140 



TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



while two others bring them to the wagon. So, iu putting up in the shed, two men in the shed and one 011 the 

 wagon can place the tobacco iu position in one-fifth the time required for one man to do it alone. The same rule 

 holds good in stripping, assorting, and bulking. ' 



Inspectors' fees are 25 cents per case. The method of inspecting is very simple. The top of the box is taken 

 off, aud the box containing the tobacco is turned upside down. It is then gently lifted up, leaving the tobacco 

 exposed of the size and form of the box. Six bundles are then pulled out, each bundle being drawn from a different 

 place. These are carefully tied and labeled, and the tobacco is sold from the sample so drawn, the inspector iu every 

 case guaranteeing the sample to represent correctly the quality and condition of the tobacco iu the box. The cost 

 of cases varies from 90 cents to $1 50 ; tobacco presses, from $10 to $50. 



As to the quality of Ohio Seed-Leaf, as compared with that grown in other states, Mr. B. II. Griest, an extensive 

 dealer in Cincinnati, says : 



In the markets of the world the Ohio Seed-Leaf takes about the third rank as to quality. Just at present (1880), on account of its 

 dark colors, Pennsylvania is ranking first, Connecticut, notwithstanding its light colors, coming second. In burning qualities Ohio Seed- 

 Leaf is entitled to stand in the first rank, but it is not equal to the other two in uniformity and desirableness of color. Ohio Seed-Leaf is a 

 favorite for export to Germany, and a small quantity is taken experimentally in France. The average export amounts to between 20,000 

 and 30,000 cases, and it has happened, when there has been an accumulation of stocks, that 70,000 cases have been exported in a single year. 



The following will give the comparative prices for the different grades of the principal growths of seed-leaf 

 when put in casks and sweated and sold in open market: 



Little Dutch, a small tobacco, probably from the Baden seed of Germany, is growing iu favor, notwithstanding 

 its tendency to produce white veins. This variety burns well, but is easily injured in fermentation, and must be 

 stripped and put in bulks until the butts of the leaves are thoroughly cured. When packed in boxes before the 

 butts are well cured it butt-rots, and is greatly damaged. It brings one-third more than the same grades of seed-leaf. 



Tobacco dealers claim that the handsomest tobacco grown in Ohio is raised in the Chippewa valley, but it is not 

 so well sweated, and consequently does not burn well. The appearance of the leaf is perfect iu length, breadth, 

 and texture, but the color is too bright at present for cigar purposes. It very much resembles the leaf of the 

 Connecticut valley, and, having gum enough to give elasticity, in this respect it is much superior to that grown in 

 some other portions of the state. 



The following statement shows the production, acreage, yield per acre, value of crop in farmers' hands, value 

 per pound, and value per acre of the seed-leaf tobacco grown in Ohio for the four years from 1876 to 1879, inclusive : 



Of the total amount of seed-leaf tobacco grown iu Ohio in 1879 the acreage and production of the several 

 districts are as follows: 



The amount grown in forty-three counties in various parts of the state small crops of a fraction of an acre to 

 three or more acres is embraced in the above statement. This product, although of no special type, is tlsually of 

 the seed-leaf or Cuba varieties, and is most properly included in this statement. Most of it is retained by farmers 

 for home consumption, though a small proportion may find its way to market in near-by cities or towns. Only the 

 figures for 1879 are from census returns. 



