HOW  SNUFF  IS  MADE. 
555 
exported  in  1868  show  a  slight  diminution  compared  with  1867, 
yet  the  number  of  cases  containing  bottled  brandy  shipped  has 
increased  from  558,086  in  1867  to  627,602  in  1868,  of  which 
576,989  were  sent  to  the  United  Kingdom.  The  least  quantity 
contained  in  a  case  is  12  bottles ;  many  have  more,  but,  reckon- 
ing only  12  in  each  case,  the  exportation  would  involve  7,500,- 
000  bottles.  The  brandy  exported  from  Charente  in  1868  is 
valued  at  1,887,678?.,  of  which  1,733,854?  was  conveyed  in 
British  bottoms,  and  153,824?  in  foreign ;  the  latter  mostly  to 
Australia.  Notwithstanding  the  slight  diminution  in  quantity 
last  year,  there  was  an  augmentation  in  the  value.  The  vintage 
of  1868  was  severely  checked  by  some  late  frosts,  and  the  ex- 
ceptionally dry  summer  operated  in  the  same  direction  ;  but 
when  the  grape  was  subjected  to  distillation  the  alcohol  contained 
in  the  juice  was  found  to  be  considerably  above  the  average,  and 
the  brandy  produced  from  a  given  quantity  proportionately 
larger.  It  is  therefore  believed  that  the  exports  will  continue 
on  an  extensive  scale  in  the  present  year. — Morgans  Brit.  Trade 
Journ.,  July  2,  1869. 
HOW  SNUFF  IS  MADE. 
The  process  of  manufacture  is  nearly  as  follows  : — 
The  leaf  is  stripped  from  the  stem  in  large  quantities,  and 
steeped  in  water  until  thoroughly  wet.  It  is  then  placed  in  a 
kiln,  where  it  dries  until  it  is  simply  flexible,  losing  all  that 
crispness  which  it  originally  had.  From  the  drying  kiln  it  is 
taken  to  a  strong  screw  press,  and  placed  in  an  oblong  box, 
where  it  is  pressed  until  it  becomes  a  solid  block.  This  is  done 
that  it  may  present  a  hard,  unyielding  surface  to  the  knives  of 
the  cutter,  beneath  which  it  is  next  placed.  It  may  be  well  to 
state  that  each  manufacturer  possessing  a  cutter  has  to  give 
security  to  the  amount  of  3000  dollars  for  the  payment  of  his 
producing  tax.  The  tobacco  is  cut  closely  by  the  machine,  from 
which  it  is  taken  to  the  drying  floor  above.  Here  it  is  spread 
in  a  heap  to  ferment,  a  process  that  requires  about  a  month  to 
perfect.  The  greatest  caution  and  attention  are  required  while 
the  weed  is  in  this  state  to  keep  it  from  spoiling ;  like  bread, 
