Tobacco as a Farm Crop for England. 
251 
evolved an oil which did not burn with such a luminous flame, and at tho 
same time produced an excessive quantity of strong-smelling disagreeable 
odours. Whether the artificial nature of a leaf as regards its organic 
constituents is a great disadvantage or not, is at present, in my ojiinion, an 
open question and remains to be proved. 
It must be understood that I do not wish to pretend that the quality of a 
tobacco can be ascertained from the analysis of its mineral constituents, any 
more than it can be ascertained from the quantity of nicotine present, but I 
maintain that the quality of its mineral constituents has a decided influence 
on the burning;, and that a better attention to the supply of the natural 
requirements of the plant is more likely to produce the other good qualities. 
A calcareous soil, although it may be rich, is not the best soil on which to 
cultivate tobacco. A good sandy or alluvial soil, rich in potash felspar, is 
more of the kind required, and I think that, if this end can in any way be 
attained, very much better results will be forthcoming. The whole question 
seems to be one of soil and manure. The long, narrow leaf apparently 
thrives well in this country, and seems capable of standing the climate, and 
it is to this variety that attention ought to be paid. 
I very much question the propriety of taking the results obtained from the 
cretaceous* soils of Kent as typical of what can be done in England as regards 
tobacco-growing. 
If, under the existing circumstances, which, as it has been shown, were 
decidedly not favourable to the natural production of the plant, such good 
results have been obtained, then under more favourable conditions, if prices 
will allow, and with better knowledge and experience, I certainly see no 
reason why tobacco-cultivation should not be carried on in England equally 
as well as any other agricultural industry. 
List op Books. 
' Report on the Productions of Agriculture.' Washington, 
U.S.A. 1883.t 
This is perhaps the most useful practical guide for a tobacco- 
planter. 
' Reports on the Cultivation and Preparation of Tobacco in 
India.' Published at the India Museum Office.| 
(1.) By Dr. Forbes Watson. 
(2.) By. J. E. O'Connor. 
(1.) A useful book, but not of the same practical use as the 
former. 
(2). This pamphlet contains much scientific information, 
and is thus valuable to those who wish to make intelligent 
experiments in tobacco-growing. 
' Tobacco, its History and Associations.' By F. W. Fairholt. 
A charming book, full of information, and pleasantly and 
accurately written. 
* This applies to Paversham and Sittingbourne, but not to East Mailing. 
t Vide p. 225 of this article. 
X Vide pp. 222 and 230 of this article. 
