484: A SOURCE OF REVENUE. 



' Casinada J (Almost nothing). They are not so well rolled 

 as those of the government, but undoubtedly the raw material 

 is of the very best." 



In Sumatra some of the finest tobacco in the world is pro- 

 duced which has an established reputation in European markets. 



In Africa tobacco is grown to some extent in Egypt, Algiers 

 and Tripoli as well as by the natives of Central and South, 

 Western Africa. The French have paid particular attention 

 to its culture in Algiers and have succeeded in producing 

 tobacco of good flavor and texture. In Australia the plant 

 does remarkably well and promises to become as celebrated as 

 that of other portions or islands of the East India Archipelago. 



It readily appears from the extensive cultivation of tobacco 

 that it can hardly fail of becoming an important article of 

 commerce. The Spaniards and Portuguese found it to be an 

 important source of revenue, and from South America and the 

 West Indies exported large quantities to Europe. As soon as 

 it began to be cultivated in Virginia its commercial value 

 began to be apparent and attracted many navigators who 

 came thither to barter for tobacco and furs, and other articles 

 of inferior value. Most of the tobacco exported from the 

 United States is shipped to Europe and from there is reshipped 

 to Asia and Africa. Of foreign tobacco but little finds its 

 way to this country, the duties* preventing many varieties of 

 excellent quality competing with our domestic tobacco. Cuba, 

 St Domingo and Manilla tobacco are the only varieties that 

 are imported from other countries. West India tobacco, more 

 particularly that of Cuba is shipped to all parts of the world, 

 especially to Spain, Great Britain, Russia, France and the 

 United States. 



The tobacco of South America is exported almost entirely 

 to Europe. England receives a large quantity of South 

 American tobacco as well as Spain and Portugal. The 

 varieties cultivated in Asia and Africa for export are shipped 

 mostly to Europe. Great Britain, Spain, France and Ger- 

 many are the great tobacco-consuming countries of the 



* Thirty-five cents a pound, gold. 



