54 TOBACCO GROWING IN GREAT BRITAIN. 



The following letters will prove interesting, 

 as throwing farther light on the subject : — 



Letter from Mr. Brotherston. 



Shedden Park Road, Kelso, 

 15th March, 1886. 



Dear Sir, 



* # * * * 



The following is fi'om the new Statistical Act 

 of Roxburghshire, written in August, 1835 (p. 

 178) :— 



In the former statistical account, a proof of 

 the firmness of the soil and mildness of climate 

 is furnished which is worth preserving. It 

 appears that about that time (40 years ago) an 

 attempt was made to cultivate tobacco in Scotland. 

 .... In one season a tenant in this district 

 drew £115 for tobacco plants, and afterwai'ds 

 raised a crop on 12 or 13 acres, which he sold 

 upon the ground for £320 ; but, an Act of Parlia- 

 ment intervening, the pui'chaser was unable to 

 fulfil his bargain, and the farmer was compelled 

 to dispose of his tobacco to Government at only 

 ■id. per pound, at which rate it brought him only 

 £104. 



