155 
IV.— TOBACCO. 
1. — On Waste Land at Methwold, Norfolk. 
In 1910 the writer’s attention was drawn to the similarity of 
waste and sandy rabbit heathland soil in south-west Norfolk 
to. that of Egypt where the natives grow their tobacco, 
with the result that it was decided to try tobacco growing at 
Methwold commercially. For many years very fine plants had 
been grown for ornamental effect in the garden. 
At first a licence to grow tobacco had to be obtained, as 
by an Act of Charles II. no one is allowed to grow tobacco in 
this country except in small quantities, not exceeding a pole 
u i n a physic or University garden or in any garden for physic 
or chirurgery,” and incidentally there is a fine of 501 for 
growing tobacco without a licence. 
The soil most suitable for tobacco should be one naturally 
well drained and of a light sandy nature. The analysis taken 
by Mr. L. F. Newman, of the Cambridge School of Agriculture, 
of the soil where the experiment was to be carried out was as 
follows : — 
4-0 
53'0 
33-4 
2'0 
2-3 
1- 4 
■6 
2- 32 
Mechanical separation 
Fine gravel. • 
Coarse sand. 
Fine sand. 
Coarse silt. 
Fine silt. 
Clay. 
Moisture. 
Loss on ignition. 
•6 
232 
•088 
93-47 
•09 
Nil 
•088 
Nil 
Chemical analysis 
Moisture. 
Loss on ignition. 
Nitrogen. 
Insoluble residue. 
Potash. 
Carbonates. 
Phosphorus pentoxide. 
Magnesium. 
It was found best to cultivate by steam ; the cultivator 
when travelling at a rapid pace throwing up the light sandy 
soil and aerating it to the depth of a foot. 
For manuring the writer based his mixture on the formula 
given by the Irish Board of Agriculture, which is : — 
30 parts sulphate of ammonia equal to 5-76 per cent, nitrogen. 
54 parts 35 per cent, superphosphate equal to 7’5 per cent, soluble 
phosphate. 
16 parts sulphate of potash equal to 7-6 per oent. potash. 
