470 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo July, 1911. 



plant will mature from 20 to 25 leaves. In choosing a seed plant from 

 such a crop, not less than 20 leaves, exclusive of the four top and four 

 bottom leaves, should be selected. Where, however, a poorer soil is in use, 

 from 10 to 15 leaves will be found sufficient for the plant to mature. It 

 is better to err on the side of having rather too few, than too many leaves, 

 so that each may be properly developed and of as nearly as possible 

 uniform size. 



Where more leaves are grown than the plant can produce to their full 

 size, extra labour in handling during the stripping and classing will be 

 required, and a poorer quality obtained. If, however, a thinner textured 

 leaf is the object for cigar wrapper purposes, then a greater number of 

 leaves can be left on with advantage. Wrapper leaf is grown not so 

 much for its smoking qualities, as for appearance, and comprises only a 

 small proportion of the cigar or plug when manufactured. It must always 

 be remembered that the middle leaves, from the fourth at the bottom to the 

 sixth from the top of the plant, are the best. 



As a general rule, the wider the leaf, in proportion to the length, the 

 -greater the amount of usable material is present, with a smaller percentage 

 of waste in the shape of midrib, which comprises from 24 per cent, to 

 30 per cent, of the whole weight. It is only natural, therefore, that 

 buyers should prefer a wide leaf. The heart shape of the Hester and 

 Hyco varieties is very popular. 



3. Consideration should also be given to the easy working qualities in 

 some plants, as compared with others. Plants which grow the leaves close 

 together on the stalk, and which have a quantity of frill round the butt 

 of the leaf, are not so easily suckered as those which have the leaves further 

 apart, neither do they cure so well in the shed, as the leaves are more 

 covered one with the other, and concquently do not get the air so readily, 

 or evenly. 



The first desideratum then is to select healthy, vigorous plants, true to 

 Avhatever type is required. As soon as the flower bud appears, in order to 

 prevent cross-fertilization, tie a square of cheese cloth or paper bag over 

 the top to prevent access of insects or pollen from other plants before the 

 flower makes its appearance. Only the centre bunch of buds or pods 

 .should be reserved ; all lower branches bearing flowers should be removed, 

 also the top five or six leaves, with the object of growing only so much 

 seed of heavy, virile, qualities as the plants can mature. As the plants 

 grow, the bags should be removed from time to time and tied loosely 

 round the stem. 



As the plant ripens, the seed pods turn brown; the leaves can then 

 be stripped and cured and the stalk cut 2 to 3 feet below the pods, and 

 hung with the tops down in a dry situation in the shed. The bags are 

 left on and will catch any seed Avhich may shell ; if they are removed, 

 .such seed, being so small, would not easily be recovered. 



During the growth and before putting them in the shed, it is well to 

 examine the plants for a small green caterpillar which is given to attacking 

 the pods and rendering them useless. The seed plants should also be 

 hung where mice cannot attack them. 



Five or six plants are sufficient to save for seed under ordinary circum- 

 stances, but it is wise to choose twice or three times that number and label 

 each plant according to its variety, &c. Then, as they mature, make a 

 final selection of those best fitted to produce the largest vield of the most 

 valuable class of tobacco desired. All suckers should be kept down ; many 



