CULTIVATION. 9 



the otitturn ; but the leaves grow thicker, and the aroma 

 becomes less. As, in tropical climates, the physical 

 properties of the soil play a prominent part in its pro- 

 ductive capabilities generally, and the presence of organic 

 matter in the soil tends to improve these properties, it 

 will rarely occur that in such places a soil will contain 

 too much humus. The more clay in a soil, the less is it 

 adapted to the production of fine smoking-tobacco, on 

 account of its physical properties being less favourable 

 to the development of the aromatic principles ; the leaf 

 becomes also generally thick and coarse, but the outturn 

 on such soils is commonly heavier than on a more sandy 

 one. A clay soil possessing a great amount of humus 

 may, if properly tilled, produce an ordinary smoking- 

 tobacco, and may even, if great attention be paid to the 

 selection of the variety, &c,, produce leaves for cigar- 

 wrappers. 



Of less importance than the physical properties of the 

 soil is its chemical composition. By proper tillage and 

 heavy manuring, tobacco is sometimes grown on com- 

 paratively poor soils. From analysis of the plant, it is 

 clear that it contains a large amount of ash constituents, 

 which it extracts from the soil ; the most important of 

 these are potash and lime. A soil destitute of these 

 constituents would require a great quantity of manure 

 to supply the wants of tobacco. 



An experienced Ohio planter, Judson Popenoe, speaking 

 of soil, says " A rich, sandy, second bottom, I believe to 

 be the best for raising tobacco, although our chocolate- 

 coloured uplands, when very rich and highly manured, 

 will grow an excellent quality of tobacco, but will not 



