PEODUCTION AND COMMERCE. 145 



been known for the excellent qnality of their tobacco, 

 while in the Eio market one of the brands most esteemed 

 comes from the province of Goyaz. The local consumption 

 of tobacco is very great, and principally in smoking. 

 Bahia tobacco used to be largely exported in rolls, weigh- 

 ing 8 arrohas, or 256 lb. each ; of late years, however, 

 large quantities of the leaves in bales are exported to 

 Hamburg. Cigar factories are established in all large 

 cities throughout the tobacco-growing regions, which give 

 employment to a large number of men, women, and 

 children. The methods employed in the cultivation and 

 preparation of the plant are very much the same as they 

 were nearly 200 years ago. The labour employed is that 

 of slaves, to whom are assigned special descriptions of 

 work. In former times curing tobacco in rolls required 

 much constant labour, the ropes composing each roll being 

 unwound, twisted, and re-wound during a period varying 

 from 10 to 15 days. The Brazilian tobacco is generally 

 characterized by its strength and dark colour, particularlj' 

 in Bahia. In that province the practice is to manure 

 heavily, which occasions a very rank growth and strong- 

 flavour. In Minas Geraes the tobacco is somewhat milder, 

 and some advance has lately been made in a few localities 

 towards improved processes of curing. This seed may be 

 germinated in any season of the year, but the months of 

 June, July, and August are generally preferred for plant- 

 ing, because germination and transplanting are brought 

 into or near the rainy season. Tobacco plants planted in 

 this season are considered the best growers, and produce 

 the largest leaves. Those, however, which are germinated 

 in the dry season, and sustained by irrigation, grow with 



