1296 



STIMULANT, AROMATIC, NARCOTIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS 



in the States of San Paulo, Minas Geraes, Bahia and in the vicinity of Goyaz 

 and Pernanibnco ; 2) " arvore da gonima " or " gomma lagrima " [Vochisia 

 gummijera), is very common in the province of Rio de Janeiro ; 3) the " vin- 

 heiro do campo " or " arvore do vinho " {Vochisia thyrsoidea) common in 

 the State of Minas Geraes. 



The best quahty " gomma lagrima " {i. e. without impurities) is per- 

 fectly colourless and transparent ; it dissolves completely in 11 parts of 

 cold water and then furnishes a gum which is likewise colourless and trans- 

 parent. Its specific gravity is 1.604 ^t 26.250 C. On analysis the following 

 results were obtained : 



Composition of Brazil " Gomma lagrima ". 



STIMTII-ANT, 



AROM.'ITIC, 



NAECOTIC 



AND MEDICINAL 



CROPS 



According to experiments conducted in 1884 by Prof. J. J. Pizarro 

 at the University of Rio de Janeiro, the gum of Vochisia thyrsoidea has an 

 adhesive power 10 times greater than that of gum arable. With respect 

 to its medicinal properties, it is also fully able to bear comparison with the 

 latter. 



From I goo onwards some consignments of Brazil gum were exported 

 to Liverpool and to Germany, where they were greatly appreciated both on 

 account of their good quality and their low prices. 



986 - Tobacco-Growing in Portugal. — SontoMaior J.,in Bolctim da Associafdo central 

 da Ai^ncuUura portii'^iicsa. Year XVIII, Vol. XVIII, No. 2, pp. 53-58, i tig. Lisbon, February 

 1916. 



Tobacco-growing was introduced in Portugal in 188. j., with the object 

 of mitigating the crisis produced in the region of Dotiro by the phylloxera 

 invasion. It was at first allowed by way of experiment for a period of 3 

 years, but subseqtrently the concession was constantly renewed. By de- 

 cree of 1907 the State tobacco monopoly was granted by public sale to the 

 " Companhia dos Tabacos " which was compelled to pa}' over to the vState 

 65 % of its profits and to buy from the Douro growers the whole of their 

 product up to 20 % of the total consumption. The growers deliver the 

 tobacco in the form of strung leaves dried to 25 % of moisture. The Tobacco 

 Company pays for it at its market value, which for ordinary unspoilt to- 

 bacco is mostly 18 centavos (4 Y^d.) per lb. Furthermore b}' decree of the 

 2nd February 1891 a premiitm of 10 centavos (2 ^4^-) ^'^^ granted for every 

 pound of tobacco delivered in good condition. The average production per 

 acre is 8 922 to 12 490 lb. of dr^^ leaves. Home-grown Portuguese tobacco 

 is used for manufacturing cheap cigars. In comparison with other Euro- 

 pean tobaccos it is of mediocre quality. 



During the thirty years for which tobacco has been cultivated in Por- 

 tugal the plant has Iwbridised naturally, has subsequently undergone selec- 

 tion and has become fixed in the type best adapted to the climatic and soil 



