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diff --git a/24471.txt b/24471.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da01958 --- /dev/null +++ b/24471.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19235 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, +Manufacture and Commerce, by E. R. Billings + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce + +Author: E. R. Billings + +Release Date: January 31, 2008 [EBook #24471] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOBACCO; ITS HISTORY, VARIETIES *** + + + + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Christine P. Travers and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, all +other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling +has been maintained. + +Page 62-63: The part between = obviously did not belong in that place +and has been removed, "From this time forward the Plantation seemed to +prosper, Charles granted lands to all the planters and adventurers who +would till them, upon paying the annual sum of two shillings payable +to the crown for each hundred acres. =direction, appointing the +governor and council himself, and= Before the death of King James, +however, the cultivation of tobacco had become so extensive that every +other product seemed of but little value in comparison with it, and +the price realized from its sale being so much greater than that +obtained for "Corne," the latter was neglected and its culture almost +entirely abandoned." + +Page 115: The verse "And can but end with time;" was missing and has +been added.] + + + + TOBACCO: + + ITS + + HISTORY, VARIETIES, CULTURE, + + MANUFACTURE AND COMMERCE, + + + WITH + + AN ACCOUNT OF ITS VARIOUS MODES OF USE, FROM ITS FIRST + DISCOVERY UNTIL NOW. + + + BY + + E. R. BILLINGS. + + + With Illustrations by Popular Artists. + + + "My Lord, this sacred herbe which never offendit, + Is forced to crave your favor to defend it." + + Barclay. + + + "But oh, what witchcraft of a stronger kind, + Or cause too deep for human search to find, + Makes earth-born weeds imperial man enslave,-- + Not little souls, but e'en the wise and brave!" + + Arbuckle. + + + HARTFORD, CONN.: + AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, + 1875. + + + Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1875, by the + AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO., + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C. + + + + + Is it not wondrous strange that there should be + Such different tempers twixt my friend and me? + I burn with heat when I tobacco take, + But he on th' other side with cold doth shake: + To both 'tis physick, and like physick works, + The cause o' th' various operation lurks + Not in tobacco, which is still the same, + But in the difference of our bodies frame: + What's meat to this man, poison is to that, + And what makes this man lean, makes that man fat; + What quenches one's thirst, makes another dry; + And what makes this man wel, makes that man dye. + + Thomas Washbourne, D. D. + + + Thy quiet spirit lulls the lab'ring brain, + Lures back to thought the flights of vacant mirth, + Consoles the mourner, soothes the couch of pain, + And wreathes contentment round the humble hearth; + While savage warriors, soften'd by thy breath, + Unbind the captive, hate had doomed to death. + + Rev. Walter Colton. + + + Whate'er I do, where'er I be, + My social box attends on me; + It warms my nose in winter's snow, + Refreshes midst midsummer's glow; + Of hunger sharp it blunts the edge, + And softens grief as some alledge. + Thus, eased of care or any stir, + I broach my freshest canister; + And freed from trouble, grief, or panic, + I pinch away in snuff balsamic. + For rich or poor, in peace or strife, + It smooths the rugged path of life. + + Rev. William King. + + + HAIL! Indian plant, to ancient times unknown-- + A modern truly thou, and all our own! + Thou dear concomitant of nappy ale, + Thou sweet prolonger of an old man's tale. + Or, if thou'rt pulverized in smart rappee, + And reach Sir Fopling's brain (if brain there be), + He shines in dedications, poems, plays, + Soars in Pindarics, and asserts the bays; + Thus dost thou every taste and genius hit-- + In smoke thou'rt wisdom, and in snuff thou'rt wit. + + Rev. Mr. Prior. + + + + + TO + + CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER, + + +_Whose rare, good gifts have endeared him to all lovers of the English +tongue, this volume, historically and practically treating of one of +the greatest of plants, as well as the rarest of luxuries, is +respectfully dedicated by_ + + The Author. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Ever since the discovery of tobacco it has been the favorite theme of +many writers, who have endeavored to shed new light on the origin and +early history of this singular plant. Upwards of three hundred volumes +have been written, embracing works in nearly all of the languages of +Europe, concerning the herb and the various methods of using it. Most +writers have confined themselves to the commercial history of the +plant; while others have written upon its medicinal properties and the +various modes of preparing it for use. For this volume the Author only +claims that it is at least a more comprehensive treatise on the +varieties and cultivation of the plant than any work now extant. A +full account of its cultivation is given, not only in America, but +also in nearly all of the great tobacco-producing countries of the +world. The history of the plant has been carefully and faithfully +compiled from the earliest authorities, that portion which relates to +its early culture in Virginia being drawn from hitherto unpublished +sources. Materials for such a work have not been found lacking. +European authors abound with allusions to tobacco; more especially is +it true of English writers, who have celebrated its virtues in poetry +and song. All along the highways and by-paths of our literature we +encounter much that pertains to this "queen of plants." Considered in +what light it may, tobacco must be regarded as the most astonishing of +the productions of nature, since it has, in the short period of nearly +four centuries, dominated not one particular nation, but the whole +world, both Christian and Pagan. Ushered into the Old World from the +New by the great colonizers--Spain, England, and France--it attracted +at once the attention of the authors of the period as a fit subject +for their marvel-loving pens. It has been the aim of the writer to +give as much as possible of the existing material to be had concerning +the early persecution waged against it, whether by Church or State. +These accounts, while they invest with additional interest its early +use and introduction, serve as well to show its triumph over all its +foes and its vast importance to the commerce of the world. This work +has been prepared and arranged, not only for the instruction and +entertainment of the users of tobacco, but for the benefit of the +cultivators and manufacturers as well. As such it is now presented to +the public for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to +deserve. + +Hartford, Conn., 1875. + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS. + + Page + + 1. Frontispiece. -- + + 2. Tobacco Stalks. 22 + + 3. Tobacco Leaves. 24 + + 4. Bud and Flowers. 25 + + 5. Capsules. (Fruit Bud.) 27 + + 6. Suckers. 28 + + 7. Primitive Pipe. 33 + + 8. Native Smoking. 35 + + 9. Old Engraving. 40 + + 10. The Contrast. 44 + + 11. John Rolfe. 48 + + 12. Virginia Tobacco Field, 1620. 51 + + 13. Buying Wives. 57 + + 14. Growing Tobacco in the Streets. 64 + + 15. Natives Growing Tobacco. 66 + + 16. Destroying Suckers. 69 + + 17. Carrying Tobacco to Market. 73 + + 18. Enriching Plant-Bed. 75 + + 19. Shipping Tobacco. 78 + + 20. Old Engraving of Tobacco. 86 + + 21. Sir Walter Raleigh. 89 + + 22. English Gallants. 90 + + 23. Smoking in the 17th Century. 94 + + 24. Exhaling through the Nose. 97 + + 25. Old London Ale-house. 101 + + 26. Punishment for Snuff Taking. 104 + + 27. Silver Spittoons. 106 + + 28. The Negro Image. 108 + + 29. Tobacco and Theology. 112 + + 30. Weighing Smoke. 117 + + 31. Indian Pipe. 126 + + 32. Sculptured Pipe. 128 + + 33. Pipe of Peace. 130 + + 34. A Model Cigar. 132 + + 35. South Americans smoking. 135 + + 36. A War Pipe. 139 + + 37. Peace Pipe. 140 + + 38. A Tchuktchi Pipe. 143 + + 39. Turk Smoking. 145 + + 40. Old English Pipes. 148 + + 41. French Pipes. 149 + + 42. Pipe Colorer. 152 + + 43. German Porcelain Pipes. 153 + + 44. A Persian Water Pipe. 156 + + 45. Searching for Amber. 160 + + 46. Fancy Pipes. 162 + + 47. Clay and Reed Pipes. 164 + + 48. Fairy Pipes. 166 + + 49. Female Smoking in Algiers. 168 + + 50. African Pipe. 170 + + 51. Egyptian Pipes. 172 + + 52. Japanese Pipes. 173 + + 53. Engraved Boxes. 177 + + 54. Tobacco Jars. 179 + + 55. Tobacco Stoppers. 181 + + 56. Lord and Lackey. 185 + + 57. The Strange Youth. 190 + + 58. Smokers Reading Epigrams. 193 + + 59. The Explosion. 195 + + 60. Theory against Experience. 199 + + 61. A Faithful Attendant. 203 + + 62. Newton and his Pipe. 207 + + 63. Tennyson, Smoking. 209 + + 64. Modern Smokers. 212 + + 65. The Artist. 215 + + 66. The Yankee Smoker. 216 + + 67. A Tobacco Grater. 220 + + 68. Demi-journees. 222 + + 69. James Gillespie. 224 + + 70. Fops Taking Snuff. (From an old print.) 226 + + 71. Horn Snuff-boxes. 227 + + 72. Scotch Snuff-mills. 232 + + 73. Sweeping from the Pulpit. 235 + + 74. Snuff-mill a Century ago. 240 + + 75. Perfuming Snuff. 242 + + 76. Fuegian Snuff-Takers. 244 + + 77. Snuff-Dipping. 247 + + 78. Snuffers. 248 + + 79. Fancy Snuff-boxes. 251 + + 80. Curing a Headache. 255 + + 81. Highlanders. 257 + + 82. Cigars. 260 + + 83. Cigar-holders. 262 + + 84. Life in Mexico. 266 + + 85. Cuban Cigar Shop. 268 + + 86. Tobacco Leaf. 271 + + 87. Wenches Smoking. 274 + + 88. A Moonlight Reverie in Havana. 275 + + 89. By the Sea. 277 + + 90. An American Smoker. 279 + + 91. "Light, Sir?" 282 + + 92. Bringing a Light. 285 + + 93. Making Cigars. 288 + + 94. Havanas. 301 + + 95. Yara Cigars. 303 + + 96. Manilla Cigar and Cheroot. 304 + + 97. Swiss Cigars. 306 + + 98. Paraguay Cigars. 306 + + 99. Connecticut Tobacco Field. 312 + + 100. Home of the Connecticut Planter. 315 + + 101. Negro Quarters. 317 + + 102. The Planter's Home. 318 + + 103. "Burning the Patch." 322 + + 104. Stringing the Primings. 323 + + 105. Worming. 325 + + 106. Ohio Tobacco Field. 329 + + 107. Tobacco Warehouse. 331 + + 108. Kentucky Tobacco Plantation. 332 + + 109. The Kentucky Planter. 334 + + 110. Florida Tobacco Plantation. 336 + + 111. Louisiana Tobacco Plantation. 338 + + 112. Mexican Tobacco Plantation. 342 + + 113. St. Domingo Tobacco Field, 1535. 345 + + 114. A Cuban _vega_. 346 + + 115. Killing Bugs by Night. 348 + + 116. Going to Market. 349 + + 117. German Tobacco Field. 351 + + 118. Dutch Planters. 355 + + 119. Success to Von Tromp. 358 + + 120. Tobacco Field in Algiers. 360 + + 121. Tobacco Field in Africa. 361 + + 122. Tobacco Field in Syria. 363 + + 123. Tobacco Field in India. 365 + + 124. Turkish Tobacco going to Market. 370 + + 125. Japan Tobacco Field. 371 + + 126. Transplanting. 372 + + 127. Chinese Tobacco Field. 373 + + 128. Tobacco Field in Persia. 374 + + 129. Growing Tobacco on the Philippine Islands. 377 + + 130. Tobacco Plow. 378 + + 131. Spanish Planters. 380 + + 132. Mexican Dwarf Tobacco. 384 + + 133. Connecticut Seed Leaf. 385 + + 134. Havana Tobacco. 387 + + 135. Virginia Tobacco. 388 + + 136. Ohio White Tobacco. 389 + + 137. Latakia Tobacco (Syria). 393 + + 138. Orinoco Tobacco (Venezuela). 397 + + 139. Shiraz Tobacco (Persia). 398 + + 140. Spanish Tobacco. 400 + + 141. Japan Tobacco. 402 + + 142. Old Connecticut Tobacco Shed. 406 + + 143. Modern Connecticut Tobacco Shed. 407 + + 144. Stripping Room. 408 + + 145. Modern Virginia Shed. 409 + + 146. Virginia Shed, 150 years ago. 410 + + 147. Ohio Tobacco Shed. 412 + + 148. Persian Tobacco Shed. 414 + + 149. Making the Plant Bed in Connecticut. 418 + + 150. Covering Plant Bed. 424 + + 151. A Tobacco Ridger. 430 + + 152. Drawing the Dirt Around the Foot. 432 + + 153. Transplanting. 433 + + 154. Transplanting. 434 + + 155. American Transplanter. 437 + + 156. The Worms. 438 + + 157. Worming Tobacco. 439 + + 158. Topping. 442 + + 159. Suckering. 445 + + 160. Cutting the Plants. 446 + + 161. Putting on Lath. 447 + + 162. Carrying to the Shed. 448 + + 163. Stripping. 456 + + 164. Hands. 457 + + 165. Stemming. 460 + + 166. Packing. 461 + + 167. Prizing in Olden Times. 464 + + 168. Tobacco Press. 467 + + 169. Firing. 470 + + 170. Spanish Seed Tobacco. 473 + + + + +CONTENTS + + + Page + CHAPTER I. + + THE TOBACCO PLANT. + + Botanical Description -- Ancient Plant-Bed -- Description of + the Leaves -- Color of Leaves -- Blossoms -- The Capsules + and Seed --Selection for Seed -- Suckers -- Nicotine + Qualities -- Medicinal Properties -- Improvement in Plants.... 17 + + + CHAPTER II. + + TOBACCO. ITS DISCOVERY. + + Early Use -- Origin of its Name -- Early Snuff-Taking -- + Tobacco in Mexico -- Comparative Qualities of Tobacco -- + Origin of the Plant -- Early Mammoth Cigars -- Sacredness of + the Pipe -- Early Cultivation -- Proportions of the Tobacco + Trade -- Variety of Kinds -- Tobacco and Commerce -- + Original Culture.............................................. 32 + + + CHAPTER III. + + TOBACCO IN AMERICA. + + First General Planter -- State of the Colony -- Conditions + of Raising Tobacco -- Tobacco Fields, 1620 -- Increase of + Tobacco-Growing -- Restriction of Tobacco-Growing -- Tobacco + used as Money -- King James opposes Tobacco-Growing -- + Buying Wives with Tobacco -- Foreign Tobacco Prohibited -- + King Charles on Tobacco -- King Charles as a Tobacco + Merchant -- Tobacco Taxed -- Planting in Maryland -- Negro + Labor -- Competition -- Growing Suckers -- Virginia Lands -- + Picture of Early Planters -- Large Plantations -- Getting to + Market -- Virginia Plant-Bed -- Maryland Plant-Bed -- + Tobacco Growing in New York and Louisiana -- New England + Tobacco -- Commercial Value of Tobacco -- Tobacco a + Blessing...................................................... 47 + + + CHAPTER IV. + + TOBACCO IN EUROPE. + + Introduction -- The Original Importer -- Wonderful Cures -- + How the Herb grew in Reputation -- Difference of Opinion -- + A Smoker's Rhapsody -- Old Smokers -- The Queen Herb -- + Drinking Tobacco -- Tobacco on the Stage -- Shakespeare on + Tobacco -- Smoking Taught -- Ben Jonson on the Weed -- + Curative Qualities -- Modes of Use -- Held up to Ridicule -- + Tirades against Tobacco -- Tobacco Selling -- Royal Haters + of Tobacco -- Old Customs -- A Racy Poem -- A Smoking + Divine........................................................ 80 + + + CHAPTER V. + + TOBACCO IN EUROPE. -- Continued. + + Popular use of Tobacco -- Tobacco Glorified -- Weight of + Smoke -- Anecdotes -- Triumph of Tobacco -- A Government + Monopoly -- Tobacco a Blessing............................... 111 + + + CHAPTER VI. + + TOBACCO PIPES, SMOKING AND SMOKERS. + + Indian Pipes -- Material for Pipes -- Legend of the Red Pipe + -- Chippewa Pipes -- Making the Peace Pipes -- South + American Pipes -- Cigarettes -- Tobacco on the Amazon River + -- Brazilian Tobacco -- Patagonians as Smokers -- Form and + Material -- Pipe of the Bobeen Indians -- The War Pipe -- + Pipe Sculpture -- Smoking in Alaska -- Smoking in Russia -- + Smoking in Peru -- Smoking in Turkey -- Moderate Smoking -- + Female Smoking -- Early Manufacture of Pipes -- French + Pipes........................................................ 124 + + + CHAPTER VII. + + PIPES AND SMOKERS. -- Continued. + + Meerschaum Pipes -- Coloring Meerschaums -- The City of + Smokers -- Hudson as a smoker -- Persian Water Pipes -- + Turkish Pipes -- Amber Mouth Pieces -- Obtaining Amber -- + Its Value -- Variety of Pipes -- History of Pipes -- Ancient + Habit of Smoking -- Buried Pipes -- Jasmine Pipes -- Smoking + in Algiers -- Smoking in Africa -- Defence of Smoking -- Tea + and Tobacco -- Chinese Pipes -- Smoking in Japan -- Tobacco + Boxes -- Tobacco Jars -- Musings over a Pipe -- Sad Fate of + a Chewer -- Triumph of the Anti's -- The Smoker's Calendar + -- Doctor Parr as a Smoker -- Smoking on the Battle-Field -- + Literary Smokers -- Doctor Clarke on Tobacco -- Noted + Smokers -- Pleasant Pipe -- A Tobacco World -- Cruelty of + Smokers -- Men like Pipes -- Universal Use................... 150 + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + SNUFF, SNUFF-BOXES AND SNUFF-TAKERS. + + Its Introduction -- Boxes and Graters -- Mode of Preparation + -- Snuff-Boxes -- A Celebrated Manufacturer -- The Snuffing + Period -- The Monk and his Snuff-Box -- A Pinch of Snuff -- + Pleasures of Smelling -- Frederick the Great -- Eminent + Snuff-Takers -- The Story in Verse -- "Come to my Nose" -- + Snuff Manufacture -- Preparation of Tobacco -- Grinding the + Leaves -- Flavoring the Snuff -- Profits Made -- Love of + Tobacco -- Chewing and Dipping -- Advantages of Dipping -- + The First Snuffers -- Famous Snuff-Takers -- Snuff as a + Pacificator -- A National Stimulant -- Different Tastes -- + Rise and Progress of Snuff-Taking............................ 218 + + + CHAPTER IX. + + CIGARS. + + New York Cigars -- Havana Cigars -- Quality of Havana Cigars + -- Relative Value and Size -- Cigar-Makers -- Cuban Cigars + -- Cigar Manufactories -- Preparation of the Tobacco -- + Sorting the Leaves -- Sales, etc. -- Large Factories -- + Universal Smoking -- Cigar Etiquette -- Reveries -- + Summer-Day Thoughts -- American Smokers -- At Home -- + Sentiment -- Ode to a Cigar -- Cigar-Lighters -- Smoking an + Art -- Science of Lighting -- Age of Fusees -- "Home-Made + Cigars" -- Female Cigar-Makers -- A Spicy Article -- How to + Smoke -- Smoking Christians -- Lamb's Poem -- Tobacco + Compliment -- Cigarette Smoking -- Thomas Hood's Cigar -- + Lord Byron's Opinion -- Kinds of Cigars -- Selecting Cigars + -- Yara Cigars -- Manilla Cigars -- Swiss Cigars -- Paraguay + Cigars -- Brazilian Cigars -- American Cigars -- Connecticut + Seed Leaf and Havana Cigars -- The Exile's Comfort........... 259 + + + CHAPTER X. + + TOBACCO PLANTERS AND PLANTATIONS. + + The Connecticut Planter -- Intelligence of Tobacco Growers + -- Best Connecticut Seed Leaf -- Love for the Plant -- + Virginia Planters -- A Virginia Plantation -- The + Plant-Patch -- Planting, Topping and Priming -- Suckering -- + Crop-Gathering -- Curing and Sorting -- Tobacco Markets -- + Ohio Tobacco -- Mode of Cure -- Kentucky Tobacco-Growing -- + The Kentucky Planter -- Florida Tobacco -- Florida + Plantation -- Tobacco in Louisiana -- California Tobacco + Lands -- Mexican Tobacco -- Plants around Vera Cruz -- + Tobacco in St Domingo -- Cuba Plantations -- Mode of Working + -- Soil and Climate -- Tobacco-Growing in Germany -- Method + of Culture -- Extent of Culture -- Tobacco-Raising in + Prussia -- Tobacco in Holland -- Dutch Planters -- A Plea + for Tobacco -- Tobacco Culture in Australia -- Arabian + Plantations -- Tobacco in Africa -- Syrian Tobacco -- + Latakia Tobacco -- Growing Tobacco in India -- Curing + Tobacco in India -- Turks Cultivating Tobacco -- Japanese + Tobacco -- Persian Tobacco -- Tobacco Culture, Philippine + Islands -- Climate of the Islands -- Fragrant Manillas -- + Tropical Tobacco............................................. 311 + + + CHAPTER XI. + + VARIETIES. + + Kinds used for Cigars -- Dwarf Tobacco -- Havana Tobacco -- + Yara and Virginia Tobacco -- James River Tobacco -- Ohio + Tobacco -- South American Tobacco -- Celebrated Brands of + Tobacco -- Russian Tobacco -- Columbian Tobacco -- Tobacco + of Brazil -- The Orinoco Tobacco -- Persian Tobacco -- + French Tobacco -- Spanish Tobacco -- Japanese Tobacco -- + Manilla Tobacco.............................................. 382 + + + CHAPTER XII. + + TOBACCO HOUSES. + + Tobacco Sheds -- Stripping Houses -- Virginia Tobacco Sheds + -- Ordinary Sheds -- Superior Sheds -- Ohio Sheds -- + Kentucky and Tennessee Sheds -- Foreign Tobacco Sheds........ 405 + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + TOBACCO CULTURE. + + Hot Beds -- Virginia Plant Patch -- Tennessee Plant Bed -- + Cuban Plant Bed -- Covering Plant Bed -- Selection of Soil + -- The Soil Affecting Color -- Preparing the Soil -- + Virginia Methods -- Burning Brush -- Implements -- + Transplanting Plants -- Setting -- Seasons in Mexico and + Persia -- The American Transplanter -- Pests -- Worming -- + Backward Plants -- Topping -- Suckers -- Maturation -- The + Harvest -- Cutting -- Hanging -- Cutting time in Cuba -- + Harvesting in Virginia -- The Season in other Places -- + Curing -- Curing by Smoke -- Yellow Tobacco -- Stripping -- + Assorting -- Shading -- Stemming -- Packing -- Casing -- Old + Style -- Resistance to Dampness -- Prizing -- Marking -- + Baling -- Certificates -- Firing -- White Rust -- Seed + Plants -- Maturing of Seed -- Second Growth.................. 415 + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + THE PRODUCTION, COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO. + + Early History of Tobacco -- Cultivation by Spaniards at St. + Domingo -- Annual Product of Cuba -- Amount of Land under + Cultivation in U.S. -- Cultivation in the South -- Annual + Product of Europe, Asia and Africa -- Government Monopoly -- + Source of Revenue -- Manufacture of Cigarettes -- Increase + of Tobacco Culture........................................... 478 + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE TOBACCO PLANT. + + +Tobacco is a hardy flowering annual[1] plant, growing freely in a +moist fertile soil and requiring the most thorough culture in order to +secure the finest form and quality of leaf. It is a native of the +tropics and under the intense rays of a vertical sun develops its +finest and most remarkable flavor which far surpasses the varieties +grown in a temperate region. It however readily adapts itself to soil +and climate growing through a wide range of temperature from the +Equator to Moscow in Russia in latitude 56 deg., and through all the +intervening range of climate[2]. + + [Footnote 1: The greater number of the species are + annual plants; but two at least are perennial; the + _Nicotiana fruticosa_, which is a shrub, a native of the + Cape of Good Hope, and of China; and _N. urens_, a + native of South America.] + + [Footnote 2: Tatham says that the tobacco plant is + peculiarly adapted for an agricultural comparison of + climates.] + +The plant varies in height according to species and locality; the +largest varieties reaching an altitude of ten or twelve feet, in +others not growing more than two or three feet from the ground. +Botanists have enumerated between forty and fifty varieties of the +tobacco plant who class them all among the narcotic poisons. When +properly cultivated the plant ripens in a few weeks growing with a +rapidity hardly equaled by any product either temperate or tropical. +Of the large number of varieties cultivated scarcely more than +one-half are grown to any great extent while many of them are hardly +known outside of the limit of cultivation. Tobacco is a strong growing +plant resisting heat and drought to a far greater extent than most +plants. It is a native of America, the discovery of the continent and +the plant occurring almost simultaneously. It succeeds best in a deep +rich loam in a climate ranging from forty to fifty degrees of +latitude. After having been introduced and cultivated in nearly all +parts of the world, America enjoys the reputation of growing the +finest varieties known to commerce. European tobacco is lacking in +flavor and is less powerful than the tobacco of America. + +The botanical account of tobacco is as follows:-- + + "Nicotiana, the tobacco plant is a genus of plants of the + order of Monogynia, belonging to the pentandria class, order + 1, of class V. It bears a tubular 5-cleft calyx; a + funnel-formed corolla, with a plaited 5-cleft border; the + stamina inclined; the stigma capitate; the capsule 2-celled, + and 2 to 4 valved." + +A more general description of the plant is given by an American +writer:-- + + "The tobacco plant is an annual growing from eighteen inches + (dwarf tobacco) to seven or eight feet in height[3]. It + bears numerous leaves of a pale green color sessile, ovate + lanceolate and pointed in form, which come out alternately + from two to three inches apart. The flowers grow in loose + panicles at the extremity of the stalks, and the calyx is + bell-shaped, and divided at its summit into five pointed + segments. The tube of the corolla expands at the top into an + oblong cup terminating in a 5-lobed plaited rose-colored + border. The pistil consists of an oval germ, a slender style + longer than the stamen, and a cleft stigma. The flowers are + succeeded by capsules of 2 cells opening at the summit and + containing numerous kidney-shaped seeds." + + [Footnote 3: An old English writer in describing tobacco + says:--"When at its just height, it is as tall as an + ordinary sized man."] + +Two of the finest varieties of Nicotiana Tobacum that are cultivated +are the Oronoco and the Sweet Scented; they differ only in the form of +the leaves, those of the latter variety being shorter and broader than +the other. They are annual herbaceous plants, rising with strong erect +stems to the height of from six to nine feet, with fine handsome +foliage. The stalk near the root is often an inch or more in diameter, +and surrounded by a hairy clammy substance, of a greenish yellow +color. The leaves are of a light green; they grow alternately, at +intervals of two or three inches on the stalk; they are oblong and +spear-shaped; those lowest on the stalk are about twenty inches in +length, and they decrease as they ascend. + +The young leaves when about six inches, are of a deep green color and +rather smooth, and as they approach maturity they become yellowish and +rougher on the surface. The flowers grow in clusters from the +extremities of the stalk; they are yellow externally and of a delicate +red within. They are succeeded by kidney shaped capsules of a brown +color. + +Thompson in his "Notices relative to Tobacco" describes the tobacco +plant as follows:-- + + "The species of Nicotiana which was first known, and which + still furnishes the greatest supply of Tobacco, is the N. + tobacum, an annual plant, a native of South America, but + naturalized to our climate. It is a tall, not inelegant + plant, rising to the height of about six feet, with a + strong, round, villous, slightly viscid stem, furnished with + alternate leaves, which are sessile, or clasp the stems; and + are decurrent, lanceolate, entire; of a full green on the + upper surface, and pale on the under. + + "In a vigorous plant, the lower leaves are about twenty + inches in length, and from three to five in breadth, + decreasing as they ascend. The inflorescence, or flowering + part of the stem, is terminal, loosely branching in that + form which botanists term a panicle, with long, linear + floral leaves or bractes at the origin of each division. + + "The flowers, which bloom in July and August, are of a pale + pink or rose color: the calyx, or flower-cup, is + bell-shaped, obscurely pentangular, villous, slightly + viscid, and presenting at the margin five acute, erect + segments. The corolla is twice the length of the calyx, + viscid, tubular below, swelling above into an oblong cup, + and expanding at the lip into five somewhat plaited, pointed + segments; the seed vessel is an oblong or ovate capsule, + containing numerous reniform seeds, which are ripe in + September and October; and if not collected, are shed by the + capsule opening at the apex." + +In Stevens and Liebault's Maison Rustique, or the Country Farm, +(London, 1606), is found the following curious account of the tobacco +plant:-- + + "This herbe resembleth in figure fashion, and qualities, the + great comfrey in such sort as that a man woulde deeme it to + be a kinde of great comfrey, rather than a yellow henbane, + as some have thought. + + "It hath an upright stalke, not bending any way, thicke, + bearded or hairy, and slimy: the leaves are broad and long, + greene, drawing somewhat towards a yellow, bearded or + hoarrie, but smooth and slimie, having as it were talons, + but not either notched or cut in the edges, a great deale + bigger downward toward the root than above: while it is + young it is leaved, as it were lying upon the ground, but + rising to a stalke and growing further, it ceaseth to have + such a number of leaves below, and putteth forth branches + from half foot to half, and storeth itselfe, by that meanes + with leaves, and still riseth higher from the height of four + or five foote, unto three or four or five cubits according + as is sown in a hot and fat ground, and carefully tilled. + The boughs and branches thereof put out at joints, and + divide the stalk by distance of halfe a foote: the highest + of which branches are bigger than an arme. + + "At the tops and ends of his branches and boughs, it putteth + foorth flowers almost like those of Nigella, of a whitish + and incarnate color, having the fashion of a little bell + comming out of a swad or husk, being of the fashion of a + small goblet, which husk becometh round, having the fashion + of a little apple, or sword's pummell: as soon as the flower + is gone and vanished away, it is filled with very small + seedes like unto those of yellow henbane, and they are black + when they be ripe, or greene, while they are not yet ripe. + + "In a hot countree it beareth leaves, flowers, and seeds at + the same time, in the ninth or tenth month of the year it + putteth foorth young cions at the roote, and reneweth itself + by this store and number of cions, and great quantity of + sprouts, and yet notwithstanding the roots are little, + small, fine thready strings, or if otherwise they grow a + little thick, yet remaine they still very short, in respect + of the height of the plant. The roots and leaves do yield a + glewish and rosinith kind of juice, somewhat yellow, of a + rosinlike smell, not unpleasant, and of a sharpe, eager and + biting taste, which sheweth that it is by nature hot, + whereupon we must gather that it is no kind of yellow + henbane as some have thought. Nicotiana craveth a fat ground + well stird, and well manured also in this cold countrie + (England) that is to say an earth, wherein the manure is so + well mingled and incorporated, as that it becometh earthie, + that is to say, all turned into earth, and not making any + shew any more of dung: which is likewise moist and shadowie, + wide and roomy, for in a narrow and straight place it would + not grow high, straight, great and well-branched. + + "It desireth the South sun before it, and a wall behind it, + which may stand in stead of a broad pair of shoulders to + keep away the northern wind and to beate backe againe the + heat of the sun. It groweth the better if it be oft watered, + and maketh itself sport and jolly good cheer with water when + the time becometh a little dry. It hateth cold, and + therefore to keepe it from dying in winter, it must be + either kept in cellars where it may have free benefit of + air, or else in some cave made on purpose within the same + garden, or else to cover it as with a cloak very well with a + double mat, making a penthouse of wicker work from the wall + to cover the head thereof with straw laid thereupon: and + when the southern sun shineth, to open the door of the + covert made for the said herb right upon the said South + sun." + +The most ludicrous part of "The discourse on Nicotian" will be found +in that portion which relates to the making of the plant-bed and +transplanting:-- + + "For to sow it, you must make a hole in the earth with your + finger and that as deep as your finger is long, then you + must cast into the same hole ten or twelve seeds of the said + Nicotiana together, and fill up the hole again: for it is so + small, as that if you should put in but four or five seeds + the earth would choake it: and if the time be dry, you must + water the place easily some five days after: And when the + herb is grown out of the earth, inasmuch as every seed will + have put up his sprout and stalk, and that the small thready + roots are intangled the one within the other, you must with + a great knife make a composs within the earth in the places + about this plot where they grow and take up the earth and + all together, and cast them into a bucket full of water, to + the end that the earth may be seperated, and the small and + tender impes swim about the water; and so you shall sunder + them one after another without breaking of them." * * + + +THE STALK. + +The Tobacco stalk varies with the varieties of the plant. All of the +species cultivated in the United States have stalks of a large +size--much larger than many varieties grown in the tropics. Those of +some species of tobacco are little and easily broken, which to a +certain extent is the case with most varieties of the plant when +maturing very fast. The stalks of some plants are rough and uneven, +while those of others are smooth. Nearly all, including most of those +grown in Europe and America, have erect, round, hairy, viscid stalks, +and large, fibrous roots; while that of Spanish as well as dwarf +tobacco is harder and much smaller. The stalk is composed of a +wood-like substance containing a glutinous pith, and is of about the +same shade of color as the leaves. As the plant develops in size the +stalk hardens, and when fully grown is not easily broken. + +[Illustration: Tobacco stalks.] + +The size of the stalk corresponds with that of the leaves, and with +such varieties of the plant as Connecticut seed leaf, Virginia, +Kentucky, Ohio, St. Domingo, and some others; both will be found to be +larger than Spanish, Latakia, and Syrian tobacco, which have a much +smaller but harder stalk. It will readily be seen that the stalk must +be strong and firm in order to support the large palm-like leaves +which on some varieties grow to a length of nearly four feet with a +corresponding breadth. The stalk does not "cure down" as fast as the +leaves, which is thought now to be necessary in order to prevent +sweating, as well as to hasten the curing. Most of the varieties of +the plant have an erect, straight stalk, excepting Syrian tobacco, +which near the top describes more of a semi-circle, but not to that +extent of giving an idea of an entirely crooked plant. The stalk +gradually tapers from the base to the summit, and when deprived of its +leaves presents a smooth appearance not unlike that of a small tree or +shrub deprived of its twigs and leaves. + + +THE LEAVES. + +The Plant bears from eight to twenty leaves according to the species +of the plant. They have various forms, ovate, lanceolate, and pointed. +Leaves of a lanceolate form are the largest, and the shape of those +found on most varieties of the American plant. The color of the leaves +when growing, as well as after curing and sweating, varies, and is +frequently caused by the condition of the soil. The color while +growing may be either a light or dark green, which changes to a +yellowish cast as the plant matures and ripens. The ground leaves are +of a lighter color and ripen earlier than the rest--sometimes turning +yellow, and during damp weather rotting and dropping from the stalk. +Some varieties of the plant, like Latakia, bear small but thick +leaves, which after cutting are very thin and fine in texture; while +others, like Connecticut seed leaf and Havana, bear leaves of a medium +thickness, which are also fine and silky after curing. But while the +color of the plant when growing is either a light or dark green, it +rapidly changes during curing, and especially after passing through +the sweat, changing to a light or dark cinnamon like Connecticut seed +leaf, black like Holland and Perique tobacco, bright yellow of the +finest shade of Virginia and Carolina leaf, brown like Sumatra, or +dark red like that known by the name of "Boshibaghli," grown in Asia +Minor. The leaves are covered with glandular hairs containing a +glutinous substance of an unpleasant odor, which characterizes all +varieties as well as nearly all parts of the plant. + +The leaves of all varieties of tobacco grow the entire length of the +stem and clasp the stalk, excepting those of Syrian, which are +attached by a long stem. The size of the leaves, as well as the entire +plant, is now much larger than when first discovered. One of the early +voyagers describes the plant as short and bearing leaves of about the +size and shape of the walnut. In many varieties the leaves grow in a +semi-circular form while in others they grow almost straight and still +others growing erect presenting a singular appearance. The stem or +mid-rib running through the leaf is large and fibrous and its numerous +smaller veins proportionally larger which on curing become smaller and +particularly in those kinds best adapted for cigar wrappers. The +leaves from the base to the center of the plant are of about equal +size but are smaller as they reach the summit, but after topping +attain about the same size as the others. The color of the leaf after +curing may be determined by the color of the leaf while growing--if +dark green while maturing in the field, the color will be dark after +curing and sweating and the reverse if of a lighter shade of green. + +[Illustration: Tobacco leaves.] + +If the soil be dark the color of the leaf will be darker than if grown +upon a light loam. Some varieties of the plant have leaves of a smooth +glossy appearance while others are rough and the surface uneven--more +like a cabbage leaf, a peculiar feature of the tobacco of Syria. The +kind of fertilizers applied to the soil also in a measure as well as +the soil itself has much to do with the texture or body of the leaf +and should be duly considered by all growers of the plant. A light +moist loam should be chosen for the tobacco field if a leaf of light +color and texture is desired while if a dark leaf is preferred the +soil chosen should be a moist heavy loam. + + +THE FLOWER. + +The flowers of the tobacco plant grow in a bunch or cluster on the +summit of the plant and are of a pink, yellow, or purple white color +according to the variety of the plant. On most varieties the color of +the flowers is pink excepting Syrian or Latakia which bears yellow +flowers while those of Shiraz or Persian and Guatemala are white +while those of the Japan tobacco, are purple. The segments of the +corolla are pointed but on some varieties unequal, particularly that +of Shiraz tobacco. The flowers impart a pleasant odor doubtless to all +lovers of the weed but to all others a compound of villainous smells +among which and above all the rest may be recognized an odor +suggestive of the leaves of the plant. + +[Illustration: Bud and flowers.] + +When in full blossom a tobacco field forms a pleasant feature of a +landscape which is greatly heightened if the plants are large and of +equal size. The pink flowers are the largest while those of a yellow +color are the smallest. The plant comes into blossom a few weeks +before fully ripe when with a portion of the stalk they are broken off +to hasten the ripening and maturing of the leaves. After the buds +appear they blossom in a few days and remain in full bloom two or +three weeks, when they perish like the blossoms of other plants and +flowers. The flowers of Havana tobacco are of a lighter pink than +those of Connecticut tobacco but are not as large--a trifle larger +however than those of Latakia tobacco. Those varieties of the tobacco +plant bearing pink flowers are the finest flavored and are used +chiefly for the manufacture of cigars while those bearing yellow +flowers are better adapted for cutting purposes and the pipe. + +The American varieties of tobacco bear a larger number of flowers +than European tobaccos or those of Africa or Asia. The color of the +flowers remain the same whether cultivated in one country or another +while the leaves may grow larger or smaller according to the system of +cultivation adopted. Those varieties of the plant with heart-shaped +leaves have paniculated flowers with unequal cups. The flower stems on +the American varieties are much longer than those of European tobaccos +and also larger. The season has much to do with the size of the +flowers; as if very dry they are usually smaller and not as numerous +as if grown under more favorable circumstances. + + +THE CAPSULE. + +As soon as the flowers drop from the fruit bud the capsules grow very +rapidly until they have attained full size--which occurs only in those +plants which have been left for seed and remain untopped. When topped +they are not usually full grown--as some growers top the plants when +just coming into blossom, while others prefer to top the plants when +in full bloom and others still when the blossoms begin to fall. The +fruit is described by Wheeler + "as a capsule of a nearly oval figure. + There is a line on each side of it, and it contains two + cells, and opens at the top. The receptacles one of a + half-oval figure, punctuated and affixed to the separating + body. The seeds are numerous, kidney-shaped, and rugose." + +Most growers of the plant would describe the fruit bud as follows: In +form resembling an acorn though more pointed at the top; in some +species, of a dark brown in others of a light brown color, containing +two cells filled with seeds similar in shape to the fruit bud, but not +rugose as described by some botanists. Some writers state that each +cell contains about one thousand seeds. The fruit buds of Connecticut, +Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio Tobacco as well as of most of the +varieties grown within the limits of the United States are much larger +than those of Havana, Yara, Syrian, and numerous other species of the +plant, while the color of these last named varieties is a lighter +shade of brown. The color of the seed also varies according to the +varieties of the plant. The seeds of some species are of a dark brown +while others are of a lighter shade. The seeds, however, are so small +that the variety to which they belong cannot be determined except by +planting or sowing them. + +[Illustration: Capsules. (Fruit bud.)] + +The plants selected for seed are usually left growing until late in +the season, and at night should be protected from the cold and frost +by a light covering of some kind--this may not be absolutely +necessary, as most growers of tobacco have often noticed young plants +growing around the base or roots of the seed stalk--the seeds of which +germinated although remaining in the ground during the winter. Strong, +healthy plants generally produce large, well filled capsules the only +ones to be selected by the grower if large, fine plants are desired. +Many growers of tobacco have doubtless examined the capsules of some +species of the plant and frequently observed that the capsules or +fruit buds are often scarcely more than half-filled while others +contain but a few seeds. The largest and finest capsules on the plant +mature first, while the smaller ones grow much slower and are +frequently several weeks changing from green to brown. Many of the +capsules do not contain any seed at all. + + +THE SUCKER. + +The offshoots or suckers as they are termed, make their appearance at +the junction of the leaves and stalk, about the roots of the plant, +the result of that vigorous growth caused by topping. The suckers can +hardly be seen until after the plant has been topped, when they come +forward rapidly and in a short time develop into strong, vigorous +shoots. Tatham describing the sucker says: + + "The sucker is a superfluous sprout which is wont to make + its appearance and shoot forth from the stem or stalk, near + to the junction of the leaves with the stems, and about the + root of the plant, and if allowed to grow, injuring the + marketable quality of the tobacco by compelling a division + of its nutriment during the act of maturation. The planter + is therefore careful to destroy these intruders with the + thumb nail, as in the act of topping. This superfluity of + vegetation, like that of the top, has been often the subject + of legislative care; and the policy of supporting the good + name of the Virginia produce has dictated the wisdom of + penal laws to maintain her good faith against imposition + upon strangers who trade with her." + +The ripening of the suckers not only proves injurious to the quality +of the leaf but retards their size and maturity and if allowed to +continue, prevents them from attaining their largest possible growth. + +[Illustration: Suckers.] + +On large, strong, growing plants the growth of suckers is very rank +after attaining a length of from six to ten inches, and when fully +grown bearing flowers like the parent stalk. After growing for a +length of time they become tough and attached so firmly to the stem of +the leaf and stalk that they are broken off with difficulty, +frequently detaching the leaf with them. The growth of the suckers, +however, determines the quality as well as the maturity of the plants. + +Weak, spindling plants rarely produce large, vigorous shoots, the +leaves of such suckers are generally small and of a yellowish color. +When the plants are fully ripe and ready to harvest the suckers will +be found to be growing vigorously around the root of the plant. This +is doubtless the best evidence of its maturity, more reliable by far +than any other as it denotes the ripening of the entire plant. +Suckering the plants hastens the ripening of the leaves, and gives a +lighter shade of color, no matter on what soil the plants are grown. +Having treated at some length of the various parts of the tobacco +plant--stalk, leaves, flowers, capsules and suckers we come now to its +nicotine properties. The tobacco plant, as is well known, produces a +virulent poison known as Nicotine. This property, however, as well as +others as violent is found in many articles of food, including the +potato together with its stalk and leaves; the effects of which may be +experienced by chewing a small quantity of the latter. The New +Edinburgh Encyclopedia says: + + "The peculiar effect produced by using tobacco bears some + resemblance to intoxication and is excited by an essential + oil which in its pure state is so powerful as to destroy + life even in very minute quantity." + +Chemistry has taught us that nicotine is only one among many +principles which are contained in the plant. It is supposed by many +but not substantiated by chemical research that nicotine is not the +flavoring agent which gives tobacco its essential and peculiar +varieties of odor. Such are most probably given by the essential oils, +which vary in amount in different species of the plant. + +An English writer says: + + "Nicotine is disagreeable to the habitual smoker, as is + proved by the increased demand for clean pipes or which by + some mechanical contrivance get rid of the nicotine." + +The late Dr. Blotin tested by numerous experiments the effects of +nicotine on the various parts of the organization of man. While the +physiological effects of nicotine may be interesting to the medical +practitioner, they will hardly interest the general reader unless it +can be shown that the effects of nicotine and tobacco should be proved +to be identical. + +We are loth to leave this subject, however, as it is so intimately +connected with the history of the plant, without treating somewhat of +its medicinal properties which to many are of more interest than its +social qualities. The Indians not only used the plant socially, +religiously, but medicinally. Their Medicine men prescribed its use in +various ways for most diseases common among them. The use thus made of +the plant attracted the attention of the Spanish and English, far more +than its use either as a means of enjoyment or as a religious act. +When introduced to the Old World, its claims as a remedy for most +diseases gave it its popularity and served to increase its use. It was +styled "_Sana sancta Indorum_--" "_Herbe propre a tous maux_," and +physicians claimed that it was "the most sovereign and precious weed +that ever the earth tendered to the use of man." As early as 1610, +three years after the London and Plymouth Companies settled in +Virginia, and some years before it began to be cultivated by them as +an article of export, it had attracted the attention of English +physicians, who seemed to take as much delight in writing of the +sanitary uses of the herb as they did in smoking the balmy leaves of +the plant. + +Dr. Edmund Gardiner, "Practitioner of Physicke," issued in 1610 a +volume entitled, "The Triall of Tobacco," setting forth its curative +powers. Speaking of its use he says: + + "Tobacco is not violent, and therefore may in my judgement + bee safely put in practise. Thus then you plainly see that + all medicines, and especially tobacco, being rightly and + rationally used, is a noble medicine and contrariwise not in + his due time with other circumstances considered, it doth no + more than a nobleman's shooe doth in healing the gout in the + foot." + +Dr. Verner of Bath, in his Treatise concerning the taking the fume of +tobacco (1637) says that when "taken moderately and at fixed times +with its proper adjunct, which (as they doe suppose) is a cup of +sack, they think it be no bad physick." Dr. William Barclay in his +work on Tobacco, (1614) declares "that it worketh wonderous cures." He +not only defends the herb but the "land where it groweth." At this +time the tobacco plant like Indian Corn was very small, possessing but +few of the qualities now required to make it merchantable. When first +exported to Spain and Portugal from the West Indies and South America, +and even by the English from Virginia, the leaf was dark in color and +strong and rank in flavor. This, however, seems to have been the +standard in regard to some varieties while others are spoken of by +some of the early writers upon tobacco as "sweet." + +The tobacco (uppowoc) grown by the Indians in America, at the time of +its discovery, and more particularly in North America, would compare +better with the suckers of the largest varieties of the plant rather +than with even the smallest species of the plant now cultivated. At +the present time tobacco culture is considered a science in order to +secure the colors in demand, and that are fashionable, and also the +right texture of leaf now so desirable in all tobaccos designed for +wrappers. Could the Indians, who cultivated the plant on the banks of +the James, the Amazon and other rivers of America, now look upon the +plant growing in rare luxuriance upon the same fields where they first +raised it, they could hardly realize them to be the same varieties +that they had previously planted. