G 



THE IMPORTANCE OF TOBACCO IN 

 NEW YORK TODAY 



At one time tobacco was a major agricultural crop in 

 the state. Today virtually none is grown in New York, 

 but tobacco products are increasingly important to the 

 state's economy. 



rowing cigar leaf 



The introduction of tobacco to New York state agri- 

 culture occurred around 1845 near Syracuse in Onon- 

 daga County. By 1849, 83,000 pounds of cigar leaf were 

 produced there and tobacco growth began to spread 

 to neighboring counties. Ten years later. New York's 

 tobacco yield amounted to 5,754,000 pounds. 



From 1862 to 1864, New York tobacco brought a good 

 price, selling for as much as 30 cents a pound. By 1879, 

 the crop amounted to about 6,480,000 pounds. Produc- 

 tion climbed again by 1899 to almost 14 million pounds. 



After the turn of the century, with the exception of 

 occasional spurts, production dwindled to an almost 

 negligible amount. For example, in 1970, Cayuga 

 County contained two tobacco farms totaling 1.15 acres, 

 Onondaea Countv had three farms with 3.30 acres and 

 Oswego Count)' had two tobacco farms working 3.27 

 acres. According to the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, actual poundage yield from these farms is 

 too negligible to record. 



