60 TOBACCO. 



hence, they must be picked off and destroyed, and that 

 promptly." 



Topping and Suckering. The plants will commence to 

 flower about two months after planting, when 2-7 feet 

 high. When the flower-buds appear, they must be broken 

 off, and with them the top and bottom leaves. By 

 breaking off the flower-buds at an early date, the sap that 

 would be used in the formation of these organs flows to 

 the leaves, which thereby increase in size, and the outturn 

 becomes much heavier than when the plant is allowed to 

 flower. But it is generally admitted that the leaves lose 

 much in aroma. To what extent the early removal of the 

 flower-buds impairs the quality has not been properly 

 investigated. It is very probable that the greater yield 

 does not always compensate for the loss in quality. The 

 bottom leaves are generally of inferior quality, small, torn, 

 and dirty. The number of leaves to be left on the plant 

 varies greatly, according to species, quality of soil, and 

 method of cultivation. The minimum may be placed at 

 6, the maximum at 22. The only rule to be observed is 

 to retain as many leaves as the plants are able to mature. 

 Soon after the plants have been topped, suckers appear in 

 the axils of the leaves ; these should be broken off as soon 

 as they come, at least they should not be allowed to grow 

 longer than 4 inches. If the suckers are not removed soon 

 after their appearance, the size of the leaves will be 

 seriously impaired. After the plants are half-grown, 

 great care must be taken when going through the lines, 

 whether for the purposes of hoeing, watering, or suckering, 

 &c., not to tear the leaves. In India, hoeing and sucker- 

 ing should be performed only when the leaves have lost 



