[19]

18

planters have learned to conserve their old lands and to raise upon them tobacco of the best quality by the judicious use of fertilizers and no longer depend upon clearing. All agree, however, that a very fine quality of leaf is grown on [illegible] lands. Some lands will produce a fine fancy wrapper one or two seasons and never after. It is also generally agreed that the first crop is very fine and most easily cured, but lacks the body and uniformity of texture and color of the several years growth on the best tobacco lands.

Fertilizers are applied upon new as well as upon old land. In the older tobacco counties cases are given where tobacco has been growing upon land for twenty years in succession, without decreasing yield or deteriorating in quality, but always by the aid of manure. Such lands appear to possess permanent qualities, which