Livermore Herald, Volume 20, Number 12, 23 January 1897 — "Tobacco Culture." [ARTICLE]

"Tobacco Culture."

E. C. HAHN.

I have been experimenting for the last five years on the Vienna vineyard near Livermore with "tobacco culture." I have succeeded in producing a good quality of tobacco. I find the seed must be sown in a hot bed in order to have strong early plants, and prefer Havana seed. The soil must be of a black, sandy loam if possible and sheltered from the trade winds, which are most damaging to the plants. Tobacco will grow in any soil if rich and moist enough and well attended, but quality differs according to location. Prepare the ground as well as for potatoes and plant in rows three by two feet apart. Keep well pruned and the bugs off which is the most important part, then wait until it matures. Often times more can be made from ten acres of tobacco than 160 acres of hay or grain, but what we need is co-operation in having home production patronized. California does not produce much compared to eastern states, yet she is about the third largest consumer of tobacco and what is more we smoke the highest priced cigars. There is a prejudice against the domestic article and the demand is for a foreign brand, though it be in name only. Give us plenty of encouragement and we will produce plenty of well cured tobacco which will find its market abroad as well as our wines, wheat, fruits and other products. We hive soil and climate, then why not take advantage of it.