THE ORINOCO TOBACCO, 897 
a year; curing for exportation as in Cuba or Venezuela. The 
plant grows to the height of about six feet, bearing leaves 
lanceolate in form, about thirty inches long, and from eight 
to twelve inches wide. The tobacco fields are very irregular. 
After it is cut it is placed on poles in the field, and after- 
_ wards carried to the drying sheds. It is gathered in the dry 
season in September. After curing, it is removed to the 
packing house and baled in packages, and then transported 
on mules to the coast for shipping. A large portion of the 
crop is shipped to Portugal. It is a dark maroon-colored 
leaf, and contains a large proportion of the nicotine oil. It 
is a high-flavored tobacco, and on this account is used for 
‘cigars and cutting. 
Burton says of the tobacco of Brazil: 
“ The tobacco of the Rio de Pomba, especially the ‘ Fumo 
crespo,’ is a dark strong leaf, well fitted for making ‘ Caven- 
dish’ or ‘Honey-dew;’ the weed flourishes throughout 
Minos Gerals. The soil will be much improved by compost ; 
and the produce by being treated in Virginia style delicately! 
dried in closed barns with fires.” 
VENEZUELAN TOBACCO. ; 
The Orinoco tobacco grows from four to five feet high, 
bearing large ovate 
leaves, and is in all 
respects a fine qual- 
ity of tobacco. The 
plant is grown dur- 
ing all seasons of 
the year. It is 
used chiefly for ¢ 
cigars, and is ship- 
ed to Northern Eu- 
rope. It is packed Zo 
in carrottes, and 
then baled. In color 
it is dark mahog- ORINOCO TOBACCO. (VENEZUELA) 
any, and of good. 
body and texture. The leaf is about eighteen inches long, 