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TOBACCO. ITS DISCOVERY. + + +Nearly four hundred years have passed away since the tobacco plant and +its use was introduced to the civilized world. It was in the month of +November, 1492, that the sailors of Columbus in exploring the island +of Cuba first noted the mode of using tobacco. They found the Indians +carrying lighted firebrands (as they at first supposed) and puffed the +smoke inhaled from their mouths and nostrils. + +The Spaniards concluded that this was a method common with them of +perfuming themselves; but its frequent use soon taught them that it +was the dried leaves of a plant which they burned inhaling and +exhaling the smoke. It attracted the attention of the Spaniards no +less from its novelty than from the effect produced by the indulgence. + +The use of tobacco by the Indians was entirely new to the Spanish +discoverers and when in 1503 they landed in various parts of South +America they found that both chewing and smoking the herb was a common +custom with the natives. But while the Indians and their habits +attracted the attention of the Spanish sailors Columbus was more +deeply interested in the great continent and the luxuriant tropical +growth to be seen on every hand. Columbus himself says of it:-- + + "Everything invited me to settle here. The beauty of the + streams, the clearness of the water, through which I could + see the sandy bottom; the multitude of palm-trees of + different kinds, the tallest and finest I had ever seen; and + an infinite number of other large and flourishing trees; the + birds, and the verdure of the plains, are so amazingly + beautiful, that this country excelles all others as far as + the day surpasses the night in splendor." + +Lowe, gives the following account of the discovery of tobacco and its +uses:-- + + "The discovery of this plant is supposed to have been made + by Fernando Cortez in Yucatan in the Gulf of Mexico, where + he found it used universally, and held in a species of + veneration by the simple natives. He made himself acquainted + with the uses and supposed virtues of the plant and the + manner of cultivating it, and sent plants to Spain, as part + of the spoils and treasures of his new-found World." + +Oviedo[4] is the first author who gives a clear account of smoking +among the Indians of Hispaniola[5]. He alludes to it as one of their +evil customs and used by them to produce insensibility. Their mode of +using it was by inhalation and expelling the smoke through the +nostrils by means of a hollow forked cane or hollow reed. Oviedo +describes them as + "about a span long; and when used the forked ends + are inserted in the nostrils, the other end being applied to + the burning leaves of the herb, using the herb in this + manner stupefied them producing a kind of intoxication." + + [Footnote 4: Historia General de los Indios 1526.] + + [Footnote 5: St. Domingo.] + +[Illustration: Primitive pipe.] + +Of the early accounts of the plant and its use, Beckman a German +writer says:-- + + "In 1496, Romanus Pane, a Spanish monk, whom Columbus, on + his second departure from America, had left in that country, + published the first account of tobacco with which he became + acquainted in St. Domingo. He gave it the name of Cohoba + Cohobba, Gioia. In 1535, the negroes had already habituated + themselves to the use of tobacco, and cultivated it in the + plantations of their masters. Europeans likewise already + smoked it." + +An early writer thus alludes to the use of tobacco among the East +Indians:-- + + "The East Indians do use to make little balls of the juice + of the hearbe tobaco and the ashes of cockle-shells wrought + up together, and dryed in the shadow, and in their travaile + they place one of the balls between their neather lip and + their teeth, sucking the same continually, and letting down + the moysture, and it keepeth them both from hunger and + thirst for the space of three or four days." + +Oviedo says of the implements used by the Indians in smoking:-- + + "The hollow cane used by them is called tobaco and that that + name is not given to the plant or to the stupor caused by + its use." + +A writer alluding to the same subject says:-- + + "The name tobacco is supposed to be derived from the Indian + tobaccos, given by the Caribs to the pipe in which they + smoked the plant." + +Others derive it from Tabasco, a province of Mexico; others from the +island of Tobago one of the Caribbees; and others from Tobasco in the +gulf of Florida. + +Tomilson says:-- + + "The word tobacco appears to have been applied by the + caribbees to the pipe in which they smoked the herb while + the Spaniards distinguished the herb itself by that name. + The more probable derivation of the word is from a place + called Tobaco in Yucatan from which the herb was first sent + to the New World." + +Humboldt says concerning the name:-- + + "The word Tobacco like maize, savannah, cacique, maguey + (agave) and manato, belong to the ancient language of Hayti, + or St. Domingo. It did not properly denote the herb, but the + tube through which the smoke was inhaled. It seems + surprising that a vegetable production so universally spread + should have different names among neighboring people. The + pete-ma of the Omaguas is, no doubt, the pety of the + Guaranos; but the analogy between the Cabre and Algonkin (or + Lenni-Lennope) words which denote tobacco may be merely + accidental. The following are the synonymes in five + languages: Aztec or Mexican, _yetl_; Huron, _oyngona_; + Peruvian, _sayri_; Brazil, _piecelt_; Moxo, _sabare_." + +Roman Pane who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage alludes to +another method of using the herb. + They make a powder of the leaves, + which "they take through a cane half a cubit long; one end + of this they place in the nose, and the other upon the + powder, and so draw it up, which purges them very much." + +This is doubtless the first account that we have of snuff-taking; +Fairholt says concerning its use:-- + + "Its effects upon the Indians in both instances seem to have + been more violent and peculiar than upon Europeans since." + +This may be accounted for from the fact of the imperfect method of +curing tobacco adopted by them and all of the natives up to the period +of the settlement of Virginia by the English. As nearly all of the +early voyagers allude to the plant and especially to its use it would +seem probable that it had been cultivated from time immemorial by all +the native people of the Orinoco; and at the period of the conquest +the habit of smoking was found to be alike spread over both North and +South America. The Tamanacs and the Maypures of Guiana wrap maize +leaves round their cigars as the Mexicans did at the time of the +arrival of Cortez. The Spaniards since have substituted paper for the +leaves of maize, in imitation of them. + + "The poor Indians of the forests of the Orinoco know as well + as did the great nobles at the court of Montezuma, that the + smoke of tobacco is an excellent narcotic; and they use it + not only to procure their afternoon nap, but also to put + themselves in that state of quiescence which they call + dreaming with the eyes open or day dreaming." + +[Illustration: Native smoking.] + +Tobacco at this period was also rolled up in the leaves of the Palm +and smoked. Columbus found the natives of San Salvador smoking after +this manner. Lobel in his History of Plants[6] gives an engraving of +a native smoking one of these rolls or primitive cigars and speaks of +their general use by Captains of ships trading to the West Indies. + + [Footnote 6: History of Plants, 1576.] + +But not only was snuff taking and the use of tobacco rolls or cigars +noted by European voyagers, but the use of the pipe also in some parts +of America, seemed to be a common custom especially among the chiefs. +Be Bry in his History of Brazil (1590) describes its use and also some +interesting particulars concerning the plant. Their method of curing +the leaves was to air-dry them and then packing them until wanted for +use. In smoking he says:-- + + "When the leaves are well dried they place in the open part + of a pipe of which on burning, the smoke is inhaled into the + mouth by the more narrow part of the pipe, and so strongly + that it flows out of the mouth and nostrils, and by that + means effectually drives out humours." + +Fairholt in alluding to the various uses of the herb among the Indians +says:-- + + "We can thus trace to South America, at the period when the + New World was first discovered, every mode of using the + tobacco plant which the Old World has indulged in ever + since." + +This statement is not entirely correct--the mode of using tobacco in +Norway by plugging the nostrils with small pieces of tobacco seems to +have been unknown among the Indians of America as it is now with all +other nationalities, excepting the Norwegians. + +When Cortez made conquest of Mexico in 1519 smoking seemed to be a +common as well as an ancient custom among the natives. Benzoni in his +History of the New World[7] describing his travels in America gives a +detailed account of the plant and their method of curing and using it. +In both North and South America the use of tobacco seemed to be +universal among all the tribes and beyond all question the custom of +using the herb had its origin among them. The traditions of the +Indians all confirm its ancient source; they considered the plant as a +gift from the Great Spirit for their comfort and enjoyment and one +which the Great Spirit also indulged in, consequently with them +smoking partook of the character of a moral if not a religious act. +The use of tobacco in sufficient quantities to produce intoxication +seemed to be a favorite remedy for most diseases among them and was +administered by their doctors or medicine-men in large quantities. +Benzoni gives an engraving of their mode of inhaling the smoke and +says of its use:-- + + [Footnote 7: From 1541 to 1556.] + + "In La Espanola, when their doctors wanted to cure a sick + man, they went to the place where they were to administer + the smoke, and when he was thoroughly intoxicated by it, the + cure was mostly effected. On returning to his senses he told + a thousand stories of his having been at the council of the + gods, and other high visions." + +It can hardly be supposed that while the custom of using tobacco among +the Indians in both North and South America was very general and the +mode of use the same, that the plant grown was of the same quality in +one part as in another. While the rude culture of the natives would +hardly tend to an improvement in quality; the climate being varied +would no doubt have much to do with the size and quality of the plant. +This would seem the more probable for as soon as its cultivation began +in Virginia by the English colonists it had successful rivals in the +tobacco of the West Indies and South America. Robertson says:-- + + "Virginia tobacco was greatly inferior to that raised by the + Spaniards in the West Indies and which sold for six times as + much as Virginia tobacco."[8] + + [Footnote 8: West India tobacco sold for 18 shillings + per pound and Virginia for 3 s.] + +But not only has the name tobacco and the implements employed in its +use caused much discussion but also the origin of the plant. + +Some writers affirm that it came from Asia and that it was first grown +in China having been used by the Chinese long before the narcotic +properties of opium were known. Tatham in his work on Tobacco says of +its origin in substantial agreement with La Bott:-- + + "It is generally understood that the tobacco plant of + Virginia is a native production of the country; but whether + it was found in a state of natural growth there, or a plant + cultivated by the Indian natives, is a point of which we are + not informed, nor which ever can be farther elucidated than + by the corroboration of historical facts and conjectures. I + have been thirty years ago, and the greatest part of my time + during that period, intimately acquainted with the interior + parts of America; and have been much in the unsettled parts + of the country, among those kinds of soil which are + favorable to the cultivation of tobacco; but I do not + recollect one single instance where I have met with tobacco + growing wild in the woods, although I have often found a few + spontaneous plants about the arable and trodden grounds of + deserted habitations. This circumstance, as well as that of + its being now, and having been, cultivated by the natives at + the period of European discoveries, inclines towards a + supposition that this plant is not a native of North + America, but may possibly have found its way thither with + the earliest migrations from some distant land. This might, + indeed, have easily been the case from South America, by way + of the Isthmus of Panama; and the foundation of the Choctaw + and Chickasaw nations (who we have reasons to consider as + descendants from the Tloseolians, and to have migrated to + the eastward of the river Mississippi, about the time of the + Spanish conquest of Mexico by Cortez), seems to have + afforded one fair opportunity for its dissemination." + +The first knowledge which the English discoverers had of the plant was +in 1565 when they found it growing in Florida, one hundred and +seventy-three years after it was first discovered by Columbus on the +island of Cuba. Sir John Hawkins says of its use in Florida:-- + + "The Floridians, when they travel, have a kind of herb + dried, which with a cane and an earthen cup in the end, with + fire and the dried herbs put together, do suke through the + cane the smoke thereof, which smoke satisfieth their hunger, + and therewith they live four or five dayes without meat or + drinke, and this all the Frenchmen used for this purpose: + yet do they holde opinion withall, that it causeth water and + steame to void from their stomacks." + +This preparation might not have been tobacco as the Indians smoke a +kind of bark which they scrape from the killiconick, an aromatic +shrub, in form resembling the willow; they use also a preparation +made with this and sumach leaves, or sometimes with the latter mixed +with tobacco. Lionel Wafer in his travels upon the Isthmus of Darien +in 1699 saw the plant growing and cultivated by the natives. He +says:-- + + "These Indians have tobacco amongst them. It grows as the + tobacco in Virginia, but is not so strong, perhaps for want + of transplanting and manuring, which the Indians do not well + understand, for they only raise it from the seed in their + plantations. When it is dried and cured they strip it from + the stalks, and laying two or three leaves upon one another, + they roll up all together sideways into a long roll, yet + leaving a little hollow. Round this they roll other leaves + one after another, in the same manner, but close and hard, + till the roll be as big as one's wrist, and two or three + feet in length. Their way of smoking when they are in + company is thus: a boy lights one end of a roll and burns it + to a coal, wetting the part next it to keep it from wasting + too fast. The end so lighted he puts into his mouth, and + blows the smoke through the whole length of the roll into + the face of every one of the company or council, though + there be two or three hundred of them. Then they, sitting in + their usual posture upon forms, make with their hands held + together a kind of funnel round their mouths and noses. Into + this they receive the smoke as it is blown upon them, + snuffing it up greedily and strongly as long as ever they + are able to hold their breath, and seeming to bless + themselves, as it were, with the refreshment it gives them." + +In the year 1534 James Cartier a Frenchman was commissioned to explore +the coast of North America, with a view to find a place for a colony. +He observed that the natives of Canada used the leaves of an herb +which they preserved in pouches made of skins and smoked in stone +pipes. It being offensive to the French, they took none of it with +them on their return. But writing more particularly concerning the +plant he says:-- + + "In Hochelaga, up the river in Canada there groweth a + certain kind of herb whereof in Summer they make a great + provision for all the year, making great account of it, and + only men use of it, and first they cause it to be dried in + the Sune, then wear it about their necks wrapped in a little + beast's skine made like a bagge, with a hollow piece of + stone or wood like a pipe, then when they please they make + powder of it, and then put it in one of the ends of the said + Cornet or pipe, and laying a cole of fire upon it, at the + other end and suck so long, that they fill their bodides + full of smoke, till that it commeth out of their mouth and + nostrils, even as out of the Tonnel of a chimney. They say + that this doth keepe them warme and in health, they never + goe without some of this about them." + +Be Bry in his History of Brazil 1590 gives an engraving of a native +smoking a pipe and a female offering him a handful of tobacco leaves. +The pipe has a modern look and is altogether unlike those found by the +English in use among the Indians in Virginia. + +[Illustration: Old engraving.] + +An English writer says of the Tobacco using races:-- + + "From the evidence collected by travellers and + archaeologists, as to the native arts and relics connected + with the use of Tobacco by the Red Indians, it would appear + that not one tribe has been found which was unacquainted + with the custom,[9] its use being as well known to the + tribes of the North-west and the denizens of the snowy wilds + of Canada, as to the races inhabiting Central America and + the West India Islands." + + [Footnote 9: Arnold in his History of Rhode Island + refers to the planting of tobacco by the Indians when + the State was first settled. Elliot also says in his + History of the same State:--"Tobacco was universal, + every man carrying his pipe and bag; and in its + cultivation only, did the men condescend to labor; but + occasionally all would join, the whole neighborhood, + men, women, and children, when some one's field was to + be broken up, and they made a loving, sociable, speedy + time of it."] + +Father Francisco Creuxio states that the Jesuit missionaries found the +weed extensively used by the Indians of the Seventeenth Century. In +1629 he found the Hurons smoking the dried leaves and stalks of the +Tobacco plant or petune. Many tribes of Indians consider that Tobacco +is a gift bestowed by the Great Spirit as a means of enjoyment. In +consequence of this belief the pipe became sacred, and smoking became +a moral if not a religious act, amongst the North American Indians. +The Iroquois are of opinion that by burning Tobacco they could send up +their prayers to the Great Spirit with the ascending incense, thus +maintaining communication with the spirit world; and Dr. Daniel +Wilson suggests that + "the practice of smoking originated in the use of + the intoxicating fumes for purposes of divination, and other + superstitious rites." + +When an Indian goes on an expedition, whether of peace or war, his +pipe is his constant companion; it is to him what salt is among Arabs: +the pledge of fidelity and the seal of treaties. In the words of a +_Review_: + + "Tobacco supplies one of the few comforts by which men who + live by their hands, solace themselves under incessant + hardship." + +While the presence, and use of tobacco by the natives of America are +among the most interesting features connected with its history, it can +hardly be more so than is its early cultivation by the Spaniards, +English and Dutch, and afterward by the French. The cultivation of the +plant began in the West India Islands and South America early in the +Sixteenth Century. In Cuba its culture commenced in 1580, and from +this and the other islands large quantities were shipped to Europe. It +was also cultivated near Varina in Columbia, while Amazonian tobacco +had acquired an enviable reputation as well as Varinian, long before +its cultivation began in Virginia by the English. At this period of +its culture in America the entire product was sent to Spain and +Portugal, and from thence to France and Great Britain and other +countries of Europe. The plant and its use attracted at once the +attention as well as aroused the cupidity of the Spaniards, who prized +it as one of their greatest discoveries. + +As soon as Tobacco was introduced into Europe by the Spaniards, and +its use became a general custom, its sale increased as extensively as +its cultivation. At this period it brought enormous prices, the finest +selling at from fifteen to eighteen shillings per pound. Its +cultivation by the Spaniards in various portions of the New World +proved to them not only its real value as an article of commerce, but +also that several varieties of the plant existed; as on removal from +one island or province to another it changed in size and quality of +leaf. Varinas tobacco at this time was one of the finest tobaccos +known,[10] and large quantities were shipped to Spain and Portugal. +The early voyagers little dreamed, however, of the vast proportions to +be assumed by the trade in the plant which they had discovered, and +which in time proved a source of the greatest profit not only to the +European colonies, but to the dealers in the Old World. + + [Footnote 10: Trinidad tobacco was then considered the + finest.] + +Helps, treating on this same subject, says: + + "It is interesting to observe the way in which a new product + is introduced to the notice of the Old World--a product that + was hereafter to become, not only an unfailing source of + pleasure to a large section of the whole part of mankind, + from the highest to the lowest, but was also to distinguish + itself as one of those commodities for revenue, which are + the delight of statesmen, the great financial resource of + modern nations, and which afford a means of indirect + taxation that has perhaps nourished many a war, and + prevented many a revolution. The importance, financially and + commercially speaking, of this discovery of tobacco--a + discovery which in the end proved more productive to the + Spanish crown than that of the gold mines of the Indies." + +Spain and Portugal in all their colonies fostered and encouraged its +cultivation and then at once ranked as the best producers and dealers +in tobacco. The varieties grown by them in the West Indies and South +America were highly esteemed and commanded much higher prices than +that grown by the English and Dutch colonies. In 1620, however, the +Dutch merchants were the largest wholesale tobacconists in Europe, and +the people of Holland, generally, the greatest consumers of the weed. + +The expedition of 1584, under the auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, +which resulted in the discovery of Virginia, also introduced the +tobacco plant, among other novelties, to the attention of the English. +Hariot,[11] who sailed with this expedition, says of the plant: + + [Footnote 11: A brief and true Report of the New Found + Land of Virginia (London, 1588).] + + "There is an herb which is sowed apart by itselfe, and is + called by the inhabitants uppowoc. In the West Indies it + hath divers names, according to the severall places and + countries where it groweth and is used; the Spaniards + generally call it Tobacco. The leaves thereof being dried + and brought into powder, they use to take the fume or smoke + thereof by sucking it through pipes made of clay into their + stomacke and heade, from whence it purgeth superfluous + fleame and other grosse humors; openeth all the pores and + passages of the body; by which means the use thereof not + only preserveth the body from obstructions, but also if any + be so that they have not beene of too long continuance, in + short time breaketh them; whereby their bodies are notably + preserved in health, and know not many grievous diseases + wherewithall we in England are oftentimes affected. This + uppowoc is of so precious estimation amongest them that they + thinke their gods are marvellously delighted therewith; + whereupon sometime they make halowed fires, and cast some of + the powder therein for a sacrifise. Being in a storme uppon + the waters, to pacifie their gods, they cast some up into + the aire and into the water: so a weave for fish being newly + set up, they cast some therein and into the aire; also after + an escape of danger they cast some into the aire likewise; + but all done with strange gestures, stamping, sometimes + dancing, clapping of hands, holding up of hands, and staring + up into the heavens, uttering there withal and chattering + strange wordes, and noises. + + "We ourselves during the time we were there used to suck it + after their manner, as also since our returne, and have + found many rare and wonderful experiments of the virtues + thereof; of which the relation would require a volume of + itselfe; the use of it by so manie of late, men and women, + of great calling as else, and some learned phisitions also + is sufficient witnes." + +The natives also when Drake[12] landed in Virginia, "brought a little +basket made of rushes, and filled with an herbe which they called +Tobah;" they "came also the second time to us bringing with them as +before had been done, feathers and bags of Tobah for presents, or +rather indeed for sacrifices, upon this persuasion that we were gods." + + [Footnote 12: The World Encompassed. London, 1628.] + +William Strachey[13] says of tobacco and its cultivation by the +Indians: + + [Footnote 13: "The Historie of Travaile into Virginia + Britannica."] + + "Here is great store of tobacco, which the salvages call + apooke: howbeit it is not of the best kynd, it is but poor + and weake, and of a byting taste; it grows not fully a yard + above ground, bearing a little yellow flower like to + henbane; the leaves are short and thick, somewhat round at + the upper end; whereas the best tobacco of Trynidado and the + Oronoque, is large, sharpe, and growing two or three yardes + from the ground, bearing a flower of the breadth of our + bell-flower, in England; the salvages here dry the leaves of + this apooke over the fier, and sometymes in the sun, and + crumble yt into poudre, stalk, leaves, and all, taking the + same in pipes of earth, which very ingeniously they can + make." + +[Illustration: The contrast.] + +It would seem then, if the account given by Strachey be correct, that +the tobacco cultivated by the Indians of North America was of inferior +growth and quality to that grown in many portions of South America, +and more particularly in the West India islands. As there are still +many varieties of the plant grown in America, so there doubtless was +when cultivated by the Indians. While most probably the quality of +leaf remained the same from generation to generation, still in some +portions of America, owing more to the soil and climate than the mode +of cultivating by them, they cured very good tobacco. We can readily +see how this might have been, from numerous experiments made with both +American and European varieties. Nearly all of the early Spanish, +French and English voyagers who landed in America were attracted by +the beauty of the country. Ponce De Leon, who sailed from Spain to the +Floridas, was charmed by the plants and flowers, and doubtless the +first sight of them strengthened his belief in the existence somewhere +in this tropical region of the fountain of youth. + +The discovery of tobacco proved of the greatest advantage to the +nations who fostered its growth,--and increased the commerce of both +England and Spain, doing much to make the latter what it once was, one +of the most powerful nations of Europe and possessor of the largest +and richest colonies, while it greatly helped the former, already +unsurpassed in intelligence and civilization, to reach its present +position at the commercial head of the nations of the world. + +As Spain, however, has fallen from the high place she once held, her +colonial system has also gone down. And while England, thanks to her +more liberal policy, still retains a large share of the territory +which she possessed at first, Spain, which once held sway over a vast +portion of America, has been deprived of nearly all of her colonies, +and ere long may lose control of the island on which the discoverer of +America first saw the plant.[14] + + [Footnote 14: "Spain has doubtless conquered more of the + Earth's surface than any other modern nation; and her + peculiar national character has also caused her to make + the worst use of them. It was always easier for the Moor + to conquer than to make a good use of his conquests; and + so it has always been with Spain."] + +It is an historical fact that wherever in the English and Spanish +colonies civilization has taken the deepest root, so has also the +plant which has become as famous as any of the great tropical products +of the earth. The relation existing between the balmy plant and the +commerce of the world is of the strongest kind. Fairholt has well +said, that "the revenue brought to our present Sovereign Lady from +this source alone is greater than that Queen Elizabeth received from +the entire customs of the country." + +The narrow view of commercial policy held by her successors, the +Stuarts, induced them to hamper the colonists of America with +restrictions; because they were alarmed lest the ground should be +entirely devoted to tobacco. Had not this Indian plant been +discovered, the whole history of some portions of America would have +been far different. In the West Indies three great products--Coffee, +Sugar-Cane, and Tobacco,--have proved sources of the greatest +wealth--and wherever introduced, have developed to a great extent the +resources of the islands. Thus it may be seen that while the Spaniards +by the discovery and colonization of large portions of America +strengthened the currency of the world, the English alike, by the +cultivation of the plant, gave an impetus to commerce still felt and +continued throughout all parts of the globe. + + An English writer has truthfully observed that "Tobacco is + like Elias' cloud, which was no bigger than a man's hand, + that hath suddenly covered the face of the earth; the low + countries, Germany, Poland, Arabia, Persia, Turkey, almost + all countries, drive a trade of it; and there is no + commodity that hath advanced so many from small fortunes to + gain great estates in the world. Sailors will be supplied + with it for their long voyages. Soldiers cannot (but) want + it when they keep guard all night, or upon other hard duties + in cold and tempestuous weather. Farmers, ploughmen, and + almost all labouring men, plead for it. If we reflect upon + our forefathers, and that within the time of less than one + hundred years, before the use of tobacco came to be known + amongst us, we cannot but wonder how they did to subsist + without it; for were the planting or traffick of tobacco now + hindered, millions of this nation in all probability must + perish for the want of food, their whole livelihood almost + depending upon it." + +When first discovered in America, and particularly by the English in +Virginia, the plant was cultivated only by the females of the tribes, +the chiefs and warriors engaging only in the chase or following the +warpath. They cultivated a few plants around their wigwams, and cured +a few pounds for their own use. The smoke, as it ascended from their +pipes and circled around their rude huts and out into the air, seemed +typical of the race--the original cultivators and smokers of the +plant. But, unlike the great herb which they cherished and gave to +civilization, they have gradually grown weak in numbers and faded +away, while the great plant has gone on its way, ever assuming more +and more sway over the commercial and social world, until it now takes +high rank among the leading elements of mercantile and agricultural +greatness. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TOBACCO IN AMERICA. + + +We do not find in any accounts of the English voyagers made previous +to 1584, any mention of the discovery of tobacco, or its use among the +Indians. This may appear a little strange, as Captains Amidas and +Barlow, who sailed from England under the auspices of Sir Walter +Raleigh in 1584, on returning from Virginia, had brought home with +them pearls and tobacco among other curiosities. But while we have no +account of those who returned from the voyage made in 1602 taking any +tobacco with them, it is altogether probable that those who remained +took a lively interest in the plant and the Indian mode of use; for we +find that in nine years after they landed at Jamestown tobacco had +become quite an article of culture and commerce. + +Hamo in alluding to the early cultivation of tobacco by the colony, +says, that John Rolfe was the pioneer tobacco planter. In his words: + + "I may not forget the gentleman worthie of much + commendations, which first took the pains to make triall + thereof, his name Mr. John Rolfe, Anno Domini 1612, partly + for the love he hath a long time borne unto it, and partly + to raise commodities to the adventurers, in whose behalfe I + intercede and vouchsafe to hold my testimony in beleefe that + during the time of his aboade there, which draweth neere + sixe years no man hath laboured to his power there, and + worthy incouragement unto England, by his letters than he + hath done, witness his marriage with Powhatan's daughter one + of rude education, manners barbarous, and cursed generation + merely for the good and honor of the plantation." + +[Illustration: John Rolfe.] + +The first general planting of tobacco by the colony began according to +this writer-- + "at West and Sherley Hundred (seated on the north side of + the river, lower than the Bermudas three or four myles) + where are twenty-five commanded by capten Maddeson--who are + imployed onely in planting and curing tobacco." + +This was in 1616, when the colony numbered only three hundred and +fifty-one persons. Rolfe, in his relation of the state of Virginia, +written and addressed to the King, gives the following description of +the condition of the colony in 1616: + + "Now that your highness may with the more ease understand in + what condition the colony standeth, I have briefly sett + downe the manner of all men's several imployments, the + number of them, and the several places of their aboad, which + places or seates are all our owne ground, not so much by + conquest, which the Indians hold a just and lawfull title, + but purchased of them freely, and they verie willingly + selling it. The places which are now possessed and inhabited + are sixe:--Henrico and the lymitts, Bermuda Nether hundred, + West and Sherley hundred, James Towne, Kequoughtan, and + Dales-Gift. The generall mayne body of the planters are + divided into Officers, Laborers, Farmors. + + "The officers have the charge and care as well over the + farmors as laborers generallie--that they watch and ward for + their preservacions; and that both the one and the other's + busines may be daily followed to the performance of those + imployments, which from the one are required, and the other + by covenant are bound unto. These officers are bound to + maintayne themselves and families with food and rayment by + their owne and their servant's industrie. The laborers are + of two sorts. Some employed onely in the generall works, who + are fedd and clothed out of the store--others, specially + artificers as smiths, carpenters, shoemakers, taylors, + tanners, &c., doe worke in their professions for the colony, + and maintayne themselves with food and apparrell, having + time lymitted them to till and manure their ground. + + "The farmors live at most ease--yet by their good endeavors + bring yearlie much plentie to the plantation. They are bound + by covenant, both for themselves and servants, to maintaine + your Ma'ties right and title in that kingdom, against all + foreigne and domestique enemies. To watch and ward in the + townes where they are resident. To do thirty-one dayes + service for the colony, when they shalbe called + thereunto--yet not at all tymes, but when their owne busines + can best spare them. To maintayne themselves and families + with food and rayment--and every farmor to pay yearlie into + the magazine for himself and every man servant, two barrells + and a halfe of English measure. + + "Thus briefly have I sett downe every man's particular + imployment and manner of living; albeit, lest the + people--who generallie are bent to covett after gaine, + especially having tasted of the sweete of their + labors--should spend too much of their tyme and labor in + planting tobacco, known to them to be verie vendible in + England, and so neglect their tillage of corne, and fall + into want thereof, it is provided for--by the providence + and care of Sir Thomas Dale--that no farmor or other, who + must maintayne themselves--shall plant any tobacco, unless + he shall yearely manure, set and maintayne for himself and + every man servant two acres of ground with corne, which + doing they may plant as much tobacco as they will, els all + their tobacco shalbe forfeite to the colony--by which meanes + the magazine shall yearely be sure to receave their rent of + corne; to maintayne those who are fedd thereout, being but a + few, and manie others, if need be; they themselves will be + well stored to keepe their families with overplus, and reape + tobacco enough to buy clothes and such other necessaries as + are needful for themselves and household. For an easie + laborer will keepe and tend two acres of corne, and cure a + good store of tobacco--being yet the principall commoditie + the colony for the present yieldeth. + + "For which as for other commodities, the councell and + company for Virginia have already sent a ship thither, + furnished with all manner of clothing, household stuff and + such necessaries, to establish a magazine there, which the + people shall buy at easie rates for their commodities--they + selling them at such prices that the adventurers may be no + loosers. This magazine shalbe yearelie supplied to furnish + them, if they will endeavor, by their labor, to maintayne + it--which wilbe much beneficiall to the planters and + adventurers, by interchanging their commodities, and will + add much encouragement to them and others to preserve and + follow the action with a constant resolution to uphold the + same." + +The colony at this time was engaged in planting corn and tobacco, +"making pitch and tarr, potashes, charcole, salt," and in fishing. Of +Jamestown he says: + + "At James Toune (seated on the north side of the river, from + West and Sherley Hundred lower down about thirty-seven + miles) are fifty, under the command of lieutenant Sharpe, in + the absence of capten Francis West, Esq., brother to the + right ho'ble the L. Lawarre,--whereof thirty-one are + farmors; all theis maintayne themselves with food and + rayment. Mr. Richard Buck minister there--a verie good + preacher." + +Rev. Hugh Jones "Chaplain to the Honourable Assembly, and lately +Minister of James-Towne and in Virginia," in a work entitled--"The +Present State of Virginia," gives the following account of the +cultivation of tobacco: + + "When a tract of land is seated, they clear it by felling + the trees about a yard from the ground, lest they should + shoot again. What wood they have occasion for they carry + off, and burn the rest, or let it lie and rot upon the + ground. The land between the logs and stumps they hoe up, + planting tobacco there in the spring, inclosing it with a + slight fence of cleft rails. This will last for tobacco some + years, if the land be good; as it is where fine timber, or + grape vines grow. Land when hired is forced to bear tobacco + by penning their cattle upon it; but cowpen tobacco tastes + strong, and that planted in wet marshy land is called + nonburning tobacco, which smoaks in the pipe like leather, + unless it be of a good age. When land is tired of tobacco, + it will bear Indian Corn or English Wheat, or any other + European grain or seed with wonderful increase. + +[Illustration: Virginia tobacco field, 1620.] + + "Tobacco and Indian Corne are planted in hills as hops, and + secured by worm fences, which are made of rails supporting + one another very firmly in a particular manner. Tobacco + requires a great deal of skill and trouble in the right + management of it. They raise the plants in beds, as we do + Cabbage plants; which they transplant and replant upon + occasion after a shower of rain, which they call a season. + When