Tobacco as a Farm Crop for England. 
235 
Experiments in Growing and Curing Tobacco in the 
Parish of East Malling, Kent. 
By Mr. W. L. Wigan. 
Preliminary Remarks. — My crop was gro%vTi under some disadvantages, 
owing to my being late in learning that permission was to be given for the 
experiment to be made. 
I had no land vacant, and no plants ready at the proper time. 
I am inclined to think, however, that as an experiment my attempt will be 
none the less valuable ; for my late-planted crop shows the ample margin 
there is in an English summer for the maturing of the plant. 
Land set apart. — As I had no land uncropped, I set apart something more 
than 3-acre in a fruit plantation — and measured another i-acre in a field of 
green rye just fed off by ewes and lambs. 
The soil of the plantation was light and gravelly, with a subsoil of gravel, 
that of the field a sandy loam on sand — and both were due for a good dress- 
ing of manure. 
The fruit-trees in the plantation were apple and raspberry, the foiiner at 
irregular distances, the latter planted 3 feet x 4 feet. 
The tobacco was planted between the rows. Many plants were overhung 
by the apples, and grew none the worse for the shade, though some leaves 
were damaged by the falling fruit. 
Varieties of Tobacco planted. — Most of my plants were raised for me from 
Virginian seed supplied by Messrs. Carter & Co., and others from seed said to 
have been grown for many years in England. I have not been able to ascertain 
the name of this sort. Messrs. Little & Ballantyne, seedsmen, of Carlisle, 
sent me specimens of several varieties, but the long journey and the very dry 
weather were too much for most of them ; and only those labelled " Latakia " 
and " Maryland " flourished. 
I had also sent me a few plants grown by a friend in his garden for 
several years, which, from their resemblance to the plants of that name 
grown by Mr. De Laune, I take to be Pennsylvanians. 
Preparation of Land. — The only preparation made in the plantation was 
to dig holes about 12 in. sq. by 15 in. deep, to mix a small quantity of short 
dung (some 2 loads to the i-acre), with the earth taken out, and to refill the 
holes with the mixture. The plants were dibbled into the centres of these 
cultivated squares. 
Manures. — The field had a dressing of 6j loads to the j-acre, in addition to 
the green rye fed on by ewes and lambs with cake, and was then ploughed 
and subsoiled on May 4th, and nidgetted on June 19th. 
Planting. — My first lot of plants were ready on June 17th, and were put out 
in the plantation on the evenings of that day and the next. Planting was 
not finished till the 14th of July. 
Watering. — The weather was very dry in June, and the plants were tender, 
and they had to be watered continually. 
Soot. — A ring of soot was sown round each plant to protect it from 
slugs. 
Wood-ashes. — Wood-ashes were applied round each plant on July 20th 
and 24th. 
Primivg, Earthing, Topp)ing, and Suckering. — Began to prime, to earth 
up, and to top and sucker, on August 9th. 
I began by leaving as many as 14 leaves, but soon reduced the number 
left, and grew finer leaves in consequence. 
