4 FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IN FLORIDA sponsible for the wide differences in composition of the various commercial types of tobacco. See Table 2. Flue-cured tobacco is widely noted for its high sugar and medium nicotine content which makes it ideally suited for cigarette tobacco. The flue-cured tobacco grown in Florida meets all necessary requirements for good cigarette tobacco. HISTORY Some of the early leaders and growers of flue-cured tobacco in Florida were J. J. Sechrest, former county agent in Hamilton County, R. S. Adams, E. C. Corbett, J. L. Law, J. C. Cameron, Hugo Leslie, A. C. Witt, Isaac Blanton, A. C. Fowler, and C. O. Lewis. There are many more who could be named as pioneers in establishing the industry. B. B. Saunders and Nat Smith, tobacco warehousemen of Valdosta, Georgia, were very active in their support of the industry in Florida as well as in South Georgia. TOBACCO SOILS The type of soil on which flue-cured tobacco is grown greatly influences the physical appearance as well as the chemical properties of the leaf; therefore it is important that the best adapted soils be used for growing tobacco. Good leaf appearance and best quality are generally produced on well-drained soils of low to medium fertility. Florida has a considerable acreage of soil low to medium in fertility. The principal soil types on which tobacco is grown as present are:* Norfolk fine sand, loamy fine sand; Blanton fine sand; Arredondo fine sand and loamy fine sand; Gainesville loamy fine sand; Archer fine sand, loamy fine sand and fine sandy loam; Hernando fine sand, loamy fine sand and fine sandy loam; Newberry fine sand; Ruston loamy fine sand; Marlboro; Tifton; Orangeburg; and several others. Approximately fifty percent of the cultivated soils west of Gadsden County are Norfolk and Ruston, which are classified as excellent tobacco soils; however, very little flue-cured tobacco production is found in that area. * Soil Classification-Courtesy of J. R. Henderson, Soil Technologist, Florida Agricultural Extension Service.