AGRICULTURAL, GARDENING, &c.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 61, 8 June 1865, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL, GARDENING, &c.

TOBACCO CULTURE. Onr Victorian neighbors are going into the culture and manufacture of tobacco with great energy, and, we understand, with considerable success. Tobacco is added to their local industries, and promises to become an important branch of colonial .produce. The Victorians sre a bold ana venturesome people, and they have already established among them various industriel which ih f this colony have only been talked about. Undoubtedly the larger population of the neighboring colony gives a better chance of success to those who seek to introduce new articles of produce. There is a greater likelihood of obtaining a market for them, and therefore there is less risk in attempting their production, than there is in a colony where the population is smaller. In the growth of tobacco the Victorians have one advantage over this colony which tells very much in their favor. There are manufacturers in Melbourne who are willing to purchase the raw material in almost any quantities, so that every man who attempts its culture, if he be moderately successful, knows where to find a market for his produce. If some person or company, with sufficient capital, thoroughly competent to the manufacture of tobacco, were to commence the business in Adelaide, there is hut little doubt that a superior article co)ild easily be grown. There are within twenty miles of the city plenty of places admirably adapted by the qualities of soil and position for the successful culture of the fragrant weed, and we have no doubt there are many persons who would be ready to engage in the culture if they only knew what to do with their produce when they had grown it. We have more than once referred to the subject in our columns, but we have reason to believe thit very few persons, if any, have attempted to grow the plant on anything approaching an extensive seal c. Some of our readers have raised it in gardens for amusement rather than for profit; but we are not aware that any one has seriously gone into the thing with a view co making it a business. From an article on the subject which has recently appeared in the "Australasian," and from all we have seen on the question, there seems to be- no difficulty whatever in raising the plant. Any person of ordinary intelligence, and of careful, industrious habits, might easily undertake the culture. The first requirement is a rich soil, deep and loose, well worked and kept in good condition by free manuring. Where naturally rich and good soils cannot be obtained, they can be made by artificial means. The «< Australasian" says :— w The rich alluvial flats generally found in the neighborhood of our rivers and creeks, offering, as they do, the above conditions, have thus proved admirably adapted for its culture,~and it is from such localities that really splendid returns have been obtained." There would be no difficulty in finding many such tracts of land here which naturally 'possess all the qualities necessary to the successful culture of the tobacco plant. When a suitable locality has been selected it should be carefully drained, as stagnant water has a most prejudicial effect on the plant. Deep ploughing is desirable, although in loose soils ten or twelve inches are sufficient. The ground should be as well broken up as possible, the clods being carefully broKen and the surface well harrowed. \ ...'■■ % "Eor raising the young plants from seed, ? the directions given in the article already ■quoted are so full and minute that we cannot do better than transcribe them here: — "Whilst the land is thus got ready, some nursery of v seed-beds must be prepared in some rich a»d sheltered position, which is best dug by Kand and finely raked. It is advisable to effect a slight frame over these, so that they can be covered over with calico or branched during very hot or very cold and wet weather. Calico, though more expensive, is nevertheless preferable, as it also affords shelter against the often yer|FTiij}atfy and continuous spring rains, \fhich if allowed to fall on the tender seedUttg<&> might damage them, or at least retard;seir growth. The seeds are very ;fine, and two or three ounces are sufficient (per acre. T^ e y should be thinly sown, I and but sKghtiy covered:^^i ■ soil: The ' beginning of September appears to be the best time for sowing the main crop; a

second sowing may be effected towards the end of that month or the beginning of October." When the young plants have made three or four leaves, care having been taken to water them and thin them when necessary, they can be 'transplanted. This is a process which requires delicate handling. Dull and wet days are best for it. The tender roots must not be broken* They should be placed about four feet apart, or four feet between the rows and three feet between the plants in each row. The month of November is the best season for the operation of planting. Should the season be dry it will be necessary to water freely. When once the plant has established itself no danger need be apprehended, except from a destructive caterpillar which sometimes infests the young plants, and which will have to be carefully watched. The flower-buds and all the lateral shoots must be removed ; and then, if all goes well, the remaining ten or twelve leaves which the plant puts forth will grow to a large size. | It is said that there i& no difficulty in knowing when the plants have reached their maturity and are ready for gathering. The leaves assume a duller color, yellow spots make their appearance, and from their surface a thick gummy substance is exuded, which is sticky to the touch. "In harvesting,- the whole plant is cut off close to the ground, and allowed to remain there about twelve hours. The morning or evening hours should be chosen for that operation in preference to the middle of the day. The plants and leaves thus cut and exposed soon loose their stiffness, and are less liable of being damaged by being brought to the drying-shed." The process of drying* is one which requires much care, and although in a pro-perly-constructed drying-shed it is simple enough, still it is rather a tedious operation. The plants are suspended on thin laths or ropes, the light is reduced, and a free current of air admitted to the drying-room. The plants must be so placed as riot to touch each other, lest mould should be induced. It will require from six to eight weeks to complete the drying process. When thoroughly dried the tobacco is fit. for the. market, and can be placed in, r the, hands of the manufacturer for manipulation. There is nothing in all this which might not easily be done by a man of ordi* nary common sense, and it might be worth while for some of our agriculturists to try on some considerable scale the culture of tobacco. If the production, and manufacture of this important article of commerce were firmly established amongst us, it would add to our wealth. The quantity of tobacco imported here annually is immense, and the money sent out nf the country for its purpose amounts to a large sum. Whether the use pf the fragrant weed be justifiable or not, it has become a necessity to many persons; and, in spite of AntiTobacco Societies, of the warnings of medical men, and of the indignant protest of the ladies, we apprehend its use will continue. People enjoy it, and it is a very moderate and harmless luxury ; and, although it might be difficult to produce good arguments in favor of its use, the taste of the public stands in the place of arguments, and satisfies those who yield to the seductive indulgence. Tobacco will be bought and will be used ; and therefore it will be our policy to produce it for ourselves, if we can, rather than import it from abroad. — "S. A. Register.' 1

M. F. de Lesseps lias just informed the Chamber of Commerce in France that communications are now open by water between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and that a daily service of boats is established between Port-Said and Suez. A barge containing from 25 to 30 persons, and towed by. a small steamer, has already traversed in 24 hours the 94 miles which separate the two seas. The Isthmus of Suez Canal Company also invites the Chambers of Commerce to send delegates to report on the present state of the tfcorks, and ol the uses for the transport of goods and passengers which may be made of the canal, offering as it does a continuous stream of water 50 feet wide, and of a | minimum depth of four feet. . I A paper advertises " a piano for sale by a lady about to cross the Channel in an oak case with three carved legs."