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clay soils being unsuitable. A hot, humid climate 
favours its growth, but a dry season is necessary 
for harvesting. 
The plant is propagated from seed sown in shaded 
nursery beds. As the seed is minute (an ounce 
containing about 400,000 seeds) , it should be mixed 
with fine sand or wood ashes, and broadcasted on 
the surface. The beds after sowing are flattened 
down with a piece of wood to ensure the soil being 
pressed around the seeds. The shade is removed 
gradually and the seedlings are ready to transplant 
when 4 or 5 leaves are formed, usually from 4 to 6 
weeks from time of sowing. They are then planted 
in rows about 4 feet apart, at a distance of 2 feet 
apart in the rows. The young plants are lightly 
shaded and, if the weather is dry, watered for a 
few days until established, when the shade can be 
removed. At about 6 weeks from planting the 
flower-buds begin to appear. These are nipped off 
and, at the same time, all lateral shoots removed, 
so as to divert the vigour of the plant to the leaf. 
Harvesting . — About 6 weeks later, the plants will 
be ready for cutting, the mature leaves being a 
yellowish green, with brown spots on the surface, 
and the edges and tips curling downwards. The 
leaves are removed separately as they ripen, from 
the base of the plant upwards. The cut leaves are 
then carried to the drying house where they are 
spread on the floor to wilt, then tied into bundles 
of 25 to 30, and strung on poles to wither and dry 
gradually. This operation usually takes about 3 
weeks, drying being complete when the mid-rib 
becomes soft and brown in colour. When sufficiently 
dry, the leaves are taken down, sorted into hands 
of about 14 leaves, according to quality, and then 
