Doubtless the varieties grown in the tropics will be much finer than the varieties grown in a more temperate region. There are many reasons why a second and third crop can not be equal to the first in the qualities necessary for fine leafy tobacco. In the first place, the soil will hardly produce a second crop of the size and texture of leaf that will compare with the first growth: the leaves will be small and resemble the top leaves of the original plant rather than the large, well-formed leaves of the center. Again, the season will hardly be favorable (unless in the tropics), for a second growth, which has much to do with the quality of the leaf and which alone ensures large, well-matured plants.

In the Connecticut valley but one crop can be grown of seed leaf, and even this when planted late is frequently overtaken by the "frost king" whose cold breath strikes a chill to the heart of the tobacco grower who has been so unfortunate as to have but a few plants; especially if his fields were "set" late in the season, or with "spindling" or "long shank plants" which come forward slowly and forbid all thought of a second growth, and sometimes give small hopes of even the first.

In Virginia and North Carolina the experiment has been tried of covering the stumps or trunk of the plants with straw, followed by plowing on both sides of the rows, thereby covering them to a depth of several inches, in which condition they are left until spring, when the covering is removed and the suckers or sprouts shoot forth and grow with great rapidity. This novel experiment may succeed so far as the growth and maturing of the plants is concerned, but will hardly add to the reputation of "Virginia's kingly plant" or to the profit of the growers, as the product must necessarily be small if the labor of transplanting is avoided.

Beyond all question, experiments with the growth and culture of the tobacco plant are among the most interesting and valuable, and afford the planter the most pleasure and instruction of all similar trials with the products of the vegetable kingdom. These experiments at once develop not only the rare qualities of the plant, but its various forms and habit of growth. They show as well as its adaptation to all countries and climes, and the preservation of its qualities when grown in regions far remote from its native home. The florist finds no more pleasure in the cultivation of the rarest exotic than the tobacco planter in testing some new variety of tobacco, and noting its varied qualities and adaptation to his fields. By trying new varieties, some of the finest qualities of the plant have been developed, and many other of its excellences still further advanced. In the United States numerous trials and experiments are constantly being made to still further perfect the various kinds already cultivated, as well as to test other varieties and note their qualities and adaptation to the soil. Already far advanced, the culture of the plant has not yet reached its highest point. The adaptation, soil, and fertilizers, are now attracting much attention, and further study of these elements promises to "bring out" qualities of leaf hitherto overlooked, or at least but partially developed.



CHAPTER XIV.

THE PRODUCTION, COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO.

Few comparatively of the users or even of the growers and manufacturers of tobacco, are aware of the vast amount cultivated, manufactured and used. Many suppose that its cultivation is confined to the United States and a few of the West India Islands, having no idea of the large quantities grown in Europe, Asia and Africa and the islands of the East India Archipelago. The Spaniards first began the cultivation of the plant on the Island of St. Domingo, afterwards extending it to Trinidad, the coast of South America, Mexico and the Philippine Islands. In Portugal the cultivation commenced about 1575-80, and continued some years. The Dutch a little later, began the production of tobacco in the East Indies, and in connection with the Spaniards and Portuguese were the only cultivators of tobacco until the English commenced its growth in Virginia in 1616.

The first production in St. Domingo by the Spaniards was sometime previous to 1535, and the island has continued to produce the great staple until now. In Trinidad, however, a finer article was yielded, and its cultivation became more general here until the Spaniards began to plant it in Cuba in 1580. From the West Indies, South America and the East Indies, Europe raised its supply of tobacco until the English colonists commenced its cultivation in Virginia. The Spaniards and Portuguese at first controlled the trade in tobacco, and extorted most fabulous prices for it. As soon, however, as the Dutch and English began to cultivate it and receive it from their colonies the price gradually fell while the demand and consumption for it increased in proportion to the falling off of prices. From the island of Trinidad, Europe received its finest tobacco, and it continued to maintain its reputation as such until that variety known as Varinas tobacco from South America appeared; this variety attracted the attention of European buyers and consumers, from its superiority in flavor and appearance which it has maintained for more than two hundred and fifty years.

