162 ON THE CULTURE OF L ATARI A TOBACCO. 



that a stick can be easily thrust into it, and by this simple means they 

 make small holes of about 4 or 5 inches deep, and from ten to twelve 

 seeds are put into each hole. As soon as they begin to shoot, the ground 

 is covered with mats, which are removed only when the sun appears. 

 Women and children are then employed to keep off poultry and other 

 birds, whose attacks would be very prejudicial to the young crops. At a 

 more advanced stage the weaker stalks are pruned off, while at the same 

 time all parasitical plants are carefully removed, and great care must be 

 taken to perform this operation properly, in order to ensure a good crop. 



During the month of February, before the hot season (which is very 

 early in Syria) commences, the process of transplantation takes place. 

 The plants are removed to fresh soil, surrounded with earth and well 

 watched. As they become larger, all buds and yellow leaves are pruned 

 off, and this refuse is placed round the roots of the plant, to which it 

 serves as excellent manure. In March they must be well watered, a supply 

 of which is procured from the drains, and caused to flow through all the 

 rows in which the plants are placed. The water is cut off as soon as the 

 supply is sufficient. The leaves now begin to make their appearance in 

 great numbers. 



In April the plant is ready for manufacture. The leaves are removed 

 and dried, either in the sun or before an open fire. This is the favourite 

 tobacco of the Fellahs, and is called "new tobacco;" it is said to be 

 stronger than that which has been kept some little time. But as far as 

 my own experience goes, tobacco, like wine, needs age to bring out all 

 its qualities, and certainly the taste of the much vaunted " new tobacco" 

 was, in my opinion, not very agreeable. 



From April to August the quantity of water required for the susten- 

 ance of the plant varies according to the temperature. Those leaves 

 that begiu to get yellow are removed, and in the month of May they also 

 cut the tops of the stalks. Finally, only about 15 or 16 leaves are left 

 on, these are the greenest and the nearest to the summit of the stalks. 



All the leaves have turned yellow by the end of August. The har- 

 vest commences in July, in the south in September ; when the stalks are 

 cut just above the root and the leaves removed, great care being taken 

 that the leaves are not bruised or injured in any way. They are then 

 made up into bundles, having been tied together at the lower part of the 

 side and placed on mats, which are removed into the cabins, the princi- 

 pal drying places in that country. These bundles are turned from time 

 to time, in order that the tobacco may be equally dried on both sides. In 

 November it has become perfectly dried and the bundles are made up into 

 packages, or else folded up in a great number of layers. 



The tobacco is now transported into the town in sacks of horsehair, 

 and placed in the hands of merchants. In their storehouses it under- 

 goes a new preparation : the first step being that of drying it again, it 

 evidently being the interest of the peasants to sell it when wet, in conse- 

 quence of the increase thus gained in weight. It is next divided according 



