SMOKES. 63 
best Havanas and are unquestionably superior 
to the bulk of Havanas on the market. 
Districts. The principal tobacco districts 
of Jamaica are Temple Hall, about four miles 
from Constant Spring Hotel ; Constant Spring 
Estate adjoining the hotel; Colbeck, near 
Old Harbour ; and Morgans Valley in Chapel- 
ton. The cultivations most easily accessible 
to visitors are those at Constant Spring and 
Temple Hall, and it is thought that the 
sight of the uniform tobacco fields, and of the 
exquisite green foliage of the plants will repay 
a visit. 
Cultivation. Seeds are usually imported 
from Havana and are sown in carefully pre- 
pared seed-beds. The young plants are set 
out about 2x3 ft. apart, which would give 
7,260 plants to an acre. Earth is regularly 
moulded up round the plant and the land is 
kept scrupulously clean of weeds. Flower 
buds and side branches must be pinched off 
early. A tobacco plant allowed to seed gives 
distinctly inferior tobacco. 
Reaping. In from three to four months, 
the leaves will be ripe, and the plants are 
then cut and allowed to wilt in the sun for a 
few hours ; they are then carried to the to- 
bacco house, a carefully, though sometimes 
cheaply, constructed thatched building, which 
affords protection from wind, rain and sun 
and allows the free circulation of the air. 
Curing. The plants are hung in the to- 
bacco house, in pairs, across bars, and are 
there allowed to dry ; they are taken down 