it is grown up they top it, or nip off the head, + succour it, or cut off the ground leaves, weed it, hill it; + and when ripe, they cut it down about six or eight leaves on + a stalk, which they carry into airy tobacco houses, after it + is withered a little in the sun, there it is hung to dry on + sticks, as paper at the paper-mills; when it is in proper + case, (as they call it) and the air neither too moist, nor + too dry, they strike it, or take it down, then cover it up + in bulk, or a great heap, where it lies till they have + leisure or occasion to strip it (that is pull the leaves + from the stalk) or stem it (that is to take out the great + fibres) and tie it up in hands, or streight lay it; and so + by degrees prize or press it with proper engines into great + Hogsheads, containing from about six to eleven hundred + pounds; four of which Hogsheads make a tun by dimention, not + by weight; then it is ready for sale or shipping. + + "There are two sorts of tobacco, viz., Oroonoko the + stronger, and sweet-scented the milder; the first with a + sharper leaf like a Fox's ear, and the other rounder and + with finer fibres: But each of these are varied into several + sorts, much as Apples and Pears are; and I have been + informed by the Indian traders, that the Inland Indians have + sorts of tobacco much differing from any planted or used by + the Europeans. The Indian Corn is planted in hills and + weeded much as tobacco. This grain is of great increase and + most general use; for with this is made good bread, cakes, + mush, and hommony for the negroes, which with good pork and + potatoes (red and white, very nice and different from ours) + with other roots and pulse, are their general food." + +The cultivation of tobacco increased with the growth of the colony and +the increase of price which at this time was sufficient to induce most +of the planters to neglect the culture of Corn and Wheat, devoting +their time to growing their "darling tobacco." The first thirty years +after the colonization of Virginia by the English, the colony made but +little progress owing in part to private factions and Indian wars. The +horrid massacres by the Indians threatened the extermination of the +colony, and for a time the plantations were neglected and even tobacco +became more of an article of import than of export, which is +substantiated by an early writer of the colony who says:--"A vast +quantity of tobacco is consumed in the country in smoking, chewing, +and snuff." Frequent complaints were made by the colony of want of +strength and danger of imminent famine, owing in part to the presence +of a greater number of adventurers than of actual settlers,--such +being the case the resources of the country were in a measure limited. + +The demand for tobacco in England increasing each year, together with +the high price paid for that from Virginia (3 s. per lb.), stimulated +the planters to hazard all their time and labor upon one crop, +neglecting the cultivation of the smaller grains, intent only upon +curing "a good store of tobacco." The company of adventurers at length +found it necessary to check the excessive planting of the weed, and by +the consent of the "Generall Assemblie" restraining the plantations to +"one hundred plants[15] ye headd, uppon each of wich plantes there are +to bee left butt onely nyne leaves wich portions as neare as could be +guessed, was generally conceaved would be agreable with the hundred +waight you have allowed." + + [Footnote 15: Another account is sixty pounds per head.] + +In 1639 the "Grand Assembly" (summoned the sixth of January) passed a +law restricting the growth of the colony to 1,500,000 lbs., and to +1,200,000 in the two years next ensuing. The exporting of the poorer +qualities of tobacco by the colony caused much dissatisfaction as will +be seen by a letter of the Company dated 11th September, 1621: + + "We are assured from our Factor in Holland that except the + tobacco that shall next come thence prove to be of more + perfection and goodnesse than that was sent home last, there + is no hope that it vend att all, for albeit itt passed once + yett the wary buyer will not be againe taken, so that we + heartily wish that youe would make some provision for the + burninge of all base and rotten stuff, and not suffer any + but very good to be cured at least sent home, whereby these + would certainly be more advanced in the price upon lesse in + the quantity; howsoever we hope that no bad nor ill + conditioned tobacco shall be by compelling authoritie + (abusing its power given for public good to private benefit) + putt uppon or Factor, and very earnestly desire that he may + have the helpe of justice to constraine men to pay their + debts unto him both remaining of the last yeares accompt and + what shall this yearse growth deue, and that in Comodities + of the same vallew and goodness as shalbe by him contracted + for." + +At this period it appears that tobacco was used as money, and as the +measure of price and value. The taxes whether public, county, or +parish, were payable in tobacco. + +Tatham says, "Even the tavern keepers were compelled to exchange a +dinner for a few pounds of tobacco." The law for the regulation of +payments in tobacco was passed in the year 1640. From these facts and +incidents connected with the culture and commerce of the plant we see +how intimately it was connected with both Church and State. Jones well +said "the Establishment is indeed tobacco;" the salary of ministers +was payable in it according to the wealth of the parish. In most +parishes 16000 lbs. was the yearly amount, + "and in some 20,000 lbs. of + Tobacco; out of which there is a deduction for Cask, + prizing, collecting, and about which allowance there are + sometimes disputes, as are also differences often about the + place, time, and manner of delivering it; but all these + things might easily be regulated. Tobacco is more commonly + at 20 s. per cent. than at 10; so that certainly it will + bring 12 s. 8 d. a hundred, which will make 16000 (the least + salary) amount to 100L per Ann. which it must certainly + clear, allowing for all petty charges, out of the lowness of + the price stated which is less than the medium between ten + and twenty shillings; whereas it might be stated above the + medium, since it is oftener at twenty than ten shillings. + Besides the payment of the salary, the surplice fees want a + better regulation in the payments; for though the allowance + be sufficient, yet differences often and illwill arise about + these fees, whether they are to be paid in money or tobacco, + and when; whereas by a small alteration and addition of a + few laws in these and the like respects, the clergy might + live more happy, peaceable, and better beloved; and the + people would be more easy, and pay never the more dues. + + "Some parts of the country make but mean and poor tobacco so + that Clergymen don't care to live in such parishes; but + there the payment might be made in money, or in the produce + of those places, which might be equivalent to the tobacco + payments; better for the minister, and as pleasing to the + people." + +We find further complaints from the London Company of the poor quality +of the tobacco "sent home," in a letter addressed to the Governor, +bearing date 10th June, 1622:-- + + "The tobacco sent home by the George for the company proved + very meane and is yett unsold although it hath been offered + at 3s. the pound. This we thought fitt to advise you + concerning the quantity and the manner how it is raised, in + both wich being done contrarie to their directors and + extreamly to theire prejudice, the Companie is very ill + sattisfied, will write by the next, more largely." + +In the year 1620 the difficulties seem first to have been publicly +avowed, (though perhaps before felt,) arising from attaching men as +permanent settlers to the colony without an adequate supply of women, +to furnish the comforts of domestic life; and to overcome the +difficulty "a hundred young women" of agreeable persons and +respectable characters, were selected in England and sent out, at the +expense of the Company, as wives for the settlers. They were very +speedily appropriated by the young men of the colony, who paid for the +privilege of choice considerable sums as purchase money, which went to +replenish the treasury of the Company, from whence the cost of their +outfit and passage had been defrayed. + +This speculation proved so advantageous to that body, in a pecuniary +sense, that it was soon followed up by sending out sixty more, for +whom larger prices were paid than for the first consignment; the +amount paid on the average for the first one hundred being 120 pounds +of tobacco apiece for each, then valued at 3s. per lb., and for the +second supply of sixty, the average price paid was 150 lbs. of +tobacco, this being the legal currency of the colony, and the standard +value by which all contracts, salaries, and prices were paid. In one +of the Companies letters dated in London this 12th of August, 1621, we +find this account of a portion of the _goods_ sent over in the ship +Marmaduke:-- + + "We send you in this ship one widdow and eleven maids for + wives for the people in Virginia; there hath been especiall + care had in the choise of them for their hath not any one of + them beene received but upon good comendations, as by a note + herewith sent you may perceive: we pray you all therefore in + generall to take them into your care, and most especially we + recommend them to you, Mr. Pountes, that at their first + landing they may be housed, lodged and provided for of diet + till they be marryed for such was the haste of sending them + away, as that straightned with time, we had no meanes to + putt provisions aboard, which defect shalbe supplied by the + magazine shipp; and in case they cannot be presently marryed + we desire they may be putt to several householders that have + wives till they can be provided of husbands. There are neare + fifty more which are shortly to come, we sent by our most + honoble Lord William the Earle of Southampton and certain + worthy gentlemen who taking into these considerations, that + the Plantation can never flourish till families be planted + and the respect of wives and children fix the people in the + soil; therefore have given this fair beginning for the + reimbursing of whose charges, itt is ordered that every man + that marries them give 120 lb. waight of best leafe tobacco + for each of them, and in case any of them dye that + proportion must be advanced to make it upp to those that + survive; and this certainly is sett down for that the price + sett upon the bages sent last yeare being 20 lb. which was + so much money out of purse here, there was returned 66 lb. + of tobacco only, and that of the worst and basest, so that + fraight and shrinkage reconed together with the baseness of + the comoditie there was not one half returned, which injury + the company is sensible of as they demand restitution, which + accordingly must be had of them that took uppon them the + dispose of them the rather that no man may mistake himself, + in accomptinge tobacco to be currant 3s. sterling contrary + to express orders. + + "And though we are desirous that marriadge be free according + to the law of nature, yett undervow not to have these maids + deterred and married to servants, but only to such freemen + or tenants as have means to maintaine them; we pray you + therefore to be fathers to them in this business, not + enforcing them to marrie against their wills; neither send + we them to be servants, but in case of extremitie, for we + would have their condition so much better as multitudes may + be allured thereby to come unto you; and you may assure such + men as marry those women that the first servants sent over + by the company shall be consigned to them, it being our + intent to preserve families and proper married men before + single persons. The tobacco that shall be due uppon the + marriadge of these maids we desire Mr. Pountes to receive + and returne by the first, as also the little quantities of + Pitzarn Rock and Piece of Oare, the copie of whose bill is + here returned. To conclude, the company for some weighty + reasons too long to relate, have ordered that no man + marrying these women expect the proportion of land usually + allotted for each head, which to avoid clamor or other + trouble hereafter you shall do well to give them notice of." + +[Illustration: Buying wives.] + +In another letter written by the company and dated London, September +11th, 1621, they write:-- + + "By this Shipp and Pinace called the Tyger, we also send as + many maids and young women as will make up the number of + fifty, with those twelve formerly sent in the Marmaduke, + which we hope shalbe received with the same Christian pietie + and charitie as they were sent from hence; the providing for + them at their first landing and disposing of them in + marriage (which is our chief intent), we leave to your care + and wisdom, to take that order as may most conduce to their + good, and satisfaction of the Adventurers, for the charges + disbursed in setting them forth, which coming to twelve + pounds and upwards, they require one hundred and fiftie of + the best leafe tobacco for each of them; and if any of them + dye there must be a proportionable addition uppon the rest; + this increase of thirty pounds is weight since those sent in + the Marmaduke, they have resolved to make, finding the + great shrinkage and other losses uppon the tobacco from + Virginia will not leave lesse, which tobacco as it shalbe + received, we desire may be delivered to Mr. Ed. Blany, who + is to keep thereof a particular account. We have used + extraordinary care and dilligence in the choice of them, and + have received none of whom we have not had good testimony of + their honest life and cariadge, which together with their + names, we send them inclosed for the satisfaction of such as + shall marry them; for whose further encouragement we desire + you to give public notice that the next spring we purpose to + send over as many youths for apprentices to those that shall + now marry any of them and make us due satisfaction. + + "This and theire owne good deserts together with your favor + and care, will we hope, marry them all unto honest and + sufficient men, whose means will reach to present repayment; + but if any of them shall unwarily or fondly bestow herself + (for the liberty of marriadge we dare not infrindge) uppon + such as shall not be able to give present sattisfaction, we + desire that at least as soon as ability shalbe, they be + compelled to pay the true quantity of tobacco proportioned, + and that this debt may have precedence of all other to be + recovered. + + "For the rest, which we hope will not be many, we desire + your best furtherance for providing them fitting services + till they may happen uppon good matches, and are here + persuaded by many old planters that there will be good + maisters now found there, who will readily lay down what + charges shall be required, uppon assurance of repayment at + their marriadges, which as just and reasonable we desire may + be given them. But this and many other things in this + business we must refer to your good considerations and + fruitful endeavors in opening a work begun here out of pity, + and tending so much to the benefitt of the plantation, shall + not miscarry for any want of good will or care on your + part." + +In 1622 a monopoly of the importation of tobacco was granted to the +Virginia and Somers Island, companies. + + "But now at last it hath pleased God for the confirmation no + doubt of our hopes and redoubling of our and your courage, + to incline His Majestie's Royall heart to grant the sole + importation of Tobacco (a thing long and earnestly desired), + to the Virginia and Somers Island Companies, and that upon + such conditions as the private profit of each man is likely + to be much improved and the general state of the plantation + strongly secured, while his Majestie's revenue is so closely + joyned as together with the colonie it must rise and faile, + grow and impair, and that not a small matter neither, but of + twenty thousand pounds per annum, (for the offer of so much + in certainty hath his majestie been pleased to refuse in + favor of the Plantations)." + +On Friday the 22d of March 1622 the Indians attacked the plantations + "and attempted in most places under the color of unsuspected + amytie, and by surprise to have cut us all off and to have + swept us all away at once throughout the whole lande had itt + not pleased God of his abundant mercy to prevent them in + many places, for which we can never sufficient magnifie his + blessed, name." + +But notwithstanding this terrible massacre in which nearly four +hundred persons were slain the colony increased in wealth and numbers +as plantations were laid out and the colonists developed the various +resources of the country. From the first planting of tobacco in +Virginia by the colony it seemed to meet the royal displeasure of King +James the First who falsely and frivolously sought to establish a +connection between the balmy plant, and the influences of the Evil +One. + +In 1622 King James still opposing the cultivation of tobacco sought by +every means in his power to discourage its growth and culture. He +urged the growing of mulberry trees and the propagation of silk worms, +as being of more value than tobacco. In a letter dated 10th June 1622, +addressed to the Governor and Council of Virginia by the London +Company we find this reproof for neglecting the cultivation of +"mulberrie trees": + + "His Ma{tie} (Majesty) above all things requires from us a + proof of silke; sharply reproving the neglect thereof, + wherefore we pray you lett that little stock you have be + carefully improved, the mulberrie trees preserved and + increased, and all other fitt preparations made for, God + willing before Christmas you shall receive from us one + hundred ounces of Silkworme seed at least, which coming too + late from Valentia we have been forced to hatch it here." + +In 1623 a letter was prepared for the colony by order of privy council +of the king and addressed to Sir Francis Wyatt Knight and Captain +General of Virginia and to the rest of the Council of State in which +the colony is admonished to pay more attention to "Staple +Commodities." That part relating to it reads: + + "The carefull and diligent prosecution of Staple Commodities + which we promist; we above all things pray you to performe + so as we may have speedily the real proof of your cares and + endeavors therein, especially in that of Iron, of Vines and + Silk the neglect and delay whereof so long is to us here + cause of infinit grief and discontent, especially in regard + of his Majesties just resentment therein that his Royall + grace and love to the Plantation, which after so long a time + and long a supply of his Majesties favor hath brought forth + no better fruit than Tobacco. + + "Yett by the goodness of God inclyning his princely heart, + we have received not only from the Lords of his Privy + Counsell, but from his Royal mouth such assurance not only + of his tender love and care but also of his Royal intentions + for the advancement of the Plantation; that we cannot but + exceedingly rejoice therein and persuade you with much more + comfort and encouragement to go on in the building up of his + Royal worke with all sincerity, care and diligence, and that + with that perfect love and union amongst yourselves as may + really demonstrate that your intentions are all one, the + advancement of God's glorie and the service of his Royall + Majestie: for the particularities of his Majesties gratious + intentions for the future good, you may in part understand + them by the courses appointed by the Lords, whereof we here + inclosed send the orders. + + "And we are further to signifie unto you that the Lords of + his Majesties Privy Counsell, having by his Majesties order + taken into their considerations the contract made last + Sommer by the Company have dissolved the same; and signified + that his Majestie out of his gracious and Royall intention + and princely favor to the Plantation hath resolved to grant + a sole Importion of Tobacco to the two Plantations, with an + exception only of 40,000 weight of ye best Spanish Tobacco + to be yearly brought in. + + "And it hath also pleased his Majesty in favor of the + Plantation to reduce ye custom and importing of tobacco to + 9d. per pound: And last of all we are to signifie unto you + that their Lordships have ordered that all the Tobacco shall + be brought in from both Plantations as by their Lordship + order whereof we send you a copy, you may perceive." + +In 1624 King James prohibited the importation of foreign tobacco as +well as the planting of tobacco in England or Ireland. The following +is a portion of the proclamation:-- + + "Whereas our commons, in their last sessions of parliament + became humble petitioners to us, that, for many weighty + reasons, much concerning the interest of our kingdom, and + the trade thereof, we would by our royal power utterly + prohibit the use of all foreign tobacco, which is not of the + growth of our own dominions: And whereas we have upon all + occasions made known our dislike we have ever had of the use + of tobacco in general, as tending to the corruption both of + the health and manners of our people. + + "Nevertheless because we have been often and earnestly + importuned by many of our loving subjects, planters, and + adventurers in Virginia and the Somer isles; that, as those + colonies are yet but in their infancy, and cannot be brought + to maturity, unless we be pleased, for a time, to tolerate + unto them the planting and vending of their own growth; we + have condescended to their desires: and do therefore hereby + strictly prohibit the importation of any tobacco from beyond + sea, or from Scotland, into England or Ireland other than + from our colonies before named; moreover we strictly + prohibit the planting of any tobacco either in England or + Ireland." + +Thus King James by Proclamation and Prohibition set his face sternly +against the growth and traffic in the plant, which opposition knew no +alteration and continued till his death, which occurred in 1625. James +was succeeded by his son Charles I. On ascending the throne Charles +manifested the same hostility towards the plant which his father had. +He prohibited the importation of all tobacco excepting that grown by +the colony, and throughout his reign made no change in the restrictive +laws against its growth and sale. He continued its sale, however, as a +kingly monopoly, allowing only those to engage in it who paid him for +the privilege. The Company had now raised a capital of two hundred +thousand pounds, but falling into dispute and disagreeing one with +another, Charles thought best to establish a royal government. + +Accordingly he dissolved the Company in 1626, + "reducing the Country + and Government into his own immediate ordering all patents + and processes to issue in his own name, reserving to himself + a quit-rent of two shillings for every hundred acres of + land." + +The first act was by proclamation as follows:-- + + "That whereas, in his royal father's time, the charter of + the Virginia Company was by a quo warranto annulled; and + whereas his said father was, and he himself also is, of + opinion, that the government of that Colony by a company + incorporated, consisting of a multitude of persons of + various dispositions, amongst whom affairs of the greatest + moment are ruled by a majority of votes, was not so proper, + for carrying on, prosperously, the affairs of the colony; + wherefore, to reduce the government thereof to such a course + as might best agree with that form which was held in his + royal monarchy; and considering also, that we hold those + territories of Virginia and Somer isles, as also that of New + England, lately planted, with the limits thereof, to be a + part of our royal empire; we ordain that the government of + Virginia shall immediately depend on ourself, and not be + committed to any company or corporation, to whom it may be + proper to trust matters of trade and commerce, but cannot be + fit to commit the ordering of state affairs. + + "Wherefore our commissioners for those affairs shall proceed + as directed, till we establish a council here for that + colony; to be subordinate to our council here for that + colony. And at our charge we will maintain those public + officers and ministers and that strength of men, munition, + and fortification, which shall be necessary for the defence + of that plantation. And we will also settle and assure the + particular rights and interests of every planter and + adventurer. Lastly, whereas the tobacco of those plantations + (the only present means of their subsisting) cannot be + managed for the good of the plantations, unless it be + brought into one hand, whereby the foreign tobacco of those + plantations may yield a certain and ready price to the + owners thereof: to avoid all differences between the + planters and adventurers themselves, we resolve to take the + same into our own hands, and to give such prices for the + same as may give reasonable satisfaction, whereof we will + determine at better leisure." + +From this time forward the Plantation seemed to prosper, Charles +granted lands to all the planters and adventurers who would till them, +upon paying the annual sum of two shillings payable to the crown for +each hundred acres. Before the death of King James, however, the +cultivation of tobacco had become so extensive that every other +product seemed of but little value in comparison with it, and the +price realized from its sale being so much greater than that obtained +for "Corne," the latter was neglected and its culture almost entirely +abandoned. + +Arthur and Carpenter, in their History of Virginia, give a graphic and +truthful picture of its cultivation during the reign of King James:-- + + "The first articles of commerce to the production of which + the early settlers almost exclusively devoted themselves, + were potash, soap, glass and tar. Distance, however, and a + want of the proper facilities to enable them to manufacture + cheaply, rendered the cost of these commodities so great, + that exports of a similar character from Russia and Sweden + were still enabled to maintain their old ascendency in the + markets of Europe. After many fruitless and costly + experiments in the cultivation of the vine, the growing + demand for tobacco enabled the planters to turn their labor + into a profitable channel. As the demand increased the + profits became correspondingly great, and every other + species of labor was abandoned for the cultivation of + tobacco. + + "The houses were neglected, the palisades suffered to rot + down, the fields, gardens and public squares, even the very + streets of Jamestown were planted with tobacco. The + townspeople, more greedy of gain than mindful of their own + security, scattered abroad into the wilderness, where they + broke up small pieces of rich ground and made their crop + regardless of their proximity to the Indians, in whose good + faith so little reliance could be placed." + +During the reign of Charles I. many families of respectable connection +joined the colony, and from this time forward the colony increased in +wealth as well as numbers. King Charles, to use the language of +another, had now commenced "as a tobacco merchant and monopolist," and +in 1627 issued a proclamation renewing his already strong monopoly +more effectually, by appointing certain officers of London + "to seize + all foreign tobacco, not of the growth of Virginia or + Bermudas, for his benefit, agreeable to a former commission: + also to buy up for his use all the tobacco coming from our + said plantations, and to sell the same again for his + benefit." + +[Illustration: Growing tobacco in the streets.] + +Again in 1630 King Charles issued another proclamation, and among +other restrictions limited the importation of it from the colony. +Quickly following this the King issued in 1632 another proclamation +regulating the retailing of tobacco. In 1634 he also prohibited the +landing of tobacco any where except at the quay near the custom house +in London. + +In 1636 Charles appointed Sir John Harvey to be continued governor of +the Plantation. In 1643 parliament laid a tax for the year 1644, +calling it Excise, and also laid a duty of four shillings per pound on +foreign, and two shillings per pound on English tobacco. From what has +already been written, it will be seen that both King James and his son +Charles I. enacted the most stringent laws against its importation, +nearly suppressing the trade, which caused the English farmers to +cultivate it for home use; but another law was now added to suppress +its growth on English soil. + +Fairholt in speaking of the hostility of King James to the plant says: + + "When Kings make unnecessary and unjust laws, subjects + naturally study how to evade them: it is a mere system of + self-defence; and as James nearly suppressed the importation + of tobacco the English began to grow it on their own land. + But the Scottish Solomon who was on the alert, added another + law restraining its cultivation 'to misuse and misemploy the + soil of this fruitful Kingdom.' As this enforced the trade + with the English colony of Virginia alone, it was soon found + that Spanish and Portuguese tobacco might be brought into + port on the payment of the old duty of twopence a pound; + thus a large trade was carried on with their planters to the + injury of the British colonists. + + "Its use increased in spite of all legislative laws and + enactments and James ended by prohibiting any person from + dealing in the article who did not hold his letters patent. + By this means the trade was monopolized, the consumers + oppressed, importation diminished, and the London Company of + Virginia traders ultimately ruined. Those who are fond of + excusing the evil acts of one of the worst of English Kings, + pretend to see James' care for his subjects' health and + wealth in these restrictions, totally regardless of the fact + that James cared for neither when the monopoly brought large + sums into his own pocket." + +In 1632 Charles I. granted to Sir George Calvert (who about this time +was made Lord Baltimore) the territory now known as Maryland; soon +after receiving the grant he died, when his son took the grant in his +own name. The next year he sailed from England with two hundred +persons and settled in his new possessions. The colony from the first, +prospered far better than the colony of Virginia and soon laid the +foundation of a strong and substantial government. Like the Virginians +they soon engaged in the cultivation of tobacco which seemed as well +adapted to the soil as the other products, corn and English wheat. The +Indians were found here as in the Plantation of Virginia planting +tobacco as they did Indian corn and cultivating little patches of it +near their wigwams choosing the most fertile soil the females of the +tribe being the actual cultivators. + +[Illustration: Natives growing tobacco.] + +From this time forward both colonies developed into strong and +flourishing plantations and with each succeeding year increased the +cultivation of tobacco which had now become more extensively +cultivated than all the other products combined. Its culture however +was looked upon with the same disapproval by Charles II. who confirmed +the old laws against its sale and cultivation. But notwithstanding the +remonstrances of the Stuarts the plant grew in use and favor and could +not be uprooted even by a kingly hand. The early cultivators of the +plant received a fresh impetus from the importation of a new species +of labor in the form of Negro slaves brought from the West India +islands. They arrived in the Ship Treasurer "being manned by the best +men of the colony who set out on roving in ye Spanish dominions in the +West Indies" and after a successful cruise against the Spaniards +returned with their spoils including a certain number of Negroes. +Rolfe in alluding to the importation of Negroes says: + + "About the last of August came in, a Dutch man-of-warre that + sold us twenty negars." + +Most writers are of the opinion that this was in 1620, one of whom +says "in the same year that the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, slaves +landed in Virginia." Another writer says of the introduction of slave +labor into the Plantations, + "Is there not a probability that the + vessel was under control of Argall, if not the ship + Treasurer? If twenty negroes came in 1619, as alleged, their + increase was very slow, for according to a census of 16th of + February, 1624, there were but twenty-two then in the + colony, distributed as follows: eleven at Flourdiew Hundred, + three at James City, one at James Island, one at the + plantation opposite James City, four at Warisquoyok, and two + at Elizabeth City." + +About the same time that "negars" landed in the colony, commenced the +arrival of starving boys and girls picked up out of the streets of +London. The "negars" are described as follows by an early writer of +the colony. + "The negroes live in small cottages called quarters, in + about six in a gang, under the direction or an overseer or + baliff; who takes care that they tend such land as the owner + allots and orders, upon which they raise Hogs and Cattle, + plant Indian Corn (or maize) and Tobacco for the use of + their Master; out of which the overseer has a dividend (or + share) in proportion to the number of hands including + himself; this with several privileges in his salary, and is + an ample recompense for his pains, and encouragement of his + industrious care, as to the labor, health, and provision of + the negroes. The negroes are very numerous, some gentlemen + having hundreds of them of all sorts, to whom they bring + great profit; for the sake of which they are obliged to keep + them well, and not overwork, starve, or famish them, besides + other inducements to favor them, which is done in a great + degree, to such especially that are laborious, careful, and + honest; though indeed some Masters, careless of their own + interest and reputation, are too cruel and negligent. + + "The negroes are not only increased by fresh supplies from + Africa and the West India Islands, but also are very + prolific among themselves; and they that are born there talk + good English, and effect our language, habits, and customs; + and tho' they be naturally of a barbarous and cruel temper, + yet are they kept under by severe discipline upon occasion, + and by good laws are prevented from running away, injuring + the English or neglecting their business. Their work (or + chimerical hard slavery) is not very laborious; their + greatest hardship consisting in that they and their + posterity are not at their own liberty or disposal, but are + the property of their owners; and when they are free they + know not how to provide so well for themselves generally; + neither did they live so plentifully nor (many of them) so + easily in their own country where they are made slaves to + one another, or taken captive by their enemies. Their work + is to take care of the stock, and plant Corn, Tobacco, + Fruits and which is not harder than thrashing, hedging, or + ditching; besides, though they are out in the violent heat, + wherein they delight, yet in wet or cold weather there is + little occasion for their working in the fields, in which + few will let them be abroad, lest by this means they might + get sick or die, which would prove a great loss to their + owners, a good Negroe being sometimes worth three (nay four) + score pounds sterling, if he be a tradesmen; so that upon + this (if upon no other account) they are obliged not to + overwork them, but to clooth and feed them sufficiently, and + take care of their health." + +The planters, supplied with greater facilities for the work, now +increased the size of their tobacco plantations, "taking up new +ground" (clearing the land) and planting a much larger area. The first +exportation of the colony's tobacco was brought into competition with +that of much finer flavor, which had acquired an established +reputation long before the English began the culture of the plant in +the New World. The Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese had long monopolized +its culture and trade, and brought from St. Domingo, Jamaica, St. +Thomas, the Philippine Islands, West Florida, and various parts of +South America, several varieties of tobacco of excellent quality, and +which sold at an exorbitant price. On testing the tobacco grown by the +London and Plymouth companies it was found to be sweet and mild in +flavor, of a light color, and well adapted for smoking. On its first +introduction into England it sold for 3s. per pound, but as its +culture increased the price lessened, until it was sold at one-half +this amount. + +[Illustration: Destroying suckers.] + +The planters, who at first cultivated small patches, now planted large +fields of tobacco, and such was the greed for gain that some planters +gathered a second crop upon the same field from the suckers left +growing upon the parent stalk. Tatham[16] says in regard to it:-- + + [Footnote 16: Essay on Tobacco, London, 1800.] + + "It has been customary in former ages to rear an inferior + plant from the sucker which projects from the root after the + cutting of an early plant; and thus a second crop has often + been obtained from the same field by one and the same course + of culture; and although this scion is of a sufficient + quality for smoking, and might become preferred in the + weaker kinds of snuff, it has been (I think very properly) + thought eligible to prefer a prohibitory law, to a risk of + imposition by means of similitude. The practice of + cultivating suckers is on these accounts not only + discountenanced as fraudulent, but the constables are + strictly enjoyned _ex officio_ to make diligent search, and + to employ the _posse commitatus_ in destroying such crops; a + law indeed for which, to the credit of the Virginians, there + is seldom occasion; yet some few instances have occurred, + within my day, where the constables have very honorably + carried it into execution in a manner truly exemplary, and + productive of public good." + +Fairholt says of the same subject:-- + + "It was sometimes the custom with planters to reset the + suckers, and thus grow a double crop on one field, such + conduct was disallowed; for the reason that the crop was + inferior, and the more honest grower, who conscientiously + cleared his plants, and gave them abundance of room to grow, + was dishonestly competed with; and the first rate character + of the Virginian crop prejudiced by the action." + +Fairholt makes a mistake in speaking of the planter as re-setting the +suckers, and his statement shows him to be entirely unacquainted with +the habits of the plant. As soon as the plants are harvested, the +stump of the plant remaining in the ground puts forth one or more +vigorous suckers or shoots, which often in a good season grow almost +as high as the parent stalk. In some tobacco-growing sections one or +two crops of suckers are gathered besides the first crop. + +The Creole planters in Louisiana are said to grow three crops in this +manner, the first or parent crop and two growths of suckers. The +quality of leaf, however, is greatly inferior, as it is small and thin +and lacking in all the qualities necessary for a fine leaf. The +planters now adopted new methods of culture, and cultivated several +species of the plant known as Oronoko and little Frederick, although +they did not fertilize the fields, even when the soil became +impoverished, but simply took new fields for its culture. + +Hugh Jones says of the kinds of tobacco grown in Virginia:-- + + "The land between the James and York rivers seemes nicely + adapted for sweet scented tobacco; for 'tis observed that + the goodness decreaseth the farther you go to the northward + of the one, and the southward of the other; but this may be + (I believe) attributed in some measure to the seed and + management, as well as to the land and latitude: For on York + river in a small tract of land called Diggens neck, which is + poorer than a great deal of other land in the same latitude, + by a particular seed and management, is made the famous crop + known by the name of E Dees, remarkable for its mild taste + and fine smell." He speaks of the planters and their + plantations as follows:--"Neither the interests nor + inclinations of the Virginians induces them to cohabit in + towns: so that they are not forward in contributing their + assistance towards the making of particular places, every + plantation affording the owner the provision of a little + market; wherefore they most commonly build upon some + convenient spot or neck of land in their own plantation, + though towns are laid out and established in each county. + + "The whole country is a perfect forest, except where the + woods are cleared for plantations, and old fields, and where + have been formerly Indian towns, and poisoned fields and + meadows, where the timber has been burnt down in fire + hunting and otherwise; and about the creeks and rivers are + large rank morasses or marshes, and up the country are poor + savannahs. The gentlemen's seats are of late built for the + most part of good brick, and many of timber very handsome, + commodious, and capacious; and likewise the common planters + live in pretty timber houses, neater than the farm houses + are generally in England: With timber also are built houses + for the overseers and out-houses; among which is the kitchen + apart from the dwelling house, because of the smell of hot + victuals, offensive in hot weather. + + "The habits, life, customs, computations of the Virginians, + are much the same as about London, which they esteem their + home; and for the most part have contemptible notions of + England, and wrong sentiments of Bristol, and the other + out-posts, which they entertain from seeing and hearing the + common dealers, sailors, and servants that come from those + towns, and the country places in England and Scotland, whose + language and manners are strange to them; for the planters + and even the native negroes generally talk good English + without idiom and tone, and can discourse handsomely upon + most common subjects: and conversing with persons belonging + to trade and navigation from London, for the most part they + are much civilized, and wear the best of clothes according + to their station; nay, sometimes too good for their + circumstances, being for the generality, comely handsome + persons of good features and fine complexions (if they take + care) of good manners and address. + + "They are not very easily persuaded to the improvement of + useful inventions (except a few, such as sawing mills) + neither are they great encouragers of manufactures, because + of the trouble and certain expense in attempts of this kind, + with uncertain prospect of gain; whereas by their staple + commodity, tobacco, they are certain to get a plentiful + provision; nay, often very great estates. Upon this account + they think it folly to take off their hands (or negroes) and + employ their care and time about anything that may make + them lessen their crop of tobacco. So that though they are + apt to learn, yet they are fond of and will follow their own + ways, humors and notions, being not easily brought to new + projects and schemes; so that I question if they would have + been improved upon by the Mississippi or South sea, or any + other such monstrous bubbles. The common planters leading + easy lives without much labor, or any manly exercise, except + horse-racing, nor diversion, except cock-fighting, in which + some greatly delight. + + "This easy way of living, and the heat of the summer, makes + some very lazy, who are then said to be climate-struck. They + are such lovers of riding, that almost every ordinary person + keeps a horse; and I have known some spend the morning in + ranging several miles in the woods to find and catch their + horses to ride only two or three miles to the Church, to the + Court-House or to a Horse-Race, where they generally appoint + to meet upon business; and are more certain of finding those + that they want to speak or deal with, than at their home. No + people can entertain their friends with better cheer and + welcome; and stranger and traveler is here treated in the + most free, plentiful, and hospitable manner; so that a few + Inns or Ordinaries on the road are sufficient." + +This is no doubt a correct picture of the early planters of Virginia. +Many of them became the owners of large plantations and all those who +were successful growers of tobacco became wealthy in proportion to the +quality of leaf produced. + +The merchants, factors or store-keepers bought up the tobacco of the +planters paying in goods or "current Spanish money, or with sterling +bills payable in Great Britain." At first the cultivation of tobacco +by the colony was confined to Jamestown and the immediate vicinity, +but as the colony increased and the country became more densely +populated, plantations were laid out in the various counties and a +large quantity was produced some ways from the great center Jamestown; +accordingly various methods were adopted to get the tobacco to market, +some of which was sent by boats or canoes down the rivers, while some +was conveyed in carts and wagons while another method was by rolling +in hoops. + +Tatham in his interesting work on tobacco, gives the following +description of the method: + + "I believe rolling tobacco the distance of many hundred + miles, is a mode of conveyance peculiar to Virginia; and for + which the early population of that country deserve a very + handsome credit. Necessity (that very prolific mother of + invention), first suggested the idea of rolling by hand; + time and experience have led to the introduction of horses, + and have ripened human skill, in this kind of carriage, to a + decree of perfection which merits the adoption of the mother + country, but which will be better explained under the next + head of this subject. + +[Illustration: Carrying tobacco to market.] + + "The hogsheads, which are designed to be rolled in common + hoops, are made closer in the joints than if they were + intended for the wagon; and are plentifully hooped with + strong hickory hoops (which is the toughest kind of wood), + with the bark upon them, which remains for some distance a + protection against the stones. Two hickory saplings are + affixed to the hogshead, for shafts by boring an auger-hole + through them to receive the gudgeons or pivots, in the + manner of a field rolling-stone; and these receive pins of + wood, square tapered points, which are admitted through + square mortises made central in the heading, and driven a + considerable depth into the solid tobacco. Upon the hind + part of these shafts, between the horses and the hogshead, a + few light planks are nailed, and a kind of little cart body + is constructed of a sufficient size to contain a bag or two + of provender and provision, together with an axe, and such + other tools as may be needed upon the road, in case of + accident. In this manner they set out to the inspection in + companies, very often joining society with the wagons, and + always pursuing the same method of encamping." + +The methods of making the plant bed, cultivating and harvesting, by +the early planters may be interesting to all growers of the plant and +are here described as showing the progress made in cutting tobacco +from that time until now. + + "In spring red seed, in preference to the white, is put into + a clean pot; milk or stale beer is poured upon it, and it is + left for two or three days in this state; it is then mixed + with a quantity of fine fat earth, and set aside in a hot + chamber, till the seeds begin to put out shoots. They are + then sown in a hot-bed. When the young plants have grown to + a finger's length, they are taken up between the fifteenth + and twenty-second of May, and planted in ground that has + been previously well manured with the dung of doves or + swine. They are placed at square distances of one and a + half-foot from one another. In dry weather, they are now to + be watered with lukewarm water softly showered upon them, + between sunset and twilight. When these plants are full two + feet high, the top of the stems are broken off, to make the + leaves grow thicker and broader. Here and there are left a + few plants without having their tops broken off, in order + that they may afford seeds for another year. Throughout the + summer the other plants are from time to time, pruned at the + top, and the whole field is carefully weeded to make the + growth of the leaf so much the more vigorous. + + "In the month of September, from the sixteenth day, and + between the hours of ten in the morning and four in the + afternoon, the best leaves are to be taken off. It is more + advantageous to pluck the leaves when they are dry than when + they are moist. When plucked they are to be immediately + brought home, and hung upon cords within the house to dry, + in as full exposure as is possible to the influence of the + sun and air; but so as to receive no rain. In this exposure + they remain till the months of March and April following; + when they are to be put up in bundles, and conveyed to the + store-house, in which they may be kept, that they may be + there till more perfectly dried by a moderate heat. Within + eight days they must be removed to a different place, where + they are to be sparingly sprinkled with salt water, and left + till the leaves shall be no longer warm to the feeling of + the hand. A barrel of water with six handfuls of salt are + the proportions. After all this the tobacco leaves may be + laid aside for commercial exportation. They will remain + fresh for three years." + +[Illustration: Enriching plant-bed.] + +In Maryland they formerly prepared the land for a plant-bed by burning +upon it a great quantity of brush-wood, afterwards raking the surface +fine; the seed was then sowed broadcast. The young plants were kept +free from weeds, and were transplanted when about two inches high. The +cultivation of tobacco gradually spread from one State to another. +From Virginia it was introduced into North Carolina and Maryland and +finally Kentucky which is now the largest producing tobacco State in +the Union. The demand for Virginia tobacco continued to increase and +long before the Revolutionary war, Virginia exported annually +thousands of hogsheads of leaf tobacco. Half a century ago the plant +began to be cultivated in Ohio and from the first grew remarkably +well, producing a leaf adapted for both cutting and cigar purposes. + +Tobacco was planted in New Netherland (New York) by the early Dutch +settlers and in 1638 "had become a staple production." In 1639 "from +Virginia numbers of persons whose terms of service had expired, were +attracted to Manhattan, where they introduced improved modes of +cultivating tobacco." Van Twiller was himself a grower of the plant +and had his tobacco farm at Greenwich. Soon after its cultivation +began it was subjected to Excise; and regulations were published to +check the abuses which injured "the high name" it had gained in +foreign countries.