Nicotiana Part 6

_Nicotiana rustica_, common English tobacco: leaves petioled, ovate, quite entire; flowers obtuse. The stalks of this seldom rise more than three feet high. Leaves smooth, alternate, upon short foot-stalks. Flowers in small loose bunches on the top of the stalks, of an herbaceous yellow-colour, appearing in July, and succeeded by roundish capsules, ripening in the autumn. This is commonly called English tobacco, from its having been first introduced here, and being much more hardy than the other sorts, insomuch that it has become a weed in many places.

_Nicotiana rugosa_ of Miller, rises with a strong stalk near four feet high; the leaves are shaped like those of the preceding, but are greatly furrowed on their surface, and near twice the size, of a darker green, and no longer on footstalks.

_Nicotiana urens_, or stinging tobacco: leaves cordate, crenate; racemes recurved; stem hispid, stinging. Fructification in racemes directed one way and revolute, with bell-shaped corollas, and cordate leaves like those of Nicotiana rustica; but crenate, and the whole tree p.r.i.c.kly. Native of South America.

_Nicotiana glutinosa_, or clammy-leaved tobacco: leaves petioled, cordate quite entire; flowers in racemes, pointing one way, and ringent. Stalk round, near four feet high, sending out two or three branches from the lower parts. Leaves large, heart-shaped, and a little waved.

_Nicotiana pusilla_, or primrose-leaved tobacco: leaves of oblong oval, radical; flowers in racemes, acute. This has a pretty thick taper root that strikes deep in the ground; at the top of it come out six or seven leaves spreading on the ground, about the size of those of the common primrose, but a deeper green. This kind was discovered by Dr. Houstoun at Vera Cruz, and he sent the seed to England.

_Tabac.u.m Minimum_ (Gen. Em. 358.) appears to be another species, hitherto unsettled, with a branched leafy stem, a span high; leaves ovate on footstalks, opposite; and stalked acute, greenish-yellow flowers. The N.

minima of Molina (Poir. in Lum. Diet. iv. 481.), is probably another species, or perhaps the same.

Culture.--Tobacco thrives best in a warm, kindly rich soil, that is not subject to be over-run with weeds. In Virginia, the soil in which it thrives best is warm, light, and inclining to be sandy; and, therefore, if the plant is to be cultivated in Britain, it ought to be planted in a soil as nearly of the same kind as possible. Other kinds of soil might probably be brought to suit it, by a surface of proper manure; but we must remember, whatever manure is made use of, must be thoroughly incorporated with the soil. The best situation for a tobacco plantation is the southern declivity of a hill, rather gradual than abrupt, or a spot that is sheltered from the north winds: but at the same time it is necessary that the plants enjoy a free air; for without this they will not prosper.

As tobacco is an annual plant, those who intend to cultivate it ought to be as careful as possible in the choice of the seeds; in which, however, with all their care, they may sometimes be deceived. The seed should be sown in the middle of April, or rather sooner in a forward season, in a bed prepared for this purpose, of such soil that has been already described, mixed with some warm rich manure. In a cold spring, hot beds are most eligible for that purpose; and gardeners imagine that they are always necessary: but Mr. Carver[22] tells us, that he is convinced, when the weather is not very severe, the tobacco seeds may be raised without-doors: and for this purpose gives us the following directions:

"Having sown the seed in the manner above directed, on the least apprehension of a frost after the plants appear, it will be necessary to spread mats over the beds, a little elevated from the ground by poles laid across, that they may not be crushed. These, however, must be removed in the morning, soon after the sun appears, that they may receive as much benefit as possible from its warmth and from the air. In this manner proceed till the leaves have attained about two inches in length and one in breadth, which they will do in about a month after they are sown, or near the middle of May, when the frosts are usually at an end. One invariable rule for their being able to bear removal is, when the fourth leaf is shrouded, and the fifth just appears. Then take the opportunity of the first rains or gentle showers to transplant them into such a soil and situation as before described; which must be done in the following manner:--The land must be ploughed or dug up with spades, and made as mellow and light as possible. When the plants are to be placed, raise with the hoe small hillocks at the distance of two feet or a little more from each other, taking care that no hard sods or lumps are in it; and then just indent the middle of each, without drilling holes, as for some other plants.

"In some climates the top is generally cut off when the plant has fifteen leaves; but if the tobacco is intended to be a little stronger than usual, this is done when it has only thirteen; and sometimes, when it is designed to be remarkably powerful, eleven or twelve are only allowed to expand. On the contrary, if the planter is desirous of having his crop very mild, he suffers it to put forth eighteen or twenty.

"This operation, called _topping_, is much better performed by the finger and thumb than with any instrument, because the grasp of the fingers closes the pores of the plant: whereas, when it is done by instruments, the juices are in some degree exhausted. Care must also be taken to rip off the sprouts that will be continually springing up at the junction of the leaves with the stalks. This is termed _succouring_ or _suckering_ the tobacco, and ought to be repeated as often as occasion requires.

"When the plantation comes to a proper growth, it should then be cut down and placed in a barn, or covered house, where it cannot be affected by rain or too much air, thinly scattered over the floor; and if the sun does not appear for several days, they must be allowed to _milt_ in that manner; but in this case the quality of the tobacco is not so good."

