NATURE AND PROPERTIES. 263 



largely manufactured and consumed in England, con- 

 tain as much water as the cheapest roll tobacco, whereas 

 the finer qualities of cut tobacco contain as a rule from 

 14 to 22 per cent. Cigars, even the cheapest, are com- 

 paratively dry, and contain, as a rule, only from 10 to 12 

 per cent, of water. 



" The difference in cheap cigars is due chiefly to the 

 weight of the material, but also to the quality of the 

 tobacco and the labour, machinery being used in the 

 manufacture of the lower qualities, whereas the higher 

 qualities are nearly all hand made. 



" The large quantity of water contained in the cheapest 

 tobacco, and which frequently amounts to about 50 per 

 cent., is not, in my opinion, introduced to please the 

 palate of the working man, but simply on account of the 

 keen competition between rival manufacturers, and the 

 low price at which tobacco is sold ; and in the interest 

 both of the working classes and of tobacco manufacturers 

 themselves, I think it is very desirable that some limit 

 should be placed to the amount of water which may be 

 sold as tobacco. 



" Snuff. I stated that the refuse tobacco was employed 

 in the manufacture of snuff. This refuse consists of 

 stems, tobacco smalls, and sweepings. These are mois- 

 tened with water, subjected to a process of fermentation, 

 which lasts from about six weeks to two months, then 

 ground, mixed with alkaline salts to preserve the snuff, 

 and flavoured when desired. Nothing is allowed to be 

 added to snuff except the carbonates, chlorides, and sul- 

 phates of potash and soda, and carbonate of ammonia. 

 It is also provided by Act of Parliament that any snuff 



