772 



ducc, and fetch ^£30* per 1,000 in the Havannah ; they proved ex- 

 tremely fine in flavour, and perfect in burning qualities, but they were 

 so tightly rolled as to draw with difficulty, which is rather considered 

 an advantage by the Spaniards in this cigar. The other Prize Medal - 

 was given to a much milder cigar, drawing freely, and considered 

 equally deliciously flavoured, by the Jury ; the exhibitor is known as 

 De Cabanas and Cabazel. 



Starches. 



There are two remarkable and closely-allied substances, brought 

 together from countries almost at the antipodes of one another, and 

 both new to the Jurors ; the one is a starch washed from a species of 

 Zamia, found wild in St. Domingo, and exhibited by Sir R. Schom- 

 burgk : the taste is odd and salt, as if it had been immersed in lime ; 

 in its present condition it can be regarded as a curiosity only. The 

 other is a starch from a West Australian Zamia : this would appear, 

 in quality, to rival arrowroot, which, in every respect of feel and taste, 

 it resembles. 



Sugar. 



Maple Sugar. — This substance, which is abundantly used in Ame- 

 rica for common purposes, has hardly had a fair trial in England, 

 owing to the cheapness of the colonial cane-sugars, and the difficulty 

 of depriving the maple produce of its peculiar flavour. If it promised 

 success, the cultivation of the sugar-maple tree might be almost inde- 

 finitely extended in Canada over a large area, well suited to this tree, 

 but unfit for pasture and agriculture. There are few samples exhi- 

 bited, but to three of them Prize Medals are awarded ; two — in the 

 United States — to W. Barnes and L. Dean ; the other to A. Fisher 

 (Canada), for the sample of double-refined sugar, which is of superior 

 colour and grain. Honourable Mention is also made of that from J. 

 Bales, of Canada. 



* A friend of ours, lately returned from the country, says tliat £G 15*. ^ thousand 

 is the highest price he has ever heard mentioned for cigars. This, being exactly 30 

 dollars, suggests the idea that " pounds " in this instance has been inadvertently sub- 

 stituted for " dollars."— jE(/. Phytol. 



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