"_Cure._--After the plants have been transferred, and hung sometime, pressing or SMOKING, as it is technically termed, they should be taken down, and again laid in a heap and pressed with heavy logs of wood for about a week: but this climate may probably require a longer time. While they remain in this state it will be necessary to introduce your hand frequently into the heap, to discover whether the heat be not too intense; for in large quant.i.ties this will sometimes be the case, and considerable damage will be occasioned by it. When they are found to heat too much, that is, when the heat exceeds a moderate glowing warmth, part of the weight, by which they are pressed, must be taken away; and the cause being removed, the effect will cease. This is called the second or last sweating; and when completed, the leaves must be stripped from the stalks for use. Many omit this last sweating; but Mr. Carver thinks it takes away its remaining harshness, and makes it more mellow. The strength of the stalk is also diffused by it through the leaves, and the whole ma.s.s becomes equally meliorated. When the leaves are stripped from the stalks, they are to be tied up in bunches or _hands_, and kept in a cellar or other damp place. At this period the tobacco is thoroughly cured, and as proper for manufacturing as that imported from the colonies.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

NEW WORDS TO AN OLD TUNE.

A COMIC DITTY.

Lieutenant Fire was fond of smoke, And cash he ow'd a deal; Tho' some said he'd a heart of OAK, For others it could feel: With wit he was,--not money stor'd,-- His landlord thought it meet, As he'd liv'd free so long on board, Why he should join the FLEET.

The station he lik'd not at all, And wish'd the duty o'er; He saw some fights, and many ball, But ne'er saw such before.

To banish care, he sought a rod, And smok'd like any mid, But unlike some,--altho' in quod,-- Disdain'd to take a QUID.

And though a man, both short and stout, All knew him in a crowd; For oh, he never mov'd, without His head was in a CLOUD: In pris'n he met a friend he'd known Full many years ago, In 'four in hand' his cash had flown, And now he'd come to WOE.

Poor Brown, alas! he had been GREEN, And so his hopes had marr'd; But thought it strange in turn, I ween, He should be driven HARD.

Now he took snuff, in _quantum suff._, He thought it calm'd his woes,-- While one friend blew the light cigar, The other blew his NOSE.

"As we have bask'd in fortune's calm, Now squalls come we'll not flinch,"

Thus spoke the tar, and gave his arm, And Brown gave him a PINCH.

"Now, Fire, all snuffs are good, we know, Except when ill-prepar'd, I love a BOX and you a BLOW, But keep me from BLACKGUARD.

At _Lundyfoot_ I am no hand, Seldom its dust I take, ah!

Each day or so, by turns, I go From STRASBURG to JAMAICA."

"'Tis well, my boy," return'd the tar, "Such journeys you can wend, For fuel here don't go so far, Here's plenty of WALLS-END."

Of future scenes of happiness, The tar he often spoke; But they, indeed, as you may guess, But ended all in SMOKE.

At length there money came one day,-- Each left the walls unkind; The tar went out--yet strange to say, His ASHES left behind!

ODE ON TOBACCO.

Gently o'er my senses stealing, Indian-weed, I love thee well; Raising, soothing, pa.s.sion's feeling, Who can all thy magic tell: Who can paint the soft entrancing, All thy virtues who can know?

Moving visions, sweetly glancing, Giving joy and calming woe.

Tell me, do the proud ones scorn ye, Does the monarch on his throne, In the countries where are born ye, In the lands of either zone; Prince and beggar, both caress thee, And to thee their homage pay; From Ind to Lapland, myriads bless thee, All bow to thy sovereign sway.

True, there are some soft ones ever, Like a drop within the sea; Weak in nerves, yet vastly clever, Who have vainly 'countered thee: But thy strength, their own excelling, Moves the wrath they cannot quell; Envy makes their breast its dwelling, And the grapes are sour as[23]----

STANZAS TO A LADY.

IN DEFENCE OF SMOKING.

What taught me first sweet peace to blend, With hopes and fears that knew no end, My dearest, truest, fondest friend?

My pipe, love!

What cheer'd me in my boyhood's hour, When first I felt Love's witching power, To bear deceit,--false woman's dow'r?

My pipe, love!

What still upheld me since the guile, Attendant on false friendship's smile, And I in hope, deceiv'd the while?

My pipe, love!

What cheer'd me when misfortunes came, And all had flown me?--still the same, My only true and constant flame, My pipe, love!

What sooth'd me in a foreign land, And charm'd me with its influence bland, Still whisp'ring comfort, hand in hand?

My pipe, love!

What charm'd me in the thoughts of past, When mem'ry's gleam my eyes o'ercast, And burns to serve me to the last?

My pipe, love!

THE LAST QUID.

He seiz'd the quid,--'twas hard and dry, The last one in its nook; The beggar'd sailor heav'd a sigh,-- Despair was in his look.

And have I fought, and bled in vain, Are all my comforts o'er-- When shall I see thy like again, Thou last one of my store.

High and dry I've kept thee here, In hopes of getting aid; My cruise, alas, is lost, I fear-- Oh why was BACCE made!

I've borne all weathers, wind and rain, And patiently I bore-- When shall I see thy like again, Thou last one of my store.