200 



TOBACCO. 



to the erection of hospitals for sick coolies are stringent ; 

 and, on the whole, the coolie-lines, considering their 

 temporary nature, are adequate, so that the lot of the coolie 

 in Deli may be regarded as a favourable one, even when 

 compared with places where he is under British control. 



" The importing of British Indians, as is well known, is 

 not tolerated, though many have found their way into 

 the country under the stimulus of high wages, the latter 

 running from 7 dol. to 10 dol. a month, according to 

 capacity." 



The following report by Consul Eckstein on the export 

 of Sumatran tobacco to the United States, and Dutch 

 dealings in the same in 1882 will be of interest. 



Consul Eckstein says " it is not quite three years since a 

 few dealers in tobacco and manufacturers of cigars in the 

 United States had first their attention attracted to 

 Sumatra tobacco, with a view of introducing and using it 

 for cigar- wrappers. 



" From this port shipments of the article began to be 

 made during the latter half of the year 1880, and, con- 

 sidering that this trade has only so recently taken its 

 rise, and that by this time it has already assumed rather 

 important proportions, I felt called upon to prepare the 

 present report, giving some information concerning the 

 same. 



"In order to show, as nearly correct as possible, the 

 course this trade has taken from its commencement to the 

 present time, I made up the following statement, which 

 exhibits the quantity and value of such tobacco shipped 

 from Amsterdam to the United States during each quarter 

 since such shipments first began to be made, viz. : 



