372 CULTURE OF THE PLANT. 



If the plants are too dense they are thinned out. The larger 

 plants are now planted out into fields well prepared for the 

 purpose in rows, with about eight inches space between each 

 plant, the furrows between each row being about two feet 



TRANSPLANTING. 



wide. They are again well sprinkled with liquid manure, 

 also with the lees of oil at intervals of about seven days. A 

 covering of wheat or millet bran is now laid over the fur- 

 rows. The bitter taste of the leaf is in a measure an effectual 

 safeguard against the ravages of insects, but the leaves are 

 nevertheless carefully tended to prevent damage from such 

 cause. If the reproduction from seed is not desired the 

 flowers should be cut off and the stem pruned down, other- 

 wise the leaves will lose in scent and flavor. In Osumi 

 exceptional attention is paid to the cultivation of the tobacco 

 plant. The lees of oil, if liberally used, and stable manure 

 sparsely applied, have great effect on the plant, producing a 

 small leaf with an excellent flavor ; while, if the opposite 

 course is followed, the leaves grow to an immense size, but 

 are inferior in taste. 



" When the flowers are in full bloom the ' sand ' leaves are 

 picked. After the lapse of twelve or fourteen days the leaves 

 are gathered by twos. Any leaves that may remain are 

 afterwards broken off along with the stalk. Any sand adher- 

 ing to the leaves is removed with a brush ; the stems having 

 been cut off, the leaves are rolled round, firmly pressed down 

 with a thin board, and cut exactly in the centre. The two 

 halves are then placed one on the top of the other in such 

 manner that the edges exactly correspond, and being in this 

 position firmly compressed between two boards, they are cut 

 into fine strips, the degree of fineness depending on the skill 



