4:80 COMMERCE IN TOBACCO. 



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* 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. 



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. f 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 



* Tobacco is not allowed to page from one state into another without paying a certain 

 aty. 

 t The amount in 1872, was 172,000. 



