30 
3 Tobacco, cultivation of. Tobacco, in fumigations and in- 
fusions, is a principal remedy against the ravages of insects; 
hence it is an important article to the horticulturist. And as 
our laws, we believe, do not prohibit the cultivation of it, in such 
small quantities as would be required for this purpose, we shall 
give the heads of a paper, by Mr. John AVilson, on its culture 
and preparation, as practised in the garden of the London Hor- 
ticultural Society. It has been a common practice, by most 
persons, to ferment the leaves, by laying them in heaps, when 
fresh gathered. This practice, in the paper before us, is depre- 
cated. The following are its principal directions. Sow seeds, in 
pots, about the middle of March; place them in a hotbed. Trans- 
plant into other pots, when requisite, and gradually inure the 
plants to the open air. In the middle of May, finally plant out 
the seedlings, in rich soil, three feet apart. Shade and water, 
as occasion may require. Pinch off all lateral shoots, as they 
appear, that the leaves may possess the whole nutriment. Top 
the plants, when about sixteen leaves high. When the leaves 
become mottled, early in September, the plants should be taken 
up, entire. In the Horticultural Gardens, a mushroom house 
was employed for the drying process. The plants were hung 
up, the house closed, and the temperature raised to, and con- 
tinued at, 70 degrees, for four or five days, till the leaves became 
yellow; it was then gradually increased to between 80 and 90 de- 
grees, till the thickest part of the midribs were quite dry, and 
would readily break ; which took about twelve days more. The 
leaves being curled and crisp, the fire was discontinued, and the 
floor of the house well watered, and kept moist lor 24 hours; 
this had the effect of rendering the tobacco leaves again pliable. 
They were then stripped from the stalks, laid flat on each other, 
and pressed smoothly into a tub. Moist weather occasioned 
their moulding a little; in consequence of which they were taken 
out, dried again to crispness, and in like manner moistened to 
render them manageable. They were then repacked in the tub 
as before, where they kept and improved in smell and appearance. 
It is said to be requisite to submit the leaves to a low tem])era- 
ture, till they attain their yellow tint, or they w ill dry of too light 
a colour. This does not appear to us important. The principal 
object seems to be, that they be thoroughly dry before they are 
packed up for keeping. It is suggested that the plants may be 
120 73t Trans. Hort. Soc. T. o. s. 
