The Manufacture of Tobacco 119 



hatches to prevent surreptitious sales of the dutiable 

 tobacco. Over 56,000 tons of tobacco were im- 

 ported into Britain last year, worth, ex duty, more 

 than ;^5, 500,000. Of this total London received 

 tobacco to the value of ;£'3,ooo,ooo, and Liverpool 

 ;^ 1, 5 00,000. 



On being unshipped the tobacco is conveyed direct 

 to the bonded warehouses. No duty is paid as yet ; 

 it is stored there, and samples, about four pounds of 

 each consignment, are sent by the Excise to the 

 manufacturers who have purchased the tobacco 

 through brokers. The manufacturers can obtain any 

 quantity of their tobacco on paying the duty. This 

 they do from time to time, drawing on their bonded 

 stock as necessity requires. Much tobacco is kept 

 in bond for two or three years, to mature and season 

 before withdrawal for manufacture. Manufacturers 

 have always a large reserve stock, buying the leaf 

 two or three years ahead. There is never less than 

 ;^2,ooo,ooo worth of unmanufactured tobacco in the 

 custody of the Revenue officials. If a hogshead or 

 bale of tobacco has been damaged by sea-water or 

 has deteriorated during the voyage or in bond, the 

 spoiled parts are cut away and burned in the ' King's 

 pipe,' duty being paid on the wholesome remainder 

 only. 



On his stock thus impounded by the Government 

 the manufacturer draws as his needs arise by the 

 simple expedient of paying the duty. American 

 tobacco is imported in huge hogsheads, containing 

 from 900 pounds to 1,400 pounds of leaf; Japanese, 

 Dutch, and most other tobaccos are packed in bales. 



