TOBACCO-PLANT. 4-25 



This plant is usually raised in a hot-bed ; but if sown in 

 March, and kept within doors for a month or two, it will 

 grow very well. Early in May it may be gradually inured 

 to the open air ; and at the end of the month, may be re- 

 moved carefully, with the ball of earth attached to it, into 

 a large pot. It will require frequent watering ; in small 

 quantities while young, but when grown pretty strong should 

 have it plentifully as well as often. The flowers will appear 

 in July, and continue till the frost stops them. 



Tobacco is cultivated in the open fields in many parts 

 of the continent; and might, doubtless, be grown to ad- 

 vantage in England, if it were not prohibited by act of 

 parliament, under a heavy penalty, and the charges of 

 pulling it up, which may be done by any justice of the 

 peace. This prohibition, which was made for the en- 

 couragement of our American colonies, still continues in 

 force, though the colonies are lost. Small attempts at 

 planting Tobacco have been made from time to time, 

 which promised success. 



A plantation in the seventeenth century being found to 

 thrive, Cromwell, probably at the desire of the Americans, 

 is said to have sent a troop of horse to trample it down *. 



The smoking of Tobacco is said to have been first in- 

 troduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh. In the 

 house where he lived, at Islington, are his arms, with a 

 Tobacco-plant on the top of the shield. The reader will 

 probably remember the story of a maid- servant, who, 

 entering Sir Walter's study while he was smoking (the 

 use of tobacco not being then generally known), and seeing 

 smoke issue from his mouth, ran down stairs in great alarm, 

 to bid her fellow-servants hasten to the assistance of their 

 master, who was all on fire. 



* See Miller's Gardener 'ts Dictionary. 



