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After the very excellent work of [Mr] Atkinson on the Agriculture of New South Wales, it would be absurd to treat of the common productions of the Country. The reader is therefore referred to him for information on common agricultural topics, but with regard to tobacco, the atmosphere in which [J.W ] Atkinson [resiles] not being congenial to its growth he has not [noted] it so fully as the subject deserves. At present the greatest prtion of the tobacco of Australia is grown on the Hunter the rich alluvial soil and temperate climate of which best suit it - It has been ascertained that the sides of lagoons which are exposed to occasional windations produce the best tobacco. The seed is usually sown about June in shaded beds and transplanted in September the soil is first well worked and pulverised twice ploughted and twice harrowed and the plants are placed three feet apaprt each way, when set out they are usually shaded from the sun for tow or three days. The land should be be kept clear of weeds, and when grown to a sufficient height should be topped so as to leave 7 or 8 leaves on each plant. They should be gone over every day to pull away the offsets, and when ripe which is ascertained by their becoming slightly speckled the plant is cut off near the root and hung up to dry in a shed, the root commonly yields two or sometimes three cuttings in a season - The average cropt is about 700 lbs to the acre and one [nan] is sufficient to attend to that quantity - The leaves should be [seveated or manufactured]. The fig tobacco made from the growth of the Colony is rapidly improving in quality and bids fair to equal the Virginia for one or two seasons, it has been ascertained to be much improved - This article alone will speedily
SubjectNew South Wales historyNSWHunter ValleySettlerAustralian historyMaitlandAustraliaDatenot specifiedSourcehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/2666323426/