10

io i6'

I

•Iiine 4.

.. a .. 11.

! " 13.,

Yield |>er ariK-nt

1,4M8 1,328 1,416 1.200 1,204

As shown ,„ the above tab].. pl„t A, which had receive<l an application of barn- yard manure and of th*^ fertilizer ' M.' gave a yield of 1,488 lbs., the highest yield of any of the five plots. This yirl.l of 1.488 lbs. is at least 200 lbs. above the actual ordinary yields. The increase of ]!)4 lbs. on plot A composed with plot E (1,488- 1,294-194) may b.- attributed entinly to the influence of the fertiliser ' M,' plot E having received only bar„-yar,l n.auure. The small difference, 24 lbs., between the yield of B, manured exclusively with commercial fertilizer, and of E, manured exclusively with barn-yard niamire, is worthy of note.

Plot A gave 72 lbs. more than plot C, which shows, as we have already see" that the fertilizer ' M ' is superior to the fertilizer ' M>.' The diffei^nce is more striking between plots B and 1). on whi.-h no barn-yard manure was used. The fertilizer ' M,' in plot B, gives 1,.32S lbs., and the fertilizer ' M»,' on plot D, gives only 1,200 lbs., a difference of 128 lbs. in favour of the fertilizer ' M.'

In spite of the inferiority of fertilizer 'M' compared with fertilizer ' M" it should be noted that the first nam.,], used in conjunction v ith bani-yard manure in plot C. has caused that p' ;t to give 122 lbs. more than pic. E, on which only barn- yard manure had been used. But this increase in plot C is due chiefly to the in- fluence of barn-.j-ard manure; for the comparison between lots D and E shows that barn-yard manure alone givs a yield of 1,294 lbs., while the fertilizer ' M' ' alone only gives 1,200 lbs., or a differcne of 94 lbs. in favour of barn-yard manure. The effect of the fertilizer ' M' ' was to facilitate assimilation of food by the young plants immediately after setting out, an,l consequently plot C has benefited earlier than plot E, from the application of barn-yard manure.

so

COXCLIIBIONB.

The following conclusion, m.y he dr.wn from the result, of these experiment, - To give ««o,l result,, an application of m.nu,* should be composed of b.m-y.rd manure and of a chemical fertiliser. Bam-y.rd manure, as every one knows, change into humus, from wh.ch the plant draw- the nutritive principles which it requires during the whole period of its gro.vth. It is the barn-yard manure which, in the fir.t place, help, to maintain the fertility of th.- s«,il. Chemical fertilisers play a similar part but in a much smaller degree: tiieir c-hief function i. to stimulate the » nrt.ng of growth by supplying the young plant with readily available f.xHl. In oth.r words they enable the plant to draw a, rapidly a. possible on the soil reserves resulting fr.-m the trennformntion of manure into humus. It has been said-and very justly sn.d-thnt barn-yard manure is the bread of the plant and the chemical fertilizer the glass „f wine, tonic and stimulating.

As a rule it is impossible to keep up the fertility of a soil with barn-y.rd manure alone, no matter in what quantity it is applied. The manure comes from the 80.1 and ,8 only a reflection of the latter. In any crop a part goes to the market, leaving the farm for goml; another part is used for feeding cattle and the third part re urns to the soil as manure. Therefore, with each crop, the .soil loses, for .11 time, a large quantity of fertilizing principles of all kinds. Consequently, restitution will be more and more incomnlete as time goe. on and necessarily the fertility of the soil will .lecrease more and more. Even with a large application of barn-yard manure- supposing such an application to be possible and practical-it is impos.sible to main- tain n rich fertility of the soil.

On the other hand, with the use of chemical fertilizers, the maintenaiKe of soil fertility will Im^ much easier, as the use of such fertilizers, in addition t . barn-yard manure, will make a complete restitution possible. And. lastly, chemical fertilizers may be used to make up for the insufficiency of any element of fertility in the soil

A rational treatment of the soil includes, therefore, the use of both barn-yard manure and chemical fertilizer. But this is not sufficient. Only manure of good quality should be used, and chemi.al fertilizers should be carefully selected One must also be careful to use manure a, well decompose^l as possible, the only one capable of readily meeting the noeds of growing plants, through .apid transformation into humus. This is very important, as tobacco reaches a great development in a very short time. I have observed at St. Cesaire a field of Comstock Spanish ripe afti>r 60 days of growth, and at the Ottawa Experimental Farm a field of Wisconsin ready to cut 67 days after transplanting.

Moreover well ..tted manure, by maintaining a goo<l proportion of moisture in the soil, enables the plant to withstand a drought with greater success. This was observed in one experimental fiold. where plots A. C. E stood better than other, the e.coptional draught of the year 1908. which lasted nearly six weeks. We shall not deal further here with the part played by chemical fertilizers and barn-yard manure as we intend to make it the subject of a special bulletin.

