TOBACCO FOR MARKET 175 



CHAPTER XVI. 

 TOBACCO FOR MARKET. 



TOBACCO crops were grown in Virginia by white men, 

 as early as 1612. Before that time Indians had been growing 

 it for their own use. The United States now produces over 

 a billion pounds annually, which is fully a third of the world's 

 production. When sold as low as ten cents a pound the 

 money value is enormous. 



The crop is grown commercially in all the humid parts 

 of the country, particularly hi the Eastern States. The lead- 

 ing States in order of production are Kentucky, North Caro- 

 lina, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, 

 South Carolina, and Connecticut. 



Tobacco is of several types or glasses which are much 

 influenced by local soil and climatic conditions. Each sec- 

 tion is usually devoted to the growing of one type, as cigar 

 wrapper or binder, cigar filler, pipe tobacco, and plug tobacco. 

 Manufacturing types include all but cigar types and export 

 types. 



The plant is an annual which grows very large and rank, 

 with an erect, simple stem. The large, simple leaves from 

 this stem are of commercial value. They have a biting or 

 pungent flavor and aroma and contain from one-half to two 

 and one-half per cent of nicotine in mild tobacco, and as 

 much as eight per cent in the lower grades. The seeds of the 

 plant are abundant and very small. Only a few plants are 

 allowed to form seed with which to start the next crop. 



The soil should be deep, rich, and well drained, but sandy 

 enough to be easily warmed and ventilated. The plant 

 is very exhaustive to the nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, 

 and these plant foods should be supplied by the use of ma- 

 nures and fertilizers. The plowing should be nearly a foot 

 deep, and the surface is then disked and harrowed until well 

 pulverized. 



