224 
THE TEOPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[Oct. 1, 19C3. 
and laying out the garden with his usual great 
taste. Here he lived quietly, giving his time 
and thoughts chiefly to his flowers, vegetables 
and trees. But some of the investments made 
for him by injudicious lawyers did not prosper, 
and Mr. Wright with plenty of energy and a 
sufficiency of capital, determined once more to 
begin work as a planter — in coconuts this time— and 
so in 1886, when 65 years old, he bought land near 
Mirigama, cleared and planted it and built himself 
a substantial bungalow with the inevitable gardens, 
and there he continues to the present day. Mr- 
Wright's plantation is now in its prime and one of 
the finest in the island. As a Horticulturist Mr. 
Wright has repeatedly got prizes at Agri-Horti- 
cultural Shows, and he is famous for his flowers and 
orchids. He is the most successful cultivator of 
Mangosteens in the island. On the 20th October — 
that is in a few days— Mr. Wright will enter on his 
83rd year, and still he is well and strong, able to 
make the round of his coconut estate in the liberal 
cultivation of which he takes the greatest interest. 
It may be said of Mr. Wright, as of the great leader 
of Old Testament times, that his eye is not dim 
nor his natural force abated ! Mr. Wright is a credit 
to Ceylon— a bright example of what industry and 
intelligence will do to his countrymen,— and as a 
man most worthy in every relation in life. Long 
may he flourish to gather in big crops of nuts, and 
to be known as the worthy and wealthy Squibe of 
MiEIGAMA ! 
CULTIVATION OP TOBACCO. 
BY CLARENCE W. DOKSEY. 
[AMERICAN, MANILLA AND SUMATRA 
EXPERIENCE UTILISED.] 
{Concluded from page 15^.) 
Every effort is made, both through ferti- 
izing and cultivation, to maintain a steady 
and rapid growth, as any check in the rate 
of growth tends to thicken the leaf and 
reduce its elasticity. Stable manures are 
commonly used, while fertilizers known to be 
rich in potash are especially to be recom- 
mended. In many parts of the United States 
it is customary to apply specially prepared 
fertilizers after the plants have attained con- 
siderable size, to still further stimulate the 
the growth of the crop. In Sumatra the 
crop is given, three cultivations. The second 
cultivation is made at the time the plants are 
about 30 centimeters high. Just before the 
second cultivation, the coolie carefully re- 
moves the lower leaves, places them around 
the stem, and packs the loose soil on these. 
At this second cultivation the suckers are 
broken off and buried in the same way as 
the leaves, so as to protect the stem. The 
work of topping and suckering varies consi- 
derably, with reference to individual plants 
and the character of tobacco desired. 
Early or low topping is not desirable, as it 
throws too much growth into the leaves, mak- 
ing them coarse and large. If the plants ai'e 
thrifty and the weather favourable for growth 
it is frequently advisable, if thin, fine-textured 
leaves are desired, not to top the plants at all, 
but let them produce their flowers and seed 
pods. If, however, the plants seem weak and 
it appears that they can not mature the full 
number of leaves, they should be topped by 
pinching out the "buttons," allowing to re- 
main as many leaves as the plant will be able 
to mature. When plants have been topped 
too low and the leaves thicken and curl, a 
few suckers may be permitted to grow, which 
will remedy any thickening and curling. By 
using good judgment in the matter of topping 
and suckering, and making proper allowance 
as to the soil and climatic conditions, the 
leaves can be grown to almost any thickness 
that is desired. 
From the time the plants begin to grow in 
the seed bed, xintil they are harvested, they 
should be examined carefully for worms, in- 
sect pests of all kinds, and all of the diseases 
which they are subject to. Worms may be 
removed by hand or by applications of mix- 
tures containing poisonoiis substances, such as 
Paris green. For diseased plants frequently 
there is no other remedy than to remove the 
plant and reset other plants. But, if the reset- 
ting is done too late, the small plants never 
amount to much. 
At the time of topping, or when the buds 
have made their appearance, a few plants are 
usually left for seed. Only the best, finest and 
healthiest looking plants are selected for this 
purpose. These are allowed to grow and. 
blossom at their full height. Sometimes all of 
the leaves are removed ; but, usually, only the 
bottom leaves are taken off. When ripe, the 
little balls containing the seed are carefully 
cut off with a knife or other sharp instrument. 
The cutting must be done carefully, so that the 
seed will not fall out. The seed pods are then 
spread out in the sun and, when thoroughly 
dried, the seeds can be removed. The seed 
should be cleaned, preferably in a small seed 
mill, and only the heaviest seed preserved for 
the next planting. 
HARVESTING AND CURING. 
More satisfactory results are obtained when 
the leaves are "primed" than when the en- 
tire stalk is cut. By cutting the entire stalk, 
much green tobacco is carried to the shed, 
since all the leaves never ripen on the plant 
at the same time. By the system of priming 
the leaves are taken off the stalk as soon as 
they ripen, and carried to the drying sheds in 
baskets. Sometimes half of the leaves are re- 
moved and the balance of the stalk cut, and 
the leaves cured on the stalk. Tobacco should 
never be cut or primed when wet with rain or 
dew, as this causes the leaves to sunburn and 
