80 SUMMER IN A BOG. 



So popular did its use become that laws 

 were passed in the early days of the colonies 

 forbidding its cultivation to the neglect of food 

 crops. This feature repeats the same history 

 at the present day, where some counties on 

 the Ohio River raise tobacco to the total neglect 

 of other crops. 



The war carried on recently among tobacco 

 growers to keep the prices up recalls the fact 

 that, notwithstanding its high price, the poorest 

 man must have it, though his family should 

 starve. A large per cent of the nation's sup- 

 port comes from the tax on tobacco. Indeed, 

 the United States has been at great pains to 

 select and cultivate the best and most popular 

 varieties of tobacco, making investigations in 

 other countries in regard to its propagation. 

 Millionaires dwelling in palatial homes owe 

 their wealth to profits on this plant and its 

 products. 



Turkey and Persia make large use of to- 

 bacco. 



Let us look a little into the merits and his- 

 tory of this plant. The Indians were, at the 

 time of their discovery by Columbus, neither 

 powerful nor intelligent. They were barbarous 

 and warlike. They dwindled away in the most 

 remarkable manner. Discoverers report that 

 it was the practice among them at that time 



