ECONOMIC OR USEFUL PLANTS 



417 



cultivated in this country and Europe, though the greatest pro- 

 duction is in the United States, where it is used raw as a salad, 

 or cooked in various ways. Large quantities are canned, about 



Fig. 396- 



Tobacco field in Virginia at harvest time. At the right, showing several rows cut and 

 lying on the ground to wilt before hauling to the curing barn. From Tobacco Investigations, 

 Bureau Plant Industry. 



300,000 acres annually being cultivated to supply the canning 

 industry. It is the fruit which is used. Not many years ago it 

 was supposed to be inedible, was grown for ornament, and called 



Fig. 397- 



Showing sun and air process of curing tobacco in Virginia. Part of the tobacco hung in the 

 iring barn. From Tobacco Investigations, Bureau Pla 



lant Industry. 



, " love apple." Peppers and egg plants are related species. 



Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) belongs to the same family. At 



, the time of the discovery of America, tobacco was found in culti- 



