Sept. 1898.] 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



181 



Tobacco-Growing in Germany. 



More than one -half of the tobacco annually consumed in 

 Germany is produced in the country, and, notwithstanding its 

 cold climate, ths cultivation of tobacco is quite an important 

 agricultural pursuit. The area planted with this crop in 1895 

 was 52,394 acres, or 8,966 acres more than in the previous year. 

 The largest quantity is grown in the Palatinate, owing to its 

 climatic advantages where 13,413 acres were, devoted to tobacco 

 cultivation in 1894. The plantations in Baden and the Baltic 

 provinces amount to 10,700 acres and 8,300 acres respectively. 



The consumption of tobacco in Germany in 189 4 was 

 159,392,500 lbs., or a little over 3 lbs. per head, whilst the 

 tobacco crop in the same year yielded 84,473,658 lbs., or 1,946 lbs. 

 per acre. Of the nine preceding years only one, 1889, shows a 

 proportionately better crop. In that year the product was 

 about 2,000 lbs. per acre, while the other eight years show much 

 lower figures, 1888 only averaging 1,321 lbs. per acre. The 

 quality of the 1894 crop was, on the whole, good, and in some 

 cases excellent, so that it sold readily at good prices, the average 

 being 4'58cL per lb., including tax, against an average of 4*2 5 ci 

 per lb. for the 10 years ending 1894. Land devoted to tobacco 

 growing in Germany pays a tax of about 91. 2s. per acre. 



Agricultural Colonies in Spain. 



In 1855 a law was promulgated by the Spanish Government 

 with the object of promoting the colonisation and cultivation of 

 common and waste lands in the country. It provided that 

 portions of such lands should be allotted to Spaniards and 

 foreigners who desired to settle as agricultural colonists. The 

 allotment was made provisionally in the fir.vt instance, but the 

 colonist became the absolute owner within four years or earlier, 

 provided that he had fulfilled the conditions of his contract, or 

 in default the land reverted to the Stat*, together with the 

 buildings and any improvements effected by the colonist. 

 Colonists established on common and waste lands were to be 

 exempt from direct taxation, and from the billeting of troops. 

 They were also to be exempt from all local rates except 

 those for the maintenance of roads and highways. The head of 

 a family had to furnish security to the amount of 15/. as a 

 guarantee of his intention to fulfil his part of the contract. 

 Foreign colonists and their sons bom abroad were to be exempt 

 from military service. Their household effects, machinery, and 

 implements were admitted free of import duty. The State 

 undertook to assist the colonists by furnishing materials, 

 especially timber, for the construction of buildings. 



The foregoing are the principal provisions of what appears to 

 be the first Spanish law relating to the cultivation of waste and 



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