Read Ebook: Tobacco; Its History Varieties Culture Manufacture and Commerce by Billings E R

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ers a striking contrast with the more sombre hues of most other plants. When left to grow until the plants have reached full size, the tobacco field has the appearance of a vast flower garden, the tiny blossoms exhaling their fragrance and the entire plant emitting odors as rare and as delicate as the most fragrant exotic. In the tropics the finest tobacco plantations are found, as nature is more lavish, not only in the richness of the soil, but in the variety of the vegetable products. Here the tobacco plant attains its finest form and most delicately flavored leaves. The hues of the flowers are brighter and their fragrance sweeter. In the tropics the tobacco field may be scented from afar, as its odors are wafted on the breeze. In its native home it flourishes and matures as readily as the more common kinds of vegetation, while it affords the planter a larger revenue than many of the more useful of nature's products.

VARIETIES.

The tobacco plant almost vies with the palm in the number of varieties; botanists having enumerated as many as forty, which by no means includes the entire number now being cultivated. The plant shows also a great variety of forms, leaves, color of flowers, and texture. Each kind has some peculiar feature or quality not found in another; thus, one variety will have large leaves, while another will have small ones; one kind leaves flowers of a pink or yellow color, another white; one variety will produce a leaf black or brown, another yellow or dark red. The following list includes nearly all of the principal varieties now cultivated:--Connecticut seed leaf , New York seed leaf, Pennsylvania , Virginia and Maryland , North Carolina , Ohio Seed leaf , Ohio leaf , Texas, Louisiana , Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, Havana, Yara, Mexican, St. Domingo, Columbia , Rio Grande, Brazil, Orinoco, Paraguay, Porto Rico, Arracan, Greek, Java, Sumatra, Japan, Hungarian, China, Manilla, Algerian, Turkey, Holland , Syrian , French , Russian, and Circassian. Many of these varieties are well known to commerce, and others are hardly known outside the limit of their cultivation.

All of these varieties may be divided into three classes, viz.: cigar, snuff, and cut-leaf tobacco. The first class, cigar leaf, includes all those varieties of tobacco that are used in the manufacture of cigars, and embraces the finest quality of tobacco grown, including Connecticut seed leaf, Havana, Yara, Manilla, Giron, Paraguayan, Mexican, Brazilian, Sumatra, etc. The second class embraces all of the varieties used in the manufacture of snuff, such as Virginia, Holland , Brazilian, French , etc. The third class includes all of those tobaccos used for smoking and chewing purposes, such as Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, Latakia, Perique, Turkish, and others.

South American tobaccos are almost exclusively used for the manufacture of cigars. Although of various qualities, they possess the distinctive flavor which characterizes all tobacco used for this purpose. This is generally the case with most of the tobacco grown in the tropics--it seems to be especially adapted for the manufacture of cigars, rather than for cutting purposes. European tobaccos are milder in flavor, and are used extensively in the manufacture of snuff; while the tobacco of the East is well adapted for the pipe.

Tobacco to be used for cigars must not only be of good flavor, but must burn freely, without which it has no real value for this purpose. Non-burning tobaccos cannot be used, and are either employed in the manufacture of snuff or for cutting.

Of the many kinds of tobacco of both the Old and New World, doubtless the most curious of all is that kind known as

DWARF TOBACCO.

This plant is a native of Mexico, and was discovered by Houston, who found it growing near Vera Cruz. This is probably the smallest kind of tobacco known. The plant grows to the height of about eighteen inches, the leaves growing tufts at the base of the plant. Some have supposed this tobacco to be what is known as Deer Tongue, which is used for flavoring, but it is quite probable that it is entirely different. The leaf is small and light green, and it is quite a showy plant when in blossom. As a curiosity it can hardly fail to attract attention from all those acquainted and interested in tobacco, but will hardly admit of cultivation, on account of the absence of leaves, with the exception of the few growing near the ground. Of all the tobaccos used for the manufacture of cigars, none have obtained an equal reputation with the famous and much sought for variety known as

CONNECTICUT SEED LEAF,

which in all respects towers far above the seed products of the other states. The varieties cultivated in the United States and known as "seed leaf" tobaccos, are grown in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. All of the seed leaf of these states is used exclusively in the manufacture of cigars. Connecticut seed leaf is justly celebrated as the finest known for cigar wrappers, from the superiority of its color and texture, and the good burning quality of the leaf. The plant grows to the height of about five feet, with leaves from two and one half to three feet in length and from fifteen to twenty inches broad, fitted pre?minently by their large size for wrappers, which are obtained at such a distance from the stem of the leaf as to be free from large veins.

