138 TOBACCO. 



fields, previously prepared for their reception, the earth 

 heing laid out in regular ridges and furrows. The plants 

 are fixed into the sides of these little ridges, and watered 

 by means of the intervening furrows. Often the young 

 plants, packed in moist clay, and bound up in straw, are 

 conveyed to distant parts of the country ; but the produce 

 of these, it is said, does not equal that of the plants reared 

 at Kandahar. About six weeks after transplanting, that 

 is, about May-June, the first crop is reaped, the whole 

 plant being cut away about 6 inches from the ground, and 

 only some 5 or 6 of the lowest leaves being left. Each 

 plant, as cut, is laid on the ridge, and here each side is 

 alternately exposed for a night and a day to the effects of 

 the dew and sun, by which their green colour becomes 

 brown. After this, they are collected in large heaps in a 

 corner of the field, and covered over with mats, or a layer 

 of straw, &c., and allowed to remain so for 8-10 days, 

 during which the stems shrivel, and give up their mois- 

 ture to the leaves. At the end of this time, the heaps are 

 conveyed away into the villages, where the stalks are 

 separated from the leaves, the latter are then dried in the 

 shade and tightly packed in bundles about 14 inches square, 

 and in this shape are sold by the grower. After the first 

 crop is gathered, the ground is turned with a spade, well 

 manured, and freely irrigated. In due course, the old 

 stems shoot up and produce fresh leaves, and in six weeks 

 or twc/ months, the second crop is cut. Sometimes, though 

 seldom, a third crop is realized, but the quality of this 

 tobacco is very inferior, and it is only fit for making 

 snuff. 



Africa. — The tobacco-plant extends throughout Central 



