DIVISION OF SOILS. 79 



interests in his State alone of not less than $1,000,000 per year from 

 the results of Dr. Loew's investigations, as planned for the current 

 year. 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1901. 



From the work so far done in the Connecticut Valley, I am satisfied 

 that the Sumatra type of leaf can be jDroduced there under shade, 

 having all the desirable qualities of a small leaf, with small veins and 

 great elasticity, as well as a desirable uniform color and excellent grain 

 and style. Samples of the unfermented leaf grown thisyear (1900) have 

 been shown to the different New York j)ackers, who have pronounced 

 it as i^erfect in texture and style as anything which has ever been 

 grown. The results of the fermentation of this leaf are awaited with 

 great interest. This work will be continued. 



It is proposed to experiment with the Pennsylvania and Ohio leaf 

 to see how the aroma of these may be improved by the Cuban method 

 of fermentation. From my study of the soil and climatic conditions 

 of these two localities and the products which have already been pro- 

 duced, I am convinced that a leaf more closely approximating the 

 more desirable leaf from Cuba can be produced. If these results can 

 not be obtained by the fermentation of the present crop, it is my pur- 

 pose next year to introduce other methods of planting and cultivation, 

 and probably a change of seed, with the expectation that we will be 

 as successful in improving the cjuality of the filler leaf in these two 

 States as we have been in approximating the qualities of the Sumatra 

 leaf in Connecticut. 



My investigations of the soils, climatic conditions, and products of 

 Texas have convinced me that the conditions are exceedingly favor- 

 able there for the production of a desirable filler leaf from which we 

 may exj)ect to get the rich flavor and aroma of the best Cuban prod- 

 uct. The development of such a crop in Texas would be worth, at a 

 conservative estimate, not less than 88,000,000 or $10,000,000. This 

 is one of the most important fields that could be taken up, and the 

 work should be started at the earliest possible time. 



Brigadier-General Davis, when governor-general of Porto Rico, sent 

 to the Department a consignment of 17 grades of Porto Rican tobacco, 

 which have been recently thoroughly tested in this Division. It was 

 found that much of the leaf had a rich aroma; and while it has not 

 the desirable flavor and aroma of the best Vuelta Abajo tobacco, it 

 certainly shows a very promising field in which to Avork for the devel- 

 opment of a high-grade tobacco. Unfortunateh', the leaf has evi- 

 dently been badty managed, and there is without doubt a big oppor- 

 tunity merely in the jiroper handling of the leaf to develop much more 

 than has as j'et been realized. This work should be undertaken at 

 the earliest possible time for the relief and advancement of the tobacco 

 growers and tobacco interests of Porto Rico. 



These tobacco interests are so large and so important that thej' will 

 continue to require the careful and constant attention of experts trained 

 in the handling and fermenting of tobacco. Private corporations and 

 packers of cigar-leaf tobacco pay the managers of their tobacco liouses 

 salaries ranging from •$4,000 to $0,000 per annum. They would not 

 be satisfied with the services of a man who would work for much less 

 than this, because if he had the ability he would be employed by one 

 of their competitors. 



It is impossible for the Department to pay sucli salaries as these 