In South America, the cultivation of tobacco took its rise in Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia. The varieties there produced had acquired an established reputation as early as 1600, together with St. Lucia, Philippine and Margarita tobaccos. Early in the Seventeenth Century, the Dutch became the great producers and importers into Europe, and the growths of their colonies continued to furnish a large proportion of the quantity used until English colonial tobacco made its appearance from Virginia.

The Plymouth and London companies from its first appearance in their markets, saw its vast importance as an article of agriculture and commerce, and in twenty years after the first planting of it, began to reap rich returns from its sale and production. From this time forward, not only in America, but in Europe and Asia, its cultivation spread among other nations until at length it has become one of the great sources of revenue of almost every country, and a leading product of nearly every clime. The islands of St. Domingo, Trinidad, St. Lucia and Martinique, do not produce as large quantities of tobacco as formerly; its cultivation in the West Indies being now confined chiefly to the island of Cuba.

This island produces at the present time the finest cigar leaf of the West Indies, which is considered by many as the best grown. The value of the annual product of Cuba is estimated at $20,000,000, nearly as much as that of the entire United States. Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Paraguay, which are the tobacco-producing countries of South America, furnish Europe with a large amount of leaf tobacco. In Brazil according to Scully it "occupies the fourth place in the exports" and is extensively cultivated in various parts of the empire. In Venezuela it is an important article of agriculture, and the product is of fine quality and in good repute in Europe. Colombia has long been noted for the amount and excellence of its tobacco; its various growths are fine in all respects and are among the finest cigar tobaccos grown. In Paraguay large quantities of excellent cigar tobacco are raised, much of which is used in various parts of South America, the remainder going to Europe.

All of the tobacco of South America is unrivaled in flavor and is well adapted for the manufacture of cigars. In Mexico, tobacco is raised to some extent, particularly in the Gulf States, where it develops remarkably and is of excellent quality both in texture and flavor. Mexico is doubtless as well adapted for tobacco as any country in the world, and if certain restrictions[83] were removed, its culture would increase and the demand would cause its extensive production. In the Central American States, some tobacco is cultivated, but not to the extent that is warranted by the demand or the adaptation of the soil. Some parts of the States, especially of Honduras, are well adapted for the production of the very finest leaf. As it is but little is grown; hardly any being exported to Europe. America is the native home of the tobacco plant, and in the United States vast quantities are produced of all qualities and suited for all purposes.

[Footnote 83: Tobacco is not allowed to pass from one state into another without paying a certain duty.]

In New England from 20,000 to 30,000 acres are cultivated annually, estimated to yield on an average from 1500 to 1700 pounds to the acre. The annual product in cases is from 50,000 to 170,000.[84] Of the Middle States, New York and Pennsylvania furnish a large amount of "seed leaf" as it is called. In 1872 the latter state reported 38,010 cases, mostly grown in three counties. A fine quality of tobacco is raised in the immediate vicinity of the old William Penn mansion, and is known to all dealers as superior leaf. In New York the crop is usually good, and along the valleys are found some excellent lands for its culture.

[Footnote 84: The amount in 1872, was 172,000.]

As we go South, we reach the great tobacco-growing states, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and others. Maryland has long been noted for its tobacco, and annually exports thousands of hogsheads to European markets. Virginia, as we have seen, is the oldest tobacco-producing state in the Union, and still continues to raise thousands of acres of the "weed" for home use and for export. In 1622, six years after its cultivation began, she produced 60,000 pounds of leaf tobacco. North Carolina also raises a fine article of smoking tobacco—of fine color and superior flavor. This state has long been noted for its superior leaf tobacco, and ever since the first settlement of the state has produced large quantities of it. In 1753 100 hogsheads were exported, the number constantly increasing until the present. In Georgia some tobacco is grown. Havana tobacco was first cultivated in this state by Col. McIntosh, and succeeded finely in some of the counties along the coast.

In Florida, Havana tobacco is cultivated altogether. It differs somewhat in flavor, however, so that it is called Florida tobacco, not because it is grown in that state, but because it is a little bitter, unlike that grown in Cuba. Kentucky is the great tobacco-producing state of the Union. Two-fifths of the entire amount grown in the country comes from this state. In 1871 nearly 150,000 acres were devoted to it in the state—producing 103,500,000 pounds of leaf tobacco. In Ohio and Missouri large quantities of tobacco are grown, the former state furnishing both cutting and seed leaf tobaccos. The other Western states including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, are engaged largely in its production, and furnish a good article of leaf.