[17] + + [Footnote 17: Jacob van Churler and David Provoost were + appointed inspectors of the new staple tobacco. "In 1652 + the commonalty at Manhattan was informed that, to show + their good intentions, the Amsterdam directors had + determined to take off the export duty of tobacco."] + +Wailes says of the early cultivation of tobacco in Mississippi: + + "When the country came under the dominion of Spain, a market + was opened in New Orleans; a trade in tobacco was + established, and a fixed and remunerating price was paid for + it, delivered at the king's warehouses. Tobacco thus became + the first marketable staple production of Mississippi."[18] + + [Footnote 18: In 1783 Mr. Wm. Dunbar writes: "The soil + of Natchez is particularly favorable for tobacco and + there are overseers there, who will almost engage to + produce you between two and three hogsheads to the hand + besides provisions."] + +An English writer has the following account of the culture of tobacco +in Louisiana by the French: + + "Tobacco is another plant indigenous to this part of + America; the French colonists cultivated it with such + success that had they received any encouragement from their + government they might soon have rivalled Virginia and + Maryland; but instead of this they were taxed heavily for + cultivating it, by duties laid on the trade; what they + produced was of so excellent a quality, as to sell some at + five shillings a pound. There is one advantage in this + culture here which ought not to be forgotten; in Louisiana + the French planters after the tobacco is cut, weeded and + cleaned the ground on which it grew the roots, push forth + fresh shoots, which are managed in the same manner as the + first crop. By this means a second crop is made on the same + ground, and sometimes a third. These seconds indeed, as they + are called, do not usually grow so high as the first plant, + but notwithstanding they make very good tobacco." + +During the reign of the Stuarts, the plant was first cultivated in New +England but only in small quantities[19] and used solely for smoking. +About 1835 the plant received more attention from the farmers living +in the Connecticut valley containing some of the finest tobacco land +in the country. They found by repeated trials that the soil was well +adapted to the production of a finer leaf tobacco than any they had +ever seen. At this time Kentucky and Havana tobacco were used in the +manufacture of cigars, but on testing American tobacco or as it is now +known "Connecticut seed leaf" it was found to make the finest wrappers +yet produced, and consequently the best looking cigars. From that time +its reputation has kept pace with its cultivation, until it now enjoys +a world wide popularity. As a wrapping tobacco it towers far above the +seed products of other states and can never have a successful +competitor in the other varieties now cultivated in the Middle and +Western States. Doubtless America furnishes the finest varieties of +the plant now cultivated, suited for all kinds of manufacturing, and +adapted to all the various forms in which it is used. + + [Footnote 19: "Every farmer plants a quantity of tobacco + near his house in proportion to the size of his family. + It is likewise very necessary that they should plant + tobacco, because it is so universally smoked by the + common people,"--_Kalm's travels in North America_, + 1772.] + +The great diversity of soil and climate renders this probable while +actual experiments and improved methods of culture have demonstrated +it to a certainty. Thousands of hogsheads, cases, and bales are +annually shipped to all parts of the world and the demand for American +tobacco is greater than for the varieties grown in the Old World. More +than two hundred and fifty years have passed since the London and +Plymouth Companies began its cultivation in the Old Dominion, and on +the same soil where the red man grew his "uppowac." Virginia leaf +still continues to flourish, and to-day it is the great agricultural +product of the State. + +From a small beginning, like the plant itself it has developed into a +great and increasing industry and its culture become a source of +wealth unprecedented in agricultural history. Could the sapient James +I. and his successors the Stuarts, now look upon this cherished +production of the world, they would discover a commercial prosperity +connected with those nations which have fostered and encouraged its +growth far in advance of those who have frowned upon the plant and +prohibited or hindered its cultivation. Saint Pierre alluding to the +beneficence of nature and of the folly and cruelty of man as +contrasted says: + + "When the princes of Europe went Gospel in hand, to lay + waste Asia, they brought back the plague, the leprosy and + the small-pox, but nature showed to a Dervish the coffee + tree in the mountains of Yemen, and at the moment when + nature brought curses on us through the Crusaders, it + brought delights to us through the cup of a Mohammedan Monk. + The descendants of those princes took possession of America, + and transmitted to us by this conquest, an inexhaustible + succession of wars and maladies. While they were + exterminating the inhabitants of America with cannon, a + Carib invited sailors to smoke his Calumet as a signal of + peace. The perfume of the tobacco vanquished their torments + and their troubles, and the use of tobacco was spread all + over the earth. While the afflictions of the two worlds came + from artillery, which kings call their last resort, the + consolations of civilized nations flowed from the pipe of a + savage." + +[Illustration: Shipping tobacco.] + +It seems hardly possible to draw a more graphic picture of the +blessings diffused by the balmy plant, than that just given. Its +peculiar charms and soothing influence are well calculated to +inspire in the breast of man, feelings of peace and happiness, rather +than elements of discord and strife. The pipe of a king burns not more +freely the shreds of the plant, than it does the last remnant of +hostile feelings and the recollections of bitter wrongs; while the +snuff-box of the diplomat contains the precious dust that has soothed +the fierce hatred of rival houses and cemented the divided factions of +a tottering throne. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TOBACCO IN EUROPE. + + +The discovery of the tobacco plant in America by European voyagers +aroused their cupidity no less than their curiosity. They saw in its +use by the Indians a custom which, if engrafted upon the civilization +of the Old World, would prove a source of revenue commensurate with +their wildest visions of power and wealth. This was particularly the +case with the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors, whose thirst for gold +was gratified by its discovery. The finding by the Spaniards of gold, +silver, and the balmy plant, and by the Portuguese of valuable and +glittering gems, opened up to Spain and Portugal three great sources +of wealth and power. But while the Spaniards were the first +discoverers of the plant there seems to be conflicting opinions as to +which nation first began its culture, and whether the plant was +cultivated first in the Old World or in the New. Humboldt says:-- + + "It was neither from Virginia nor from South America, but + from the Mexican province of Yucatan that Europe received + the first tobacco seeds about the year 1559.[20] The + Spaniards became acquainted with tobacco in the West India + Islands at the end of the 15th Century, and the cultivation + of Tobacco preceded the cultivation of the potato in Europe + more than one hundred and twenty years. When Sir Walter + Raleigh brought tobacco from Virginia to England in 1586, + whole fields of it were already cultivated in Portugal.[21] + It was also previously known in France." + + [Footnote 20: Mussey in his Essay on Tobacco records + "That Cortez sent a specimen of the plant to the king of + Spain in 1519." Yucatan was discovered by Hernandez + Cordova in 1517, and in 1519 was first settled.] + + [Footnote 21: Spain began its culture in Mexico on the + coast of Caracas at the islands of St. Domingo and + Trinidad, and particularly in Louisiana.] + +Another author says of its introduction into Europe:-- + + "The seeds of the tobacco plant were first brought to Europe + by Gonzalo Hernandez de Oviedo, who introduced it into + Spain, where it was first cultivated as an ornamental plant, + till Monardes[22] extolled it as possessed of medicinal + virtues."[23] + + [Footnote 22: Pourchat declares that the Portuguese + brought it into Europe from Tobago, an island in the + West Indies; but this is hardly probable, as the island + was never under the Portuguese dominion.] + + [Footnote 23: Monardes wrote upon it only from the small + account he had of it from the Brazilians.] + +Murray says of the first cultivation of tobacco and potatoes in the +Old World:-- + + "Amidst the numerous remarkable productions ushered into the + Old Continent from the New World, there are two which stand + pre-eminently conspicuous from their general adoption. + Unlike in their nature, both have been received as extensive + blessings--the one by its nutritive powers tends to support, + the other by its narcotic virtues to soothe and comfort the + human frame--the potato and tobacco; but very different was + the favor with which these plants were viewed. The one long + rejected, by the slow operation of time, and, perhaps, of + necessity, was at length cherished, and has become the + support of millions, but nearly one hundred and twenty years + passed away before even a trial of its merits was attempted; + whereas, the tobacco from Yucatan, in less than seventy + years after the discovery, appears to have been extensively + cultivated in Portugal, and is, perhaps, the most generally + adopted superfluous vegetable product known; for sugar and + opium are not in such common use. The potato by the starch + satisfies the hunger; the tobacco by its morphia calms its + turbulence of the mind. The former becomes a necessity + required, the latter a gratification sought for." + +It would appear then that the year 1559 was about the period of the +introduction of tobacco into Europe. Phillip II. of Spain sent Oviedo +to visit Mexico and note its productions and resources; returning he +presented "His Most Catholic Majesty" with the seeds of the plant. In +the following year it was introduced into France and Italy. It was +first brought to France by Jean Nicot of Nismes in Languedoc, who was +sent as ambassador to Sebastian, King of Portugal, and who obtained +while at Lisbon some tobacco seed from a Dutch merchant who had +brought it from Florida.[24] Nicot returned to France in 1561, and +presented the Queen, Catherine de Medicis, with a few leaves of the +plant.[25] + + [Footnote 24: Parkinson in his Herball [London, 1640] + says:--"It is thought by some that John Nicot, this + Frenchman, being agent in Portugall for the French King, + sent this sort of tobacco [Brazil] and not any other to + the French Queene, and is called therefore herba Regina, + and from Nicotiana, which is probably because the + Portugalis and not the Spaniards were masters of Brazile + at that time."] + + [Footnote 25: "Sir John Nicot sent some seeds of it into + France, to King Francis II., the Queen Mother, and Lord + Jarnac, Governor of Rochel, and several others of the + French Lords."] + +As the history of Nicot is so intimately connected with that of the +plant, a short sketch of this original importer will doubtless be +interesting to all lovers of the weed:-- + + "John Nicot, Sieur de Villemain, was born at Nismes in 1530, + and died at Paris in 1600. He was the son of a notary at + Nismes, and started in life with a good education, but with + no fortune. Finding that his native town offered no suitable + or sufficient field for his energies, he went to Paris and + strove hard to extend his studies as a scholar and his + connections as an adventurer. He made the acquaintance of + some courtiers, who felt or affected an interest in learning + and in learned men. His manners were insinuating; his + character was pliable. When presented at court he succeeded + in gaining the esteem and confidence of Henry II., the + husband of Catherine de Medicis. Francis II., the son of + Henry II., and the first husband of Mary Stuart, continued + to Nicot the favor of which Henry II. had deemed him worthy, + and sent him in 1560 as ambassador to Sebastian, King of + Portugal. He was successful in his mission. But it was + neither his talents as a diplomatist, nor his remarkable + mind, nor his solid erudition, which made Nicot immortal. It + was by popularizing tobacco in France that he gained a + lasting fame. + + "It is said that it was at Lisbon that Nicot became + acquainted with the extraordinary properties of tobacco. But + it is likewise stated with quite as much confidence, that a + Flemish merchant, who had just returned from America, + offered Nicot at Bordeaux, where they met, some seeds of the + tobacco, telling him of their value. The seeds Nicot sent to + Catherine de Medicis, and on arriving in Paris he gave her + some leaves of tobacco. Hence, when tobacco began to creep + into use in France it was called Queen's Herb or Medicean + Herb.[26] The cultivation of tobacco, except as a fancy + plant, did not begin in France till 1626; and John Nicot + could have had no presentiment of the agricultural, + commercial, financial and social importance which tobacco + was ultimately to assume. Nicot published two works. The + first was an edition of the History of France or of the + Franks, in Latin, written by a Monk called Aimonious, who + lived in the tenth century. The second was a 'Treasury of + the French Language, Ancient and Modern.'" + + [Footnote 26: "The Abbe Jacques Gohory, the author of + the first book written on tobacao, proposed to call it + Catherinaine or Medicee, to record the name of Medicis + and the medicinal virtues of the plant; but the name of + Nicot superseded these, and botanists have perpetuated + it in the genus _Nicotiana_."--_Le Maout and Decaisne._] + +Stevens and Liebault in the "Country Farm"[27] give the following +account of its early introduction into France and the wonderful cures +produced by its use: + + [Footnote 27: London 1606.] + + "Nicotiana though it have (has) beene but a while knowne in + France yet it holdeth the first and principall place amongst + Physicke herbs, by reason of his singular and almost diuine + (divine) vertues, such as you shall heare of hereafter, + whereof (because none either of the old or new writers that + have written of the nature of plants, have said anything), I + am willing to lay open the whole history, as I have come by + it through a deere friend of mine, the first author, + inventor, and bringer of this herb into France: as also of + many both Spaniards, Portugals, and others which have + travelled into Florida, a country of the Indians, from + whence this herbe came, to put the same in writing to + relieve such griefe and travell, as have heard of this + herbe, but neither know it nor the properties thereof. This + herbe is called Nicotiana of the name of an ambassador which + brought the first knowledge of it into this realme, in like + manner as many plants do as yet retaine the names of + certaine Greekes and Romans, who being strangers in divers + countries, for their common-wealth's service, have from + thence indowed their own countree with many plants, whereof + there was no knowledge before. Some call it the herbe of + Queen mother, because the said ambassador Lord Nicot did + first send the same unto the Queen mother,[28] (as you shall + understand by and by) and for being afterwards by her given + to divers others to plant and make to grow in this country. + Others call it by the name of the herbe of the great Prior, + because the said Lord a while after sailing into these + western seas, and happening to lodge neere unto the said + Lord ambassador of Lisbone, gathered divers plants thereof + out of his garden, and set them to increase here in France, + and there in greater quantitie, and with more care than any + other besides him, he did so highly esteeme thereof for the + exceeding good qualities sake. + + [Footnote 28: George Buchanan, the Scotch Philosopher + and poet tutor of James I., had a strong aversion to + Catherine of Medicis, and in one of his Latin epigrams, + alludes to the herb being called _Medicie_, advising all + who valued their health to shun it, not so much from its + being naturally hurtful, but that it needs must become + poisonous if called by so hateful a name.] + + "The Spaniards call it Tobaco, it were better to call it + Nicotiana, after the name of the Lord who first sent it into + France, to the end that we may give him the honor which he + hath deserved of us, for having furnished our land with so + rare and singular an herbe: and thus much for the name, now + listen unto the whole historie: Master John Nicot, one of + the king's counsell, being ambassador for his Maiestie + (Majesty) in the realme of Portiugall, in the yeere of our + Lord God, 1559. 60. and 61. went on a day to see the + monuments and northie places of the said king of Portiugall: + at which time a gentleman keeper of the said monuments + presented him with this herbe as a strange plant brought + from Florida. The nobleman Sir Nicot having procured it to + growe in his garden, where it had put forth and multiplied + very greatly, was aduertifed (notified) on a daie by one of + his pages, that a yoong boie kinsman of the said page, had + laide (for triall sake) the said herbe, pressed, the + substance and juice and altogether, upon an ulcer which he + had upon his cheeke, neere unto his nose, next neighbor to a + _Noli me tangere_, (a cancer) as having already seazed upon + the cartilages, and that by the use thereof it was become + marvellous well: upon this occasion the nobleman Nicot + called the boie to him, and making him to continue the + applying of this herbe for eight or ten days, the _Noli me + tangere_ became thoroughly kild: nowe they had sent + oftetimes unto one of the king's most famous phisitions, the + said boie during the time of this worke and operation to + make and see the proceeding and working of the said + Nicotiana, and having in charge to do the same until the end + of ten days, the said phisition then beholding him, assured + him that the _Noli me tangere_ was dead, as indeed the boie + never felt anything of it at any time afterward. + + "Some certain time after, one of the cooks of the said + ambassador having almost all his thombe (thumb) cut off from + his hand, with a great kitchin knife, the steward running + unto the said Nicotiana, made to him use of it five or six + dressings, by the ende of which the wounde was healed. From + this time forward this herbe began to become famous in + Lisbon, where the king of Portiugal's court was at that + time, and the vertues thereof much spoken of, and the common + people began to call it the ambassador's herbe. Now upon + this occasion there came certain days after, a gentleman + from the fields being father unto one of the pages of the + said Lord ambassador, who was troubled with an ulcer in his + legge of two years continuance, and craved of the said Lord + some of his herbe, and using it in manner afore mentioned, + he was healed by the end of ten or twelve daies. After this + yet the herbe grewe still in greater reputation, inasmuch as + that many hasted out of all corners to get some of this + herbe. And among the rest, there was one woman which had a + great ring worme, covering all her face like a mask, and + having taken deepe roote, to whom the said Lord caused this + Petum to be given, and withall the manner of using it to be + told her, and at the end of eight or ten daies, this woman + being thoroughly cured, came to shewe herself unto the said + Lord, and how that she was cured. There came likewise a + captain bringing with him his son diseased with the king's + evill, unto the said Lord Ambassador, for to send him into + France, upon whom there was some triall made of the said + herbe, whereupon within four daies he began to show great + signs and tokens of healing, and in the end was thoroughly + cured of his king's evil." + +Italy received the first plant from Santa Croce,[29] who, like Nicot, +obtained the seed in Lisbon. In 1575 first appeared a figure of the +plant in Andre Theret's "Cosmographie," which was but an imperfect +representation of the plant. It was supposed by many on its discovery +to grow like the engraving given--in form resembling a tree or shrub +rather than an herb. Tobacco was first brought to England by Sir John +Hawkins, who obtained the plant in Florida in 1565, and afterwards by +Sir Francis Drake.[30] The first planters of it in England were said +to be Captain Grenfield and Sir Francis Drake. One account of its +introduction into England is as follows: + + [Footnote 29: The Pied Bull Inn, at Islington, was the + first house in England where tobacco was smoked, while + Moll Cut-Purse, a noted pickpocket who flourished in the + time of Charles II., is said to have been the first + Englishwoman who smoked tobacco.] + + [Footnote 30: "It was introduced, about 1520, into + Portugal and Spain by Doctor Hernandez of Toledo; into + Italy by Thornabon and the Cardinal de Sainte-Croif, + into England by Captain Drake and into France by Andre + Theret, a gray friar."--_Le Maout and Decaisne's General + System of Botany_ (Paris 1868).] + + "The plant was first used by Sir Walter Raleigh and others, + who had acquired a taste for it in Virginia.[31] Among the + natives the usual mode employed in smoking the plant was by + means of hollow canes, and pipes made of wood and decorated + with copper and green stones. To deprive it of its acidity, + some of the natives were wont to pass the smoke through + bulbs containing water, in which aromatic and medicinal + herbs had been infused." + + [Footnote 31: Short says of its introduction into + England: "Sir Walter Raleigh's Marriners, under Mr. + Ralph Lane, his Agent in Virginia first brought this + Commodity into England Anno 1584; and that famous + Proprietor of this Plantation foresaw good reasons to + introduce the use of it, however King James might + afterwards, through his own personal Distaste both of it + and, him, wrote his Counterblast against it; a work + surely consistent with the Pen of no Prince, but one of + his Politicks."] + +[Illustration: Old engraving of tobacco.] + +Neander ascribes this invention to the Persians; but Magnenus rather +attributes it to the Dutch and English, to the latter of whom attaches +the credit of having invented the clay pipes of modern times. Some +writers have concluded that the plant served as a narcotic in some +parts of Asia. Liebault thinks it was known in Europe[32] many years +before the discovery of the New World, and asserts that the plant had +been found in the Ardennes. Magnenus, however, claims its origin as +transatlantic and affirms as his belief that the winds had doubtless +carried the seeds from one continent to the other. Pallos says that +among the Chinese, and among the Mongol tribes who had the most +intercourse with them, the custom of smoking is so general, so +frequent, and has become so indispensable a luxury; the tobacco purse +affixed to their belt so necessary an article of dress; the form of +the pipes, from which the Dutch seem to have taken the model of +theirs, so original; and, finally, the preparation of the leaves so +peculiar, that they could not possibly derive all this from America by +way of Europe, especially as India, where the practice of smoking is +not so general, intervenes between Persia and China. Meyen also states +that the consumption of tobacco in the Chinese empire is of immense +extent, and the practice seems to be of great antiquity, "for on very +old sculptures I have observed the very same tobacco pipes which are +still used." Besides, we now know that the plant which furnishes the +Chinese tobacco is even said to grow wild in the East Indies. + + [Footnote 32: James the First also inclines to this + belief, declaring tobacco to be "a common herb which + (though under divers names) grows almost everywhere."] + + "Tobacco," says Loudon, "was introduced into the county of + Cork, with the potatoe, by Sir Walter Raleigh." A quaint + writer of this period says of the plant: "Tobacco, that + excellent plant, the use whereof (as of fifth element) the + world cannot want, is that little shop of Nature, wherein + her whole workmanship is abridged; where you may see earth + kindled into fire, the fire breathe out an exhalation, which + entering in at the mouth walks through the regions of a + man's brain, drives out all ill vapors but itself, draws + down all bad humors by the mouth, which in time might breed + a scab over the whole body, if already they have not; a + plant of singular use; for, on the one side Nature being an + enemy to vacuity and emptiness and on the other, there being + so many empty brains in the world as there are, how shall + Nature's course be continued? How shall those empty brains + be filled but with air, Nature's immediate instrument to + that purpose? If with air, what so proper as your fume; what + fume so healthful as your perfume, what perfume so sovereign + as tobacco. Besides the excellent edge it gives a man's wit, + as they but judge that have been present at a feast of + tobacco, where commonly all good wits are consoled; what + variety of discourse it begets, what sparks of wit it + yields?"[33] + + [Footnote 33: A writer in the "New England Magazine" + says in a different strain: "This is the enemy that men + put in their mouths, to steal away their health. This + has filled the camp, the court, the grove. It is found + in the pulpit, the senate, the bar and the boudoir."] + +The name of Sir Walter is intimately connected with the history of +tobacco, and is associated with many of the brilliant exploits and +explorations during the reign of the illustrious Elizabeth.[34] His +name has come down to us as being that of the first smoker of tobacco +in England,[35] and many amusing anecdotes are told of him and the new +custom which he introduced and sanctioned. Dixon has given us the +following vivid picture of the great Elizabethan navigator: + + [Footnote 34: Thorpe, in his "History and Mystery of + Tobacco," relates the following anecdote: "Tradition + says, that in the time of Queen Elizabeth Sir Walter + Raleigh used to sit at his door with Sir Hugh Middleton + and smoke."] + + [Footnote 35: Dr. Thomas Short, in his work "Discourses + on Tea, Tobacco, Punch, &c," (London 1750,) says of the + original smoker: "Sir Walter was the first that brought + the Custom of smoking it into Britain, upon his return + from America; for he saw the natives of Florida, Brazil + and other places of the Indies, smoak it thus, they hung + about their Necks little Pipes or Horns made of the + Leaves of the Date Tree, or of Reeds or Rushes; and at + the ends of them they put several dry Tobacco Leaves + twisted and broken, and set the ends of them on fire, + and sucked in as much of the smoak as they could."] + + "In a pleasant room of Durham House, in the Strand,--a room + overhanging a lovely garden, with the river, the old bridge, + the towers of Lambeth Palace, and the flags of Paris Garden + and the Globe in view,--three men may have often met and + smoked a pipe in the days of Good Queen Bess, who are dear + to all readers of English blood; because, in the first + place, they were the highest types of our race in genius and + in daring; in the second place because the work of their + hands has shaped the whole after-life of their countrymen in + every sphere of enterprise and thought. That splendid Durham + House, in which the nine-days queen had been married to + Guilford Dudley, and which had afterwards been the + town-house of Elizabeth, belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh, by + whom it was held on leave from the queen. Raleigh, a friend + of William Shakespeare and the players, was also a friend of + Francis Bacon and the philosophers. Raleigh is said to have + founded the Mermaid Club; and it is certain that he numbered + friends among the poets and players. The proofs of his + having known Shakespeare, though indirect, are strong. Of + his long intercourse with Bacon every one is aware. Thus it + requires no effort of the fancy to picture these three men + as lounging in a window of Durham House, puffing the new + Indian weed from silver bowls, discussing the highest themes + in poetry and science, while gazing on the flower-beds and + the river, the darting barges of dames and cavalier, and the + distant pavilions of Paris Garden and the Globe." + +Its use by so distinguished a person as Raleigh was equivalent to its +general introduction.[36] Aubrey says: + + [Footnote 36: So common was the indulgence that in 1600, + only seventeen years after Sir Francis Drake returned + from America, and set the example of using tobacco, the + French Embassador writes in his dispatches to Paris, + that the peers, while engaged in the trials of Essex and + Southampton, deliberated upon their verdicts with pipes + in their mouths!] + + "He was the first that brought tobacco into England, and + into fashion. In our part--Malmsbury Hundred--it came first + into fashion by Sir Walter Long. They had first silver + pipes. The ordinary sort made use of a walnut shell and a + strawe. I have heard my grandfather Lyte say that one pipe + was handed from man to man round the table. Sir Walter + Raleigh standing in a stand at Sir Ro. Poyntz parke at Acton + tooke a pipe of tobacco, which made the ladies quitte it + till he had donne." + +[Illustration: Sir Walter Raleigh.] + +A writer has truthfully said in regard to associating the name and use +of the plant with the primitive users of it. + + "The ambitious sought fame by associating themselves with + the introduction of the plant and its cultivation; hence we + find it named after cardinals, legates, and embassadors, + while in compliment to Catherine, wife of Henry the Second, + it was called the Queen's herb." + +Kings now rushed into the tobacco trade. Those of Spain took the lead, +and became the largest manufacturers of snuff and cigars in +Christendom, and the royal workshops of Seville are still the most +extensive in Europe. Other monarchs monopolized the business in their +dominions, and all began to reap enormous profits from it, as most do +at this day. In the year 1615 tobacco was first planted in Holland; +and in Switzerland in 1686. As soon as its cultivation became general +in Spain and Portugal the tobacco trade was "farmed out," bringing an +enormous revenue to those kingdoms. About the beginning of the +Seventeenth Century the Portuguese introduced into Hindostan and +Persia[37] two things, pine-apples and tobacco. To the pine-apples no +objection seems to have been made; but to the tobacco the most +strenuous resistance was offered by the sovereigns of the two +countries. Spite, however, of punishments and prohibitions the use of +tobacco spread with the rapidity of lightning. + + [Footnote 37: Savary says that tobacco has been known + among the Persians for upwards of 400 years, and + supposes that they received it from Egypt, and not from + the East Indies.] + +In England, tobacco taking soon became a favorite custom not only with +the loiterers about taverns and other public places, but among the +courtiers of Elizabeth. Smoking was called drinking tobacco, as the +fashionable method was to "put it through the nose" or exhale it +through the nostrils. At this period tobacco seemed to have nearly the +same effect as it did upon the Indian, producing a sort of +intoxication; thus in "The Perfuming of Tobacco" (1611) it is said: + "The smoke of tobacco drunke or drawen by a pipe, filleth + the membranes of the braine, and astonisheth and filleth + many persons with such joy and pleasure, and sweet losse of + senses, that they can by no means be without it." + +The term "drinking tobacco" was not confined to England, but was used +in Holland, France, Spain and Portugal, as the same method of blowing +the smoke through the nostrils, seemed to be everywhere in vogue. + +The use of tobacco increased very rapidly soon after its importation +from Virginia. The Spaniards and Portuguese had hitherto monopolized +the trade, so that it brought enormous prices, some kinds selling for +its weight in silver. As soon as its culture commenced in Virginia the +demand for West India tobacco lessened and Virginia leaf soon came +into favor, owing not more to the lowering of price than to the +quality of the leaf.[38] This was about 1620, which some writers have +called the golden age of tobacco. It had now become a prime favorite +and was used by nearly all classes. Poets and dramatists sung its +praises, while others wrote of its wonderful medicinal qualities.[39] +Fops and knaves alike indulged in its use. + + [Footnote 38: Neander, in his work on "Tobacologia" + (London, 1622), mentions eighteen varieties of tobacco, + or at least localities from where it was shipped to + London, among which are the following: Varinas + (considered the best), Brazil, Maracay, Orinoco, + Margarita, Caracas, Cumana, Amazon, Virginia, + Philippines, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and St. Domingo.] + + [Footnote 39: "The first author (says an English writer) + who wrote of this Plant was Charles Stephanus, in 1564. + This was a mean, short, inaccurate Draught, till Dr. + John Liebault wrote a whole Discourse of it next year, + and put it into his second Book of Husbandry, which was + every year reprinted with additions and alterations, for + twenty years after. He had a large Correspondence, a + good Intelligence, and wrote the best of the age, and + gathered the greatest stock of experience about this new + Plant."] + + "About the latter end of the sixteenth century, tobacco was + in great vogue in London, with wits and 'gallants,' as the + dandies of that age were called. To wear a pair of velvet + breeches, with panes or slashes of silk, an enormous + starched ruff, a gilt handled sword, and a Spanish dagger; + to play at cards or dice in the chambers of the + groom-porter, and smoke tobacco in the tilt-yard or at the + play-house, were then the grand characteristics of a man of + fashion. Tobacconists' shops were then common; and as the + article, which appears to have been sold at a high price, + was indispensable to the gay 'man about town,' he generally + endeavored to keep his credit good with his + tobacco-merchant. Poets and pamphleteers laughed at the + custom, though generally they seem to have no particular + aversion to an occasional treat to a sober pipe and a poute + of sack. Your men of war, who had served in the Low + Countries, and who taught young gallants the noble art of + fencing, were particularly fond of tobacco; and your + gentlemen adventurers, who had served in a buccaneering + expedition against the Spaniards, were no less partial to + it. Sailors--from the captain to the ship-boy--all affected + to smoke, as if the practice was necessary to their + character; and to 'take tobacco' and wear a silver whistle, + like a modern boatswain's mate, was the pride of a + man-of-war's man. + + "Ben Jonson, of all our early dramatic writers, most + frequently alludes to the practice of smoking. In his play + of 'Every Man in his Humour,' first acted in 1598, Captain + Bobadil thus extols in his own peculiar vein the virtues of + tobacco; while Cob, the water carrier, with about equal + truth, relates some startling instances of its pernicious + effects. + + "'_Bobadil._ Body o' me, here's the remainder of seven pound + since yesterday was seven-night! 'Tis your right Trinadado! + Did you never take any, Master Stephen? + + "'_Stephen._ No, truly, Sir; but I'll learn to take it since + you commend it so. + + "'_Bobadil._ Sir, believe me upon my relation,--for what I + tell you the world shall not reprove. I have been in the + Indies where this herb grows, where neither myself, nor a + dozen gentlemen more of my knowledge, have received the + taste of any other nutriment in the world, for the space of + one and twenty weeks, but the fume of this simple only. + Therefore, it cannot be but 'tis most divine. Further, take + it, in the true kind, so, it makes an antidote, that had you + taken the most deadly poisonous plant in all Italy, it + should expel it and clarify you with as much ease as I + speak. And for your greenwound, your balsamum, and your St. + John's-wort, are all mere gulleries and trash to it, + especially your Trinidado: your Nicotian is good too. I + could say what I know of it for the expulsion of rheums, raw + humours, crudities, obstructions, with a thousand of this + kind, but I profess myself no quack-salver: only thus much, + by Hercules; I do hold it, and will affirm it before any + prince in Europe, to be the most sovereign and precious weed + that ever the earth tendered to the use of man.' + + _Cob._ "'By gad's me, I mar'l what pleasure or felicity they + have in taking this roguish tobacco! It's good for nothing + but to choke a man and fill him full of smoke and embers. + There were four died out of one house last week with taking + of it, and two more the bell went for yesternight; one of + them, they say, will ne'er 'scape it: he voided a bushel of + soot yesterday, upward and downward. By the stocks! an' + there were no wiser men than I, I'd have it present + whipping, man or woman that should but deal with a + tobacco-pipe; why, it will stifle them all in the end, as + many as use it; it's little better than rats-bane or + rosaker.'"[40] + + [Footnote 40: A preparation of arsenic.] + +From the first announcement that English navigators had discovered +tobacco in Virginia, until the London and Plymouth companies sailed +for the New World, the deepest interest was taken in the voyagers. +Drayton, the poet, wrote of "The Virginian Voyage," while Chapman and +other dramatists wrote plays in which allusions were made to Virginia. +In the "Mask of Flowers," performed at White Hall upon Twelfth Night, +1613-14, one of the characters challenges another, and asserts that +wine is more worthy than tobacco. The costumes were exceedingly +grotesque and suggestive of the New rather than of the Old World. +Kawosha one of the principal characters rode in, wearing on his head a +cap of red-cloth of gold, from his ears were pendants, a glass chain +was about his neck, his body and legs were covered with olive-colored +stuff, in his hands were a bow and arrows, and the bases of +tobacco--colored stuff cut like tobacco leaves. The play abounds with +allusions to the "Indian weed." + + "_Silenus._--Kawosha comes in majestie, + Was never such a God as he; + He's come from a far countrie + To make our nose a chimney. + + _Kawosha._--The wine takes the contrary way + To get into the hood; + But good tobacco makes no stay + But seizeth where it should. + More incense hath burned at + Great Kawoshae's foote + Than to Silen and Bacchus, both, + And take in Jove to boote. + + _Silenus._--The worthies they were nine tis true, + And lately Arthur's knights I knew; + But now are come up Worthies new, + The roaring boys Kawoshae's crew. + + _Kawosha._--Silenus toppes the barrel, but + Tobacco toppes the braine + And makes the vapors fire and soote, + That mon revise againe. + Nothing but fumigation + Doth charm away ill sprites, + Kawosha and his nation + Found out these holy rites." + +The writers of this period abound in allusions to tobacco and its use. +The poets and dramatists found in it a fertile field for the display +of their satire, and from 1600 to 1650 stage plays introduced many +characters as either tobacco drinkers or sellers. It had now become +so great a custom and had increased so fast after the importation of +Virginia tobacco that it afforded them no insignificant theme for the +display of their genius.