56 TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



A third type made in this district consists of a light and thin leaf of bright or rod colors, formerly used to a 

 large extent by manufacturers as fillers for ping tobacco. Deficient in gum and oils, it is of medium weight of body, 

 and has neither the strength of texture nor high coloring to tit it for use as wrappers. It is not so firm in texture 

 as the heavy types of this district, and has but moderate absorptive capacity. The special uses of this type are for 

 fillers for plug chewing, and a very small proportion is fitted for bright wrappers when of sufficient smoothness, 

 desired color, and strength. As now grown and cured this type supplies some of the brighter qualities required for 

 German export, and a part of the heavier grades are adapted for the French Regie. Its absorptive capacity is too 

 low for export to England. Recent changes in the tastes of consumers are bringing into use material of still lighter 

 texture and body, and efforts are being made by plan ters to modify this type to suit the new demand. The lower 

 grades arc still largely used for common plug filler s, for cutting into a low grade of smoking-tobacco for home 

 consumption, and for export to Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Mediterranean ports. In Green county this 

 type is estimated at 30 per cent, of the total product of tobacco, in Grayson at 25 per cent., and in Hart at 50 per 

 cent. In Barren and Warren counties it is probably less than 30 per cent., and in Taylor, Allen, and Marion about 

 35 per cent. 



In this district there is also produced a large bulk of nondescript. The lugs and trash of this class hold a 

 much more definite position than the leaf of higher grades, are largely used for cutting into common smoking- 

 tobacco for domestic consumption, and are exported to supply a foreign demand for the cheapest material. In 

 Grayson county the proportion of nondescript is estimated at 40 per cent., in Hart county at 30 per cent., and the 

 proportion is large in all parts of the district. 



There has been some improvement in the quality of the general product within the past ten years. This is 

 probably the result of better cultivation and more skillful curing and the adoption of better varieties, with a 

 consequent diminution of nondescript grades, in which there has been a recognized deterioration of quality. 



VARIETIES OF TOBACCO PRODUCED. 



The principal varieties grown are the Blue and Yellow Pryor and Orinoco. Until recently a variety known as 

 One-sucker was extensively planted, and Big Burley and Apron Leaf were at one time popular in certain sections. 

 The first three above named have been found best adapted for the production of salable types. 



The Yellow and Blue Pryor have nearly the same habits of growth, and make a product of very similar 

 characteristics; but the leaf of the Yellow Pryor is somewhat more tapering at the point than that of the Blue Pryor. 

 Both have a smooth and silky texture and good body, and a length and width of leaf suitable for all manufacturing 

 purposes. With appropriate handling and curing these varieties, grown upon soils of diverse character, produce 

 different kinds and qualities of leaf, adapted to various uses. When of sufficient weight and strength of texture, 

 they make both dark and bright wrappers ; when very oily and heavy, they are suitable for spinning and for grinding 

 into fine grades of snuff; when of light body and bright color, they make fillers for plug chewing ; and when of thiu 

 texture, with a good breadth of leaf, delicate fiber, elastic, and of a deep brown color, they are very useful for cigar 

 wrappers. No other varieties have shown so wide a range of adaptation. The Yellow Pryor is preferred for 

 making bright wrappers, because it is easily cured into a bright golden color. 



The Orinoco is well adapted for spinning, and, when not too heavy, makes good wrappers. The close set of 

 the leaves upon the stalk, and the heavy ruffling at the bases of the stems, are objectionable characteristics. 



The Big Burley, Apron Leaf, and One-sucker are all coarse varieties. The One-sucker has a long, narrow leaf, 

 erect instead of drooping, and is said to produce but one crop of suckers, for which reason it was at one time popular 

 with those who desired quantity of product rather than quality. When of sufficient length of leaf, it is useful for 

 packing into stock for the African trade, which is about its only adaptation. The same may be said of the other 

 two varieties, which make a product of low grade. 



GEOLOGY AND SOIL FORMATIONS. 



This district lies almost entirely upon the sub-Carboniferous formation, and its soils differ as one or the other 

 member of this system approaches the surface. The southeastern portion is based upon the lower member of the 

 sub-Carboniferous limestone, which is composed of dark, earthy shales, with thin strata of limestone rocks. The 

 central and most of the northwestern part lies upon the middle member of this system, technically -called the 

 barren limestone, much purer and more massive in its beddings than the rock of the lower stratum. On the 

 western border of this district is a skirting of the Chester group of rocks, lying at the base of the Carboniferous 

 and overlapping with a narrow margin the sub-Carboniferous limestone. In the northeastern portion the prevailing 

 formations are limestones, with an exposure of sub-Carboniferous sandstone and shales. In Hart county the 

 Carboniferous system approaches the surface, manifested by its strata of coal and the characteristic rocks of 

 that formation. 



The area occupied by the barren limestone forms much the larger part of the territory of this district. The 

 soil is very nearly of a uniform character, consisting mainly of a light loam upon a deep red-clay foundation. On 

 the broken surfaces it is much mixed with gravel, and is especially adapted to the production of rich and oily 



types of tobacco of heavy body and smooth texture. It is easily cultivated, naturally well drained, but rather 

 650 