California for the last few years has given the culture of tobacco some attention, and promises to become a great tobacco-producing state. The United States have cultivated in some seasons 350,769 acres of tobacco, valued at $25,901,769. The average yield per acre is greater in Connecticut than in any other state, being 1,700 pounds, while the smallest yield is in Georgia, 350 pounds. The average price per pound in Connecticut is 25 cts; in Kentucky 7 7-10 cts; in Georgia 21 4-10 cts; in Ohio 9 1-10 cts; and in Pennsylvania 15 2-10 cts. In 1855 there was exported from this country 150,213 hogsheads and 13,366 cases of tobacco.

In Europe large quantities of tobacco are grown, excepting in England, Spain, and Portugal, where its culture is prohibited by law to benefit the colonial growers of the plant. Austria is the great tobacco-producing country of Europe, and yields an annual product of 45,000,000 pounds of tobacco; the leaf is of good quality, and is used for cigars. France also raises about 30,000,000 pounds of tobacco besides importing large quantities from the United States. In Russia the annual tobacco crop is about 25,000,000 pounds. In Holland about as much tobacco is grown as in the state of Connecticut—6,000,000 pounds and the product is adapted for both cigar and snuff-leaf. Large quantities of tobacco are also imported, from 30,000,000 to 35,000,000 pounds. The tobacco factories in the country are stated to give employment to one million operatives. Belgium produces considerable tobacco, about 3,000,000 pounds annually. Switzerland also raises from 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 pounds of leaf. In Greece tobacco is an important product and the quality of leaf is very fine; her product has been as high as 5,500,000 pounds.

In Asia tobacco has long been cultivated, and is one of the greatest products of the country. In both Asiatic and European Turkey the annual production is about 43,000,000 pounds. In China and Japan large quantities are grown, as well as in Persia, Thibet, and other portions of Asia. In the Philippine Islands its cultivation is carried on by the Spaniards, as it has been for upwards of 250 years. Bowring says of its culture:—

"The money value of the tobacco grown in the Philippines is estimated at from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 of dollars, say 1,000,000l. sterling. Of this nearly one half is consumed in the island, one quarter is exported in the form of cheroots (which is the Oriental word for cigars), and the remainder sent to Spain in leaves and cigars, being estimated as an annual average contribution exceeding 800,000 dollars. The sale of tobacco is a strict government monopoly, but the impossibility of keeping up any sufficient machinery for the protection of that monopoly is obvious even to the least observant. The cultivator, who is bound to deliver all his produce to the government, first takes care of himself and his neighbors, and secures the best of his growth for his own benefit. From functionaries able to obtain the best which the government brings to market, a present is often volunteered, which shows that they avail themselves of something better than the best. And in discussing the matter with the most intelligent of the empleados, they agreed that the emancipation of the producer, the manufacturer and the seller, and the establishment of a simple duty, would be more productive to the revenue than the present vexatious and inefficient system of privileges.

"In 1810 the deliveries were 50,000 bales (of two arrobas), of which Gapan furnished 47,000 and Cayayan 2,000. In 1841 Cayayan furnished 170,000 bales; Gapan, 84,000; and New Biscay, 34,000. But the produce is enormously increased; and so large is the native consumption, of which a large proportion pays no duty, that it would not be easy to make even an approximative estimate of the extent and value of the whole tobacco harvest. Where the fiscal authorities are so scattered and so corrupt;—where communications are so imperfect and sometimes wholly interrupted; where large tracts of territory are in the possession of tribes unsubdued or in a state of imperfect subjection; where even among the more civilized Indians the rights of property are rudely defied, and civil authority imperfectly maintained; where smuggling, though it may be attended with some risk, is scarcely deemed by any body an offense, and the very highest functionaries themselves smoke and offer to their guests contraband cigars on account of their superior quality,—it may well be supposed that lax laws, lax morals and lax practices, harmonize with each other, and that such a state of things as exists in the Philippines must be the necessary, the inevitable result.