[41] The plays of Jonson, Decker, Rowland, +Heywood, Middleton, Fields, Fletcher, Hutton, Lodge, Sharpham, +Marston, Lilly (court poet to Elizabeth), the Duke of Newcastle and +others are full of allusions to the plant and those who indulged in +its use. Shakespeare,[42] however, does not once allude to its use, +and his silence on this then curious custom has provoked much +conjecture and inquiry. Some affirm that he wrote to please royalty, +but if so why did he not condemn the custom to appease the wrath of a +sapient king. Others say he kept silence because he was the friend of +Raleigh, and though he would have gladly held up the great smoker and +his favorite indulgence, feared to add to the popularity of the custom +by displeasing his royal master. Another class affirm that as the +stories of his plays are all antecedent to his own time, therefore he +never mentions either the drinking of tobacco, or the tumultuous +scenes of the ordinary which belonged to it, and which are so +constantly met with in his contemporary dramatists. Says one: + + [Footnote 41: "Never did nature produce a Plant that in + a short Time became so universally used, for it was but + a short while known in Europe, till it was taken almost + everywhere, either chewed; smoked, or snuffed. A pipe of + tobacco is now the general and most frequent companion + of, Mug, Bottle, or Punch-bowl."--_T. Short._] + + [Footnote 42: Gifford has also remarked that Shakspeare + is the only one of the dramatic writers of the age of + James who does not condescend to notice tobacco; all the + others abound in allusions to it. In Jonson we find + tobacco in every place--in Cob the waterman's house, and + in the Apollo Club-room, on the stage, and at the + ordinary. The world of London was then divided into two + classes--the tobacco-lovers and the tobacco-haters.] + + "How is it that our great dramatist never once makes even + the slightest allusion to smoking? Who can suggest a reason? + Our great poet knew the human heart too well, and kept too + steadily in view, the universal nature of man to be afraid + of painting the external trapping and ephemeral customs of + his own time. Does he not delight to moralize on false hair, + masks, rapiers, pomandens, perfumes, dice, bowls, + fardingales, etc? Did he not sketch for us, with enjoyment + and with satire, too, the fantastic fops, the pompous + stewards, the mischievous pages, the quarrelsome revellers, + the testy gaolers, the rhapsodizing lovers, the sly cheats, + and the ruffling courtiers that filled the streets of + Elizabethan London, persons who could have been found + nowhere else nor in any other age? No one can dispute that + he drew the life that he saw moving around him. He sketched + these creatures because they were before his eyes and were + his enemies or his associates; they live still because their + creator's genius was Promethean, and endowed them with + immortality. Bardolph, Moth, Slender, Abhorson, Don Armado, + Mercutio, etc., are portraits, as everyone knows and feels + who is conversant with the manners of the Elizabethan times + as handed down in old plays. + + "If Shakespeare's contemporaries were silent about the then + new fashion of smoking, we should not so much wonder at + Shakespeare's taciturnity. But Decker's and Ben Jonson's + works abound in allusions to tobacco, its uses and abuses. + The humorist and satirist lost no opportunity of deriding + the new fashion and its followers. The tobacco merchant was + an important person in London of James the First's + time--with his Winchester pipes, his maple cutting-blocks, + his juniper-wood charcoal fires, and his silver tongs with + which to hand the hot charcoal to his customers, although he + was shrewdly suspected of adulterating the precious weed + with sack lees and oil. It was his custom to wash the + tobacco in muscadel and grains, and to keep it moist by + wrapping it in greased leather, and oiled rags, or by + burying it in gravel. The Elizabethan pipes were so small + that now when they are dug up in Ireland the poor call them + 'fairy pipes' from their tininess. These pipes became known + by the nickname of 'the woodcock's heads.' The apothecaries, + who sold the best tobacco, became masters of the art, and + received pupils, whom they taught to exhale the smoke in + little globes, rings, or the 'Euripus.' 'The slights' these + tricks were called. Ben Jonson facetiously makes these + professors boast of being able to take three whiffs, then to + take horse, and evolve the smoke--one whiff on Hounslow, a + second at Staines, and a third at Bagshot. + + "The ordinary gallant, like Mercutio, would smoke while the + dinner was serving up. Those who were rich and foolish + carried with them smoking apparatus of gold or + silver--tobacco-box, snuff-ladle, tongs to take up charcoal, + and priming irons. There seems, from Decker's "Gull's + Horn-Book," to have been smoking clubs, or tobacco + ordinaries as they were called, where the entire talk was of + the best shops for buying Trinidado, the Nicotine, the Cane, + and the Pudding, whose pipe had the best bore, which would + turn blackest, and which would break in the browning. At the + theatres, the rakes and spendthrifts who, crowded the stage + of Shakespeare's time sat on low stools smoking; they sat + with their three sorts of tobacco beside them, and handed + each other lights on the points of their swords, sending out + their pages for more Trinidado if they required it. Many + gallants 'took' their tobacco in the lords room over the + stage, and went out to (Saint) Paul's to spit there + privately. Shabby sponges and lying adventurers, like + Bobadil, bragged of the number of packets of 'the most + divine tobacco' they had smoked in a week, and told enormous + lies of living for weeks in the Indies on the fumes alone. + They affirmed it was an antidote to all poison; that it + expelled rheums, sour humours, and obstructions of all + kinds. Some doctors were of opinion that it would heal + gout[43] and the ague, neutralise the effects of + drunkenness, and remove weariness and hunger. The poor on + the other hand, not disinclined to be envious and detracting + when judging rich men's actions, laughed at men who made + chimneys of their throats, or who sealed up their noses with + snuff. + + [Footnote 43: "Some hold it for a singular remedie + against the gowte (gout), to chaw every morning the + leaves of Petum (tobacco), because it voideth great + quantitie of flegme out at the mouth, hindering the same + from falling upon the joints, which is the very cause of + the gowte." _Dr. Richard Surflet_ (1606).] + + "Ben Jonson makes that dry, shrewd, water carrier of his, + Cob, rail at the 'roguish tobacco:' he would leave the + stocks for worse men, and make it present whipping for + either man or woman who dealt with a tobacco-pipe. But King + James, in his inane 'Counterblast,' is more violent than + even Cob. He argues that to use this unsavory smoke is to be + guilty of a worse sin than that of drunkenness, and asks how + men, who cannot go a day's journey without sending for hot + coals to kindle their tobacco, can be expected to endure the + privations of war. Smoking, the angry and fuming king + protests, had made our manners as rude as those of the + fish-wives of Dieppe. Smokers, tossing pipes and puffing + smoke over the dinner-table, forgot all cleanliness and + modesty. Men now, he says, cannot welcome a friend but + straight they must be in hand with tobacco. He that refused + a pipe in company was accounted peevish and unsociable. + 'Yea,' says the royal coxcomb and pedant, 'the mistress + cannot in a more mannerly kind entertain her servant than by + giving him out of her fair hand a pipe of tobacco.' The + royal reformer (not the most virtuous or cleanly of men) + closes his denunciation with this tremendous broadside of + invective: + + 'Have you not reason, then' he says, 'to be shamed and to + forbear this filthy novelty, so basely grounded, so + foolishly received, and so grossly mistaken in the right use + thereof? To your abuse thereof sinning against God, harming + yourself both in persons and goods, and taking also thereby + the notes and marks of vanity upon you by the custom + thereof, making yourselves to be wondered at by all, foreign + civil nations and by all strangers that come among you, and + be scorned, and contemned; a custom both fulsome to the eye, + hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the + lungs, and in the black stinking fume thereof nearest + resembling the horrible Stigian smelle of the pit that is + bottomless." + +[Illustration: Exhaling through the nose.] + +The supposed curative virtues of the tobacco plant had much to do with +its use in Europe while the singular mode of exhaling through the +nostrils added to its charms, and doubtless led to far greater +indulgence. Spenser in his Fairy Queen makes one of the characters +include it with other herbs celebrated for medicinal qualities. + + "Into the woods thence-forth in haste she went, + To seek for herbes that mote him remedy; + For she of herbes had great intendiment, + Taught of the Nymph which from her infancy, + Had nursed her in true nobility: + There whether it divine Tobacco were, + Or Panachae, or Polygony, + She found and brought it to her patient deare, + Who all this while lay bleeding out his heart-blood neare." + +Lilly also a little later, in his play of The Woman in the Moone +(1597), speaks of it (through one of the characters) as being a +medicinal herb-- + + "Gather me balme and cooling violets + And of our holy herbe nicotian, + And bring withall pure honey from the hive + To heale the wound of my unhappy hand." + +Barclay, in his tract on "The Vertues of Tobacco," recommends its use +as a medicine. The following is one of the modes of use: + + "Take of leafe Tobacco as much as, being folded together, + may make a round ball of such bignesse that it may fill the + patient's mouth, and inclyne his face downwards toward the + ground, keeping the mouth open, not mouthing any whit with + his tongue, except now and then to waken the medicament, + there shall flow such a flood of water from his brain and + his stomacke, and from all the parts of his body that it + shall be a wonder. This must he do fasting in the morning, + and if it be for preservation, and the body be very + cacochyme, or full of evil humors, he must take it once a + week, otherwise once a month. He gives the plant the name of + 'Nepenthes,' and says of it, that 'it is worthy of a more + loftie name.'" He writes the following verse addressed to: + + "THE ABUSERS OF TOBACCO." + + "Why do you thus abuse this heavenly plant, + The hope of health, the fuel of our life? + Why do you waste it without fear of want, + Since fine and true tobacco is not ryfe? + Old Enclio won't foul water for to spair, + And stop the bellows not to waste the air." + +He also alludes to the quality of tobacco and says: "The finest +Tobacco is that which pearceth quickly the odorat with a sharp +aromaticke smell, and tickleth the tongue with acrimonie, not +unpleasant to the taste, from whence that which draweth most water is +most veituous, whether the substance of it be chewed in the mouth, or +the smoke of it received." + +He speaks of the countries in which the plant grows, and prefers the +tobacco grown in the New World as being superior to that grown in the +Old. In his opinion, "only that which is fostered in the Indies, and +brought home by Mariners and Traffiquers, is to be used." But not +alone were Poets and Dramatists inspired to sing in praise or +dispraise of tobacco, Physicians and others helped to swell in +broadsides, pamphlets and chap-books, the loudest praises or the most +bitter denunciation of the weed. Taylor, the water poet, who lost his +occupation as bargeman when the coach came into use, thought that the +devil brought tobacco into England in a coach. One of the first tracts +wholly devoted to tobacco is entitled Nash's "Lenten Stuffe." The work +is dedicated to Humphrey King, a tobacconist, and is full of curious +sayings in regard to the plant. Another work, entitled "Metamorphosis +of Tobacco," and supposed to have been written by Beaumont, made its +appearance about this time. Samuel Rowlands, the dramatist, wrote two +works on tobacco; the first is entitled "Look to it, for I'll Stabbe +Ye," written in 1604; the other volume is a small quarto, bearing this +singular title: "A whole crew of Kind Gossips, all met to be Merry." +This is a satire on the time and manners of the period, and is written +in a coarse style worthy of the author. In 1605 there appeared a +little volume bearing for its title, "Laugh and Lie Down, or the +World's Folly." This work describes the fops and men of fashion of its +time, and shows how popular the custom of tobacco taking had become. +In 1609, in "The Gull's Horne Book," a gallant is described as +follows: + + "Before the meate comes smoaking to the board our Gallant + must draw out his tobacco box, the ladle for the cold snuff + into his nostrils, the tongs and the priming iron. All this + artillery may be of gold or silver, if he can reach to the + price of it; it will be a reasonable, useful pawn at all + times when the current of his money falles out to rune low. + And here you must observe to know in what state tobacco is + in town, better than the merchants, and to discourse of the + potecaries where it is to be sold as readily as the potecary + himself." + +One of the severest tirades against tobacco appeared in 1612, "The +Curtain Drawer of the World." In speaking of the users of the weed, +and especially noblemen, he says: + + "Then noblemen's chimneys used to smoke, and not their + noses; Englishmen without were not Blackamoores within, for + then Tobacco was an Indian, unpickt and unpiped,--now made + the common ivy-bush of luxury, the curtaine of dishonesty, + the proclaimer of vanity, the drunken colourer of Drabby + solacy." + +In the "Soule's Solace, or Thirty-and-One Spiritual Emblems," by +Thomas Jenner, occurs the following verses: + + "The Indian weed, withered quite, + Greene at noone, cut down at night, + Shows thy decay; all flesh is hay; + Thus thinke, then drinke Tobacco. + + The Pipe that is so lily-white, + Show thee to be a mortal wight, + And even such, gone with a touch, + Thus thinke, then drinke Tobacco. + + And when the smoake ascends on high, + Thinke thou beholdst the vanity + Of worldly stuffe, gone with a puffe, + Thus thinke, then drinke Tobacco. + + And when the Pipe grows foul within, + Thinke on thy soul defiled with sin, + And then the fire it doth require; + Thus thinke, then drinke Tobacco. + + The ashes that are left behind, + May serve to put thee still in mind, + That unto dust return thou must; + Thus thinke, then drinke Tobacco." + +Buttes, in a little volume entitled "Dyets Dry Dinner," (1599) says +that + "Tobacco was translated out of India in the seede or roote; + native or sative in our own fruitfullest soils. It cureth + any griefe, dolour, imposture, or obstruction proceeding of + colde or winde, especially in the head or breast. The fume + taken in a pipe is good against Rumes, ache in the head, + stomacke, lungs, breast; also in want of meate, drinke, + sleepe, or rest." + +The introduction of tobacco from the colony of Virginia was followed +soon after by a reduction of price that led to more frequent use among +the poorer classes, such as grooms and hangers on at taverns and +ale-houses, who are alluded to in Rich's "Honestie of this Age": + + "There is not so base a groome that comes into an ale-house + to call for his pott, but he must have his pipe of tobacco; + for it is a commodity that is nowe as vendible in every + tavern, wine and ale-house, as eyther wine, ale or beare; + and for apothecaerie's shops, grocer's shops, chandler's + shops, they are never without company, that from morning + till night, are still taking of tobacco. What a number are + there besides, that doe keepe houses, set open shoppes, that + have no other trade to live by, but by selling of tobacco. I + have heard it told, that now very lately there hath been a + catalogue of all those new erected houses that have sett up + that trade of selling tobacco in London, and neare about + London; and if a man may believe what is confidently + reported, there are found to be upwards of seven thousand of + houses that doth live by that trade. + +[Illustration: Old London Ale-house.] + + "If it be true that there be seven thousand shops in and + about London, that doth vend tobacco, as it is credibly + reported that there be over and above that number, it may + well be supposed to be but an ill customed shop, that taketh + not five shillings a day, one day with another throughout + the whole year; or, if one doth take lesse, two other may + take more; but let us make our account, but after two + shillings sixpence a day, for he that taketh lesse than that + would be ill able to pay his rent, or to keepe open his shop + windows; neither would tobacco houses make such a muster as + they do, and that almost in every lane, and in every + by-corner round about London." + +"A Tobacco seller is described after this manner by Blount in a +volume "Micro-Cosmographie; Or A Piece of the World discovered; in +Essays and Characters" (1628). + + "A tobacco seller is the only man that finds good in it + which others brag of, but doe not, for it is meate, drinke, + and clothes to him. No man opens his ware with greater + seriousness, or challenges your judgment more in the + operation. His Shop is the Randenvous of spitting, where men + dialogue with their noses, and their conversation is smoke. + It is the place only where Spain is commended, and preferred + before England itself. + + "He should be well experienced in the World; for he has + daily tryall as men's nostrils, and none is better + acquainted with humour. His is the piecing commonly of some + other trade, which is bawd to his Tobacco, and that to his + wife, which is the flame that follows the smoke." + +Early in the Seventeenth Century began the persecution by royal haters +of the plant, others, however, had denounced the weed and its use and +users, but venting nothing more than a tirade of words against it, had +but little effect in breaking up the trade or the custom.[44] James I. +sent forth his famous "Counterblast" and in the strongest manner +condemned its use. A portion of it reads thus: + + [Footnote 44: Elizabeth during her reign, published an + edict against its use, assigning as a reason, that her + subjects, by employing the same luxuries as barbarians, + were likely to degenerate into barbarism. + + "From the first introduction of the weed, the votaries + of the pipe have enjoyed all the blessings of + persecution. Kings have punished, priests have + anathematized, satirists satirized and women scolded; + but still the weed, with its divers shapes and different + names, reigns supreme among narcotics in every region of + the globe."--_Emerson's Magazine._] + + "Surely smoke becomes a kitchen fane better than a dining + chamber: and yet it makes a kitchen oftentimes in the inward + parts of men, soyling and injecting with an unctuous oyly + kind of roote as hath been found in some great tobacco + takers, that after death were opened. A custom loathsome to + the eye, harmful to the braine, dangerous to the lungs, and + the black stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the + horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless."[45] + + [Footnote 45: Another writer in the same censorious + manner says of the use of tobacco, "Smoking is the + jovial repast of Cannibals or Man-eaters, and the grand + entertainment of idolatrous Pagan Festivals. Masters + will not permit the use of it to their servants or + slaves and such as use it can hardly find masters or + buyers."] + +Quaint old Burton in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," recognizes the +virtues of the plant while he anathematizes its abuse. He says:-- + + "Tobacco, divine, rare, superexcellent tobacco, which goes + far beyond all their panacetas, potable gold, and + philosophers' stones, a soveraign remedy to all diseases. A + good vomit, I confesse, a vertuous herb, if it be well + qualified, opportunely taken, and medicinally used; but, as + it is commonly abused by most men, which take it as tinkers + do ale, 'tis a plague, a mischief, a violent purger of + goods, lands, health, hellish, divelish and damned tobacco, + the ruine and overthrow of body and soul." + +The duty on importation had been only twopence per pound, a moderate +sum in view of the prices realized by the sale of it. + +The King now increased it to the enormous sum of two shilling and ten +pence. James termed the custom of using tobacco an "evil vanitie" +impairing "the health of a great number of people their bodies +weakened and made unfit for labor, and the estates of many mean +persons so decayed and consumed, as they are thereby driven to +unthriftie shifts only to maintain their gluttonous exercise +thereof."[46] Brodigan says of the "Counterblast:" + + [Footnote 46: "King James' violent prejudices against + all use of tobacco arose from his aversion to Sir Walter + Raleigh, its first importer into England whom he + intended a sacrifice to the gratification of the King of + Spain."] + + "However absurd his reasoning may appear, it unfortunately + happened that he possessed the power to reduce his aversion + to practice, and he may be considered as the author of that + unwarrantable persecution of the tobacco plant, which under + varying circumstances, has been injudiciously continued to + the present time." + +Other royal haters of the plant issued the most strenous laws[47] and +affixed penalties of the severest kind, of these may be mentioned the +King of Persia, Amuroth IV. of Turkey, the Emperor Jehan-Gee and Popes +Urban VIII. and Innocent XII., the last of whom showed his dislike to +many other customs beside that of tobacco taking. + + [Footnote 47: The Empress Elizabeth was less severe. She + decreed that the snuff-boxes of those who made use of + them in church should be confiscated to the use of the + beadle.] + +One of the edicts which he issued was against the taking of snuff in +St. Peters, at Rome; this was in 1690; it was, however, revoked by +Pope Benedict XIV., who himself had acquired the indulgence. + +[Illustration: Punishment for snuff-taking.] + +Early in the Seventeenth Century tobacco found its way to +Constantinople. To punish the habit, a Turk was seized and a pipe +transfixed through his nose. + +The death of King James, followed by its occupancy of the throne by +his son Charles I., did not lessen the persecution against +tobacco.[48] In 1625, the year of his accession, he issued a +proclamation against all tobaccos excepting only the growth of +Virginia and Somerites. Charles II. also prohibited the cultivation of +tobacco in England and Ireland, attaching a penalty of 10L per rood. +Fairholt, in alluding to the Stuarts and Cromwell as persecutors of +tobacco, says: + + [Footnote 48: Tobacco has been able to survive such + attacks as these--nay, has raised up a host of defenders + as well as opponents. The Polish Jesuits published a + work entitled "Anti-Misocapnus," in answer to King + James. In 1628, Raphael Thorius wrote a poem "Hymnus + Tobaci." A host of names appear in the field: Lesus, + Braum and Simon Pauli, Portal, Pia, Vauquelin, Gardanne, + Posselt, Reimann, and De Morveau.] + + "Cromwell disliked the plant, and ordered his troops to + trample down the crop wherever found." + +It is an historical fact that both James I. and the two Charleses as +well as Cromwell had the strongest dislike against the Indian weed. + +With such powerful foes it seems hardly possible that the custom +should have increased to such an extent that when William ascended the +throne the custom was said to be almost universal.[49] "Pipes grew +larger and ruled by a Dutchman, all England smoked in peace." From +this time forward the varieties used served only to increase the +demand for the tobacco of the colonies, and as its culture became +better understood the leaf grew in favor, until the demand for it was +greater than the production. + + [Footnote 49: Says an enthusiastic writer on tobacco, + "If judged by the vicissitudes through which it has + traveled, it must indeed be acknowledged a hero among + plants; and if human pity, respect, or love should be + given it for 'the dangers it has passed,' the + inspiration of Desdemonia's love for Othello, then might + its most eloquent opponent be dumb, or yield it no + inconsiderable need of homage."] + +During the reign of Anne, the custom of smoking appears to have +attained its greatest height in England; the consumption of tobacco +was then proportionally greater, considering the population, than it +is at the present time. Spooner, in his "Looking-Glass for Smokers," +1703, says of the custom: + + "The sin of the kingdom in the intemperate use of tobacco, + swelleth and increaseth so daily, that I can compare it to + nothing but the waters of Noah, that swell'd fifteen cubits + above the highest mountains. So that if this practice shall + continue to increase as it doth, in an age or two it will be + as hard to find a family free, as it was so long time since + one that commonly took it." + +When tobacco was first introduced into England its sale was confined +to apothecaries, but afterwards it was dealt in by tobacconists, who +sold other goods besides tobacco. + +About the middle of the Seventeenth Century the culture of tobacco +commenced in England; it continued, however, only for a short time, +for the rump parliament in 1652 prohibited the planting of it, and two +years later Cromwell and his council appointed commissioners for +strictly putting this act in execution: and in 1660 it was legally +enacted, that from the first of January, 1660-1, no person whatever +should sow or plant any tobacco in England, under certain penalties. + +In England drinking or smoking tobacco seems to have met with more +success (as a mode of use) rather than chewing (now so popular). It +was principally confined to the lower classes, and was common among +soldiers and sailors. When used by gentlemen it was common to carry a +silver basin to spit in. + +[Illustration: Silver spittoons.] + +The habit of smoking or using tobacco in any form was then more +constant than now, and its use was common in almost all places of +public gathering. It was the custom to smoke in theatres; stools being +provided for those who paid for their use and the privilege of smoking +on the stage. Tobacco was also sold at some of the play-houses, and +proved a source of profit, doubtless, beyond even the representation +of the plays. We should infer also from some of the early stage plays, +that the "players" used the weed even when acting their parts. +Rowlands gives the following poem on tobacco in his "Knave of Clubs," +1611:-- + + "Who durst dispraise tobacco whilst the smoke is in my nose, + Or say, but fah! my pipe doth smell, I would I knew but those + Durst offer such indignity to that which I prefer. + For all the brood of blackamoors will swear I do not err, + In taking this same worthy whif with valiant cavalier, + But that will make his nostrils smoke, at cupps of wine or beer. + When as my purse can not afford my stomach flesh or fish, + I sop with smoke, and feed as well and fat as one can wish. + Come into any company, though not a cross you have, + Yet offer them tobacco, and their liquor you shall have. + They say old hospitalitie kept chimnies smoking still; + Now what your chimnies want of that, our smoking noses will. + Much vituals serves for gluttony, to fatten men like swine, + But he's a frugal man indeed that with a leaf can dine, + And needs no napkins for his hands, his fingers' ends to wipe, + But keeps his kitchen in a box, and roast meat in a pipe. + This is the way to help down years, a meal a day's enough: + Take out tobacco for the rest, by pipe, or else by snuff, + And you shall find it physical; a corpulent, fat man, + Within a year shall shrink so small that one his guts shall span. + It's full of physic's rare effects, it worketh sundry ways, + The leaf green, dried, steept, burnt to dust, have each their several praise, + It makes some sober that are drunk, some drunk of sober sense. + And all the moisture hurts the brain, it fetches smoking thence. + All the four elements unite when you tobacco take. + For earth and water, air and fire, do a conjunction make. + The pipe is earth, the fire's therein, the air the breathing smoke; + Good liquor must be present too, for fear I chance to choke. + Here, gentlemen, a health to all, 'Tis passing good and strong. + I would speak more, but for the pipe I cannot stay so long." + +In 1602 appeared a sweeping tirade entitled, "Work for Chimney +Sweepers, or a Warning against Tobacconists." It abounds with threats +against all who indulge in tobacco. The most singular work, however, +appeared in 1616, bearing the following singular title: "The Smoking +Age, or the Man in the Mist; with the Life and Death of Tobacco. +Dedicated to Captain Whiffe, Captain Pipe, and Captain Snuffe." A +frontispiece is given representing a tobacconist's shop with shelves, +counters, pipes and tobacco; a carved figure of a negro stands upon +the counter, which shows how soon such figures were used by dealers in +pipes and tobacco. The title-page contains the following epigram: + + "This some affirme, yet yield I not to that, + 'Twill make a fat man lean, a lean man fat; + But this I'm sure (howse'ere it be they meane) + That many whiffes will make a fat man lean." + +[Illustration: The Negro Image.] + +The following effusion resembles many of the verses of the day on the +fruitful subject: + + "Tobacco's an outlandish weed, + Doth in the land strange wonders breed, + It taints the breath, the blood it dries, + It burns the head, it blinds the eyes; + It dries the lungs, scourgeth the lights, + It numbs the soul, it dulls the sprites; + It brings a man into a maze, + And makes him sit for other's gaze; + It makes a man, it mars a purse, + A lean one fat, a fat one worse; + A sound man sick, a sick man sound, + A bound man loose, a loose man bound; + A white man black, a black man white, + A night a day, a day a night; + The wise a fool, the foolish wise, + A sober man in drunkard's guise; + A drunkard with a drought or twain, + A sober man it makes again; + A full man empty, and an empty full, + A gentleman a foolish gull; + It turns the brain like cat in pan, + And makes a Jack a gentleman." + +The well-known song of "Tobacco is an Indian Weed," was written most +probably the last half of the Seventeenth Century, Fairholt gives the +best copy we have seen of it. It is taken from the first volume of +"Pills to Purge Melancholy," and reads thus: + + "Tobacco's but an Indian weed, + Grows green at morn, cut down at eve, + It shows our decay, we are but clay; + Think of this when you smoke tobacco. + + "The pipe, that is so lily white, + Wherein so many take delight, + Is broke with a touch--man's life is such; + Think of this when you smoke tobacco. + + "The pipe, that is so foul within, + Shews how man's soul is stained with sin, + And then the fire it doth require; + Think of this when you smoke tobacco. + + "The ashes that are left behind + Do serve to put us all in mind + That unto dust return we must; + Think of this when you smoke tobacco. + + "The smoke, that does so high ascend, + Shews us man's life must have an end, + The Vapor's gone--man's life is done; + Think of this when you smoke tobacco." + +One of the strongest objections against the use of the "Indian +novelty" was its ruinous cost at this period. During the reign of +James The First and Charles The Second, Spanish tobacco sold at from +ten to eighteen shillings per pound while Virginia tobacco sold for a +time for three shillings. In no age and by no race excepting perhaps +the Indians was the habit so universal or carried to such a length as +in the Seventeenth Century--its supposed virtues as a medicine induced +many to inhale the smoke constantly. This was one reason why tobacco +was condemned by so many of the writers and playwrights of the day yet +many of them used the weed in some form from Ben Johnson to Cibber the +one fond of his pipe the other of his snuff. + +In 1639 Venner published a volume entitled "A Treatise" concerning the +taking of the fume of tobacco. His advice is "to take it moderately +and at fixed times." Many of the clergy were devoted adherents of the +pipe. Lilly says of its use among them: + + "In this year Bredon vicar of Thornton a profound divine, + but absolutely the most polite person for nativities in that + age, strictly adhering to Ptolemy, which he well understood; + he had a hand in composing Sir Christopher Heydon's defence + of judicial astrology, being that time his chaplain; he was + so given over to tobacco and drink, that when he had no + tobacco, he would cut the bell-ropes and smoke them." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TOBACCO IN EUROPE. (Continued.) + + +Neander in his work "Tobacologia," (1622) gives a list of the various +kinds of tobacco then used and where they were cultivated, among them +are the following well known now as standard varieties of tobacco: +Brazilian, St. Domingo, Orinoco, Virginia, and Trinidad tobacco. +Fairholt says of the latter that it was most popular in England and is +frequently named by early authors.[50] Tobacco when prepared for use +was made into long rolls or large balls which often answered for the +tobacconist's sign. What we now call cut tobacco was not as popular +then as roll. Smokers carried a roll of tobacco, a knife and tinder to +ignite their tobacco. At the close of the Sixteenth Century tobacco +was introduced into the East. In Persia and Turkey where at first its +use was opposed by the most cruel torture it gained at length the +sanction and approval of even the Sultan himself. Pallas gives the +following account in regard to its first introduction into Asia: + + [Footnote 50: Neander says that Varinas tobacco was the + best.] + + "In Asia, and especially in China, the use of tobacco for + smoking is more ancient than the discovery of the New World, + I too scarcely entertain a doubt. Among the Chinese, and + among the Mongol tribes who had the most intercourse with + them, the custom of smoking is so general, so frequent, and + become so indispensable a luxury; the tobacco purse affixed + to their belt, so necessary an article of dress; the form of + the pipes from which the Dutch seem to have taken the model + of theirs so original; and, lastly the preparation of the + yellow leaves, which are merely rubbed to pieces and then + put into the pipe, so peculiar, that we cannot possibly + derive all this from America by way of Europe; especially as + India, (where the habit of smoking is not so general,) + intervenes between Persia and China. May we not expect to + find traces of this custom in the first account of the + Voyages of the Portugese and Dutch to China? To investigate + this subject, I have indeed the inclination but not + sufficient leisure." + +[Illustration: Tobacco and Theology.] + +We find by research that smoking was the most general mode of using +tobacco in England when first introduced. In France the habit of +snuffing was the most popular mode and to this day the custom is more +general than elsewhere. In the days of the Regency snuff-taking had +attained more general popularity than any other mode of using the +plant leaves; the clergy were fond of the "dust" and carried the most +expensive snuff boxes, while many loved the pipe and indulged in +tobacco-smoking. The old vicar restored to his living enjoyed a pipe +when seated in his chair musing on the subject of his next Sunday's +discourse, "with a jug of sound old ale and a huge tome of sound old +divinity on the table before him, for the occasional refreshment as +well of the bodily as the spiritual man." + +The cultivation of tobacco in Europe was begun in Spain and Portugal. +Its culture in these kingdoms as well as by their colonies brought to +the crown enormous revenues. In 1626, its culture began in France and +is still an important product. A little later it began to be +cultivated in Germany where it had already been used as a favorite +luxury. From this time its use and cultivation extended to various +parts of Europe. The Persecutors whether kings, popes, poets, or +courtiers at length gave up their opposition while many of them +joined in the use and spread of the custom. It has been said with much +truth: + + "History proves that persecution never triumphs in its + attempted eradications. Tobacco was so generally liked that + no legislative measures could prevent its use." + +At first the use of tobacco was confined to fops and the hangers on at +ale houses and taverns but afterwards by the "chief men of the realm." +Soon after the importation of the "durned weed" from Virginia the +tobacco muse gave forth many a lay concerning the custom. The +following verses describe the method of smoking then in vogue: + + Nor did that time know + To puff and to blow + In a peece of white clay, + As they do at this day + With fier and coole, + And a leafe in a hole; + As my ghost hath late seen, + As I walked betwene + Westminister Hall + And the church of St. Paul, + And so thorow the citie + Where I saw and did pitty + My country men's cases, + With fiery-smoke faces, + Sucking and drinking + A filthie weede stinking, + Was ne'r known before + Till the devil and the More + In th' Indies did meete, + And each other there greete + With a health they desire, + Of stinke, smoke and fier. + But who e're doth abhorre it. + The citie smookes for it; + Now full of fier shop, + And fowle spitting chop, + So sneezing and coughing, + That my ghost fell to scoffing. + And to myself said: + Here's filthie fumes made; + Good phisicke of force + To cure a sicke horse. + +The Puritans, from the first introduction of the plant, were sincere +haters of tobacco, not only in England but in America. Cromwell had as +strong a dislike of the plant as King James, and ordered the troopers +to destroy the crops by trampling them under foot. Hutton describes a +Puritan as one who + + "Abhors a sattin suit, a velvet cloak, + And sayes tobacco is the Devill's smoke." + +Probably no other plant has ever met with such powerful determined +opposition, both against its use and cultivation, as the tobacco +plant. It was strenuously opposed by all possible means, governmental, +legislative, and literary. When tea and coffee were first introduced +both were denounced in unmeasured terms, but the opposition was not so +bitter or as lasting. + +The following verses bearing the _nom de plume_ of an "Old Salt," +record much of the history of the plant:-- + + "Oh muse! grant me the power + (I have the will) to sing + How oft in lonely hour, + When storms would round me lower, + Tobacco's prov'd a King! + + "Philanthropists, no doubt + With good intentions ripe, + Their dogmas may put out, + And arrogantly shout + The evils of the pipe. + + "Kind moralists, with tracts, + Opinions fine may show: + Produce a thousand facts-- + How ill tobacco acts + Man's system to o'erthrow. + + "Learn'd doctors have employed + Much patience, time and skill, + To prove tobacco cloyed + With acrid alkaloid, + With power the nerves to kill! + + "E'en Popes have curst the plant; + Kings bade its use to cease; + But all the Pontiff's rant + And Royal Jamie's cant + Ne'er made its use decrease. + + "Teetotallers may stamp + And roar at pipes and beer; + But place them in a swamp, + When nights are dark and damp-- + Their tune would change, I fear. + + "No advocate am I + Of excess in one or t'other, + And ne'er essayed to try + In wine to drown a sigh, + Or a single care to smother. + + "Yet, in moderation pure, + A glass is well enough; + But, a troubled heart to cure, + Kind feelings to insure, + Give me a cheerful puff. + + "How oft a learn'd divine + His sermons will prepare, + Not by imbibing wine, + But, 'neath th' influence fine + Of a pipe of "baccy" rare! + + "How many a pleasing scene, + How many a happy joke, + How many a satire keen, + Or problem sharp, has been + Evolved or born of smoke! + + "How oft, amidst the jar + Of storms on ruin bent, + On ship-board, near or far, + To the drenched and shiv'ring tar + Tobacco's solace lent! + + "Oh! tell me not 'tis bad, + Or that it shortens life. + Its charms can soothe the sad, + And make the wretched glad, + In trouble and in strife. + + "Tis used in every clime, + By all men, high and low; + It is praised in prose and rhyme, + So let the kind herb grow! + + "'Tis a friend to the distress'd, + 'Tis a comforter in need; + It is social, soothing, blest; + It has fragrance, force, and zest; + Then hail the kingly weed!" + +While Raleigh[51] and many of Elizabeth's courtiers indulged +frequently in a pipe, some have imagined that even Queen Bess herself +tested the rare virtues of tobacco. This is hardly based upon +sufficient proof to warrant a very strong belief in it; but the +following account of "How to weigh smoke" taken from _Tinsley's +Magazine_ shows that the Queen was acquainted at least with Raleigh's +use of the weed: + + [Footnote 51: It is said that Raleigh in communicating + the art to his friends, gave smoking parties at his + house, where his guests were treated with nothing but a + pipe, a mug of ale, and a nutmeg. Says an English + writer: "From the anecdote related respecting the weight + of smoke, the vapor of the pipe certainly did not throw + a cloud over the brilliant wit of the unfortunate + Raleigh."] + + "One day it happened that Queen Elizabeth, wandering about + the grounds and alleys at Hampton with a single maid of + honour, came upon Sir Walter Raleigh indulging in a pipe. + Smoking now is as common as eating and drinking, and to + smoke amongst ladies is a vulgarity. But not so then: it was + an accomplishment, it was a distinction; and one of the + feathers in Sir Walter's towering cap was his introduction + of tobacco. The all-accomplished hero rose and saluted the + Queen in his grand manner, and the Queen, who was in her + daintiest humour, gave him her white hand to kiss, and took + the seat he had left. + + "Now, Sir Walter, I can puzzle you at last." "I suppose I + must not be so rude as to doubt your Majesty." "You are bold + enough for that, but your boldness will not help you, Sir + Walter, this time. You cannot tell me how much the smoke + from your pipe weighs." "Your Majesty is mistaken. I can + tell you to a nicety. Will your Majesty allow me to call + yonder page, and send for a pair of scales and weights?" "By + my honour," said the Queen, "were any other subject in our + realm to make request so absurd, we should very positively + deny it. But you are the wisest of our fools, and, though we + expect to see but little use made of these weights when + brought, your request shall be granted. And, supposing you + fail to weigh the smoke, what penalty will you pay?" "I will + be content," said Sir Walter, "to lose my head." "You may + chance to lose it on a graver count than this;" answered the + Queen. "If the head shall have done some slight service to + your Majesty and the realm," replied the courteous knight, + "thee will be well content nevertheless." + +[Illustration: Weighing smoke.] + + "But your Majesty will soon see that I fail not. First, + madam, I place this empty pipe in the scales, and I find + that it weighs exactly 2 ounces. I now fill it with tobacco, + and the weight is increased to 2-1/10th ounce. I must now + ask your Majesty to allow me to smoke the pipe out. I shall + then turn out the ashes, and place them together with the + pipe in the scale once more. The difference between the + weight of the pipe with the unsmoked tobacco, and weight of + the pipe with the ashes, will be the weight of the smoke." + "You are too clever for us, Sir Walter. We shall expect you + to-night at supper, and if the conversation grow dull, you + shall tell our courtiers the story of the pipe." + +Many other anecdotes have been told of the adventures of Raleigh with +his pipe. One is that while taking a quiet smoke his servant entered +and becoming alarmed on seeing the smoke coming from his nose threw a +mug of ale in his face. + +The same anecdote is also related of others including Tarlton. He +gives an account of it in his Jests 1611. It is told in this manner: + + "Tarlton as other gentlemen used, at the first coming up of + tobacco, did take it more for fashion's sake than otherwise, + and being in a roome, sat betweene two men overcome with + wine, and they never seeing the like, wondered at it, and + seeing the vapour come out of Tarlton's nose, cryed out, + 'Fire, fire!' and threw a cup of wine in Tarlton's face. + 'Make no more stirre,' quoth Tarlton, 'the fire is quenched; + if the sheriffs come, it will turne a fine as the custom + is.' And drinking that againe, 'Fie,' says the other: 'what + a stinke it makes. I am almost poysoned.' 