ON THE CULTURE OF LATAKIA TOBACCO. 101 



valuable property of all the before-mentioned oils consists in the fact, 

 that they never become rancid nor ferment ; indeed, they become im- 

 proved by age, and gradually lose their unpleasant odour. 



It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the advantages which must evidently 

 result from the manufacture of oils from mineral substances. Some of 

 the uses to •which those oils may be applied have been noticed. Doubt- 

 less there are others to be discovered. The light afforded by the hydro- 

 carbon oils is equal to that of gas, and in an economical point of view it 

 is unrivalled. 



ON THE CULTURE OF LATAKIA TOBACCO. 



BY M. CHARLES EDWARD GUYS. 



The district of Latakia is situated in the northern part of Syria, and 

 produces the best tobacco that is obtained from that province ; the town 

 is built near the sea of Tripoly, on the place where stood formerly the 

 ancient Laodicea. 



It could once boast of a harbour which has, in course of time, been 

 completely blocked up, and a kind of exterior roadstead, which has been 

 so reduced in size that none but vessels of the smallest burden can now 

 enter it. Unless some speedy steps are taken to remedy this evil, it will 

 soon be closed to all but the smallest boats. 



Behind this town there is a plain of about 6 leagues broad by 14 

 long, extending from Gibelette on the south, to the foot of Mount Cassius 

 (or Gebel Akerar) on the north. From Gibelette to this mountain there 

 is a plain of smaller mountains, which extends in the form of a circle for 

 many leagues into the interior. These mountains are inhabited by the 

 Nerseris or Ansaries, who, in the time of the crusades, were, from the 

 cruelties committed by them, known by the name of" Assassins." They 

 are also to be found in the valley, and there, as well as on the mountains 

 the cultivation of tobacco forms their principal occupation. It certainly 

 requires a great amount of attention and care, but the returns obtained 

 are proportionally remunerative. The plain is traversed by a river, 

 known as the Nahr El-Thebir, from which, by means of drains, they 

 obtain sufficient water both for the tobacco, and all other plants to whose 

 sustenance that element is necessary. Soon after the commencement of 

 the rainy season (about the end of October), the soil destined for the 

 tobacco plant is broken up, and this process is repeated a second and 

 a third time if rain has fallen in the interval. The soil is also harrowed 

 for the purpose of breaking the clods. 



In the month of January, the seed is sown in a situation that has 

 some degree of shelter. The soil has been previously so well worked 



VOL. III. N 



