Sjetrospective Crificistn. 12 1 



to every mention of this subject, given Vol. VIII. p. 611. J. D. is much 

 interested in hybrid plants, and for the following reason : — In botany no 

 question is more palpably undetermined than that of the distinctive limits 

 of species and varieties. No evidence bears more intimately, nor more 

 relevantl}', on this question, than the issues of hybridisement; and, to the 

 end of eventual inference, J. D. has carefully registered every instance, and 

 the genealogy, where acquirable, of hybrid plants, which has come to his 

 knowledge within the course of the last two years. See under " Hybrid 

 Plants," and " Hybridising," in the Indexes to Vols.. VII. and VIII. of 

 this Magazine. — /. 1). 



On groiving and curing Tobacco in Britain for Gardening Pimjoses. 

 (Vol. VIII. p. 42. 491.) — Sir, As a correspondent has (Vol. VIIl". 

 p. 491.) kindly informed me that what I had stated respecting the growth 

 and management of tobacco (Vol. VIII. p. 42.) is not quite correct; and 

 as I have had several years' experience, as well as the testimony of several 

 other people, to convince me that I am right, I do not feel inclined to yield 

 to him until I have consulted you on the subject; and, as I wish nothing 

 to appear in your work as the production of my pen, but that which will 

 be of use to your readers, I shall, on conviction, most willingly acknowledge 

 my error, and return my sincere thanks for the pains he has taken to set 

 me right. I herewith send you a few leaves of this summer's growth, and 

 a small parcel of the same cut up ready for use, both which, I consider, 

 would have been better if kept for twelve months before I had sent it. It 

 may probably happen that myself, as well as those among whom I reside, 

 know but very little about what we call home-grown tobacco ; but as this 

 is not likely to be the case with you,- I hope you will inform me what is 

 your opinion of the sample sent ; and if your correspondent, who differs 

 from me, should favour you with some of his, after seeing my present letter, 

 perhaps you will be kind enough to say which is the best. I should be 

 glad to give him an invitation ; but, as I told you before, it does not suit 

 rae to let all the world know where I am, I think the plan I have adopted 

 is the only one to learn which has the preference. Your correspondent 

 appears to object to my method of fermenting tobacco after having dried 

 it. Now, I consider this to be one of the most essential parts of the busi- 

 ness. I recollect, some time ago, reading in your Magazine, that those 

 who could make good hay might also make good tobacco, or words to that 

 effect. Now, Sir, those who can make good hay kuQW very well, that 

 though it be managed in every respect well before it tte^'put into the rick, 

 yet if it does not acquire a proper degree of heat there, it will not be good : 

 just so I think of tobacco. As respects another observation, which is, 

 that it will still be inferior to that imported, I have only to say, that, if 

 your correspondent means it is not so pleasant to smoke in the pipe, I 

 quite agree with him; as I have sometimes had it so strong that it would 

 make any man's mouth sore to use it. Nevertheless, I also have it some- 

 times so mild, that those who have tried it preferred it to that sold in the 

 shops under the names of" shag" and " returns." But if he means that 

 it is inferior for gardening purposes, I can only say, that I have upwards of 

 sixty lights of glass, occupied by flowers, peach trees, and vines, and in 

 which I use no other, unless I have not enough of my own growing. — 

 E. S. Oct. 23. 1832. 



As we know not when A. N. may send us a sample of the tobacco 

 grown and cured by himself, we beg permission of E. S. to say now what 

 we have to say, on that he has sent us. It is admirably dried, of a dark- 

 green tinged with brown, and plentifully supplies a pleasant odour, but 

 which is less narcotic (as we suppose we may call it) than the tobacco of 

 the shops. The portion sent cut was a full brown, and looked much like 

 the' sbag tobacco, but the shreds were broader. The stock sent us has 



