CULTURE AND CURING IN NEW YORK. 103 



CHAPTER XI. 

 CULTURE AND CURING OF TOBACCO IN NEW YORK. 



The culture of tobacco in New York began in Marcellus township, Onondaga county, in 1845, where it was 

 introduced by Chester Moses and Nathan Grimes. In 1846 Mars Beading, of Saliua township, raised 10 acres, 

 and others were engaged in its culture in different parts of the county. In 1855 the county raised 554,987 pounds, 

 or about 1,178 pounds to the acre. In 185G, or about that time, agencies for New York houses were established at 

 Syracuse, and by 1863 the culture of tobacco had grown to large proportions in several counties. 



During the early years of its culture the product was put up in boxes of various sizes, usually dry-goods or 

 shoe cases, purchased second hand. There was no system, and neither grower nor buyer knew what kind or 

 how much of any grade of tobacco each box contained. In the absence of inspection, buyers were compelled to 

 rely each upon his own judgment as to grades and values, and few farmers had the knowledge of what was required 

 for proper curing. The industry was a new one, the character of the product uncertain, and the profits of its 

 culture were more frequently realized by the trader than by the farmer. Many new varieties have now been 

 introduced, including Cuban and Spanish tobacco, together with some hybrids of considerable value, and the product 

 of the New York tobacco districts now approximates that of the Connecticut valley. 



Between 1845 and 1863 prices were subject to great fluctuations, often 5 or 6 cents per pound during the season. 

 No statistics have been kept as to either price or production for those eighteen years, but prices ranged from 5 to 

 30 cents, the market sympathizing with the values in the Connecticut markets, and it is estimated that by the year 

 1863 the production had increased to about 6,000 cases of 400 pounds, net, each. The great bulk of the crops up 

 to this time had been sold to local speculators and to manufacturers at from 5 to 18 cents, and sometimes, when 

 the market was excited or cigar tobacco was scarce, as high as 20 to 30 cents. 



In 1862-'63-'64 tobacco was very high, 30 cents being paid for some, while 25 cents was not uncommon. In 

 1863 prices fluctuated violently, falling at one time to 8 and 10 cents, and from 1864 to 1870 prices varied from 5 to 

 25 cents. In 1870 tobacco was sold as high as 30 cents, and much of the product was sold from second hands at 

 from 27 to 35 cents. The crop of that year was excellent. 



The crops of 1872 and 1873, being large, brought low prices. In 1872 prices ranged from 7 to 19 cents, but 

 most of the crops were sold at from 10 to 12 cents. The crop of 1873 brought from 5 to 12 cents. Since that year 

 prices have varied considerably, ranging from 4 to 20 cents. 



The quantity of tobacco produced is increasing, and is of a better quality. In 1879 prices ranged from 5 to 16 

 cents for Big Flats Seed-Leaf, while domestic Havana brought from 10 to 18 cents. The quantity produced in 1879 

 was about 6,000 cases on Big Flats and vicinity, and 10,000 cases elsewhere in the state. The product of the Big 

 Flats district from 1858 to 1863 is estimated to have been from 1,000 to 2,000 cases ; from 1863 to 1866, from 2,500 

 to 3,0(.'0 cases; and from 1866 to 1878, from 3,500 to 4,000 cases. 



The prices paid for Big Flats tobacco have been higher than those paid in Onondaga county, except for domestic 

 Havana, which is not raised on Big Flats. New York raises only seed-leaf and the foreign or domestic Cuba 

 tobacco, used mainly for cigars. 



The chief tobacco regions are fifteen townships in Onondaga county, eight in Caynga, seven in Oswego, five in 

 Madison, three in Tompkins, seven in Chemung, three in Steuben, two in Schuyler, one in Monroe, one in Geuesee, 

 three in Wayne, four in Tioga, and several in Orleans, with the eastern tobacco region of New York, which forms 

 part of the Housatonic valley, and is described with Connecticut. 



CLIMATE. 



The temperature at Ithaca during a period of over fourteen years of observation showed a mean of 48.2 degrees, 

 and the average annual rainfall during eight years was 30 inches. The prevailing winds during June, July, August, 

 September, October, and November for the same period were from the northwest. The mean average temperature 

 of Caynga for ten years was 48.93 degrees, and the average range 88. The prevailing winds in June, July, August, 

 September, October, and November were from the south. The mean average rainfall was 32.50 inches. Cayuga is 

 447 feet above tide water. The town of Hamilton, in Madison county, from the record of eighteen years, showed a 

 mean temperature of 44.89 degrees, and for fourteen years had an average annual rainfall of 35.77 inches. The 

 prevailing winds for June and July were from the west, and those of August, September, October, and November 

 were from the northwest. The average mean temperature of Onoudaga for sixteen years was 47.18 degrees, the 

 average rainfall for the same time 31.40 inches, and the prevailing winds were from the west. At Eochester the 

 mean temperature of fourteen years was 46.54 degrees, and the average fall of rain 39.95 inches. During May, 

 June, July, August, September, October, and November the prevailing winds were northwest. Eochester is 506 

 feet above tide-water. The summer climate of interior New York is tempered by the numerous lakes which are 

 inclosed in its bounds. The city of Albany, on near the same latitude as the place's named, had a mean average 

 temperature for twenty years, covering the same periods before cited, of 48.'-!G degrees. The average quantity of 

 rain which fell was 40.80 inches, and the prevailing winds were from the south. 



KW 



