01 



exhiliitod, auJ inspcctetl by most <>! the Fellowsi piesfut. The following mniMy 

 rarnlum in reference to it from the Superiutendeut ^of the Ganlens (Mr. F. 

 Abbott) was reail. 



Tobacco Groicn in the Royal Society's Garden during 18G3-4. 



" I have forwarded to the Museiim a portion of the tobacco grown in these 

 Gardens last seafion. 



''It niavbe remembered that ^Ir. Marwedel brought under the notice of the 

 Society Ui'e desirability of tryin,<? the cultivation of tobacco in this colony, and 

 at the same time presented the Society with six varieties of seeds. From tho 

 fact, however, of the season being too "far advanced before the ground could bo 

 preptu:ed,the plants raised from those seeds never propeily matured their leaves, 

 and consequently I have not been able to gather from them. 



" The tobacco sent, was gathered from, plants of the variety known as the 

 Virgiuian, which was previously growing in these Gardens, I have always 

 found this variety to grow luxuriantly, attaining the height of from five to 

 seven feet, the lower leaves measuring 2ft. in length, and about 1ft. in breadth. 

 The leaves were gathered separately as they became ripe, and laid out to dry, 

 during which process they were thrown together two or three times to sweat. 

 When sufficiently dry they were put into a box and pressed. 



" As far as my own observation goes, I believe that tobacco will be found 

 to grow freely enough in this colony, but whether the quality will be equal 

 to that grown in the neighbouring colonies, remains to be decided." 



Mr. Marwedel after examination of the tobacco, pronounced it to be 

 extremely fine in flavor ; and such was the general opinion of those present. 

 Mr. .Marwedel proposed that it should be forwarded to a friend of his in Mel- 

 bourne, who was lai'gely interested in the tobacco trade, and who would at 

 once assign to the sample its commercial value. The proposal was agreed to. 



Mr. Kexn'ERLEY hoped tobacco would be found profitable for growth in this 

 colony, as its culture would afford large employment for labor. 



[Whatever information may be received on the question shall be laid before 

 the public as soon as possible, but there can be no doubt that large tracts of 

 country, especially on the northera shores of the island, are admirably adapted 

 for the "cultivation of this valuable plant, and that the climate would also be 

 nvost suitable for its gi'owth.] 



A communication from J. B. Cotton, Esq., of Swanport, was read, giving a 

 detailed description of the manner in which two trees (gum) and a flag staff 

 (pine) had been shattered by lightning in the vicinity of his residence (Kelve- 

 don). A peculiar atmospheric phenomenon was also described ; and an account 

 given of a singular displacement of a large stone, weighing about a ton and a 

 half, from its bed at Sandspit. A sketch, which accompanied the letter, 

 shewing the present position of the stone, and its origioal position, was exliibited. 



The Secretary read some remarks from M. Allport, Esq , (who was unable 

 to be present) "On the mortality amongst the Trout at the Breeding Ponds of 

 the Plenty." 



The Secretary also read a paper entitled " Observations upon the Plants 

 which are characteristic of Agricultural, Pasturable, and bad lands respectively," 

 by W. Archer, Esq., F.L.S. (Cheshunt). 



In the discussion which ensued, several of the Fellows expressed their sense 

 of the great practical value of Mr. Archer's observations, as it was evident a 

 minute knowledge of the soils affected by particular plants, &c., could not fail 

 in many instances to be of the greatest importance. JVlr. Kennerley remarked, 

 in New South Wales he had been struck by the circumstance that land which 

 in the first instance exhibited the usual indications of poverty, and was in 

 every way disheartening to the new settler, was frequently found, after 

 having been cleared, and the subsoil brought to the surface by deep ploughing, 

 to produce crops which not only gratified but astonished the owner. This, of 

 course, was due to the gi'eat fact of the soil being virgin, and he mentioned it 

 only to show that when this is the case, even though the land may appear 

 indifferent, the farmer need not always despair before giving it a trial. 



Mr. Salier enquired if the Eoyal Society intended to take any action in 

 reference to the Intercolonial Exhibition at Dunedin. 



The Secretary replied that no communication on the subject had yet beea 

 received by the Society. 



The usual vote of thanks, moved by Mr. JOHNSTON, and seconded by Mr. 

 Salter, was accorded to the authors of the papers read, and to the donors of 

 the various presentations, when the proceedings terminated. 



