6 



This experiment of cigar making demonstrated that 

 some of the tobacco was suitable for this purpose. During- 

 the process of making, when the cigars were in a damp 

 condition, thev were weighed. It took from 120 to 125 

 of the smaller size to weigh a pound, and from sixty to- 

 eighty of the larger size to weigh a pound. 



From the above the conclusion can readily be drawn a& 

 to the profits arising from tobacco when manufactured intc^ 

 cigars, and this experiment should encourage the growers 

 of tobacco in this State to strive to raise a good grade of 

 cigar leaf. 



Tobacco growing is one of the most profitable branches 

 of tropical and semi-tropical agriculture ; the subject has> 

 been much neglected by writers of agricultural literature. 

 The importance of the subject to the farmer may be es- 

 timated Avhen it is considered that next to the cereals used 

 as staple articles of food there is probably no plant so 

 widely and generally grown as tobacco, and certainly none 

 that is used by a greater number of the human race. It 

 is proposed in this bulletin to give a brief history of the 

 plant ; to notice some of the leading varieties, some instruc- 

 tions for its successful cultivation and management 

 with a view to encourage the cultivation of a }»lant that 

 can be generally grown in this State, the climate and soil 

 of which, it is believed, suits it admirably, in sntficient 

 quantity not alone to satisfy all local demands, but to opeu 

 up a large and profitable export trade. 



II. BoTA^^icAL Characteristics of Tobacco. 



The tobacco plant is known to botanists by the generic 

 name of Nicotiana. The genus Nicotiana belong to the 

 Nightshade family to which order belong the Potato, To- 

 mato, Capsicum, Henbane and deadly Nightshade 



Of some fifty known varieties of the genus Nicotiana, it 

 is claimed that all are natives of America, except two^ 



