480 COMMERCE IN TOBACCO. 
Brazil according to Scully it “occupies the fourth place in 
the exports” and is extensively cultivated in various parts 
of the empire. In Venezuela it is an important article of 
agriculture, and the product is of fine quality and in good 
repute in Europe. Colombia has long been noted for the 
amount and excellence of its tobacco; its various growths 
are fine in all respects,and are among the finest cigar tobaccos 
grown. In Paraguay large quantities of excellent cigar 
tobacco are raised, much of which is used in various parts of 
South America, the remainder going to Europe. 
All of the tobacco of South America is unrivaled in flavor 
and is well adapted for the manufacture of cigars. In 
Mexico, tobacco is raised to some extent, particularly in the 
Gulf States, where it develops remarkably and is of excellent 
quality both in texture and flavor. Mexico is doubtless as 
well adapted for tobacco as any country in the world, and if 
certain restrictions* were removed, its culture would increase 
and the demand would cause its extensive production. In 
the Central American States, some tobacco is cultivated, but 
not to the extent that is warranted by the demand or the 
adaptation of the soil. Some parts of the States, especially of 
Honduras, are well adapted for the production of the very 
finest leaf. As it is but little is grown; hardly any being 
exported to Europe. America is the native home of the 
tobacco plant, and in the United States vast quantities are 
produced of all qualities and suited for all purposes. 
In New England from 20,000 to 30,000 acres are cultivated 
annually, estimated to yield on an average from 1500 to 1700 
pounds to the acre. The annual product in cases is from 
50,000 to 170,000. + Of the Middle States, New York and 
Pennsylvania furnish a large amount of “seed leaf” as it is 
called. In 1872 the latter state reported 38,010 cases, mostly 
grown in three counties. A fine quality of tobacco is raised 
in the immediate vicinity of the old William Penn mansion, 
and is known to all dealers as superior leaf. In New York 
ine eeO is not allowed to pass from one state into another without paying a certain 
} The amount in 1872, was 172,000. 
