LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Soils^ 

 Washington, D. C, July 29, 1899. 



Sir: In pursuance of the work of this Div^ision, and in order to 

 interpret the results obtained in the investigation of the tobacco soils 

 of the United States, particularly to determine whether the croi)S pro- 

 duced on the tyi^es of the tobacco soils are the best obtainable with our 

 present knowledge and skill in manipulation, it seemed advisable to 

 add to the staff of this Division a person trained by experience in the 

 tobacco business. 



In reviewing the situation carefully it seemed evident that the most 

 striking advances in recent years have been made in the development 

 of the cigar-tobacco industry of Florida. A request was therefore 

 made on the Civil Service Commission to establish an eligible register 

 of those who had thorough knowledge of the Florida methods and who 

 had had experience in the development of the industry there. Mr. 

 M. L. Floyd, of Quincy, Fla., was appointed tobacco expert in this Divi- 

 sion as a result of this examination. 



The i)resent development of the tobacco industry in Florida was 

 started about twelve j-ears ago by several i)rominent New York firms. 

 In 1888 Mr. Floyd assumed general charge of the operations in Florida 

 of one of these firms, i^roducing the first year 25,000 pounds of tobacco 

 and purchasing from the farmers 200,000 pounds for fermentation and 

 packing. In 1894 he took a similar i)Osition with another firm in Quincy, 

 at that time planting from 800 to 1 ,000 acres in tobacco and buying exten- 

 sively from the farmers. Thus for many years he was connected with 

 two of the largest firms operating tobacco i)lantations in Florida. He 

 had general oversight of the i~>lantations and of the manipulation of the 

 tobacco in the barns and curing sheds, and has also assisted in selling 

 the tobacco after it had been fermented and packed. In 1897 he secured 

 a packing house of his own and was in business for himself up to the 

 time of his connection with this Department. 



The work of tbe Florida growers, while essentially practical, has 

 really been developed along scientific lines. 



The accompanying manuscript embodies the results of Mr. Floyd's 

 knowledge and experience, and its publication is recommended as 

 Eeport No. 62 of this Department. 

 Eespectfully,, 



Milton Whitney, 

 Chief of Division, in Charge of Tobacco Investigations. 



Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 

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