260 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



The cheapest and most effective is the dusting the leaves with 

 common plaster ; or with boiled plaster (such as is used by ma 

 sons) mixed with spirits of turpentine, and dried. This appli 

 cation must be repeated after rain until the rough leaf is well 

 grown. Occavsionally, this insect, and another much larger spe 

 cies injure the fruit when ripe by burrowing into it to a conoider- 

 nble depth. The only remedy is harvesting as rapidly as possi 

 ble. In some localities the Cucumber Flea Beetle (flaltica 

 pubescens.) is also injurious to the young plants. 



569. TOBACCO, (Nicotiana Tabacum) belongs to the Sola- 

 naceoe, or Nightshade family, and is nearly connected with the 

 Jamestown Weed (Datura Stramonium) and Henbane (Hyos- 

 c.yamus niger,) well known weeds and medical poisons. One 

 species, Wild Tobacco, ( N. rwtica) is found indigenous to the 

 Northern States. There are several other species, (N. repanda, 

 Persica, Glutinosa, Macrophilla, Ac.) the first of which forms 

 the best Havanna cigars ; and the second, &quot; the delicate and fra 

 grant tobacco of Shiraz ;&quot; besides many varieties. It is a native 

 of America; and was found by Columbus to be in common use 

 among the Indians in 1492. It was introduced into France in 

 1559, and into England in 1586. It is now cultivated in moat 

 parts of the world, except Great Britain where its culture is pro 

 hibited by law; but the tobacco of Cuba, Virginia, Maryland, 

 Kentucky, and Connecticut is the most celebrated. No plant, 

 perhaps, more readily adapts itself to greater differences in 

 climate, or none, except the grape, changes more in its composi 

 tion and economical value. At the same time it is remarkable 

 for the injurious and impoverishing effect that it produces upon 

 the soil. The tobacco of Michigan is said, so far, to have proved 

 inferior in flavor and strength; while a valuable article is 

 brought to market from Western Canada. 



In three or four years, the tobacco grown in Germany from American 

 seed, acquires an aroma perfectly distinct from that of fine tobacco, and 



