the Austro-Havgarian Emjiire. 313 



are placed one foot apart in the rows, and well watered. When 

 the second pair of leaves rise from the heart, it is time to hoe ; 

 when the third pair of leaves are expanded, and the fourth and 

 fifth pairs begin to drive, earth up. Immediately the crown of 

 the flower appears, it is broken out to strengthen the tobacco. 

 This is when the tobacco is grown for cigars, but if for smoking 

 in pipes the seed is allowed to ripen. When light flecks appear 

 on the leaves they are broken off. 



A section of the deep soils near Szolnok gives the following 

 succession of strata : — 



3 feet of black loamy rich earth. 



4 to 6 feet of heavy yellow clay. 

 30 feet of an ash-grey sandy clay. 



2 feet black soil. 

 2 feet clay. 

 And then sand containing water is continued to a great depth. 



Here much inconvenience is caused from the presence of 

 soda-salts. 



From Szolnok to Debreczin is a journey of about three hours 

 by rail. The soil is at first heavy, but it soon gives way to 

 extensive wastes of soda soil. Past Kis-uj-Szallas the line passes 

 through a dead level, with stagnant pools of water, and a few 

 reeds and rushes, but often a perfect waste, without sign of life 

 or cultivation — simply frightful to contemplate. This continues 

 to Piispok-Ladany, where a semi-cultivated tract gradually alters 

 with an ascending gradient, until suddenly a rich, highly-culti- 

 vated district is entered, with trees and vineyards reaching up 

 to Debreczin. I left Debreczin at midnight, and next saw light 

 in the mountainous region of Tokay. 



The scenery around Tokay is very lovely, and much fine 

 land extends from the flanks of the hills, as is well seen on 

 Mr. Harkanyn's property, which I had the pleasure of inspecting. 

 From Tokay, past Miskocz and Erlau, a splendid country for 

 wine and for scenery is traversed. Next Gyongyos is reached, 

 surrounded on three sides by a fine flat agricultural district, and 

 on the north by hills. Then through rich black land belonging 

 to the Hungarian crown at Godollo, after which a light sandy 

 tract extends to Pesth. Before running into Pesth the traveller 

 passes the celebrated Steinbruck breweries and extensive pig- 

 feeding establishments, where immense numbers of pigs are 

 annually fed for the Viennese and German markets. The 

 whole country around stinks of pigs. 



Population and Languages. 



The mixed character of the population of Hungary is an 

 interesting feature, and must be looked upon as a practical diffi- 



