re again well
sprinkled with liquid manure, also with the lees of oil at
intervals of about seven days. A covering of wheat or millet
bran is now laid over the furrows. The bitter taste of the
leaf is in a measure an effectual safeguard against the
ravages of insects, but the leaves are nevertheless
carefully tended to prevent damage from such cause. If the
reproduction from seed is not desired the flowers should be
cut off and the stem pruned down, otherwise the leaves will
lose in scent and flavor. In Osumi exceptional attention is
paid to the cultivation of the tobacco plant. The lees of
oil, if liberally used, and stable manure sparsely applied,
have great effect on the plant, producing a small leaf with
an excellent flavor; while, if the opposite course is
followed, the leaves grow to an immense size, but are
inferior in taste.

[Illustration: Transplanting.]

"When the flowers are in full bloom the 'sand' leaves are
picked. After the lapse of twelve or fourteen days the
leaves are gathered by twos. Any leaves that may remain are
afterwards broken off along with the stalk. Any sand
adhering to the leaves is removed with a brush; the stems
having been cut off, the leaves are rolled round, firmly
pressed down with a thin board, and cut exactly in the
centre. The two halves are then placed one on the top of the
other in such manner that the edges exactly correspond, and
being in this position firmly compressed between two boards,
they are cut into fine strips, the degree of fineness
depending on the skill of the cutter. A machine made of
hard wood, but with the vital parts of iron, is used by some
persons for this purpose. The machine was devised about
sixty years ago by a skillful Yeddo mechanic, the idea being
taken from those used in Osaka and Kiyoto for cutting thread
used for weaving into silk embroidery. Since then numerous
improvements have been made in it, and it is now extremely
well adapted for the economization of labor. Another machine
was invented about eight years since, also by a Yeddo
mechanic. It is smaller than the first mentioned, but being
very easily worked is much in use. Tobacco is sometimes cut
in the following crude manner:--The leaves are piled one on
top of the other, tightly compressed into the