280 TOBACCO 



object several new kinds of tobacco have been imported 

 from other countries, such as Japan, Hungary, North 

 America, Brazil, etc. The seeds of Grecian and Turkish 

 tobaccos, likewise imported, are being tested, however, 

 with other objects. 



It is well known that the consumption of cigars is 

 increasing only slightly, whilst, on the contrary, the 

 consumption of cigarettes increases enormously. It is 

 necessary, therefore, for our tobacco planters to ascertain 

 whether tobacco suitable for cigarettes can also be pro- 

 duced in this region. Experiments have not been car- 

 ried on long enough to enable a definite opinion to be 

 pronounced, but the first results are decidedly not dis- 

 couraging. 



Amongst the experiments of a chemical nature 

 those made with -fertilizers occupy a foremost place. 

 As important advantages have often been obtained 

 in other centres of tobacco cultivation by fertilizing, 

 it was desirable to commence similar experiments 

 in Besocki. It was, no doubt, to be expected that in 

 East Java, with its younger soil, which has moreover 

 been a shorter time under cultivation, the need of ferti- 

 lizers would not be so great as in many other parts of 

 Java, but only practical tests could furnish a decisive 

 answer. 



It has been shown that a potassium or phosphoric acid 

 fertilizer produces little effect, but that, on the other 

 hand, nitrogen exercises a favourable influence on the 

 plants on many estates; not only is a larger production 

 obtained, but the leaves are of greater dimensions, which, 

 especially as regards wrappers and covers, offers a great 

 advantage. 