'If it offend,' + quoth Tarlton, 'let's every one take a little of the smell, + and so the savor, will quickly go;' but tobacco whiffes made + them leave him to pay all." + +Rich gives the following account of a similar scene:-- + + "I remember a pretty jest of tobacco which was this: A + certain Welchman coming newly to London, and beholding one + to take tobacco, never seeing the like before, and not + knowing the manner of it, but perceiving him vent smoke so + fast, and supposing his inward parts to be on fire, cried + out, 'O Jhesu, Jhesu man, for the passion of Cod hold, for + by Cod's splud ty snowt's on fire,' and having a bowle of + beere in his hand, threw it at the other's face, to quench + his smoking nose." + +The following anecdote is equally ludicrous. Before tobacco was much +known in Germany, some soldiers belonging to a cavalry regiment were +quartered in a German village. One of them, a trumpeter, happened to +be a negro. A peasant, who had never seen a black man before, and who +knew nothing about tobacco, watched, though at a safe distance, the +trumpeter, while the latter groomed and fed his horse. As soon as this +business was dispatched, the negro filled his pipe and began to smoke +it. Great had been the peasant's bewilderment before; great was his +terror now. The terror reached an intolerable point when the negro +took the pipe from his mouth, offered it to the peasant, and asked +him, in the best language he could command, to take a whiff. "No, no!" +cried the peasant, in exceeding alarm; "no, no! Mr. Devil; I do not +wish to eat fire." + +Henry Fielding, in "The Grub Street Opera" written about a century +ago, has the following verses on Tobacco:-- + + "Let the learned talk of books, + The glutton of cooks, + The lover of Celia's soft smack--O! + No mortal can boast + So noble a toast, + As a pipe of accepted tobacco. + + "Let the soldier for fame, + And a general's name, + In battle get many a thwack--O! + Let who will have most + Who will rule the rooste, + Give me but a pipe of tobacco. + + "Tobacco gives wit + To the dullest old cit, + And makes him of politics crack--O! + The lawyers i' th' hall + Were not able to bawl, + Were it not for a whiff of tobacco. + + "The man whose chief glory + Is telling a story, + Had never arrived at the smack--O! + Between every heying, + And as I was saying, + Did he not take a whiff of tobacco. + + "The doctor who places + Much skill in grimaces, + And feels your pulse running tic tack--O! + Would you know his chief skill? + It is only to fill + And smoke a good pipe of tobacco. + + "The courtiers alone + To this weed are not prone; + Would you know what 'tis makes them so slack--O? + 'Twas because it inclined + To be honest the mind, + And therefore they banished tobacco." + +One of the most curious pieces of verse ever written on tobacco is the +following by Southey, entitled "Elegy on a Quid of Tobacco:"-- + + "It lay before me on the close-grazed grass, + Beside my path, an old tobacco quid: + And shall I by the mute adviser pass + Without one serious thought? now Heaven forbid! + + "Perhaps some idle drunkard threw thee there-- + Some husband spendthrift of his weekly hire; + One who for wife and children takes no care, + But sits and tipples by the ale-house fire. + + "Ah! luckless was the day he learned to chew! + Embryo of ills the quid that pleased him first; + Thirsty from that unhappy quid he grew, + Then to the ale-house went to quench his thirst. + + "So great events from causes small arise-- + The forest oak was once an acorn seed; + And many a wretch from drunkenness who dies, + Owes all his evils to the Indian weed. + + "Let no temptation, mortal, ere come nigh! + Suspect some ambush in the parsley hid; + From the first kiss of love ye maidens fly, + Ye youths, avoid the first Tobacco-quid! + + "Perhaps I wrong thee, O thou veteran chaw, + And better thoughts my musings should engage; + That thou wert rounded in some toothless jaw, + The joy, perhaps of solitary age. + + "One who has suffered Fortune's hardest knocks, + Poor, and with none to tend on his gray hairs; + Yet has a friend in his Tobacco-box, + And, while he rolls his quid, forgets his cares. + + "Even so it is with human happiness-- + Each seeks his own according to his whim; + One toils for wealth, one Fame alone can bless, + One asks a quid--a quid is all to him. + + "O, veteran chaw! thy fibres savory, strong, + While aught remained to chew, thy master chewed, + Then cast thee here, when all thy juice was gone, + Emblem of selfish man's ingratitude! + + "O, happy man! O, cast-off quid! is he + Who, like as thou, has comforted the poor; + Happy his age who knows himself, like thee, + Thou didst thy duty--man can do no more." + +Another well known song of the Seventeenth Century is entitled "The +Tryumph of Tobacco over Sack and Ale:"-- + + Nay, soft by your leaves, + Tobacco bereaves + You both of the garland; forbear it; + You are two to one, + Yet tobacco alone + Is like both to win it, and weare it. + Though many men crack, + Some of ale, some of sack, + And think they have reason to do it; + Tobacco hath more + That will never give o'er + The honor they do unto it. + Tobacco engages + Both sexes, all ages, + The poor as well as the wealthy; + From the court to the cottage, + From childhood to dotage, + Both those that are sick and the healthy. + It plainly appears + That in a few years + Tobacco more custom hath gained, + Than sack, or than ale, + Though they double the tale + Of the times, wherein they have reigned. + And worthily too, + For what they undo + Tobacco doth help to regaine, + On fairer conditions + Than many physitians, + Puts an end to much griefe and paine; + It helpeth digestion, + Of that there's no question, + The gout and the tooth-ache it easeth: + Be it early, or late, + 'Tis never out of date, + He may-safely take it that pleaseth. + Tobacco prevents + Infection by scents, + That hurt the brain, and are heady. + An antidote is, + Before you're amisse, + As well as an after remedy. + The cold it doth heate, + Cools them that do sweate, + And them that are fat maketh lean: + The hungry doth feed, + And if there be need, + Spent spirits restoreth again. + The poets of old, + Many fables have told, + Of the gods and their symposia; + But tobacco alone, + Had they known it, had gone + For their nectar and ambrosia. + It is not the smack + Of ale or of sack, + That can with tobacco compare: + For taste and for smell, + It beares away the bell + From them both, wherever they are: + For all their bravado, + It is Trinidado, + That both their noses will wipe + Of the praises they desire, + Unless they conspire + To sing to the tune of his pipe. + +The history of the rise and progress of tobacco in England, is one of +the most interesting features connected with the use and cultivation +of the plant. In Spain, Portugal, Germany and Holland the plant was +sustained and encouraged by the throne, and royalty was the strongest +and most devoted defender it had. It saw in the encouragement of its +use, an income of revenue and a source of profit far greater than that +received from any other product. Soon after its cultivation began in +France, Spain, and Portugal, the tobacco trade was farmed out. + +From its first cultivation in these countries it has been a government +monopoly. In 1753, the King of Portugal farmed out the tobacco trade, +and from that time until now, the annual amount received has been one +of the principal sources of revenue to the crown. In France, as early +as 1674, a monopoly of the trade was granted to Jean Breton, for six +years, for the sum of 700,000 francs. + +In 1720 the Indian Company paid for the privilege 1,500,000 francs per +annum; and in 1771 the price was increased to 25,000,000 francs. +Besides France there are thirteen other European states where the +tobacco trade is a government monopoly, namely, Austria, Spain, +Sicily, Sardinia, Poland, Papal States, Portugal, Tuscany, Modena, +Parma, San Marino, Lichtenstein. + +From the first cultivation of the plant, its growers saw in the +tobacco trade a vast and constantly increasing source of wealth. +They doubtless in some measure comprehended the close relation +existing between it and commerce and realized how extensive would be +its use. + +From the nature of the plant, it affords states and nations an +opportunity to engage either in its culture or commerce with the +prospect of the largest success. In this respect it is far different +from any other tropical plant, and unlike them is capable of being +cultivated in portions of the earth far remote from the tropics. In +Switzerland and in the Caucassias it attains to a considerable size, +but is nevertheless tobacco although it may possess but few of the +excellences of some varieties, still it affords some enjoyment to the +user, from the fact that it is the Indian weed. Fairholt speaking of +the tobacco trade says: + + "The progress of the tobacco trade from the earliest + introduction of the plant into Europe until now, is + certainly one of the most curious that commerce presents. + That a plant originally smoked by a few savages, should + succeed in spite of the most stringent opposition in church + and state, to be the cherished luxury of the whole civilized + world; to increase with the increase of time, and to end in + causing so vast a trade, and so large an outlay of money; is + a statistical fact, without an equal parallel." + +The tobacco plant notwithstanding its fascinating powers, has suffered +many romantic vicissitudes in its fame and character; having been +successively opposed and commended by physicians, condemned and +eulogized by priests, vilified and venerated by kings, and alternately +proscribed and protected by governments, this once insignificant +production of a little island or an obscure district, has succeeded in +diffusing itself throughout every clime, and--exhilarating and +enriching its thousands--has subjected the inhabitants of every +country to its dominion. And every where it is a source of comfort and +enjoyment; in the highest grades of civilized society, at the shrine +of fashion, in the depths of poverty, in the palace and in the +cottage, the fascinating influence of this singular plant demands an +equal tribute of devotion and attachment. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +TOBACCO-PIPES, SMOKING AND SMOKERS. + + +The implements used in smoking tobacco, from the rude pipe of the +Indian to the elaborate hookah of the Turk, show a far greater variety +than even the various species of the tobacco plant. The instruments +used by the Indians for inhaling the tobacco smoke were no less +wonderful to Europeans than the plant itself. + +The rude mode of inhaling the smoke and the intoxication produced by +its fumes suggested to the Spaniards a better method of "taking +tobacco." Hariot, however, found clay pipes in use by the Indians of +Virginia, which though having no resemblance to the smoking implements +discovered by Columbus, seem to have afforded a model for those +afterward manufactured by the Virginia colony. The sailors of Columbus +seemed to have first discovered cigar, rather than pipe-smoking, +inasmuch as the simple method used by the natives, consisted of a leaf +of maize, which enwrapped a few leaves of the plant. + +The next instruments discovered in use among the Indians were +straight, hollow reeds and forked canes. Their mode of use was to +place a few leaves upon coals of fire and by placing the forked end in +the nostrils and the other upon the smoking leaves, to inhale the +smoke until they were stupified or drunken with the fumes. Their +object in inhaling the fumes of tobacco seemed to be to produce +intoxication and insensibility rather than a mode of enjoyment, +although the enjoyment with them consisted of seeing the most +remarkable visions when stupefied by its fumes. Such were the modes +of smoking among the Indians when Columbus planted the banner of Spain +in America. + +A writer in _The Tobacco Plant_ has given a very interesting +description of Indian pipes in use among the natives of both North and +South America. He says: + + "In the tumuli or Indian grave mounds of the Ohio and Scioto + valleys, large quantities of pipes have been found, bearing + traces of Indian ingenuity. That their burial mounds are of + great antiquity, is proved by the fact that trees several + centuries old are to be found growing upon them. About + twenty-five years ago, two distinguished archeologists + Squier and Davis--made extensive exploration of these + mounds, the results of which were published in an elaborate + memoir by the Smithsonian Institution. The mounds indicate + that an immense amount of labor has been expended upon them, + as the earthworks and mounds may be counted by thousands, + requiring either long time or an immense population; and + there is much probability in the supposition of Sir John + Lubbock that these parts of America were once inhabited by a + numerous and agricultural population. It may be asked, have + the races who erected these extensive mounds become extinct, + or do they exist in the poor uncivilized tribes of Indians + whom Europeans found inhabiting the river valleys of Ohio + and Illinois? Many of these mounds are in the form of + serpents and symbolic figures, and were evidently related to + the sacrificial worship of the mound builders." + +Squier and Davis are of the opinion that:-- + + "The mound builders were inveterate smokers, if the great + numbers of pipes discovered in the mounds be admitted as + evidence of the fact. These constitute not only a numerous, + but a singularly interesting class of remains. In their + construction the skill of the maker seems to have been + exhausted. Their general form, which may be regarded as the + primitive form of the implement, is well exhibited in the + accompanying sketch. They are always carved from a single + piece, and consist of a flat carved bore of variable length + and width, with the bowl rising from the centre of the + convex side. From one of the ends, and communicating with + the hollow of the bowl, is drilled a small hole, which + answers the purpose of a tube; the corresponding opposite + division being left for the manifest purpose of holding the + implement to the mouth. + + "The specimen here represented is finely carved from a + beautiful variety of brown porphyry, granulated with + various-colored materials, the whole much changed by the + action of fire, and somewhat resembling porcelain. It is + intensely hard, and successfully resists the edge of the + finest-tempered knife. The length of the base is five + inches; breadth of the same one inch and a-quarter. The bowl + is one inch and a-quarter high, slightly tapering upwards, + but flaring near the top. The hollow of the bowl is + six-tenths of an inch in diameter. The perforation answering + to the tube is one-sixth of an inch in diameter, which is + about the usual size. This circumstance places it beyond + doubt that the mouth was applied directly to the implement, + without the intervention of a tube of wood or metal." + +[Illustration: Indian pipe.] + +This is an account of a simple pipe, with a small bowl; but most of +the pipes found in the mounds are highly ornamented with elaborate +workmanship, representing animals such as the beaver, otter, bear, +wolf, panther, raccoon, squirrel, wild-cat, manotee, eagle, hawk, +heron, swallow, paroquet, etc. One of the most interesting of the +spirited sculptures of animal forms to be found on the mound pipes, is +the representation of the Lamantin, or Manotee, a cetacean found only +in tropical waters, and the nearest place which they at present +frequent is the coast of Florida--at least a thousand miles away. +According to Sir John Lubbock, these are no rude sculptures, for the +characteristics of the animal are all distinctly marked, rendering its +recognition complete. Many modern Indians are possessed of a wonderful +aptitude for sculpture, and they appear to gladly exchange their work +for the necessaries of life. + +The material most prized for the purpose of pipe-making is the +beautiful red pipe-stone of the Coteau des Prairies, which is an +indurated aluminous stone, highly colored with red oxide of iron. It +is frequently called "Catlinite," out of compliment to George Catlin, +the distinguished collector of Indian traditions, who claims to be the +first European that ever visited the Red Pipe-stone Quarry, which is +situated amongst the upper waters of Missouri. Catlin gives the +following legend as the Indian version of the birth of the mysterious +red pipe:-- + + "The Great Spirit, at an ancient period, here called + together the Indian warriors, and standing on the precipice + of the red pipe-stone rock, broke from its wall a piece, and + made a huge pipe by turning it in his hand, which he smoked + over them, and to the north, the south, the east and the + west; and told them that this stone was red, that it was + their flesh, that they must use it for their pipes of peace, + that it belonged to them all, and that the war club and the + scalping knife must not be raised on its ground. At the last + whiff of his pipe his head went into a great cloud, and the + whole surface of the rock for several miles was melted and + glazed. Two great ovens were opened beneath, and two women, + guardian spirits of the place, entered them in a blaze of + fire, and they are heard there yet, answering to the + invocations of the priests and medicine-men." + +At the pipe-stone quarry there is a row of five huge, granite +boulders, which the Indians regard with great reverence, and when they +visit the spot to secure some red stone to make pipes, they seek to +propitiate the guardian spirits by throwing plugs of Tobacco to them. +Some admirable pieces of pipe-sculpture are produced by the Boheen +Indians, who are found on the coast of the Pacific to the south of the +Russians. These pipes are made from a soft blue clay stone which is +found only in slabs, and the sculptures are wrought on both sides, the +pipes being generally covered with singular groups of human and animal +forms, grotesquely intermingled. + +The Chippewas are also celebrated for their pipes, which are cut out +of a close-grained stone of a dark color; and Professor Wilson, of +Toronto, states that Pobahmesad, or the Flier, one of the famed +pipe-sculptors, resides on the Great Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. +The old Chippewa has never deviated from the faith of his fathers, as +he still adheres to all their rites and ceremonies. He uses the red +pipe-stone and other materials in the production of his pipes, which +are ingenious specimens of sculpture. The calumet, or pipe of peace, +is still an object of special reverence with the Indian tribes, and +the pipe-stem is ornamented with six or eight eagle's feathers. Each +tribe has an official who takes charge of the calumet, which he keeps +rolled up in a bearskin robe; and it's never exposed to view or used, +except when the chief enters into a treaty with some neighboring +chief. On these occasions the pipe is taken out of its covering by the +Indian dignitary, ready charged with the "holy weed," when it is +smoked by all the chiefs, each one taking only a single breath of +smoke, which is regarded as implementing the treaty. The pipe is then +rolled up in its robe of fur, and stowed away in the lodge of its +keeper until it is again required. The war pipe is simply a tomahawk, +with a perforated handle communicating with the bowl, which is +opposite the sharp edge of the weapon. When the Indians joined the +British as allies during the American war, they had to be supplied +with iron tomahawks of the native pattern, before they could enter the +field as allies. + +[Illustration: Sculptured pipe.] + +Many tribes of Indians use herbs of various kinds to mix with tobacco +to reduce its strength, as they are in the habit of exhaling the smoke +from the nostrils, and not from the mouth. By the adoption of this +means a much smaller quantity of tobacco suffices to produce the +soothing influence on the nervous system so well known to votaries of +the weed. + +Longfellow, in his great Indian epic of the Song of Hiawatha, has +portrayed with graphic power in pleasing verse the mysterious legends +describing the birth or institution of the peace-pipe by Gitche +Manito, "The Master of Life;" and a few extracts from "Hiawatha" may +be interesting to illustrate the deep significance of the ideas which +the Indian holds regarding his relations to the Great Spirit of the +Universe, and of the esteem with which he views the peace-pipe, which +in the words of Catlin "has shed its thrilling fumes over the land, +and soothed the fury of the relentless savage." + +Longfellow, in the opening of his poem, says:-- + + Ye whose hearts are fresh and simple, + Who have faith in God and Nature, + Who believe that in all ages + Every human heart is human, + That in even savage bosoms + There are longings, yearnings, strivings, + For the good they comprehend not, + That the feeble hands and helpless, + Groping blindly in the darkness, + Touch God's right hand in that darkness + And are lifted up and strengthened;-- + Listen to this simple story, + To the song of Hiawatha. + +He then describes the making of the pipe from the great Red Pipe-Stone +Quarry, as follows:-- + + "On the Mountains of the Prairie, + On the great Red Pipe-Stone Quarry, + Gitche Manito, the mighty, + He the Master of Life, descending, + On the red crags of the quarry + Stood erect, and called the nations, + Called the tribes of men together. + From his foot-prints flowed a river, + Leaped into the light of morning, + O'er the precipice plunging downward + Gleamed like Ishkoodah, the comet. + And the Spirit stooping earthward, + With his finger on the meadow + Traced a winding pathway for it, + Saying to it, 'Run in this way!' + + "From the red stone of the quarry + With his hand he broke a fragment, + Moulded it into a pipe-head, + Shaped and fashioned it with figures; + From the margin of the river + Took a long reed for a pipe-stem, + With its dark green leaves upon it; + Filled the pipe with bark of willow; + With the bark of the red willow; + Breathed upon the neighboring forest, + Made its great boughs chafe together, + Till in flame they burst and kindled; + And erect upon the mountains, + Gitche Manito, the mighty, + Smoked the calumet, the Peace-Pipe, + As a signal to the nations." + +[Illustration: Pipe of Peace.] + +The next verses describe the assembling of the nations at the call of +Gitche Manito, who proceeds to speak to his children words of wisdom +and announces that he: + + "'Will send a prophet to you, + A Deliverer of the nations, + Who shall guide you and shall teach you, + Who shall toil and suffer with you. + So you listen to his counsels, + You will multiply and prosper; + If his warnings pass unheeded, + You will fade away and perish! + + "'Bathe now in the stream before you, + Wash the war-paint from your faces, + Wash the blood-stains from your fingers, + Bury your war-clubs and your weapons, + Break the red stone from this quarry, + Mould and make it into Peace-Pipes, + Take the reeds that grow beside you, + Deck them with your highest feathers, + Smoke the calumet together, + And as brothers live henceforward!' + + * * * * * + + "And in silence all the warriors + Broke the red stone of the quarry, + Smoothed and formed it into Peace-Pipes, + Broke the long reeds by the river, + Decked them with their brightest feathers, + And departed each one homeward, + While the Master of Life, ascending + Through the opening of cloud curtains, + Through the doorways of the heavens, + Vanished from before their faces, + In the smoke that rolled around him, + The Pukwana of the Peace-Pipe!" + +Along the northern parts of America, are to be found the Esquimaux +population, estimated to number about 60,000. + +They are votaries of the weed, making their pipes either out of +driftwood, or of the bones of animals they have used for food. + +Tobacco is found growing along the whole western sea-board of South +America until we reach the northern boundaries of Patagonia. Far +inland on the banks of the Amazon, Rio Niger, and other great rivers, +the weed has been found in luxurious abundance, with a delightful +fragrance. + + Stephens, in his "Travels in Central America," says that + "the ladies of Central America generally smoke--the married + using tobacco, and the unmarried, cigars formed of selected + tobacco rolled in paper or rice straw. Every gentleman + carries in his pocket a silver case, with a long string of + cotton, steel and flint, and one of the offices of gallantry + is to strike a light. By doing it well, he may help to + kindle a flame in a lady's heart; at all events, to do it + bunglingly would be ill-bred. I will not express my + sentiments on smoking as a custom for the sex. I have + recollections of beauteous lips profaned. Nevertheless, even + in this I have seen a lady show her prettiness and + refinement, barely touching the straw on her lips, as it + were kissing it gently and taking it away. When a gentleman + asks a lady for a light, she always removes the cigar from + her lips." + +The Rev. Canon Kingsley, in his fascinating novel of "Westward Ho!" +has some quaint remarks on the method of smoking described by Lionel +Wafer, surgeon to Dampier, which are well worth quoting. He says, + "When they, (the Darien Indians,) will deliberate on war or + policy, they sit round in the hut of the chief; where being + placed, enter to them a small boy with a cigarro of the + bigness of a rolling-pin, and puffs the smoke thereof into + the face of each warrior, from the eldest to the youngest; + while they, putting their hands funnel-wise round their + mouths, draw into the sinuosities of the brain that more + than Delphic vapor of prophecy; which boy presently falls + down in a swoon, and being dragged out by the heels and laid + by to sober, enter another to puff at the sacred cigarro, + till he is dragged out likewise, and so on till the Tobacco + is finished, and the seed of wisdom has sprouted in every + soul into the tree of meditation, bearing the flower of + eloquence, and in due time the fruit of valiant action." + +[Illustration: A Model Cigar.] + +Tobacco in the form of cigarettes, is extensively used by the +inhabitants of Nicaragua, Guiana, and the dwellers on the banks of the +Orinoco, and the use of the weed is not confined to the male sex, but +is freely used both by the female and juvenile portions of the +community. Mr. Squier, in his "Travels in Nicaragua," states that the +dress of the young urchins consists mainly of a straw hat and a +cigar--the cigar when not in use being stuck behind the ear, in the +manner in which our clerks place their pens. The natives of Guiana use +a tube or pipe not unlike a cheroot, made from the rind of the fruit +of a species of palm. This curious pipe is called a "Winna," and the +hollow is filled with tobacco, the smoking of which affords much +enjoyment to the denizens of the swampy regions of Guiana. + +Mr. Cooke, in "The Seven Sisters of Sleep," states that a tube much +resembling the "Winna" of Guiana was some years ago to be met with in +the Tobacconists' Shops in London. The Indian dwelling in the dense +forests in the region of Orinoco has found that tobacco is an +excellent solace to relieve the monotony of his life; he uses it "not +only to procure an afternoon nap, but also to induce a state of +quiescence which they call dreaming with their eyes open." We find +from voyagers up the Amazon, that smoking prevails not merely amongst +the natives inhabiting the regions which skirt that great river, but +also amongst the people on the banks of its numerous tributaries. Mr. +Bates the distinguished Naturalist, when making researches far up one +of the tributaries of the Amazon, found tobacco extensively +cultivated, and some distinguished makers of cigarettes. One maker, +Joan Trinidade, was noted for his Tobacco and Tauri cigarettes. This +cigar is so named from the bark in which the tobacco is rolled. Some +of the tribes inhabiting the district of the lower Amazon indulge in +snuff-taking. This snuff is not made from tobacco, it is the produce +of a plant of the leguminous order, the seeds being carefully +collected and thoroughly dried in the sun before they are pounded in a +mortar, when the powder is ready for use. The snuff-making season is +quite an event in a Brazilian village, the week or so during which it +lasts forming a kind of religious festival mingled with a good deal of +indulgence of fermented liquors, chiefly of native origin. + +Humboldt, when traveling in South America, found in use among the +Ottomac Indians a powder called Niopo, or "Indian snuff." Niopo is a +powerful stimulant, a small portion of it producing violent sneezing +in persons unaccustomed to its use. Father Gumilla says:--"This +diabolical powder of the Ottomacs, furnished by an adolescent tobacco +plant, intoxicates them through the nostrils, deprives them of reason +for some hours, and renders them furious in battle." Humboldt, +however, has shown that this stimulating snuff is not the product of +the tobacco plant, but of a species of acacia, Niopo being made from +the pods of the plant after they have undergone a process of +fermentation. Captain Burton, when traveling in the Highlands of +Brazil, found the tobacco plant growing spontaneously, which made him +conclude that it is indigenous to Brazil. He found the "Aromatic +Brazilian" a kind of tobacco with thin leaves and a pink flower, which +is "much admired in the United States, and there found to lose its +aroma after the second year." It is usually asserted that the tobacco +grown in Brazil contains only two per cent. of nicotine, but Captain +Burton is disposed to doubt this, as he states that some varieties of +the "holy herb" grown at Sa'a' Paulo and Nimos suggests a larger +proportion. In the small towns in the Highlands of Brazil, Captain +Burton found that excellent cigars, better than many "Havannas," were +retailed at a halfpenny each. In La Plata, Paraguay, and other +countries to the south of Brazil, nearly every person smokes, and an +American traveler quoted by Mr. Cooke states that women and girls +above thirteen years of age use the weed in the form of quids. A +magnificent Hebe, arrayed in satin and flashing in diamonds, "puts you +back with one delicate hand, while with the fair taper fingers of the +other she takes the tobacco out of her mouth previous to your saluting +her." A European visiting Paraguay for the first time is rather +astonished at the conduct of the fair beauty, but such is the force of +custom that the squeamishness of the new-comer is soon overcome, when +he finds that he has to kiss every lady to whom he is introduced; and +the traveler says that "one half of those you meet are really tempting +enough to render you reckless of consequences." + +Smoking is practised by the natives of Patagonia, who are a tall and +muscular class of men, though not such giants as represented by the +early voyagers. Hutchinson, in a valuable paper on the Indians of +South America has an account of the Pehuenches, one of the principal +tribes of Patagonia, in which he states that "their chief indulgence +is smoking. The native pipes are fabricated out of a piece of stone, +fashioned into the shape of a bowl, into which is inserted a long +brass tube. The latter is obtained by barter at Bohia Blanca. The +tobacco in the bowl being lighted, each man of a party takes a suck at +the pipe in his turn." Tilston, who witnessed the operation, describes +it as a most ludicrous one. + "The smoker gives a pull at the pipe, + gulping in a quantity of Tobacco vapour, the cubic + measurement of which my informant would be afraid to guess + at. All the muscles of the body seem in a temporary + convulsion whilst it is being taken in, and the neighbour to + whom the pipe is transferred follows suit by inhaling as if + he were trying to swallow down brass tube, bowl, Tobacco, + fire, and all. Meanwhile, there issues from the nose and + mouth of the previous smoker such a cumulus of cloud as for + a few seconds to render his face quite invisible." + Tobacco is +more used in Chili than in the other countries on the Pacific side of +South America; this is owing to the extensive use of the leaves of the +Cocoa plant as a narcotic by the natives of Bolivia, Peru, and +Colombia. + +[Illustration: South Americans smoking.] + +We refrain from enlarging on the nature and use of this narcotic, as +on some future occasion we may take an opportunity of making some +observations on Cocoa, which according to Jonson, holds an undisputed +sway over some seven or eight millions of the inhabitants of South +America. The Indians formerly inhabiting the high table-lands of what +is now called Peru and Bolivia appear prior to the invasion of the +Spaniards to have been much further advanced in civilization than the +races occupying the other portions of South America; and there is a +strong probability that they are of a different origin from the races +occupying Chili, Patagonia, Brazil, and the great district washed by +the waters of the West Indian Sea. Science as yet cannot give anything +like an accurate idea of the time man has existed in these +widely-diversified countries, but we cannot go wrong in accepting the +statement of Darwin, who observes that + "we must admit that man has + inhabited South America for an immensely long period, + inasmuch as any change in climate, effected by the elevation + of the land must have been extremely gradual." + +Another writer says of the pipes of the Indians of North America: + + "Great variety of form and material distinguishes the pipes + of the modern Indians; arising in part from the local + facilities they possess for a suitable material from which + to construct them; and in part also from the special style + of art and decoration which has become the traditional usage + of the tribes. The favorite red pipe-stone of the Coteau des + Prairies, has been generally sought after, both from its + easiness of working and the beauty of its appearance. A pipe + of this favorite and beautiful material, found on the shores + of Lake Simcoe, and now in my possession, measures five + inches and three-quarters in length, and nearly four inches + in greatest breadth, yet the capacity of the bowl hollowed + in it for the reception of tobacco is even less than in the + smallest of the "Elfin Pipes." In contrast to this, a modern + Winnebago pipe recently acquired by me, made of the same red + pipe-stone, inlaid with lead, and executed with ingenious + skill, has a bowl of large dimensions illustrative of Indian + smoking usages modified by the influence of the white man. + From the red pipe-stone, as well as from the lime stone and + other harder rocks, the Chippeways, the Winnebagos, and the + Sioux, frequently make a peculiar class of pipes, inlaid + with lead. + + "The Chincok and Puget Sound Indians, who evince little + taste in comparison with the tribes surrounding them, in + ornamenting their persons or their warlike and domestic + implements, commonly use wooden pipes. Sometimes these are + elaborately carved, but most frequently they are rudely and + hastily made for immediate use; and even among these remote + tribes of the flat head Indians, the common clay pipe of the + fur trader begins to supersede such native arts. Among the + Assinaboin Indians a material is used in pipe manufacture + altogether peculiar to them. It is a fine marble, much too + hard to admit of minute carving, but taking a high polish. + This is cut into pipes of graceful form, and made so + extremely thin, as to be almost transparent, so that when + lighted the glowing tobacco shines through, and presents a + singular appearance when in use at night or in a dark lodge. + Another favorite material employed by the Assinaboin Indians + is a coarse species of jasper also too hard to admit of + elaborate ornamentation." + +This also is cut into various simple but tasteful designs, executed +chiefly by the slow and laborious process of rubbing it down with +other stones. The choice of the material for fashioning the favorite +pipe is by no means invariably guided by the facilities which the +location of the tribe affords. A suitable stone for such a purpose +will be picked up and carried hundreds of miles. Mr. Kane informs me +that, in coming down the Athabaska River, when drawing near its source +in the Rocky Mountains, he observed his Assinaboin guides select the +favorite bluish jasper from among the water-worn stones in the bed of +the river, to carry home for the purpose of pipe manufacture, although +they were then fully five hundred miles from their lodges. Such a +traditional adherence to a choice of material peculiar to a remote +source, may frequently prove of considerable value as a clue to former +migrations of the tribes. Both the Cree and the Winnebago Indians +carve pipes in stone of a form now more frequently met with in the +Indian curiosity stores of Canada and the States than any other +specimens of native carving. The tube, cut at a sharp right angle with +the cylindrical bowl of the pipe, is ornamented with a thin vandyked +ridge, generally perforated with a row of holes, and standing up +somewhat like the dorsal fin of a fish. The Winnebagos also +manufacture pipes of the same form, but of a smaller size, in lead, +with considerable skill. + +Among the Cree Indians a double pipe is occasionally in use, +consisting of a bowl carved out of stone without much attempt at +ornament, but with perforations on two sides, so that two smokers can +insert their pipe-stems at once, and enjoy the same supply of tobacco. +It does not appear, however, that any special significance is attached +to this singular fancy. The Saultaux Indians, a branch of the great +Algonquin nation, also carve their pipes out of a black stone found in +their country, and evince considerable skill in the execution of their +elaborate details. But the most remarkable of all the specimens of +pipe sculpture executed by the Indians of the north-west are those +carved by the Bobeen, or Big-lip Indians,--so called from the singular +deformity they produce by inserting a piece of wood into a slit made +in the lower lip. + +The Bobeen Indians are found along the Pacific coast, about latitude +54 deg., 40', and extend from the borders of the Russian dominions +eastward nearly to Frazer River. The pipes of the Bobeen, and also of +the Clalam Indians, occupying the neighboring Vancouver's Island, are +carved with the utmost elaborateness and in the most singular and +grotesque devices, from a soft blue clay-stone or slate. Their form is +in part determined by the material, which is only procurable in thin +slabs, so that the sculptures, wrought on both sides, present a sort +of double bas-relief. From this, singular and grotesque groups are +carved without any apparent reference to the final destination of the +whole as a pipe. The lower side is generally a straight line, and in +the specimens I have examined they measure from two or three to +fifteen inches long; so that in these the pipe-stem is included. A +small hollow is carved out of some protruding ornament to serve as the +bowl of the pipe, and from the further end a perforation is drilled to +connect with this. The only addition made to it when in use is the +insertion of a quill or straw as a mouth-piece. The Indians have both +war and peace pipes. + +The War pipe is a true tomahawk of ordinary size with a perforated +handle the tobacco being placed in the receptacle above the hatchet +the handle serving as a pipe-stem and used for either pipe or +tomahawk. Many varieties of Indian Pipes have been found not only in +the Western and Southern mounds but in Mexico and Central America. +Fine specimens are found in Florida and some elaborately carved have +been unearthed in Virginia. Wilson says of the pipes used by the +Indians: "The pipe stem is one of the characteristics of modern race, +if not distinctive of the Northern tribes of Indians." In alluding to +the pipes more particularly he says: + "Specimens of another class of + clay pipes of a larger size, and with a tube of such length + as obviously to be designed for use without the addition of + a "pipe-stem," + most of the ancient clay pipes that have been +discovered are stated to have the same form; and this, it may be +noted, bears so near a resemblance to that of the red clay pipe used +in modern Turkey, with the cherry-tree pipe stem, that it might be +supposed to have furnished the model. + +[Illustration: A war pipe.] + +The bowls of this class of ancient clay pipes are not of the miniature +proportions which induce a comparison between those of Canada and the +early examples found in Britain; neither do the stone pipe-heads of +the mound-builders suggest by the size of the bowl either the +self-denying economy of the ancient smoker, or his practice of the +modern Indian mode of exhaling the fumes of the tobacco, by which so +small a quantity suffices to produce the full narcotic effects of the +favorite weed. They would rather seem to confirm the indications +derived from the other sources, of an essential difference between the +ancient smoking usages of Central America and of the mound-builders, +and those which are still maintained in their primeval integrity +among the Indians of the North West. + +Of the mound-builders Foster says: + + "The mound-builders were well aware of the narcotic + properties of tobacco, a plant which indigenous to America, + and which since the discovery of the western continent has + been domesticated in every region of the earth where the + soil and climate are favorable to its cultivation. No habit + at this day, it may be said, is more universal or more + difficult to eradicate than that of smoking. With the + mound-builder tobacco was the greatest of luxuries; his + solace in his hours of relaxations, and the choicest + offering he could dedicate to the Great Spirit. Upon his + pipe he lavished all the skill he possessed, in the + lapidary's art. + + "From the red stone of the quarry + With his hand he broke a fragment + Moulded it into a pipe head + Shaped and fashioned it with figures." + +Many of these pipes are sculptured from the most obdurate stones and +display great delicacy of workmanship. The features of animals are so +truthfully cut that often there is no difficulty in their +identification, and even the plumage of birds is delineated by curved +or straight lines which show a close adherence to nature. The bowl and +stem piece wrought from a single block, are as accurately drilled as +they could be at this day, by the lapidary's art. Both the War pipe +and Peace pipe are the most sacred and the most highly valued of all +the various kinds. + +[Illustration: Peace pipe.] + + "The calumet, or pipe of peace, ornamented with the war + eagles quill, is a sacred pipe, and never used on any other + occasion than that of peace making, when the chief brings it + into treaty, and unfolding the many bandages which are + carefully kept around it, has it ready to be mutually smoked + by the chiefs, after the terms of the treaty are agreed + upon, as the means of solemnizing it; which is done by + passing the sacred stem to each chief, who draws one breath + of smoke only through it. Nothing can be more binding than + smoking the pipe of peace and is considered by them to be an + inviolable pledge. There is no custom more uniformly in + constant use amongst the poor Indians than that of smoking + nor any more highly valued. His pipe is his constant + companion through life--his messenger of peace; he pledges + his friends through its stem and its bowl, and when its + care-drowning fumes cease to flow, it takes a place with him + in his solitary grave with his tomahawk and war-club + companions to his long-fancied 'happy hunting grounds.'" + +From specimens of clay pipes found at the South from Virginia to +Florida it would seem that the Indians had a great variety of pipes +some of which were beautifully carved while others are perfectly +plain. Many of them however are of rude workmanship and might have +been fashioned by some of the tribe unacquainted with pipe-making. + +Dall gives the following account of smoking among the natives of +Alaska: + + We broke camp about five o'clock in the morning. Nothing + occurred to break the monotony of constant steady plodding. + Two Indians in the bow of the boat would row until tired, + and then we would stop for a few minutes to rest, and let + them smoke. The last operation takes less than a minute; + their pipes are so constructed as to hold but a very small + pinch of tobacco. The bowl, with ears for tying it to the + stem is generally cast out of lead. Sometimes it is made of + soft stone, bone or even hard wood. The stem is made of two + pieces of wood hollowed on one side, and bound to the bowl + and each other by a narrow strip of deerskin. In smoking the + economical Indian generally cuts up a little birch wood, or + the inner bark of the poplar, and mixes it with his tobacco. + A few reindeer hairs pulled from his paska, are rolled into + a little ball, and placed in the bottom of the bowl to + prevent the contents from being drawn into the stem. A pinch + of tobacco cut as fine as snuff is inserted and two or three + whiffs are afforded by it. + +The smoke is inhaled into the lungs, producing a momentary stupor and +the operation is over. A fungus which grows on decayed birch trees, or +tinder manufactured from the down of the poplar rubbed up with +charcoal is used with flint and steel for obtaining a light. Matches +are highly valued and readily purchased. The effect of the Circassian +tobacco on the lungs is extremely bad, and among those tribes who use +it many die from asthma and congestion of the lungs. This is +principally due to the saltpetre with which it is impregnated. The +Indian pipe is copied from the Eskimo, as the latter were the first to +obtain and use tobacco. Many of the tribes call it by the Eskimo name. + +The Kutchin and Eastern Finneh were modeled after the clay pipes of +the Hudson Bay Company, but they also carve very pretty ones out of +birch knots and the root