INTRODUCTION. 



TT IS an interesting fact that three of the most important 

 plants of the world are indigenous to American soil. 

 Two of these, Corn and the Potato, have become important 

 food crops for millions of people, while the third, Tobacco, 

 supplies the world with its most popular and least harmful 

 stimulant-narcotic. 



The commercial importance of Tobacco can best be 

 shown by its average market value, which has increased 40 

 per cent, in thirty years, its acreage being but 30 per cent, 

 greater than it was thirty years ago. 



At present, more than 700,000 acres of land are planted 

 each year in this country with Tobacco. According to 

 statistics, the average annual crop amounts to over 600,000,- 

 ooo pounds, valued at over $50,000,000. The Tobacco crop 

 ranks high among the crops of the country in point of value, 

 and the value of the manufactured products of Tobacco for 

 the country has been carefully estimated at over $200,000,- 

 ooo, or nearly one-half the value of our flouring mill prod- 

 ucts. These and many other facts show the commercial im- 

 portance of the Tobacco crop in this country. 