Connecticut seed leaf tobacco in color, is either dark or light cinnamon, two of the most fashionable colors to be found in American tobaccos. The plant is strong and vigorous, ripening in a few weeks, and when properly cultivated attaining a very large size. There are two principal varieties of Connecticut seed leaf, viz.--broad and narrow leaf: of these two, the broad leaf is considered the finest, cutting up to better advantage and ripening and curing fully as well. Connecticut seed leaf attains its finest form and perfection of leaf in the rich meadows of the Connecticut Valley, where it has been cultivated to a greater or less extent for nearly half a century.

The plant is one of the most showy of all the varieties of tobacco. The stalk is straight and large, while the leaf is admirably proportioned, and the top is broad and graceful, rendering it far more symmetrical in appearance than many of the smaller varieties.

Before Connecticut tobacco became known as a wrapper, Maryland and Havana tobaccos were used for this purpose, and when Connecticut first came into use, it was only as a filler. This variety differs very materially from Havana in this respect--it has not that fine flavor of Cuba tobacco, but in texture is much superior. The lighter shades of it burn purely and freely, leaving a white or pearl colored ash, which is one of the best evidences of a good wrapper. The leaf also is very firm and strong, and sufficiently elastic to bear considerable manipulating in manufacture. The various shades also of the two colors, dark and light brown or cinnamon, are among the finest and most delicate of any to be found among the numerous kinds of tobacco used for cigars. The color of the wrapper, however, is merely a matter of taste; when first used for a wrapper the color in demand was a dark brown or cinnamon, now it is light cinnamon leaf that is the most fashionable, and leaf of this color is considered the finest and of the most delicate flavor. As a superior burning tobacco, seed leaf especially commends itself, and while all of the seed products of the various states producing this description of tobacco, are remarkable for their good burning qualities, none are more so than Connecticut seed leaf.

However this may be, the system of cultivation pursued has been successful in the production of a leaf tobacco that can hardly be improved, so far as the texture of the leaf is concerned. Some of the "selections" of seed leaf have that fine soft feeling peculiar to satin or silks, and we have seen specimens of such selections, that seemed almost destitute of veins, or anything that would naturally suggest that it was a leaf. In this respect it is quite remarkable, for while the leaf is very large the stem and veins are quite small, no larger than in many varieties with a much smaller leaf. From its first cultivation in the Connecticut valley, the quality has gradually improved until now, and it seems at last to possess almost every feature desirable in a good wrapper.

This famous variety of the tobacco plant is by common consent the finest flavored tobacco for cigars now being cultivated. Some, however, consider Paraguayian, Brazil, and Mexican coast tobacco its equals, while, according to Tomlinson, Macuba tobacco, grown on the island of Martinica, stands at the head of all varieties of the plant. These statements may, however, be regarded as mere opinions rather than acknowledged facts.

YARA TOBACCO.

This variety of tobacco, like Havana, is grown upon the island of Cuba, but is unlike it in flavor, as well as in the appearance of the plant. It is well known as an admirable tobacco for cigars, but is not sought after or grown to such an extent as Havana. The leaf when growing, is in color a fine green, and when cured is of considerable body and fine texture. A writer in alluding to Yara tobacco says:

The flavor of Yara tobacco is so essentially different from Havana, that it is not cultivated as extensively, if indeed it could be. It is grown more particularly for home use and for exporting to Europe, where it is considered one of the finest of tobaccos. Of the other varieties grown in the West Indies such as St. Domingo, Jamaica, and Trinidad, much may be said both in praise and dispraise. St. Domingo and Trinidad have been cultivated for more than two hundred years. St. Domingo tobacco has a large leaf, but is of inferior flavor to most varieties of West India tobacco.

Virginia tobacco has acquired a reputation which has gradually strengthened for more than two hundred and fifty years. It was one of the first products to be cultivated by the English colony, and in less than a quarter of a century after the settlement of Virginia, had acquired a reputation hardly surpassed by its well known rivals, Trinidad, Brazil, St. Domingo, and Various tobaccos. The plant grows to the height of from five to seven feet; the leaves are long and broad, and when cured are of various colors, from a rich brown to a fine yellow. The finest of Virginia tobacco comes from the mountainous counties, but the amount is small in proportion to the vast quantities raised on the lowlands of the Dan and James rivers and their tributaries. The leaf grown in the higher counties of South-western Virginia is much lighter in color and much softer than the ordinary Virginia tobacco. Shades of color in Virginia tobacco serve to determine its use, while texture and length of leaf affect as well its market value. There are various grades of Virginia tobacco, especially in that grown in Southside, Virginia. "Long bright leaf" is considered the finest, while that known as "Luga" is the poorest and lowest grade of leaf.

The staple known as James River tobacco has acquired a world-wide reputation, and the same ground is cultivated and planted with tobacco now as in 1620. Virginia tobacco is known chiefly as a cut tobacco; "good, stout snuff leaf" is also obtained from it, which brings as much in European markets as "fine spinners." Missouri, Kentucky, and some parts of Ohio also produce large quantities for manufacturing into chewing and smoking tobacco.