of the wild rose-bush. The Chukchees use a +pipe similar to those of the Eskimo, but with a much larger and +shorter stem. This stem is hollow, and is filled with fine birch +shavings. After smoking for some months these shavings impregnated +with the oil of tobacco, are taken out through an opening in the lower +part of the stem and smoked over. The Hudson Baymen make passable +pipe-stems by taking a straight-grained piece of willow or spruce +without knots, and cutting through the outer layers of bark and wood. +This stick is heated in the ashes and by twisting the end in contrary +directions the heart-wood may be gradually drawn out, leaving a hollow +tube. + +The Kutchin make pretty pipe-stems out of goose-quills wound about +with porcupine-quills. It is the custom in the English forts to make +every Indian who comes to trade, a present of a clay pipe filled with +tobacco. We were provided with cheap brown ones, with wooden stems, +which were much liked by the natives, and it is probable that small +brier-wood pipes, which are not liable to break, would form an +acceptable addition to any stock of trading goods". The Tchuktchi of +north-eastern Asia are devoted worshipers of tobacco, and is one of +the chief articles of trade with them. Their pipes are large, much +larger at the stem than the bowl. In smoking, they swallow the fumes +of the tobacco which causes intoxication for a time. "The desire to +procure a few of its narcotic leaves induces the American Esquimaux +from the Ice Cape to Bristol Bay, to send their produce from hand to +hand as far as the Guosden Islands in Behrings Straits, where it is +bartered for the tobacco of the Tchuktchi, and there again principally +resort to the fair of Ostrownoje to purchase tobacco from the +Russians. Generally the Tchuktchi receive from the Americans as money +skins for half a pond, or eighteen pounds of tobacco leaves as they +afterwards sell to the Russians for two ponds of tobacco of the same +quality. + +[Illustration: A Tchuktchi pipe.] + +The Russians also are great lovers of the weed. A writer says:-- + + "Everybody smokes, men, women, and children. They smoke + Turkish tobacco, rolled in silk paper--seldom cigars or + pipes. These rolls are called parporos. The ladies almost + all smoke, but they smoke the small, delicate sizes of + parporos, while the gentlemen smoke larger ones. Always at + morning, noon and night, comes the inevitable box of + parporos, and everybody at the table smokes and drinks their + coffee at the same time. On the cars are fixed little cups + for cigar ashes in every seat. Ladies frequently take out + their part parporos, and hand them to the gentlemen with a + pretty invitation to smoke. Instead of having a smoking car + as we do, they have a car for those who are so 'pokey' as + not to smoke." + +Throughout the German States the custom of smoking is universal and +tobacco enters largely into their list of expenditures. A writer says +of smoking in Austria:-- + + "We have been rather surprised to find so few persons + smoking pipes in Austria. Indeed, a pipe is seldom seen + except among the laboring classes. The most favorite mode of + using the weed here is in cigarettes, almost every gentleman + being provided with a silver box, in which they have Turkish + tobacco and small slips of paper, with mucilage on them + ready for rolling. They make them as they use them, and are + very expert in the handling of the tobacco. The chewing of + tobacco is universally repudiated, being regarded as the + height of vulgarity. The Turkish tobacco is of fine flavor, + and commands high prices. It is very much in appearance like + the fine cut chewing tobacco so extensively used at home." + +The cigars made by the Austrian Government, which are the only +description to be had are very inferior, and it is not to be wondered +that the cigarette is so generally used in preference. + +The smoking of cigarettes by the ladies is quite common, especially +among the higher classes. In no part of the world is smoking so common +as in South America; here all classes and all ages use the weed. +Smoking is encouraged in the family and the children are early taught +the custom. A traveler who has observed this custom more particularly +than any other, says of the use of tobacco in Peru:-- + + "Scarcely in any regions of the world is smoking so common + as in Peru. The rich as well as the poor, the old man as + well as the boy, the master as well as the servant, the lady + as well as the negroes who wait on her, the young maiden as + well as the mother--all smoke and never cease smoking, + except when eating, or sleeping, or in church. Social + distinctions are as numerous and as marked in Peru as + anywhere else, and there is the most exclusive pride of + color and of blood. But differences of color and of rank are + wholly disregarded when a light for a cigar is requested, a + favor which it is not considered a liberty to ask, and which + it would be deemed a gross act of incivility to refuse. It + is chiefly cigarritos which are smoked. + + "The cigarrito, as is well known, is tobacco cut fine and + dexterously wrapped in moist maize leaves, in paper, or in + straw. Only the laborers on the plantations smoke small clay + pipes. Dearer than the cigarritos are the cigars, which are + not inferior to the best Havanna. Everywhere are met the + cigarrito-twisters. Cleverly though they manipulate, + cleanliness is not their besetting weakness. But in Peru, + and in other parts of South America, cleanliness is not held + in more esteem than in Portugal and Spain." + +The Turks have long been noted as among the largest consumers of +tobacco as well as using the most magnificent of smoking implements. +The hookah is in all respects the most expensive and elaborate machine +(for so it may be called) used for smoking tobacco. A traveler gives +the following graphic description of smoking among them: + +[Illustration: Turk smoking.] + + "As each man smokes only out of his own pipe, it is not + surprising that this instrument is an indispensable + accompaniment of every person of rank. Men of the higher + classes keep two or three servants to attend to their pipes. + While one looks after things at home, the other has to + accompany his master in his walks and rides. The long stem + is on such occasions packed in a finely embroidered cloth + cover, while the bowl, tobacco, and other accessories are + carried by the servant in a pouch at his side. A stranger in + Constantinople will often regard with curiosity and + surprise, a proud Osmanli on foot or horseback, followed by + an attendant who, through the long, carefully-packed + instrument which he carries, gives one the idea that he is a + weapon-bearer of some heroic period following his lord to + some dangerous rendezvous. So are the times altered. What + the armor-bearer was for the warlike races of old, such is + the tchbukdi for their degenerate descendants. + + "To smoke from sixty to eighty pipes a day is by no means + uncommon; for whatever be the business, no matter how + serious, in which the Turk is engaged, he must smoke at it. + In the divan, where the grandees of the empire consult + together on the most delicate affairs of State, the question + was once mooted whether the tchbukdes should not be excluded + from such debates as were of a strictly private nature. + There was a great diversity of opinion on the subject. + Politics and reason were on opposite sides. At last it was + decided that they would not disgrace an ancient national + usage, but would allow the harmless attendants to enter the + council-room every now and then to change the pipes. In + Turkey, pipes and tobacco afford means of distinguishing not + only the different classes of the community, but even the + several graduates of rank in the same class. A mushir + (marshal) would find it derogatory to his dignity to smoke + out of a stem less than two yards in length. The artisan or + official of a lower rank, would consider it highly + unbecoming on his part to use one which exceeded the proper + proportions of his class. A superior stretches his pipe + before him to his inferior; while the latter must hold his + modestly on one side, only allowing the end of the + mouth-piece to peep out of his closed fist. + + "The pasha has the right to puff out his smoke before him + like a steam engine, while his inferiors are only allowed to + breathe forth a light curl of smoke, and that must be let + off backwards. Not to smoke at all in the presence of a + superior, is held the most delicate homage which can be paid + him. A son, for instance, acts in this manner in the + presence of his father, and only such a one is considered to + be well brought up who declines to smoke even after his + father has repeatedly invited him to do so. The fair sex in + the East is scarcely less addicted to the use of this weed. + + "The girl of twelve years old smokes a cigarette of the + thickness of pack-thread. When she has attained her + fourteenth or fifteenth year, and is already marriageable, + she is allowed to indulge her penchant at will, which is + forbidden when younger. After this age the diameter of the + cigarette increases year by year; and when a lady has + reached the mature age of twenty-four, no one sees anything + remarkable in her smoking a modest little chibouque as she + sits on the lower divan of the harem. Elderly matrons--and + in Turkey every lady is an elderly matron in her fortieth + year--are passionately devoted to this enjoyment. The + pipe-bowls and stems always remain of the size appropriated + by etiquette to the use of the harem; but the strongest and + most pungent sorts of tobacco are not unseldom smoked, until + the mouth, which, according to the assurance of the poet, in + the bloom of its youth breathed forth ambergiris and musk, + in its fortieth year acquires so strong a smell that the + lady can be scented from a distance. + + "Like their lords, the hanyrus of rank have also their + tchbukdes, of course of their own sex, who accompany them + when out walking or on a visit. In this case, however, the + cover in which the pipe-stem is made, not of cloth, but of + silk. The habit of refreshing oneself with a pipe on some + elevated spot which commands a fine view, is common to both + sexes. Men can indulge this taste whenever their fancy may + suggest, but ladies only in retired spots; for, whenever a + Turkish fair one removes the yas mak (veil) from her lips, + as she does to smoke, all around her must be harem (sacred). + + "Sometimes an eunuch stands guard at a little distance off, + and if a stranger of the male sex approaches, gives a + signal; the pipe is held aside, while the mouth is kept + covered by the veil, until the unexpected Acteon has passed + by. But where the pipe plays the most important part is in + the bath. It is well known that the Turkish ladies are + accustomed to frequent the hommams assiduously, and to + remain there for hours together. They enter the bath about + eight o'clock in the morning; take their midday meal there, + and return home between three and four in the afternoon. + During these hours of leisure, the most agreeable in a + Mohammedan woman's life, the pipe is their constant + resource. In the middle of the warmest room is a round + terrace-like elevation, called Gobek-tosh. + + "Here are clustered old and young, the snow white daughters + of Circassia and the coal-black beauties of Soudan, and + beguile the hours with never ending gossip, while around + them rise the dense fumes of their pipes. Now one of the + elders of the party tells a story, now a learned lady holds + a discourse on religion, or extols the beauty and virtue of + 'Aisha Fatima.'" + +The Fairy, or Dane's pipe is the most ancient form of the tobacco pipe +used in Great Britain and of about the same size as the "Elfin pipes" +of the Scottish peasantry. A great variety of pipes both in form and +size have been found in the British Islands some of which are of +ancient origin bearing dates prior to the Seventeenth Century. Some of +these ancient pipes are formed of very fine clay and although they +held but a small quantity of tobacco were doubtless considered to be +fine specimens in their time. + +The manufacture of pipes commenced soon after the custom of using +tobacco had become fashionable and soon after the Virginians commenced +its cultivation. Fairholt says: + +[Illustration: Old English pipes.] + + "The early period at which tobacco pipes were first + manufactured, is established by the fact that the + incorporation of the craft of tobacco-pipe makers took place + on the 5th of October, 1619. Their privileges extending + through the cities of London and Westminster, the kingdom of + England and dominion of Wales. They have a Master, four + Wardens, and about twenty-four Assistants. They were first + incorporated by King James in his seventeenth year, + confirmed again by King Charles I., and lastly on the + twenty-ninth of April in the fifteenth year of King Charles + II., in all the privileges of their aforesaid charters. + + "The London Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers was incorporated + in the reign of Charles II (1663); it had no hall and no + livery but was governed by a Master two wardens, and + eighteen assistants. The first pipes used in the British + Islands were made of silver while 'ordinary ones' were made + of a walnut shell and a straw. Afterwards appeared the more + common clay pipes in various forms and which are in use at + the present time." + +During the reign of Anne and George I. the pipes assumed a different +form and greater length so long were the stems of some of them that +they were called yards of clay. The French pipe is one of the finest +manufactured and is made of a fine red clay especially those made by +Fiolet of St. Omer, one of the best designers of pipes. Many of these +like German pipes are made of porcelain, adorned with portraits and +landscapes. Others are made of rare kinds of wood turned in the lathe +or artistically carved, and lined with clay to resist the action of +fire. + +The French also make pipes of agate, amber, crystal, carnelian and +ivory, as well as the various kinds of pure or mixed metals. Many of +the French and German pipes while they are beautiful in design and +made of the most costly materials are often exceedingly grotesque, +representing often the most ludicrous scenes and all possible +attitudes. Many of them have been termed as satirical pipes taking off +some public character _a la_ Nast. + +Fairholt says of satirical pipes: + + "England has occasioned the production of one satirical pipe + for sale among ourselves. The late Duke of Wellington toward + the close of his life, took a strong dislike to the use of + tobacco in the army, and made some ineffectual attempts to + suppress it. Benda, a wholesale pipe importer in the city + employed Dumeril, of St. Omer, to commemorate the event, and + the result was a pipe head, in which a subaltern, pipe in + hand, quietly 'takes a sight' at the great commander who is + caricatured after a fashion that must have made the work a + real pleasure to a Frenchman." + Many of the French pipes are +exceedingly quaint representing all manner of comical scenes. One is +formed like a steam-engine the smoke passing through the funnel. +Another is fashioned after a potato or a turnip while others often +represent some military subjects. In England and Ireland also pipes of +a whimsical form are common. + +[Illustration: French pipes.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +PIPES AND SMOKERS. (Continued.) + + +In Russia and Denmark as also in Norway and Sweden the pipes are more +simple and are principally formed of wood sometimes tipped with copper +but usually of inferior material and work when compared with French +and German pipes. The German pipes considered as works of art are +doubtless the finest made. Many are made of meerschaum (sea foam). +This material is found in various parts of Asia Minor. When first +obtained it is capable of forming a lather like soap, and is used by +the Tartars for washing purposes. The Turks use it for pipes which are +made in the same way that pottery is and afterwards soaked in wax and +is then ready for smoking. It heats slowly and is capable of greater +absorption than any other material used in pipe making. To properly +color a meerschaum is now considered as one of the fine arts and when +completed is considered quite a triumph. When the pipe takes on a rich +deep brown tint it is considered a valuable pipe and is watched and +guarded as a most valuable treasure. + +M. Ziegler thus describes the source whence the considerable annual +supply of meerschaum for meerschaum pipes is derived: + + "Large quantities of this mineral so highly esteemed by + smokers, comes from Hrubschitz and Oslawan in Austrian + Moravia where it is found embedded between thick strata of + serpentine rock. It is also found in Spain at Esconshe, + Vallecas and Toledo; the best however comes from Asia Minor. + The chief places are the celebrated meerschaum mines from + six to eight miles southeast of Eskis chehr, on the river + Pursak chief tributary to the river Sagarius. They were + known to Xenophon, and are now worked principally by + Armenian Christians, who sink narrow pits, to the beds of + this mineral, and work the sides out until water or imminent + danger drives them away to try another place. Some + meerschaum comes from Brussa, and in 1869 over 3,000 boxes + of raw material were imported from Asia Minor at Trieste, + with 345,000 florins. The pipe manufacture and carving is + principally carried on in Vienna and in Rhula, Duchy of + Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The commercial value of meerschaum + carving at these places may be estimated at $2,000,000 + annually. However very large quantities of them are not made + from genuine but artificial material. The waste from these + carvings is ground to a very fine powder, and then boiled + with linseed oil and alum. When this mixture has sufficient + cohesion, it is cast in molds and carefully dried and + carved, as if these blocks of mineral had been natural. It + is said that about one-half of all pipes now sold are made + from artificial meerschaum. Meerschaum is one of the + lightest of minerals and it is said that in Italy bricks + have been made of it so light that they would float on the + top of the water. Some pipes (doubtless owing to the quality + of meerschaum) take on more color in a given time than + others this is owing in a great measure however to the + thickness of the bowl." + +Pipe-colorers, who go around coloring pipes or meerschaums, pride +themselves on the rapidity with which they are enabled to color a +pipe. The following, on "Pipe Colorers," is from "The Tobacco Plant": + + "There are men who pride themselves upon the skill with + which they are able to color the pipes they smoke. Some of + these are amateurs, who smoke Tobacco only with the view of + gratifying that taste for color which is satisfied when a + bowl of clay or meerschaum is sufficiently yellowed, + browned, or blacked. There are men who care nothing for + Tobacco of itself, and would be much more easily and + rationally pleased were they to set their pipes upon an + easel and paint them with oils and camel's-hair. Others of + the class are professional colorers, who hire themselves to + pipe-sellers or connoisseurs by the week, or day, or hour, + to smoke so many ounces or pounds of strong Tobacco through + such and such pipes in such and such a time, with the + view of causing such and such stains of Tobacco-juice to + make themselves visible on the bowls or stems of those + specified pipes. These are mostly old, well-seasoned + smokers, to whose existence the weed has become essential; + who smoke their own old pipes, which lack artistic coloring, + in the intervals when they lay aside the pipes they are + employed to color. Another and much smaller section of the + class are those who smoke for smoking's sake, and yet are + weak enough to nurse some special pipes for show. To such it + is a joy to say, when friends are gathered at the festive + board 'Look! is not that well colored? I colored it myself.' + In such an age as this, when the learned cannot tell us + which of our various branches of knowledge and inquiry are + sciences and which are not, it may not seem a great anomaly + that this pipe-coloring should, by some, be called 'an art.' + Nor is it, when we think that there is such an 'art' as + blacking shoes; and when we must perforce admit that he who, + barber fashion, cuts our hair--and he who, cook-wise, broils + the kidney for our mid-day dinner--is an artist. We have not + come as yet to give this title to the weaver who watches the + loom that weaves our stockings, or to the hammer-man who + beats the red-hot horse-shoe on the anvil in a smithy; but + even there we designate 'artisans,' and 'artists' may come + next. So, hey! for the art of coloring pipes! + +[Illustration: Pipe colorer.] + + "It may not be denied that there is beauty in a well-colored + meerschaum; but in the admission lies the contradiction of + Keats' well-known line-- + + "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." + + For, your meerschaum is a fragile thing, and eminently + frangible. This present writer once did see four beauties + break within a single moon. And when they break, what + previous joy of coloring can over-top the sorrow of their + dire destruction? It is a singular difficulty in the way of + those who most desire to beautify utility or utilize the + beautiful, or show that beauty is most lovely when made + practical, that these artistic colorers of pipes are always + those who make least use of Tobacco, save for the immediate + purpose of obtaining the clay in which it is smoked. Ask + such an artist why he smokes, and he will scarcely tell you. + His best reason certainly will be, that others smoke, and, + as a custom, it becomes him. And when you find an ardent + smoker--one who smokes because he likes Tobacco for itself, + or finds it useful--who spends his time in tinting pipes, + you will have found a _rara avis_, or a monstrosity. Apart + from taste, there are some practical objections to this + custom of coloring pipes. Smoking, to be worthy, should be + free and unrestrained; while he who colors his pipe is tied + by system and confined to rule. + + "A pipe to be enjoyable, should be its master's slave; but + he who keeps a 'well-colored' pipe is slave thereto. He + cannot smoke it as, or when, or where he will. He must not + smoke it in a draught, or near a fire; he must not lay it + down, or finger it; he must not puff too fast, nor yet too + slow. In short, he is the creature of this 'Joss'--this + home-made deity--to which he bows down and worships. The + pipe-colorers are the Sabbatarians of smoking. Whereas, the + pipe was made for man, they treat man as made for the pipe. + And thus, as in all cases where the cart is expected to draw + the horse, the economy of nature is reversed, and mischief + is evolved." + +[Illustration: German porcelain pipes.] + +Dibdin, in his "Tour in France and Germany," says of Vienna, that it +is a city of smokers,--"a good Austrian thinks he can never pay too +much for a good pipe." Many of the Germans use a kind of pipe carved +from the root of the dwarf oak; wooden pipes of a similar kind are +made of brier root, and are very common, as are also those made from +maple and sweet-brier. One of the favorite pipes used by Germans is +the porcelain pipe, which consists of a double bowl--the upper one +containing the tobacco, which fits into another portion of the pipe, +allowing the oil to drain into the lower bowl, which may be removed +and the pipe cleaned. The bowls are sometimes painted beautifully, +representing a variety of subjects, and in no way inferior to the +painted porcelain for the table. + +The Dutch are famous smokers and are constantly "pulling at the pipe." +They use those with long, straight stems, and both their clay and +porcelain pipes are of the finest form and finish. Irving, in "The +History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the +Dutch Dynasty," has given a good description of the smoking powers of +the Dutch. Speaking of his grandfather's love for the weed, he says: + + "My great-grandfather, by the mother's side, Hermanns Van + Clattercop, when employed to build the large stone church at + Rotterdam, which stands about three hundred yards to your + left, after your turn from the Boomkeys; and which is so + conveniently constructed that all the zealous Christians of + Rotterdam prefer sleeping through a sermon there to any + other church in the city. My great-grandfather, I say, when + employed to build that famous church, did, in the first + place, send to Delft for a box of long pipes; then, having + purchased a new spitting-box and a hundred weight of the + best Virginia, he sat himself down and did nothing for the + space of three months but smoke most laboriously. + + "Then did he spend full three months more in trudging on + foot, and voyaging in the Trekschuit, from Rotterdam to + Amsterdam--to Delft--to Haerlem--to Leyden--to the + Hague--knocking his head and breaking his pipe against every + church in his road. Then did he advance gradually nearer and + nearer to Rotterdam, until he came in full sight of the + identical spot whereon the church was to be built. Then did + he spend three months longer in walking round it and round + it, contemplating it, first from one point of view, and then + from another,--now would he be paddled by it on the + canal--now would he peep at it through a telescope from the + other side of the Meuse, and now would he take a bird's-eye + glance at it from the top of one of those gigantic windmills + which protect the gates of the city. + + "The good folks of the place were on the tip-toe of + expectation and impatience. Notwithstanding all the turmoil + of my great-grandfather, not a symptom of the church was yet + to be seen; they even began to fear it would never be + brought into the world, but that its great projector would + lie down and die in labor of the mighty plan he had + conceived. At length, having occupied twelve good months in + puffing and paddling, and talking and walking,--having + traveled over all Holland, and even taken a peep into France + and Germany,--having smoked five hundred and ninety-nine + pipes and three hundred weight of the best Virginia + tobacco,--my great-grandfather gathered together all that + knowing and industrious class of citizens who prefer + attending to anybody's business sooner than their own, and + having pulled off his coat and five pair of breeches he + advanced sturdily up and laid the corner-stone of the + church, in the presence of the whole multitude,--just at the + commencement of the thirteenth month." + +He also alludes to Hudson whom he says was: + + "A seafaring man of renown, who had learned to smoke tobacco + under Sir Walter Raleigh, and is said to have been the first + to introduce it into Holland, which gained him much + popularity in that country, and caused him to find great + favor in their High Mightinesses, the lords and states + general, and also of the honorable West India Company. He + was a short, square, brawny old gentleman, with a double + chin, a mastiff mouth, and a broad copper nose, which was + supposed in those days to have acquired its fiery hue from + the constant neighborhood of his tobacco pipe. * * * As + chief mate and favorite companion, the commander chose + Master Robert Juet, of Limehouse, in England. By some his + name has been spelled Chewit, ascribed to the circumstance + of his having been the first man that ever chewed tobacco. * + * * * Under every misfortune he comforted himself with a + quid of tobacco, and the truly philosophical maxim, 'that it + will be all the same a hundred years hence!'" + Further on he +alludes to the attempt to subjugate New Amsterdam to the British crown +and the effect produced by the burghers lighting their pipes. + "When" + he says "Captain Argol's vessel hove in sight, the worthy + burghers were seized with such a panic, that they fell to + smoking their pipes with astonishing vehemence, insomuch + that they quickly raised a cloud, which, combining with the + surrounding woods and marshes, completely enveloped and + concealed their beloved village; and overhung the fair + regions of Pavonia:--so that the terrible Captain Argol + passed on, totally unsuspicious that a sturdy little Dutch + settlement lay snugly couched in the mud, under cover of all + this pestilent vapor." + +[Illustration: A Persian water pipe.] + +The Persians[52] are said to be the first to invent the mode of +drawing tobacco smoke through water thereby cooling it before inhaling +it. Fairholt says "it is to smoking what ice is to Champagne." The +_London Review_ gives the following description of pipes and smoking +apparatus: + + [Footnote 52: Sandys, writing in 1610 narrates a Persian + legend to the effect that Shiraz tobacco was given by a + holy man to a virtuous youth, disconsolate at the loss + of his loving wife. "Go to thy wife's tomb," said the + anchorite, "and there thou wilt find a weed. Pluck it, + place it in a reed, and inhale the smoke, as you put + fire to it. This will be to you wife, mother, father and + brother," continued the holy man, in Homeric strain, + "and above all, will be a wise counsellor, and teach thy + soul wisdom and thy spirit joy."] + + "The hookah of India is the most splendid and glittering of + all pipes; it is a large affair, on account of the + arrangements for causing the smoke to pass through water + before it reaches the lips of the smoker, as a means of + rendering it cooler and of extracting from it much of its + rank and disagreeable flavor. + + "On the top of an air-tight vessel, half filled with water, + is a bowl containing tobacco; a small tube descends from the + bowl into the water, and a flexible pipe, one end of which + is between the lips of the smoker, is inserted at the other + end into the vessel, above the level of the water. Such + being the adjustment, the philosophy of the inhalation may + be easily understood. The smoker sucks the air out of the + vessel, and makes a partial vacuum; the external air, + pressing on the burning tobacco, drives the smoke through + the small tube into the water beneath; purified from some of + its rank qualities, the smoke bubbles up into the vacant + part of the vessel above the water, and passes through the + flexible pipe to the smoker's mouth. Sometimes the affair is + made still more luxurious by substituting rose-water for + water _pur et simple_. The tube is so long and flexible that + the smoker may sit (or squat) at a small or great distance + from the vessel containing the water. In the courts of + princes and wealthy natives the vessels and tubes are + lavishly adorned with precious metals. One mode of showing + hospitality in the East is to place a hookah in the center + of the apartment, range the guests around, and let all have + a whiff of the pipe in turn; but in more luxurious + establishments a separate hookah is placed before each + guest. Some of the Egyptians use a form of hookah called the + narghile or nargeeleh--so named because the water is + contained in the shell of a cocoanut of which the Arabic + name is nargeeleh. Another kind, having a glass vessel, is + called the sheshee--having, like the other, a very long + tube. Only the choicest tobacco is used with the hookah and + nargeeleh; it is grown in Persia. + + "Before it is used, the tobacco is washed several times, and + put damp into the pipe-bowl, two or three pieces of live + charcoal are put on the top. The moisture gives mildness to + the tobacco, but renders inhalation so difficult that weak + lungs are unfitted to bear it. The dry tobacco preferred by + the Persians does not involve so much difficulty in 'blowing + a cloud.'" + + +TURKISH CHIBOUQUES AND WOOD PIPES. + + "The stiff-stemmed Turkish pipes, quite different from the + flexible tube of the hookah and narghile, are of two kinds, + the kablioun or long pipe, and the chibouque or short pipe. + Some of the stems of the kablioun, made of cherry tree, + jasmine, wild plum, and ebony, are five feet in length, and + are bored with a kind of gimlet. The workman, placing the + gimlet above the long, slender branchlet of wood, bores half + the length, and then reverses the position to operate upon + the other half. The wild cherry tree wood, which is the most + frequently employed, is seldom free from defects in the + bark, and some skill is exercised in so repairing these + defective places that the mending shall be invisible." + +The tubes or pipe-bowls used with these stems are mostly a combination +of two substances--the red clay of Nish and the white earth of +Rustchuk; they are graceful in form and sometimes decorated with +gilding. It is characteristic of some of the Turks that they estimate +the duration of a journey, and with it the distance traveled, by the +number of pipes smoked, a particular size of pipe-bowl being +understood. Dodwell, in his "Tour through Greece," says that + "a Turk + is generally very clean in his smoking apparatus, having a + small tin dish laid on the carpet of his apartment, on which + the bowl of the pipe can rest, to prevent the tobacco from + burning or soiling the carpet. The tubes of the kabliouns + are often as much as seven or eight feet long. Some of the + gardens of Turkey and Greece contain jasmine trees purposely + cultivated to produce straight stems for these pipes." + +Of those Turkish pipes which are used in Egypt, Mr. Lane, after +mentioning the narghile and the chibouque or "shibuk," says:-- + + "The most common kind used in Egypt is made of wood called + garmashak (I believe it is maple). The greater part of the + stick, from the mouth-piece to three-fourths of its length, + is covered with silk, which is confined at each extremity by + gold thread, often intertwined with colored silks, or by a + tube of gilt or silver; and at the lower extremity of the + covering is a tassel of silk. The covering was originally + designed to be moistened with water in order to cool the + pipe, and consequently the smoke by evaporation; but this is + only done when the pipe is old or not handsome. These stick + pipes are used by many persons, particularly in winter; in + summer the smoke is not so cool from them as from the kind + before mentioned. The bowl is of baked earth, colored red or + brown." + + +AUSTRIAN AND HUNGARIAN PIPE STEMS. + +Before passing to the subject of the costly mouth-pieces of Oriental +pipes, we must say a few words concerning the extraordinary care +bestowed on some kinds of plain wood sticks for stems or tubes. +Cherry-tree stems, under the name of agriots, constitute a specialty +of Austrian manufacture. The fragrant cherry (prunus makaleb) is a +native of that country; and the young trees are cultivated with +special reference to this application. They are all raised from seed. +The seedlings, when two years old, are planted in small pots, one in +each; as they grow, every tendency to branching is choked by removing +the bud; and as they increase in size from year to year, they are +shifted into larger pots or into boxes. Great care is taken to turn +them round daily, so that every part shall be equally exposed to +sunshine. When the plants have attained a sufficient height they are +allowed to form a small bushy head; but the daily care is continued +until the stems grow to a proper thickness. They are then taken out +of the ground, the roots and branches removed, and the stem bored +through after being seasoned for some time. The care shown in rearing +insures a perfect straightness of stem, and an equable diameter of +about an inch or an inch and a half. The last specimens, when cut from +the tree, are as much as eight feet in length, dark purple-brown in +color, and highly fragrant. At Pesth are made pipes about eighteen +inches in length, of the shoots of the mock orange, remarkable for +their quality in absorbing the oil of tobacco, they are flexible +without being weak. The French make elegant pipe-bowls of the root of +the tree-heath, but their chief attention is directed, as far as +concerns wood pipes, to those of brier-root, which are made by them in +large quantities. The bowl and the short stems are carried out of one +piece, and the wood is credited with absorbing some of the rank oil of +tobacco. + +Amber--the only kind of resin that rises to the dignity of a gem--is +unfitted for the bowl of a tobacco-pipe, because it cannot well bear +the heat; but it is largely used for mouth-pieces, especially by +wealthy Oriental smokers. The Turks have a belief that amber wards off +infection; an opinion which, whether right or wrong, tells well for +the amber workers. There has always been a mystery connected with this +remarkable substance. So far back as the Phenicians, amber was picked +up on the Baltic shore of what is now called Prussia; and the same +region has ever since been the chief store-house for it. Tacitus was +not far wrong when he conjectured that amber is a gum or resin exuded +from certain trees, although other authorities have preferred a theory +that it is a kind of wax or fat which has undergone slow petrifaction. +At any rate, it must at one time have been liquid or semi-liquid; for +insects, flies, detached wings and legs, and small fragments of +various kinds, are often found imbedded in it--those odds and ends of +which Pope said:-- + + "The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare; + The wonder's how the devil they got there!" + +Whether new stores of amber are now being formed, or whether, like +coal, it was the result of causes not now in operation, is an unsolved +problem. The specimens obtained differ considerably; some are pale as +primrose, some deep orange or almost brown; some nearly as transparent +as crystal, some nearly opaque. Large pieces, uniform in color and +translucency, fetch high prices; and there are fashions in this matter +for which it is not easy to account,--seeing that the Turks and other +Orientals buy up, at prices which Europeans are unwilling to give, all +the specimens presenting a straw-yellow color and a sort of cloudy +translucency. The Russians, on the contrary, prefer orange-yellow +transparent specimens. The amber is seldom obtained by actual mining. + +[Illustration: Searching for amber.] + +It is usually found on sea-coasts, after storms, in rounded nodules; +or, if scarce on shore, it is sought for by men clad in leather +garments, who wade up to their necks in the sea, and scrape the +sea-bottom with hooped nets attached to the end of long poles; or +(rather dangerous work) men go out in boats, and examine the faces of +precipitous cliffs, picking off, by means of iron hooks, the lumps of +amber which they may see here and there. Sometimes a piece weighing +nearly a pound is found, and a weight of even ten pounds is recorded. +As small pieces can easily be joined by smoothing the surfaces, +moistening them with linseed oil, and pressing them together over a +charcoal fire, and as gum copal is sometimes very like amber, there is +much sophistication indulged in, which none but an expert can guard +against. In fashioning the nodules of amber, whether genuine or +fictitious, into pipe mouth-pieces, they are split on a leaden plate +in a turning lathe, smoothed into shape by whet-stones, rubbed with +chalk and water, and polished with a piece of flannel. It is an +especially difficult kind of work; for unless the amber is allowed +frequent intervals for cooling, it becomes electrically excited by the +friction and shivers into fragments; the men, too, are put into +nervous tremors if kept too long at work at one time. Amber is one of +the most electrically excitable of all known substances; in fact, the +name electricity itself was derived from _electron_, the Greek name +for amber. Hookahs, chibouques, narghiles, meerschaums, all are +largely adorned with amber mouth-pieces. The mouth-piece often +consists of two or three pieces of amber, interjoined with ornaments +of gold and gems; it is in such case the most costly part of the pipe. + +At one of the greater industrial exhibitions four Turkish amames, or +amber mouth-pieces, were shown, illustrating clearly enough the value +attached to choice specimens; two of them were worth L350 each, two +L200 each, diamond studded. The Turkish and Persian pipes have often a +small wooden tube inside the amber mouth-piece. They require frequent +cleaning with a long wire and a bit of tow, and in some large towns +there are professional pipe-cleaners. + +The natives of British Guiana have a curious kind of pipe, made of the +rind of the fruit of the areca-palm, coiled up into a kind of cheroot, +with an internal hollow to hold the tobacco. The poorer Hindoos make a +simple pipe of two pieces of bamboo,--one cut close to a knot for the +bowl, and a more slender piece for the tube. A lower class of natives +in India make two holes of unequal length, with a piece of stick, in a +clay soil; the holes are unequally inclined so as to meet at the +bottom; the tobacco is placed in the shorter hole, and the smoker, +applying his mouth to the longer, inhales the fumes in this primitive +fashion. The pipes used for opium-smoking in various parts of the East +have small bowls; the drug is too costly to be used otherwise than in +small portions at a time, and too powerful to need more than a few +whiffs to produce the opium-smoker's dreary delirium. + +The Tunisians use reeds for pipes. Stone pipes are found among the +natives of Vancouver; while Strong Bow, the North American Indian +chief, has his long wooden pipe of peace, decked out with tassels and +fringes, but with an ominous-looking sharp steel cutting instrument +near the end most remote from the bowl. + +Chinese, Japanese, Philippine Islanders, Madagascans, Central +Africans, Algerine Arabs, Mexicans, Paraguayans, Siamese, Tahitians, +South American Indians, Mongols, Malays, Tartars, Turcomans, as well +as the nations of Europe and the chief nations of Southern Asia, all +have their smoking-pipes, plain or ornate, as the case may be, and +made of wood, reeds, bamboo, bone, ivory, stone, earthenware, glass, +porcelain, amber, agate, jade, precious metals and common metals, +according to the civilization of the country and the pecuniary means +of the smoker. + +[Illustration: Fancy pipes.] + + "The French clay pipes have quite a special character; they + are well made, and great ingenuity is shown in the + preparation of the moulds in which they are pressed; but + being mostly intended for a class of purchasers who prefer + grotesque ideas to refined taste, the bowls are often + ornamented with queer shaped heads, having bead-like eyes; + sometimes imaginary beings, sometimes caricature portraits + of eminent persons. Where more than the head is represented, + license is given to a certain grossness of idea; but this is + not a general characteristic. The clay of which these French + pipes are made is admitted to be superior to that of + England, due to the careful mixture of different kinds, and + to skilful manipulation. + + "We need not say much about Dutch pipes as distinct articles + of manufacture, because the process adopted in their + production are pretty much like those in use elsewhere. The + Dutch are famous clay-pipe smokers, not countenancing the + cigar so much as their neighbors the Belgians, nor the + meerschaum so largely as their German neighbors on the Rhine + frontier. A notable bit of sharp practice is on record in + connexion with the pipe-smokers of Holland--a dodge only to + be justified on the equivocal maxim that all is fair in + trade provided it just keeps within the margin we need not + speak. A pipe manufactory was established in Flanders about + the middle of the last century. + + "The Dutch makers, alarmed at the competition which this + threatened, cunningly devised a stratagem for nipping it in + the bud. They freighted a large worn-out ship with an + enormous quantity of pipes of their own make, sent it to + Ostend, and wrecked it there. By the municipal laws of that + city the wreck became public property; the pipes were sold + at prices so ridiculously low that the town was glutted with + the commodity; the new Flemish factory was thereby + paralyzed, ruined, and closed." + +The Turks (especially those of the lower orders) use a kind of clay +pipe made of red earth decorated with gilding. The stem of the pipe is +made from a branch of jasmine, cherry tree or maple and is +sufficiently long to rest on the floor when used by the smoker. A +writer in the _Tobacco Plant_ says of Old English Clay pipes: + + "Of all the various branches of the subject of tobacco, that + of the history of pipes is one of the most interesting, and + one that deserves every attention that can possibly be + given. Whether considered ethnographically, historically, + geographically, or archaeologically, pipes present food for + speculation and research of at least equal importance to any + other set of objects that can be brought forward. Some + branches of the subject have already been treated in these + columns, and others, in what is intended shall follow, will + hereafter be discussed. The present article will be devoted + to 'Fairy Pipes' and the history of the earliest pipes of + this country. Smoking is an old and venerable institution in + this kingdom of ours, and dates far back beyond the + introduction of tobacco to our shores. Long before Sir + Walter Raleigh was thought of, there is reason to believe + herbs and leaves of one kind or