swANTnNl INDIAN TKIRK8 OF THK l.OWKK MISSISSIIM'I VALLKV 79 



Tobaccd: 



The lands of Louisiana are as suitable as can be dosirod for the cultivation 

 of tobacco, and without dlspaniKiuj: that which grows in many other coiuitries 

 where it is much raised, I venture to say, without trying to force uiy opinion 

 on anyone, that that of Natchez surpasses in goodness even the tobacco of Vir- 

 ginia and S. Domingo. I say tliis of Natchez because the soil of this post ap- 

 |)ears to be more favoraitle than any other to the culture of this phint. How- 

 ever, it must be admitted that there is very little difference between the tobacco 

 whicii is liar\(>sl(Hl tliere and Thai which grows in some other cantcMis — I'oiiit 

 Coupee, for example, Natchitoches, and even New Orleans^ — l)ut whether on ac- 

 count of the situation or the goodness of the land, it can not be denied that tliat 

 of Natchez and Yazoo is preferable to all others.^ 



All the savages are in general very fond of tobacco smoke. They are often 

 seen to swallow 10 or 12 mouthfuls in succession, which they keep in their 

 stomachs without being inconveniei\ced after they have ceased to draw, and 

 give up this smoke many successive times, partly through the mouth and partly 

 through the nose.* 



The tobacco wliich has been found among the natives of Louisiana appears 

 also to l>e native to the country, since their ancient word (tradition) teaches 

 us that in all times they have made use of the calumet in their treaties of peace 

 and in their embassages, the princiiial usage of which is that the deputies of 

 the two nations smoke it together. 



The tobacco native to the country is very large. Its stalk, when it is allowed 

 to go to seed, grows to a height of ni and 6 feet. The lower part of the stem is 

 at least IS lines in diameter and its leaves are often almost 2 feet long. Its leaf 

 is thick and fleshy. Its sap is pungent, but it never disturbs one's head. 



The tobacco of Virginia has a broader, but shorter leaf. Its stem is not so 

 large and does not grow nearly as high. Its odor is not disagreeable, but it has 

 less i)ungency. It requires more stems to the pound, because its leaf is thinner 

 and not so fleshy as the native variety, a fact I proved at Natchez where I tried 

 the two kinds. That which is cultivated in lower Louisiana is smaller and has 

 less pungency. What is grown in the islands [West Indies] is more slender 

 than that of Louisiana, but it has more pungency, which gives one headache.*' 



Throughout the area occupied by the Gulf States tobacco was 

 mixed with leaves of a species of sumac to reduce the strength of 

 the former and make it hold out longer. Of this, Du Pratz says : 



The Machonctchi, or vinegar tree (sumac), is a shrub, the leaves of which 

 somewhat resemble those of the ash, but the s.tem to which these leaves hang is 

 nnich longer. AVhen these leaves are dried the natives mix them with tobacco, 

 to temper It, because in smoking they do not cai-e to have the tobacco so strong.*^ 



* * * they mix the tobacco with the leaves of a little shrub which is 

 called the sumac {vinaigrirr), whether to reduce the strength of the first or 

 because formerly they made use of this last in lieu of tobacco. The two now 

 mingled and chopped together are called among them feningue.^ 



« Dumont, Mem. FTist. sur La Louisiane. i, 34-35. 



6 Ibid., ISO. 



•■ Pu Pratz, Hist, do La Louisiane. iii. 3G0-361, 



'' Ibid.. II, 4.5. 



« Dumont, Mem. Hist, sur La Louisiane, i, 189, 



