5 



Transpldiithi;/ the Plants. — The transplanting of the 

 plants from the plant-bed to tlie experimental grounds 

 was commenced May 18th, and continued as the sea- 

 son was favorable for transplanting up to the middle 

 ■of June. A few of the lirst plants which escaped 

 being killed by the March freeze were left to grow 

 in the open air bed, these made a rapid growth and were 

 topped the 6th of June, and were cut and ready for curing 

 the 1st of August. 



Of the different varieties planted the Cuban varieties 

 were the tirst to get their growth and were ripe and ready 

 for cutting early in August. These were much blistered 

 a,nd made leaf of poor quality, owing to their rapid growth 

 and early maturing during the month of July, which was 

 a wet month, making unfavorable conditions for the 

 growth of tobacco of good quality. Another important 

 tact was observed in connection with Cuban varieties, that 

 is, that the leaves were coarse and thick, not so well adapted 

 for either wrappers or tillers for cigars, too strong for any 

 emoking purposes. 



The varieties from Virginia, North Carolina and Con- 

 necticut did not make as rapid growth as the Cuban varie- 

 ties, and did not ripen until September, and continued to 

 ripen until October. Some plants of good size and quality 

 were obtained from these varieties which would make a 

 good qualit}' of chewing tobacco and cigars. The curing 

 was imperfectly done, as it had to be cured by the air 

 process in the gin house ; and while a small quantity of 

 bright leaf was secured by this method, the proportion of 

 bright tobacco was thereby greatly reduced. 



^lakiinj Cigars. — With the view of testing the quality 

 of the tobacco raised on the Station for cigar purposes, 

 and as instruction to the agricultural students, an expe- 

 rienced cigar maker was employed to make up a small 

 quantity of the tobacco into cigars. 