"I am informed by the alcalde mayor of Cayayan that he sent in 1858 to Manilla from that province tobacco for no less a value than 2,000,000 dollars. The quality is the best of the Philippines; it is all forwarded in leaf to the capital. The tobacco used by the natives is not subject to the estanco, and on my inquiring as to the cost of a cigar in Cagayan, the answer was 'Casinada' (Almost nothing). They are not so well rolled as those of the government, but undoubtedly the raw material is of the very best."

In Sumatra some of the finest tobacco in the world is produced which has an established reputation in European markets.

In Africa tobacco is grown to some extent in Egypt, Algiers and Tripoli as well as by the natives of Central and South, Western Africa. The French have paid particular attention to its culture in Algiers and have succeeded in producing tobacco of good flavor and texture. In Australia the plant does remarkably well and promises to become as celebrated as that of other portions or islands of the East India Archipelago.

It readily appears from the extensive cultivation of tobacco that it can hardly fail of becoming an important article of commerce. The Spaniards and Portuguese found it to be an important source of revenue, and from South America and the West Indies exported large quantities to Europe. As soon as it began to be cultivated in Virginia its commercial value began to be apparent and attracted many navigators who came thither to barter for tobacco and furs, and other articles of inferior value. Most of the tobacco exported from the United States is shipped to Europe and from there is reshipped to Asia and Africa. Of foreign tobacco but little finds its way to this country, the duties[85] preventing many varieties of excellent quality competing with our domestic tobacco. Cuba, St. Domingo and Manilla tobacco are the only varieties that are imported from other countries. West India tobacco, more particularly that of Cuba—is shipped to all parts of the world, especially to Spain, Great Britain, Russia, France and the United States.

[Footnote 85: Thirty-five cents a pound, gold.]

The tobacco of South America is exported almost entirely to Europe. England receives a large quantity of South American tobacco as well as Spain and Portugal. The varieties cultivated in Asia and Africa for export are shipped mostly to Europe. Great Britain, Spain, France and Germany are the great tobacco-consuming countries of the world, or at least of Europe. In Great Britain, Spain and Portugal, no tobacco is cultivated, and these countries are therefore dependent upon their colonies for a supply of the great product. The commerce in the plant is extensive and reaches to every part of the globe. No nation, state, or empire now ignores the revenue to be derived from its import or culture, and many a government receives more from this plant alone than from any other source.

While some nations prohibit its culture at home, their colonies are allowed to grow it, and thus the article and the revenue are both secured. But while the production of the plant and the commerce depending on it are extensive, they are not more so than the manufacture of the leaf into the various preparations for use. The government work-shops of Seville and Manilla, as well as those of Havana and Paris are of enormous proportions and employ thousands of operatives in the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes. In this country and in England, large quantities of cigars are made both from domestic and foreign tobaccos.

In South America also many are made, but more for home use than for export. Cutting leaf is largely manufactured in this country, especially near the great leaf growing sections. Most of this is used here, the leaf for manufacture abroad being exported in hogsheads for cutting in any form desired. Snuff leaf is exported largely from this country to Great Britain and France, where are the largest manufacturers of snuff in the world. At the present time the demand seems greater for cutting than for cigar leaf. The growths of the West Indies and South America furnish a large quantity of fine tobacco for cigars, but comparatively little for cutting purposes. European tobaccos are adapted for both cutting and for cigars, and are used extensively at home though not considered equal to American varieties, being of a milder flavor. As an article of production and commerce, tobacco must be considered as important as any of the great products or staples, since the demand is constant and continually increasing. Year by year its cultivation extends into new sections, where it becomes a permanent production if the soil and climate prove congenial. From time to time new varieties become known, and are cultivated in various countries with success varying according to the soil and climate and the knowledge of the planter. Nowhere is the plant receiving more attention both in its cultivation and manufacture, than in this country. The varieties grown in the tropics have been tested with more or less success, and bid fair ere long to become the leading kinds in some sections. But not alone in this country is the plant attracting the attention of the great commercial nations. In Europe and Asia as well as in Africa, its production is assuming the large proportions due to its vast importance to Agriculture and Commerce.

THE END