OHIO TOBACCO.

The tobacco plant has been cultivated in this State for nearly fifty years. Sullivan, in describing the kinds used for cutting, says:--

"Two kinds of seed are used, viz., the 'Thick Set' and the 'Pear Tree,' and of late years the 'Burley' has come into favor. Nearly all tobacco grown in Ohio is 'fired,' that is, cured by fires or flues; it is packed in hogsheads of about eight hundred pounds net."

Another writer says:--

"In some parts her soil produces a fine yellow article called 'Northern Ohio;' it is manufactured into the finest quality of smoking tobacco, and is extensively used by all epicures of the meerschaum, both in this country and in Europe. Ohio also produces another variety called Ohio seed leaf, or more familiarly, 'Seed.'"

While in another section she produces an excellent article of leaf for chewing. Ohio tobacco of all kinds is a large plant, and cures "down" to fine colors. One variety for cutting, known as "cinnamon blotch," is a leaf of good body and is considered an excellent tobacco for chewing. A few years since a variety originated in a very curious manner. We give the account as published by Prof. E. W. Smith:--

"This tobacco is known by the name of White tobacco. The seed was procured about three years ago, in a very singular way. There were a few hills of tobacco that looked very singular, situated near a thicket of bushes and trees. The rising morning sun sent its rays through this thicket, striking diagonally upon a few hills, and producing by some chemical law or daguerreotyping process the tobacco. The tobacco was allowed to go to seed. This seed was sown the next year, and produced the same kind of tobacco. The tobacco, before the white tobacco was daguerreotyped, was a cinnamon blotch, so it may be seen by this freak of nature how it was changed from red to white."

PERIQUE TOBACCO.

There are many varieties of tobacco well adapted for smoking, of all colors and strengths. Of American tobaccos suitable for this purpose, none have acquired a wider reputation at home than Perique. It is cultivated only in small quantities in one or two parishes in Louisiana. Perique tobacco may be used not only for smoking, but for chewing and for snuff. The leaf when cured measures some eighteen inches in length by fourteen in width, is thick and substantial, has the appearance of a rich Kentucky tobacco, and when placed under press immediately after being cured becomes black without the aid of any artificial means. It is put up in rolls, or, as they are called, "carrots." This tobacco is raised mostly in the parish of St. James, La., and derives its name from an old Spanish navigator who settled in St. James parish in the year 1820. His first attempt at raising tobacco, for his own use, succeeded so well and gave him such a fine result, that he concluded to devote all his time to the culture of tobacco, in order to make a living out of it.

The seed first used by him was the Kentucky, but this was subsequently changed for the Virginia, which has been in use up to this time, being renewed every four or five years. The tobacco originally put up by Perique was twisted by hand and placed under press for three or four days, then taken out, untwisted, retwisted and replaced in the press for five or six days. After undergoing the same process three or four different times, it was finally left to remain under press for six months, and then taken out for use. Mr. Perique, however, soon made a capital improvement in the mode of putting up his tobacco; for, as early as the year 1824, we find the tobacco in beautiful rolls of four pounds, and as hard as a "Saucisson de Boulogne."

This tobacco, which has retained the name of its producer, is still manufactured in the same manner as it was fifty-four years ago, the work still being done entirely by hand. The plant is cultivated as the Virginia tobacco by about a dozen small planters in that part of the Parish called "Grande-Pointe," seven miles from the Mississippi river. A small quantity is also raised on the banks of the river in the same parish by a few planters. The growers of Perique tobacco have tried Virginia, Kentucky, and Havana seed, but prefer the former--Havana producing too small a plant without a much better flavor.

Tobacco is grown in other parishes of the State; it is however of inferior quality, and is used only for smoking or snuff. Perique tobacco, when cut for smoking, is very black in appearance, exceedingly smooth, and of peculiar odor. It is probably the thinnest tobacco cultivated; and is strong, but of agreeable flavor.

PERUVIAN TOBACCO.

John Gerard gives the following description of the tobacco of Peru:

"Tobacco, or henbane of Peru, hath very great stalks of the bigness of a child's arme, growing in fertile and well-dunged ground of seven or eight feet high, dividing itself in sundry branches of great length; whereon are placed in most comely order very faire, long leaves, broad, smooth and sharp-pointed, soft and of a light green color; so fastened about the stalk that they seem to embrace and compass it about. The flowers grow at the top of the stalks in shape like a bell-flower, somewhat long and cornered; hollow within, of a light carnation color, tending to whiteness towards the rims. The seed is contained in long, sharp-pointed cods, or seed-vessels, like unto the seed of yellow henbane, but somewhat smaller, and browner of color. The root is great, thicke and of a wooddy substance, with some threddy strings annexed thereunto."