We intend, however, to repeat this experiment on a larger scale next year So far. we consider Mr. Leduc's soil, which gave an average yield of 1,345 lbs per acre as the best type of a tobacco ^il. Knowing by the analysis of the tobacco the fertil- izing principles taken out. it will be easy for us to add chemical fertilizera and bam-

yard manure in sufficient quantity to make this soil the ideal type of a tobaooo soil. On the other hand, by the three years' rotation method we shall endeavour to bring baek to this type the soil actually imporerisbed.

We intend also to haTe all chemical fertilisers which we use analysed, and it is possible that we may substitute the use of so-called ccnnplete fertiliiers by a mixture prepared by ourselres with simple fertilisers (potash, nitrogen and phoaphorio acid) bought aeparately. No complete fertilizer can be used upon all soils with the same degree of success, owing to the great variation in the composition of the soils, and mixtures of fertilizers should be specially prepared for Tarious soils and Tarious crops.

The chemical study of a soil will enable us to ascertain the nature of the ele- ments which this soil requires; it will also show us the uselessnesa of this or that particular element, and will thus avoid needless expense. This is the chief objection to complete fertilizers. Sometimes they contain an element which is already in suffi- cient quantity in the soil, wnile, at other times, they hold only a small proportion of an element which the soil requires.

Although chemical analysis may not be within the reach of all, growers can get sufficient information as to the fertility of their soils by making a well known experi- ment with fertilizers.

They might proceed in the following manner: —

One field, let us say, one acre in extent^ will be divided in six equal plots: A. B. ID, D, E, F.

The six plots will be worked in the same manner, and planted with the same variety, Comstock Spanish, for instance. Manure should be applied as follows: —

Lot A. — 12 tons barn-yard manure, 300 lbs. of sulphate of potash, 800 lbs. of Thomas phosphate, 500 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia.

Lot B. — Same fertilizer as for lot A, but without potash.

Lot C. — Same fertilizer as for lot A, but without phosphate.

Lot D. — Same fertilizer as for lot A, but without sulphate of ammonia.

Lote E. — 18 tons of barn-yard manure, but no chemical fertilizer.

Lot F. — Lot F will be used as a check plot and will not receive any manure, eithe; dung or fertilizer.

The barn-yard manure should be ploughed under deeply before the winter, or in the spring, if well rotted manure is available. This spring ploughing should be done as early as possible. The chemical fertilizers will then be incorporated in the soil by harrowing carefully, both ways, one or two days before setting out, and in dry weather. In order to facilitate comparisons, it will be well to plant the six plots on the same day.

Let us see, now, what information could be gathered from an experiment carried on in this manner (we will just discuss here a few particular cases) : —

1. If there is no difference between A and E, the soil does not require chemical fertilizers. Such a result, however, is improbable.

2. If there is no difference between A and B and A end C, the soil does not require potash or phosphoric acid.

81

3. The compariMn betw«.n D md A will .how t))e effect produced by the nitro- ■enoiu chemical fertiliier. the sulphate of ammonia.

4. If, in a combuition test, with tobacco harretted from B and D. it i. found, for iMtaiice. that B doet not bum aa well as D. then an application of potash will be beneficial. Th.s fact should be verified by making a combustion test -./ith A. which should fire very much the same result as D.

5. Lastly, by taking F as a basis for comparison, we will easily realize the advantages obtained by the use of barnyard manure.

To sum up, F and E will give indications as to the necessity of using barn-yard manure. E and A will give indications as to the part played by chemical fertilixers, •nd ploU B, C and D will show the element, or the elements, chiefly lacking in the soil under experiment.

From the results obUine.1, the grower will be able to prepare a suitable mixture of the fert.li«rs for his soil. As for those growers who follow a regular rotation they can maKe a similar study of the soils on which they propose to grow tobacco, and thus ascertain the most profitable fertilizing mixture for each of these soils.

We hope tobacco growers will feel suflBciently interested in this matter to take up the work suggested.

The systematic study of the influence of the various fertilizers is the most rational way to obtain a rapid increase in yield*, provided that the soils are not com- pletely exhausted. In the latter case, too general unfortunately, in tobacco growing districts, the normal fertility of the soil will first have to be brought back by a special rotation, and by repeated applications of barn-yard manure in order to restore humus to the soil. It is only then that an experiment with fertilizers such as the one sug- gested can be undertaken.

Ottawa, December, 1908.

BULLETINS ON THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO.

No. A-1. — Preparation of the seedlings and the care to be given to them.

No. A-2. — Manures in tobacco culture.

No. A-3. — The growing of tobacco.

No- A-4. — Report on the tobacco industry in Ontario.

No. A-5. — The importance of rotations in tobacco culture.

No. A-6. — Experiments carried on in 1908.

Sent free upon application to the department of Agriculture, Ottawa.