338 MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES. 



staple product ; and in some towns the value of the crop 

 exceeds that of Indian Corn, and even that of all the cere- 

 als combined. 



Guatemala A variety with white flowers. In other re- 



Tobacco, gpects, similar to the foregoing. 



Numerous other sorts occur, many of which are local, 

 and differ principally, if not solely, in the size or form of 

 the leaves. One of the most prominent of these is the 

 Broad-leaved, which is considered not only earlier and 

 more productive, but the best for manufacturing ; also the 

 Oronoco, with somewhat smaller leaves, and the Japan, 

 intermediate in size and vigor. 



Propagation. It is propagated by seeds sown annually. 

 Select a warm, rich locality in the garden, spade it thor- 

 oughly over, pulverize the surface well, and the last of 

 April, or beginning of May, sow the seeds thinly, broad- 

 cast ; cover with a little fresh mould, and press it well 

 upon them either by the hoe, or back of the spade.* As 

 they are exceedingly minute, much care is requisite in sow- 

 ing, especially that they should not be too deeply covered. 

 When the plants appear, keep them clear of weeds, and 

 thin them out sufficiently to allow a free growth. A bed 

 of seedlings nine or ten feet square will be sufficient for an 

 acre of land. If preferred, the plants may be raised in 

 drills eight inches apart, slightly covering the seeds, and 

 pressing the earth firmly over them as above directed. 

 When the seedlings are four or five inches high, they are 

 ready for transplanting. 



Soil and Cultivation. Tobacco requires a warm, rich 

 soil, not too dry or wet ; and, though it will succeed well 

 on recently-turned sward or clover-turf, it gives a greater 

 yield on land that has been cultivated the year previous, as 

 it is less liable to be infested by worms, which sometimes 

 destroy the plants in the early stages of their growth. The 

 land should be twice ploughed in the spring ; first as soon 



