The farmers in St. James Parish continued to produce 

 tobacco, year in and year out, although not nearly in 

 the magnitude of North Carolina and Kentucky, for 

 example. But the demand remained for Perique. 



In 1919, for example, Perique farmers produced 

 348,000 pounds at a very high price for the time, 65 

 cents per pound. In 1922, they produced a record 

 478,000 pounds valued at 55 cents per pound. During 

 the Depression years, production and prices fluctuated 

 and fell. In 1934, production of only 35,000 pounds 

 was valued at 20 cents per pound. In 1941 the price 

 bottomed at 17 cents. 



JLabac dLe Perique" 



Perique prices have substantially increased since 

 1941, but during the past few years farmers, plagued 

 with disastrous weather, have tended to turn to other 

 agricultural industries in the area which have over- 

 shadowed tobacco. Yet the "art" of cultivating Perique 

 is in the blood of the people who grow it and remains 

 firmly entrenched in their way of life. 



For tabac de Perique is unique. The demand for 

 its superb quality as a blend, providing aroma and 

 flavor that cannot be provided by any other type of 

 tobacco in the world, has never ceased. The term 

 fabrique may be foreign to many, but for the Perique 

 farmers of St. James Parish it represents a way of life 

 that has evolved from a heritage of proud, hard work- 

 ing men and women who will continue to supply the 

 world with this highly cherished agricultural product. 



33 



