142 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



culture. Leaves of large size are frequently obtained. The 

 moister and warmer northern and eastern regions of our 

 colony are likely to produce the best Tobacco, if the final 

 preparation of the leaf for the manufacturer is effected by 

 experienced skill. The cruder kinds are obtained with ease, 

 and so leaves for covering cigars. Yii'gin soil mth rich loam 

 is the best for Tobacco-culture, and such soil should also con- 

 tain a fair proportion of lime and potash, or should be en- 

 riched with a calcareous manure and ashes, or with well- 

 decomposed stable-manure. The seedlings, two months or 

 less old, are transplanted. When the plants are coming into 

 flower the leading top-shoots are nipped off*, and the young 

 shoots must also be broken off*. A few weeks afterwards the 

 leaves will turn to a greenish-yellow, which is a sign that the 

 plants are fit to be cut, or that the ripe leaves can gradually 

 be pulled. In the former case the stems are sjDlit; the drying 

 is then eff*ected in barns by suspension from sticks across 

 beams. The drying process occupies four or five weeks and 

 may need to be assisted by artificial heat. Stripped of the 

 stalks the leaf-blades are then tied into bundles to undergo 

 sweating or a kind of slight fermentation. It does not 

 answer to continue Tobacco-culture beyond two years on the 

 same soil uninterruptedly. A prominent variety is Nicotiana 

 latissima (Miller) or N. macrophylla (Lehm.), yielding largely 

 the Chinese, the Orinoco and the Maryland Tobacco. 

 Latakia Tobacco, according to Dyer, is prepared by sub- 

 mitting the leaves for several months to fumigation from fir- 

 wood. The dangerously powerful Nicotin, a volatile acrid 

 alkaline oily liquid, and Nicotianin, a bitter aromatic lamellar 

 substance, are both derived from Tobacco in all its parts and 

 are therapeutic agents. 



Niemeyera prunifera, F. v. Mueller. {Lucuma prunifera, 

 Benthara.) 



The Australian Cainito. An evergreen tree, sparingly dis- 

 persed from the North of New South Wales through the 

 coast-forests of Queensland. The fruit is of a plum-like 

 appearance and edible. Culture is likely to improve its 

 quality. 



Nyctanthes Arbor tristis, Linn6. 



India, up to Assam. This arborescent shrub may be gi^own 

 in any moist regions of this colony free of frost, for the 

 exquisite fragrance of its flowers, from which essence of 

 Jasmin can be obtained. 



Nyssa aquatica, Linne. 



North America. The Tupelo. This large deciduous tree can 

 be reared in pools and deep swamps, thus for aquatic scenery. 



