TOBACCO. $05 



branches on which the flowers and seeds are produced ; but as this 

 expansion, if suffered to take place, would drain the nutriment 

 from the leaves, which are the most valuable part, and thereby 

 lessen their size and efficacy, it becomes needful at this stage to 

 nip off the extremity of the stalk, to prevent its growing higher. 

 In some climates the top is commonly cut off when the plant has 

 fifteen leaves : but if the tobacco is intended to be a little stronger 

 *han usual, this is done when it has only thirteen. 



The apparent signs of maturity are these: the leaves, as they 

 approach a state of ripeness, become more corrugated or rough : 

 and when fully ripe appear mottled, with yellowish spots on the 

 raised parts ; whilst the cavities retain their usual green colour. 



Tobacco is subject to be destroyed by a worm ; and without 

 proper care to exterminate this enemy, a whole field of plants may 

 soon be lost. This animal is of the horned species, and appears t 

 be peculiar to the tobacco-plant ; so that in many parts of America 

 it is distinguished by the name of the tobacco-worm. In what 

 manner it is first produced, or how propagated, is unknown : but 

 it is not discernible till the plants have attained about half their 

 height ; and then appears to be nearly as large as a gnat. Soon 

 after this it lengthens into a worm ; and by degrees increases in 

 magnitude to the bigness of a man's finger. In shape it is regular 

 from its head to its tail, without any diminution at either extre- 

 mity. The colour of its skin is, in general, green, interspersed 

 with several spots of a yellowish white ; and the whole covered 

 with a short hair scarcely to be discerned. These worms are fou d 

 the most predominant during the end of July and the beginning of 

 August; at which time the plants must be particularly attended to, 

 and every leaf carefully searched. As soon as a wound is dis- 

 covered (and it will not be long before it is perceptible), care must 

 be taken to destroy the cause of it, which will be found near it, 

 and from its unsubstantial texture may easily be crushed. 



When the tobacco is fit for being gathered, on the first morning 

 that promises a fair day, before the sun is risen, take an axe, or a 

 long knife, and holding the stalk near the top with one hand 5 

 sever it from its root with the other, as low as possible. Lay it 

 gently on the ground, taking care not to break off the leaves, and 

 there let it remain exposed to the rays of the sun throughout the 

 day, or until the leaves, according to the American expression t 



vol. v. x 