The tobacco plant seems to have been cultivated in Mexico from time immemorial. Francisco Lopez de Gomara, who was chaplain to Cortez, when he made conquest of Mexico, in 1519, alludes to the plant and the custom of smoking; and Diaz relates that the king Montezuma had his pipe brought with much ceremony by the chief ladies of his court, after he had dined and washed his mouth with scented water. The Spaniards encouraged its cultivation, and to this day it is grown in several of the coast states. Various kinds are cultivated, but chiefly a variety bearing yellow flowers, with a large leaf of fine flavor resembling the Havana. The plant is a favorite with the Mexicans, who prefer it to any other product grown. It is cultivated like most varieties of the tropics, and is hardly inferior to any grown in the West Indies, and is especially adapted for cigars and cigaritos. After the first harvest another, and sometimes a third crop is gathered by allowing one shoot to grow from the parent root, which oftentimes develops to a considerable size. The quality of leaf, however, is inferior; as is the case with all second and third crops grown in this manner.

ST. DOMINGO TOBACCO.

This well-known West India variety is inferior to most kinds grown on the neighboring islands. The plant attains a large size, cures dark, is coarse, and of inferior flavor. It is a favorite tobacco in Germany, and thousands of Ceroons are annually shipped to Hamburg. The West India islands produce many varieties of tobacco, which is owing more to the composition of the soil and climate than to the method of cultivation and curing.

The demand for St. Domingo tobacco is limited. It has no established reputation in this country, and on account of the high duties can not compete with our domestic tobaccos.

LATAKIA TOBACCO.

This variety of the tobacco plant is one of the most celebrated known to commerce. It attains its finest form and flavor in Syria, where it is cultivated to a considerable extent. For smoking it is among the best of the varieties of the East, and is used for the more delicate cut tobaccos and cigars. It grows to the height of three feet--each offshoot bearing flowers, the leaves of which are ovate in form, and are attached to the stalk by a long stem. The flowers are yellow, and number only a few in comparison with most varieties. When growing, the leaves are thick, but after curing are thin and elastic. The stalk is small, as are also the leaves. While growing, the plants emit a strong aromatic odor not like that of Havana tobacco, but stronger and less agreeable.

The plant was introduced into this country by Bayard Taylor, and attains its full size in the Connecticut valley, where it has been tested by many growers. After curing, the leaf is a bright yellow of agreeable flavor, having the odor of ashes of roses. The flavor is similar to Turkish tobacco, but is said to be less delicate.

After harvesting, the plants cure rapidly and on account of their small size rarely sweat. Latakia tobacco, however, is not adapted to the taste of American smokers, most of whom prefer tobacco of home growth to even the finest of Turkish leaf. Latakia tobacco can be raised with less labor than most varieties. Its diminutive size and its unpopularity, however, prevent its general culture in this country.

RUSSIAN TOBACCO.

In no other country in Europe is the tobacco plant attracting as much as attention as in the empire of Russia. The varieties grown in America, Cuba, Turkey, and Persia, have been tried, renewing the seed once in two or three years. The tobacco of Russia is mild, and of inferior flavor, and brings from 40 to 80 kopecks per pood. A very good quality of tobacco is grown in the trans-Caucasian provinces; it also flourishes well in the Southern provinces.

The plants attain good size, but lack that fine flavor when cured that other tobaccos possess. A recent traveler through Russia, describing the tobacco, says:

"Russian tobacco is very mild and rather sweet flavored, though not equal in aroma to the Havana, or posessing that rich ripe taste so much prized in that well known tobacco."

COLOMBIA TOBACCO.

Colombia has long been celebrated for the quality and varieties of its tobacco. Its cultivation has been carried on for more than two hundred and fifty years, and Varinian tobacco had obtained a well established reputation in Europe long before Raleigh's "would-be-colonists" sailed for Virginia. The principal varieties grown are Colombian, Carmen, Ambalema, Palmyra, and Giron. Most of these tobaccos are used for cigar purposes, especially the latter. The leaf is fine, of good size, and marked with light yellow spots. Tanning says of the tobacco of Colombia:

"The Cumanacoa, Tobacco de la Cueva, de los Misones, de la Laguna de Valencia cura seca and Caraco, de la Lagunade Valencia cura negro, de Oriluca, de Varinos cura seca, de Casovare, de Baylodores, de Rio Negro en Andull, are equal to the tobacco of the Brazils. The tobacco of the Cueva, in the department of Cumana, is said to be grown from the excrements of certain birds deposited by them in a cavity, from which the natives extract it: it is considered the finest tobacco in Colombia. The birds are a species of the owl.

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