926 



Tobacco Growing in Ireland. 



[FEB., 



of growing tobacco in England has attracted some attention, 

 the following extracts from the introductory leaflet mentioned 

 above may be of interest. Tobacco growing in England is, 

 however, still illegal without the permission of the Treasury. 



The first series of small experiments in the growing of 

 tobacco which was carried out in Ireland previous to the year 

 1904 did not prove conclusively what type of tobacco was 

 best suited to Irish conditions, nor what methods of culture 

 were necessary. Further experiments have accordingly been 

 undertaken with a view to solving these problems. 



The second series was commenced in the year 1904, and 

 has been conducted on a commercial scale in order to deter- 

 mine the possibilities of tobacco as a paying crop. The area 

 under tobacco has been gradually increased from 20 to 100 

 statute acres and the number of growers from 1 to 23, residing 

 in seven counties. 



Tobacco is grown the world over, but, being extremely 

 sensitive to every influence, the product of each region has its 

 own peculiar characteristics. The trade recognises this by 

 dividing cured tobaccos into classes, according to their use; 

 into types, according to their origin or peculiar character; 

 and into grades according to quality. Thus, there are 

 tobaccos of the cigarette class derived from Turkish and 

 Virgina types, which may be divided into numerous grades. 

 On the other hand, tobacco of the Burley type may comprise 

 several classes — as chewing, pipe cutters, roll wrappers, and 

 cigarette cutters. Obviously, therefore, the first aim was to 

 determine the class and type of tobacco best adapted to Irish 

 conditions, having regard to soil, climate, and the economic 

 conditions of production and sale. This has been too com- 

 plex to determine in the few seasons that have elapsed, so 

 that tobacco growing in Ireland is yet in a distinctly experi- 

 mental stage. 



Before tobacco can be regarded as a commercial crop by 

 the Irish farmer, the following conditions must be fulfilled : 



1. Probably one class and one type of tobacco distinctly 

 suited to the country must be found. 



2. The requirements of the class and type selected must be 

 clearly understood, and a system of production evolved to 

 suit the peculiar conditions. 



