226 TOBACCO. 



not be taxed beyond a reasonable and natural yield; 

 any attempt to the contrary would only be a repetition 

 of the fable of the golden eggs, as the tobacco growers 

 in the Vuelta Abajo have had occasion to learn to their cost. 

 " Towards the end of the year buyers, influenced by the 

 pending negotiations of the Spanish- American Treaty, 

 entered the market and operated extensively in the 

 expectation of a great reduction of duties in the United 

 States, paying prices above the established one, and 

 which, a few weeks later, they were utterly unable to 

 obtain. 



" Cuban growers complain much of heavy purchases made 

 in the United States for account of the Spanish Govern- 

 ment for Peninsular consumption ; they say that however 

 low the class of the Cuban leaf may be, it must necessarily 

 be superior to that of the Virginia and Kentucky tobacco, 

 and that they might easily cultivate here the quality 

 required, and place it in the markets at as low a price as 

 any other country. 



" Growers are unanimous in denouncing the action of 

 some local merchants and cigar manufacturers in for- 

 warding at the opening of the last season samples of leaf 

 tobacco and cigars in condition that by no means gave a 

 true idea of the quality of the crop, and which necessarily 

 gave a result contrary to the interests of all parties 

 engaged in the trade ; and they earnestly protest against 

 a repetition of this injudicious haste. 



" The total tobacco production is estimated at between 

 400,000 and 500,000 quintals (one quintal about 100 lb.), 

 chiefly from the following districts : — 