other--coltsfoot, yarrow, + mouse-lax, sword-grass, dandelion, and other plants, and + even dried cow-dung--were smoked for one ailment or other, + and in some instances for relaxation and pleasure, and thus, + no doubt, became habitually used. These are still, in some + of our rural districts, smoked by people as cures for + various ailments, and are considered not only highly + efficacious but very pleasant. I have known these or other + herbs smoked through a stick from which the pith had been + removed, the bowl being formed of a lump of clay moulded by + the fingers at the time, and baked in the household fire. + +[Illustration: Clay and reed pipes.] + + "The small branches of the elder tree, or sometimes the stem + of the briar and bramble, are what I have seen used, but + even the stem of the hemlock and keckse are sometimes + brought into requisition for the purpose. + + "I believe that long before the time Dr. Wilson states on + the authority of Sharpe, that it was common within memory, + for the old wives of Annandale to smoke a dried white moss + gathered on the neighboring moors, which they declared to be + much sweeter than tobacco, and to have been in use long + before the American weed was heard of; before Sir Walter + Raleigh wooed and won Elizabeth Throgmorton, or Sir Richard + Granville voyaged to Virginia with Masters Ralph Layne, + Thomas Candish, John Arundell, Master Stukely, Bremize, + Vincent, Heryot, and John Clarke; before Sir Francis Drake + made his first voyage, or the Spanish Armada was dreamed of; + before Sir John Hawkins, Captain Price, Coft, Keat or others + for whom the honor of the introduction of tobacco has been + claimed, drew breath--smoking was to some extent indulged in + by our forefathers and (still medicinally, of course) in + this country. In mediaeval times, when the Ceramic art was + but little practiced, and when all the domestic vessels that + were produced were of the rudest and coarsest character both + in material, form, and decoration, it is not to be expected + that pipes for the smoking of herbs would be manufactured as + a matter of sale, and those of the people who wished for + such an indulgence would naturally be thrown on their own + primitive resources such as I have described, for + instruments for the purpose. + + "A portion of a very rude pipe-head, formed of common red + clay--a lump of clay moulded by hand, and ornamented with + small circles pressed into it as from the end of a + stick--has come under my notice, as have also others of an + equally primitive character, found in different parts of + this kingdom. These I have no hesitation in ascribing to a + pre-Raleigh period. It is not to these, however, but to the + small pipes formerly used in this kingdom for smoking + tobacco, and tobacco alone, that I wish to draw attention. + Most people, especially in the Midland and Northern counties + of England, as well as in Scotland and Ireland, will have + heard the name of Fairy Pipes applied to the small, + old-fashioned, and sometimes oddly-shaped tobacco pipes + which are not infrequently turned up in digging and plowing + and other operations. To these and the general forms of old + English pipes, I purpose confining myself in the present + article. Many years ago I collected together a large number + of these 'Fairy Pipes' from all parts of the kingdom. Since + then, my own researches have, with the aid of inquiries + carried on for me, enabled me to bring forward many + interesting points, so as to verify dates of manufacture and + more fully to carry out their classification. Like their + Irish brethren and sisters, English people were formerly apt + to ascribe everything unusually small to the fairies, and + anything out of the common way to the people of very remote + ages. + + "Thus, these small pipes are commonly in England called + 'fairy pipes,' or 'Carl's pipes,' or 'old man's pipes;' in + Ireland, where they are likewise known as 'fairy pipes,' + they are also called 'Dane's pipes;' and in Scotland, where + their common name is 'elf pipes,' or 'elfin pipes,' they + are, in like manner, known as 'Celtic pipes.' They are also + sometimes named 'Mab pipes,' or 'Queen's pipes,' from the + same fairy majesty, Queen Mab. Thus, while in each country + they are ascribed to the elfin race--the 'small people' of + Cornish folk-lore--their secondary names attach to them a + popular belief in their extreme antiquity. Anything + apparently old is at once, by the Irish, set down to the + 'Danes;' by the Scots to the 'Celts;' and by people in the + rural districts of our own country to the 'carls,' or 'old + men'--carl being indicative of extreme antiquity. In + Ireland, the pipes are believed to have belonged to the + _cluricaunes_--a kind of wild, ungovernable, mischievous + fairy-demon--who were held in awe by the 'pisantry;' and + whenever found, these pipes were, with much superstitious + feeling, immediately broken up, so as to destroy and break + up the spell their finding might have cast around the + finder. But it was not only among the peasantry that this + belief in the extreme antiquity of tobacco pipes existed. + + "Serious essays were written to prove their pre-historic + origin, and to claim for them a history that in our day + reads as arrant nonsense. In 1784, a short pipe was asserted + to have been found between the jaws of the skull of an + ancient Milesian exhumed at Bannockstown, county Kildare. + Upon this discovery, an elaborate and learned paper was + written in the 'Anthologia Hibernica,' setting forth this + pipe as a proof of the use of tobacco in Ireland long before + that country was invaded by the Danes. This pipe has been + proved by comparison to be probably quite late in the reign + of Elizabeth. They also have a more modern pipe, the stem of + which describes one or more circles, while another is tied + in a knot, yet allows a free passage of air. At another + time, in opening an Anglo-Saxon grave mound, some of the men + employed came across a fairy pipe which evidently had rolled + down from among the surface-soil, and, being turned out in + juxtaposition with undoubted Anglo-Saxon remains, was + immediately set down by the learned director of the + proceedings as a relic of that period. At another time I had + brought to me, as a great curiosity, two 'Roman pipes,' as I + was informed--the finders jumping to the conclusion that + because they had dug them up at little Chester (the Roman + station Derventio), they must be Roman pipes! I believe they + expected to receive a large sum from these relics: how + grievously they were disappointed I need not tell. Instances + of this kind are far from rare. + +[Illustration: Fairy pipes.] + + "I remember a man once bringing me some fragments of Roman + pottery and other things of the same period, which he had + turned up in the course of excavations, and among them was a + Tobacco stopper formed of a Sacheverell medal! and a George + II. half-penny, all of which he was ready to swear he had + found "all of a heap together," inside a hypocaust tile, + which, on examination, certainly had remained _in situ_ from + Romano-British times! The cupidity of a man had evidently + led him to collect together these odds and ends, and try to + turn them to profitable account. Some twenty years ago, a + large number of "elfin pipes" were dug up at Bomington, near + Edinburgh, along with a quantity of placks or bodles of + James VI., which thus gave trustworthy evidence of their + true date. Others were found in the ancient cemetery at + North Berwick, adjoining to which is a small Romanesque + building of the Twelfth Century, close upon the shore. + Within the last half-century, the sea has made very great + inroads upon this ancient burial-place, carrying off a + considerable ruin, and exposing the skeletons, and bringing + to light many interesting relics at almost every + spring-tide. Among these, many pipes have been washed down. + A similar circumstance has occurred on the seashore at Hoy + Lake, Cheshire, where several "fairy pipes" have been found. + + "Notices of several discoveries occur. Dr. Wilson says, in + the statistical accounts of Scotland, many of which are + suggestive of a pre-Raleigh period. Thus, 'in an ancient + British encampment in the parish of Kirk Michael, + Dumfriesshire, on the farm of Gilrig, a number of pipes of + burnt clay were dug up, with heads smaller than the modern + tobacco-pipes, swelled at the middle and straighter at the + top. Again, in the vicinity of a group of standing stones at + Cairney Mount, in the parish of Carluke Lanarkshire, a celt + or stone hatchet, elfin bolts (flint and bone arrow-heads), + elfin pipes, numerous coins of the Edwards and of later + date, and other things are all stated to have been found.' + An example is also recorded of the discovery of a + tobacco-pipe in sinking a pit for coal, at Misk, in + Ayrshire, after digging through many feet of sand. All these + notes are pregnant with significant warnings of the + necessity for cautious discrimination in determining the + antiquity of such buried relics." + +In Turkey the jasmine is cultivated for the purpose of pipe smoking. +Barillet describes the growing of the common jasmine near +Constantinople. He says: + + "The object sought is a long straight stem, free from leaves + and side branches. For this purpose the plants are grown + quickly in a rich soil, and drawn up by being grown in a + sheltered situation, to which the sun has little access at + the sides, but only at the top. Pinching is resorted to, and + during the second year's growth one end of a thread is + attached to the top of the jasmine stem. This thread passes + over a pulley attached to the post to which this jasmine is + trained, and from it is suspended a weight, the effect of + which is to keep the stem always in a vertical direction. + When the jasmine stem is about two centimeters (say three + quarters of an inch) in diameter a cloth is wrapped around + it to prevent access of dust and of the sun's rays. Twice or + thrice in the year the stem is washed with citron-water, + which is said to give the clear color so much esteemed. When + the stem has acquired a length of some fifteen feet, it is + cut down and perforated by the workmen, and fitted with a + terra-cotta bow and an amber mouth-piece." + +Blackburn, in his work entitled "Artists and Arabs," gives the +following picture of life and manners in Algiers:-- + +[Illustration: Female smoking in Algiers.] + + "There is one difficulty here, however, for the artist--that + of finding satisfactory models. You can get one at last, and + here is her portrait. Her costume, when she throws off her + haik (and with it a tradition of the Mohammedan faith, that + forbids her to show her face to an unbeliever), is a rich, + loose, crimson jacket embroidered with gold, a thin white + bodice, loose silk trousers reaching to the knee and + fastened round the waist by a magnificent sash of various + colors, red morocco slippers, a profusion of rings on her + little fingers, and bracelets and anklets of gold filagree + work. Through her waving black hair are twined strings of + coins and the folds of a silk handkerchief, the hair falling + at the back in plaits below the waist. She is not beautiful, + she is scarcely interesting in expression, and she is + decidedly unsteady. She seems to have no more power of + keeping herself in one position or of remaining in one part + of the room, or even of being quiet, than a humming-top. The + whole thing is an unutterable bore to her, for she does not + even reap the reward--her father, or husband, or other male + attendant always taking the money. She is petite, + constitutionally phlegmatic, and as fat as her parents can + manage to make her; she has small hands and feet, large + rolling eyes--the latter made to appear artificially large + by the application of henna or antimony black; her attitudes + are not ungraceful, but there is a want of character about + her, and an utter abandonment to the situation, peculiar to + all her race. In short, her movements are more suggestive of + a little caged animal that had better be petted and + caressed, or kept at a safe distance, according to her + humor. She does one thing--she smokes incessantly, and makes + cigarettes with a skill and rapidity which are wonderful. + Her age is thirteen, and she has been married six months; + her ideas appear to be limited to three or four, and her + pleasures, poor creature, are equally circumscribed. She had + scarcely ever left her father's house, and had never spoken + to a man until her marriage. There seems to be in the + Moorish nature a wonderful sense of harmony and contrasts of + color. Two Orientals will hardly walk down a street side by + side unless the colors of their costumes harmonize. You find + a negress selling oranges or citrons; an Arab boy with red + fez and white turban, carrying purple fruit in a basket of + leaves--always the right juxtaposition of colors. The sky + furnishes them a superb background of deep blue, and the + repose of these solemn Orientals, who sit here like bronze + statues, save that they smoke incessantly, inspires you with + a curious respect. They are men who believe in fate--what + need that they should make haste?" + +In Africa the pipes are made of clay and horn, and are mostly rude +affairs, but well suited to their ideas of implements used for holding +tobacco. King gives the following description of smoking among them:-- + + "A party of headmen and older warriors, seated cross-legged + in their tents, ceremoniously smoked the daghapipe, a kind + of hookah, made of bullock's horn, its downward point filled + with water, and a reed stem let into the side, surmounted by + a rough bowl of stone, which is filled with the dagha, a + species of hemp, very nearly, if not the same, as the Indian + bang. Each individual receives it in turn, opens his jaws to + their full extent, and placing his lips to the wide mouth of + the horn, takes a few pulls and passes it on. Retaining the + last draught of smoke in his mouth, which he fills with a + decoction of bark and water from a calabash, he squirts it + on the ground by his side through a long ornamented tube in + his left hand, performing thereon, by the aid of a reserved + portion of the liquid, a sort of boatswain's whistle, + complacently regarding the soap-like bubbles, the joint + production of himself and neighbor. It appeared to be a sign + of special friendliness and kindly feeling to squirt into + the same hole." + +[Illustration: African pipe.] + +We give an engraving of a kind of pipe used by the natives of interior +Africa. It is made of clay, and holds but a small portion of the weed. +The natives are great smokers and indulge in it almost constantly, but +their love for it can hardly exceed that of the more hardy Laplanders, +who are described as "passionately fond of the plant." Nothing is so +indispensable as tobacco to their existence. A Laplander who cannot +get Tobacco sucks chips of a barrel or pieces of anything else which +has contained it. Tobacco gives the Laplanders a pleasure which often +rises to ecstacy. They both chew and smoke, and they are certainly the +dirtiest chewers in the world. When they chew they spit in their +hands, then raise them to their nose that they may inhale from the +saliva the irritating principles of the plant. Thus they satisfy two +senses at the same time. They regularly smoke after their meals. If +their supply of Tobacco falls short, they sit down in a circle and +pass the pipe round, so that every one in his turn may have a +whiff.[53] + + [Footnote 53: Reynard, in his "Travels In Lapland," says + of the use of tobacco: "We interrogated our Laplander + upon many subjects. We asked him what he had given his + wife at their marriage. He told us that she had been + very expensive to him during his courtship, having cost + him two pounds weight of tobacco and four or five pints + of brandy."] + +"A Painter's Camp in the Highlands" defends the custom of smoking in +the following well chosen words: + + "People who don't smoke--especially ladies--are exceedingly + unfair and unjust to those who do. The reader has, I + daresay, amongst his acquaintances ladies who, on hearing + any habitual cigar-smoker spoken of, are always ready to + exclaim against the enormity of such an expensive and + useless indulgence; and the cost of Tobacco-smoking is + generally cited by its enemies as one of the strongest + reasons for its general discontinuance. One would imagine, + to hear these people talk, that smoking was the only + selfish indulgence in the world. When people argue in this + strain, I immediately assume the offensive. I roll back the + tide of war right into the enemy's intrenched camp of + comfortable customs; I attack the expensive and unnecessary + indulgences of ladies and gentlemen who do not smoke. I take + cigar-smoking as an expense of, say, half-a-crown a-day, and + pipe-smoking at threepence. + + "I then compare the cost of these indulgences with the cost + of other indulgences not a whit more necessary, which no one + ever questions a man's right to if he can pay for them. + There is luxurious eating, for instance. A woman who has got + the habit of delicate eating will easily consume dainties to + the amount of half-a-crown a-day, which cannot possibly do + her any good beyond the mere gratification of the palate. + And there is the luxury of carriage-keeping, in many + instances very detrimental to the health of women, by + entirely depriving them of the use of their legs. Now, you + cannot keep a carriage a-going quite as cheaply as a pipe. + Many a fine meerschaum keeps up its cheerful fire on a + shilling a-week. I am not advocating a sumptuary law to put + down carriages and cookery; I desire only to say that people + who indulge in these expensive and wholly superfluous + luxuries, have no right to be so hard on smokers for their + indulgence. + + "Nearly every gentleman who drinks good wine at all will + drink the value of half-a-crown a-day. The ladies do not + blame him for this. Half-a-dozen glasses of good wine are + not thought an extravagance in any man of fair means, but + women exclaim when a man spends the same amount in smoking + cigars. The French habit of coffee-drinking and the English + habit of tea-drinking are also cases in point. They are + quite as expensive as ordinary Tobacco-smoking, and, like + it, defensible only on the ground of the pleasurable + sensation they communicate to the nervous system. But these + habits are so universal that no one thinks of attacking + them, unless now and then some persecuted smoker in + self-defence. + + "Tea and tobacco are alike seductive, delicious, and + deleterious. The two indulgences will, perhaps, become + equally necessary to the English world. It is high treason + to the English national feeling to say a word against tea, + which is now so universally recognized as a national + beverage that people forget it comes from China, and that it + is both alien and heathen. Still, I mean no offence when I + put tea in the same category with Tobacco. Now, who thinks + of lecturing us on the costliness of tea? And yet it is a + mere superfluity. The habit of taking it as we do is unknown + across the Channel, and was quite unknown amongst ourselves + a very little time ago, when English people were no less + proud of themselves and their customs than they are now, and + perhaps with equally good reason. A friend of mine tells me + that he smokes every day, at a cost of about sixpence + a-week. Now, I would like to know in what other way so much + enjoyment is to be bought for sixpence. Fancy the + satisfaction of spending sixpence a-week in wine! It is well + enough to preach about the selfishness of this expenditure; + but we all spend more selfishly, and we all love pleasure, + and I should very much like to see that cynic whose + pleasures cost less than sixpence a-week." + +[Illustration: Egyptian pipes.] + +The Egyptian pipes, especially those of modern date are exceedingly +fanciful in shape and resemble somewhat the pipes used by the +Persians. Many of them are made of clay and are sold very cheap.[54] +The Chinese use a variety of pipes but all of them have small bowls +for the tobacco. Some of their pipes are made of brass and attached to +the pipe is a receptacle for water, so as to cool the smoke before it +passes into the mouth. The Japanese use both copper and silver pipes, +most of them similar in shape and size to those used by the Chinese. + + [Footnote 54: Watlin says of smoking in Egypt: "Tobacco + is tolerated, and seems to become more common again, + though a smoker is generally disliked and not allowed to + perform the part of Imam or rehearse, of the prayers, + before a congregation. The greater part of the people, + however, detest and condemn still the use of tobacco, + and I remember a Shaumar Bedawry who assured me that he + would not carry that abominable herb on his Camel, even + if a load of gold were given him."] + +[Illustration: Japanese pipes.] + +A writer says of smoking among the Japanese: + + "Let us sit down to a good Japanese dinner--down on the + floor. Food on the floor. Fire and cigars or pipes on the + floor. Sit on your heels, waiting. Enter first + course--Fish-skin soup. Smoke. Third--Fish, cake and + bean-cheese. Smoke. Fourth--Row fish and horse-radish. + Smoke. Fifth--Broiled fish. Smoke again, Sixth--Custard + soup. Smoke. Seventh--Chicken stew, turnips and onions. + Smoke a little. Eighth--Cuttle-fish, wafer cakes, Nipon tea. + Here, if tired you can stop at the end of about two hours' + ankle-ache. All is cleanly, well spiced with talk, and + served with the utmost politeness. Sipping tea may be + substituted for the infinitesimal whiffs of polite smoking. + A grand dinner is much more elaborate; at least, so far as + the variety of smokes is concerned. After dinner, rest and + smoke." + +An English writer could very appropriately call this a cloud of smoke +as he has another scene herein described. + + "'Tis all smoke, possibly, but what cannot we discern, + through a cloud of smoke? Objects dim, but + + 'Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the brooks + In Vallambrosa.' + + Be the medium of the smoke an honest 'churchwarden,' a short + clay, or a costly meerschaum; does the smoke emanate from a + refined Havana, a neat Manilla, or a dainty cigarette, such + as we are at this moment enjoying as a sequel to a modest + breakfast, 'tis all smoke." + +We have thus given a somewhat lengthy description of the custom and +implements used in smoking, from the first discovery of the plant +until now, and turn to other implements used in connection with the +pipe. We, however, give the following from Cop's "Tobacco Plant," +descriptive of the part played by tobacco on the stage two centuries +ago: + + "The 'Return from Parnassus' was published anonymously, and + the copy I have used is dateless. It was 'publicly acted by + the students of St. John's College in Cambridge.' In Act I., + Scene 2d, characters are given of Spenser, Ben Jonson, + Marlow, Drayton, Marston and Shakespeare, together with some + other of the known poets and dramatists of the Elizabethan + age. It contains many references to tobacco. In 'Act IV., + Scene 1st,' the characters are thus placed: 'Sir Rodericke + and Prodigo at one corner of the stage, Recorder and + Amaretto at the other. Two pages scouring of Tobacco pipes.' + Actual smoking from tobacco-pipes was introduced on the + stage afterwards; and instances from the early dramas have + been given by the writers on tobacco history. In the second + scene of Act III. smoking is alluded to as one of the marks + of the current man of fashion, and is coupled with that of + wearing love-locks, which was to prove such a scandal to the + Puritans. 'He gins to follow fashions. He wore thin + sireduelt in a smooky roofe, must take tobacco and must + weare a locke.' 'Work for Chimney Sweepers, or a Warning + against Tobacconists, by J. H.,' was published in quarto in + the year 1602. + + "It was answered in the same year by the anonymous 'Defence + of Tobacco,' a quarto of seventy pages. The author of the + attack followed the line of King James, or, I should rather + say, showed him the line to take, for the King's + 'Counterblast' did not appear until he had been King of + England for some years. The book is divided into sections, + each section being called 'A Reason.' The seventh 'Reason' + against the use of tobacco is, that the devil is the + discoverer and suggester of smoking. 'It was first used and + practised,' says J. H., 'by devils, priests, and, therefore, + not to be used by us Christians. That the devil was the + first author hereof. Monardus, in his 'Treatise of Tabaco,' + dooth sufficiently witnesse, saying: The Indian priests, + who, no doubt, were instruments of the devil, whom they + serve, even before they answer to questions propounded to + them by their princes, drinke of this tobacco-fume, with the + vigour and strength whereof they fall suddenly to the ground + as dead men, remaining so according to the quantity of smoke + that they had taken. And when the hearbe hath done his + worke, they revive and wake, giving answers according to the + vissions and illusions which they saw while they were wrapt + in that order.' It is not unlikely that J. H.'s authority + had confused opium with tobacco. + + "It was the opinion of the age that every Pagan deity had a + real existence in the world of evil spirits. After further + quotations of Monardus, to prove that the devil is 'the + author of Tobacco, and of the knowledge thereof,' J. H. + concludes his seventh reason by declaring, 'Wherefore in + mine opinion this practice is more to be excluded of us + Christians, who follow Veritie and Truth, and detest and + abhor the devil as a lyar and deceiver of mankind.' In the + first year of this century, pipes were not only exhibited, + but were used upon the stage. They seem at first to have + been smoked, not during 'the induction.' In the induction to + Ben Jonson's 'Cynthia's Revels' (1601), the Third Child + says: 'Now, sir, suppose I am one of your genteel auditors, + that am come in, having paid my money at the door, with much + ado; and here take my place, and sit down, I have my three + sorts of tobacco in my pocket, my light by me, and thus I + begin.' The Third Child thereupon smokes; but it seems as if + the smoking on the stage was a kind of protest against a + prior smoking in the pit. In John Webster's 'Malcontent,' as + augmented by John Marston in 1604, Sly says in the + introduction: 'Come, coose, (coz or goose!) let's take some + tobacco.' + + "In 'The Puritan, or the Widow of Watling Street,' published + in 1607, and attributed by some to Shakespeare, + tobacco-taking or tobacco-drinking (as smoking was then + usually called) appears no longer in the induction, but in + the play itself, Idle, the highwayman, says to the old + soldier, Skirmish, 'Have you any tobacco about you?' Idle + being supplied, smokes a pipe on the stage. These extracts, + however, may have been cited before, together with others of + like character in the great days of the English Drama. Pipes + continued to appear upon the stage until its abolition (in + company with the Prayer Book) by the Puritan rulers. They + reappeared on the stage of the Restoration. In Thomas + Shadwell's 'Virtuos' (1676),--to take one instance,--Mirando + and Clarinda fling away Snarl's cane, hat and periwig, and + break his pipes, because he 'takes nasty tobacco before + ladies.'" + +There is printed evidence, however, in this same period to show not +only that all the English ladies of the time were not enemies to +tobacco, but that some of them were themselves smokers. In 1674 an +anonymous quarto appeared under the title of "The Women's Petition +against Coffee." It was a protest against the growing influence of the +coffee-houses in seducing men away from their homes to sit together +making mischief and drinking "this boiled soot." It was answered in +the same year by "The Men's Answer to the Women's Petition." After +speaking of the providential introduction of coffee into England in +the midst of the Puritan epoch, when Englishmen wanted some kind of +drink which would "at once make them sober and merry," the writer +glorifies the coffee-house. + +John Taylor, "the Water Poet," made a kind of compromise when he +attributed the introduction of tobacco, not to the devil, but to +Pluto,--"Pluto's Proclamation concerning his Infernal Pleasure for the +Propagation of Tobacco." It appears in the folio collection of his +works of the year 1628. The confusion of tobacco with opium and such +destructive drugs seems to have been common with the travelers of the +Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries. Camerarius, in his "Historical +Meditations," translated into English by John Malle (folio, 1621), +speaks of tobacco as to be seen growing in many gardens throughout +Europe. He quotes Jerome Benzo as saying that in Hispaniola "there be +among them some that take so much of it, as their senses being all +overcome and made drunke with the same, they fell down flat to the +ground as if they were dead, and there lie without sense or feeling +most part of the day or of the night." + +The tobacco-box, during the reign of Elizabeth, was no unimportant +part of a dandy's outfit; sometimes a pouch or bag was used. +Tobacco-boxes came into general use in England soon after the +introduction of tobacco, and were much sought after by all who "drank" +tobacco. Marston, the Duke of New Castle, and other dramatists, +alluded to the tobacco-box as a part of the smoker's outfit; thus in +the play of "The Man in the Moone" (1609), one character, in answer to +an inquiry who one of the company is, answers: "I know not certainly, +but I think he cometh to play you a fit of mirth, for I behelde pipes +in his pocket; now he draweth forth his tinder-box and his touchwood, +and falleth to his tacklings; sure his throate is on fire, the smoke +flyeth so fast from his mouth; blesse his beard with a bason of water, +lest he burn it; some terrible thing he taketh, it maketh him pant and +look pale, and hath an odious taste, he spitteth so after it." + +The tobacco boxes of the Seventeenth Century were much larger than +those of the present. Some of them held a pound of tobacco besides +space for a number of pipes. + +Many of them were made of brass while others were fashioned from horn: + + "There is also a simple and ingenious tobacco-box used + frequently in ale-houses, 'which keeps its own account,' + with each smoker and acts also as a money-box. It is kept on + parlor tables for the use of all comers; but none can obtain + a pipe-full, till the money is deposited through a hole in + the lid. A penny dropped in, causes a bolt to unfasten, and + allow the smoker to help himself from a drawer full of + tobacco. His honor is trusted so far as not to take more + than his pipe-full, and he is reminded of it by a verse + engraved on the lid:-- + + 'The custom is, before you fill, + 'To put a penny in the till.'" + +[Illustration: Engraved boxes.] + +Some of the tobacco boxes were made of silver and beautifully engraved +with fancy sketches, historical scenes, or representations of +personages, landscapes, flowers, etc. The late Duke of Sussex had a +large collection of pipes and tobacco boxes. + +A journal describing them says of the collection: + "The Duke of Sussex + had a wonderful collection of these, the values attached to + some of them being almost fabulous. One example from the + work-shop of Vienna--long celebrated for this description of + art,--represented the combat of Hector and Achilles, the + cover of the pipe being a golden hemlet cristatus of the + Grecian type." + Swiss and Tyrolean artists also produce exquisite +carving, but use wood as a material; and in the famous collection of +Baron de Watteville will be found a marvelous piece of carving +representing Bellerophon overturning the Chimera. But French pipes are +the most interesting of all to collectors, from the fact that tobacco +was introduced into that country long before it was known in England, +and also from the ingenuity of a people who can give interest of +various kinds to what might seem a simple and prosaic branch of +manufacture. In the sentiment of the following lines on "A pipe of +Tobacco" by John Usher, all lovers of the plant will heartily join: + + "Let the toper regale in his tankard of ale, + Or with alcohol moisten his thropple, + Only give me I pray, a good pipe of soft clay, + Nicely tapered, and thin in the stopple; + And I shall puff, puff, let who will say enough, + No luxury else I'm in lack o', + No malice I hoard, 'gainst Queen, Prince, Duke or Lord, + While I pull at my pipe of Tobacco. + + "When I feel the hot strife of the battle of life, + And the prospect is aught but enticin', + Mayhap some real ill like a protested bill, + Dims the sunshine that tinged the horizon; + Only let me puff, puff,--be they ever so rough, + All the sorrows of life I lose track o', + The mists disappear, and the vista is clear, + With a soothing mild pipe of Tobacco. + + "And when joy after pain, like the sun after rain, + Stills the waters, long turbid and troubled, + That life's current may flow, with a ruddier glow, + And the sense of enjoyment be doubled,-- + Oh! let me puff, puff, till I feel _quantum suff_, + Such luxury still I'm in lack o', + Be joy ever so sweet, it would be incomplete, + Without a good pipe of tobacco. + + "Should my recreant muse,--Sometimes apt to refuse + The guidance of bit and of bridle, + Still blankly demur, spite of whip and of spur, + Unimpassioned, inconstant, or idle; + Only let me puff, puff, till the brain cries enough, + Such excitement is all I'm in lack o', + And the poetic vein soon to fancy gives reign, + Inspired by a pipe of Tobacco. + + "And when with one accord, round the jovial board, + In friendship our bosoms are glowing; + While with toast and with song we the evening prolong, + And with nectar the goblets are flowing; + Still let us puff, puff--be life smooth, be it rough, + Such enjoyment we're ever in lack o'; + The more peace and goodwill will abound as we fill + A jolly good pipe of Tobacco." + +[Illustration: Tobacco jars.] + +The tobacco jar is another accessory of more recent date than tobacco +pipes but interesting from the varieties of style and shapes. The +finest are made of porcelain and are lavish in design and enrichment. +Of all the articles of the smokers' paraphernalia none however exhibit +more fanciful designs than Tobacco-stoppers used by smokers for +crowding the tobacco into the pipe while smoking. The author of "A +Paper of Tobacco" says: + + "This was the only article on which the English smoker + prided himself. It was made of various materials--wood, + bone, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and silver: and the forms + which it assumed were exceedingly diversified. Out of a + collection of upwards of thirty tobacco-stoppers of + different ages, from 1688 to the present time, the following + are the most remarkable: a bear's tooth tipped with silver + at the bottom, and inscribed with the name of Captain James + Rogers of the Happy Return whaler, 1688; Dr. Henry + Sacheverel in full canonicals, carved in ivory, 1710; a + boat, a horse's hind leg, Punch, and another character in + the same Drama, to wit: his Satanic majesty; a countryman + with a flail; a milkmaid; an emblem of Priopus; Hope and + Anchor; the Marquis of Granby; a greyhound's head and neck; + a paviour's rammer; Lord Nelson; the Duke of Wellington; and + Bonaparte. The tobacco-stopper was carried in the pocket or + attached to a ring worn on the finger." + +In Butler's Hudibras it is alluded to in connection with the +astronomer's sign. + + "----Bless us! quoth he, + It is a planet now I see; + And if I err not, by his proper + Figure that's like tobacco-stopper, + It should be Saturn!" + +In James Boswell's "Shrubs of Parnassus" (1760) a description in verse +of the various kinds of tobacco-stoppers is given: + + "O! let me grasp thy waist, be thou of wood + Or levigated steel, for well 'tis known + Thy habit is disease. In iron clad + Sometimes thy feature roughen to the sight, + And oft transparent art thou seen in glass, + Portending frangibility. The son + Of laboring mechanism here displays + Exuberance of skill. The curious knot, + The motley flourish winding down the sides, + And freaks of fancy pour upon the view + Their complicated charms, and as they please, + Astonish. While with glee thy touch I feel, + No harm my fingers dread. No fractured pipe + I ask, or splinters aid, wherewith to press + The rising ashes down. Oh! bless my hand, + Chief when thou com'st with hollow circle crowned + With sculptured signet, bearing in thy womb + The treasured Cork-screw. Thus a triple service + In firm alliance may'st thou boast." + +Tobacco-stoppers were often made of wood from some relic like a +celebrated tree or mansion which gave additional value by its +historic associations. Taylor alludes to several made from the well +known Glastonbury thorn. He says:-- + +[Illustration: Tobacco stoppers.] + + "I saw the sayd branch, I did take a dead sprigge from it, + wherewith I made two or three tobacco-stoppers, which I + brought to London." + +Pipes and tobacco-stoppers have often been favorite testimonials of +friendship and reward. Fairholt says:-- + + "It was the custom during the last century to present + country churchwardens with tobacco-boxes, after the faithful + discharge of their duties." + +The following lines from "The Tobacco Leaf," penned by some favored +one on receiving a rare pipe, are no doubt as neat as the object that +called them forth:-- + + "I lifted off the lid with anxious care, + Removed the wrappages, strip after strip, + And when the hidden contents were laid bare, + My first remark was: "Mercy, what a pipe!" + + A pipe of symmetry that matched its size, + Mounted with metal bright--a sight to see-- + With the rich umber hue that smokers prize, + Attesting both its age and pedigree. + + A pipe to make the royal Freidrich jealous, + Or the great Teufelsdrockh with envy gripe! + A man should hold some rank above his fellows + To justify his smoking such a pipe! + + What country gave it birth? What blest of cities + Saw it first kindle at the glowing coal? + What happy artist murmured "_Nunc dimittis_," + When he had fashioned this transcendent bowl! + + Has it been hoarded in a monarch's treasures? + Was it a gift of peace, or price of war? + Did the great Khalif in his "Houre of Pleasures," + Wager and lose it to the good Zaafar? + + It may have soothed mild Spenser's melancholy, + While musing o'er traditions of the past, + Or graced the lips of brave Sir Walter Raleigh, + Ere sage King Jamie blew his "Counterblast." + + Did it, safe hidden in some secret cavern, + Escape that monarch's pipoclastic ken? + Has Shakespeare smoked it at the Mermaid Tavern, + Quaffing a cup of sack with rare old Ben? + + Ay, Shakespeare might have watched his vast creation + Loom through its smoke--the spectre-haunted Thane, + The Sisters at their ghostly invocations, + The jealous Moor and melancholy Dane. + + Round its orbed haze and through its mazy ringlets, + Titania may have led her elfin rout, + Or Ariel fanned it with his gauzy winglets, + Or Puck danced in the bowl to put it out. + + Vain are all fancies--questions bring no answer; + The smokers vanish, but the pipe remains; + He were indeed a subtle necromancer, + Could read their records in its cloudy stains. + + Nor this alone: its destiny may doom it + To outlive e'en its use and history-- + Some ploughman of the future may exhume it + From soil now deep beneath the eastern sea. + + And, treasured by some antiquarian Stultus, + It may to gaping visitors be shown, + Labelled: "The symbol of some ancient Cultus, + Conjecturally Phallic, but unknown." + + Why do I thus recall the ancient quarrel + 'Twixt Man and Time, that marks all earthly things? + Why labor to re-word the hackneyed moral, + [Greek: Os phhyllongenehe], as Homer sings? + + For this: Some links we forge are never broken: + Some feelings claim exemption from decay; + And Love, of which this pipe was but the token, + Shall last, though pipes and smokers pass away." + +The verse that has been written in praise as well as dispraise of the +"Indian Novelty" would of itself fill a volume of no "mean +pretentions." The following clever lines from The Tobacco Plant +entitled "Puffs from a Pipe," convey much advice to all smokers of +tobacco. + + Sage old friend! with judgment ripe; + Come and join me in a pipe. + + Brother student! brother joker, + Thee I greet, O! brother smoker. + + Smoke, O! men of every station, + Every climate, every nation. + + East and West, and South and North, + Recognize Tobacco's worth. + + Red man! let thy warfare cease: + Smoke the calumet of peace. + + Chinaman! shun opium-grief: + Use the pure Tobacco leaf. + + Frenchmen! no more foes provoke: + Follow arts of peace--and smoke! + + German victors! crowned with laurel, + Smoke, content; and seek no quarrel. + + Americans no one needs bid + To blow a cloud, or take a quid. + + Though rows shake Dame Europa's school, + Johnny Bull smokes, calm and cool. + + Toffy, it will ease thy brain, man! + Smoke and snuff, and smoke again, man! + + Paddy, light of heart and gay, + Smoke thy dhudeen: short black clay. + + Sawney, on thy Hielen' hill, + Tak' thy sneishin'; tak' thy gill! + + Tourist, thou hast journey'd far; + Rest, and light a mild cigar. + + Sailor, from the stormy seas, + Take a quid, and take thine ease. + + "Soldier tired," put off thy shako; + Prepare to fire, and burn tobacco. + + Workman, prize thine honest labor; + Burn thy weed, and love thy neighbor! + + Evil-doers, when ye burn + The weed; think how soon 'twill be your turn. + + Artist, let thy "coloring" be + Of a pipe; thy "drawing," free! + + Miser, moderate thy greed! + Mend thy life, and take a weed. + + Lawyer, loose thy bitter gripe! + Burn thy writ--to light a pipe. + + Statesman, harassed night and day, + Blow a cloud; puff care away! + + Hardy tiller of the soil! + Light a pipe; 'twill lighten toil. + + Usurer, we surely know + Thou wilt have thy _quid pro quo_. + + Merchant, smoke thy pipe; hang care! + Draughts are always honored there. + + Gentle friend, whom troubles fret! + Smoke a soothing cigarette. + + Preacher! take a pinch with me: + Snuff is dust, and so are we. + + Hence with moralizings musty! + I say life is "not so dusty." + + Smoke in gladness; smoke in trouble; + Soothe the last, the former double! + + Teach the Fiji Indians, then, + To chew their quids, instead of men. + + Pain from heart and brain to wipe, + Pass the weed, and fill your pipe! + + Prince and peasant, lord and lackey, + All in some form take their 'Baccy. + +[Illustration: Lord and lackey.] + +The evil effects occasioned by man's indulging too frequently in +tobacco have been the subject of many a fierce debate between the +friends and foes of the "great plant." Many, however, are not aware of +the fatality attending its use by the brute creation. A modern English +poet on hearing of the result produced on a cow from chewing tobacco, +penned the following sad lines which he entitles--"An elegy on +somebody's Cow." + + Weep! weep, ye chewers! Lowly bend, and bow; + Here lieth what was once a happy cow. + No more her voice she'll raise, now low, now high, + In amber fields, beneath an autumn sky; + No more she'll wander to the milking-pail, + While swine stand by to see her chew "pig-tail;" + No more round her the bees, a busy crew, + Shall linger, eager after "honey-dew;" + No more for her shall smoking grains be spread: + All bellowless remains her empty shed. + + Sad was her fate. Reflect, all ye who read: + Life's flower destroyed by the accursed weed. + When first the yellow juice streamed o'er her lip, + One might have said, "This is a sad cow-slip." + To chew the peaceful cud by nature bid, + Degraded man taught her to chew a quid. + Sad the effect on body and on mind: + Her coat grew "shaggy," her milk nicotined; + Over her head shall naught but clover grow, + While o'er her peaceful grave the clouds shall blow. + + No invalid shall ask for her cow-heel, + To heal his ailments with the simple meal; + Her whiskful tail into no soup shall go; + Mother of "weal" that would but bring us woe. + Her tripe shall honor not the festive meal, + Where smoking onions all their joys reveal; + Nor shall those shins that oft lagged on the road, + Be sold in cheap cook-shops as "_a la mode_," + Her tongue must soon be sandwiched under ground, + Nor at pic-nics with cheap champagne go round; + Yea, even her poor bones are past all hope-- + Not fit to be boiled down for scented soap. + + Ah! hide her hide, poor beast. Her stomachs five + Dyed with the chewing she could not survive; + The very worms from her will turn away, + To seek some anti-chewer for their prey. + Ye chewers! be ye pilgrims to her tomb; + Lament with us o'er her untimely doom. + Awhile she stood the anti-chewer's butt, + Till scythe-arm'd Time gave her an "ugly cut." + She stagger'd to her death, and feebly cried, + And sneezed, "Achew! achew!" and chewing died. + +There are many parodies of popular poems written in praise of the +weed; of which the following in imitation of Tennyson's "Charge of the +Light Brigade," entitled "The Charge of the Tobacco Jar Brigade," is +one of the best. + + "Epigrams, epigrams, + Pour'd in, and numbered-- + Good, bad, indifferent-- + More than Six Hundred. + "Epigrams potters want," + Quoth The Tobacco Plant: + Write! you for fame who pant; + Write! we'll three prizes grant." + Wrote for Tobacco-Jars, + Over Six Hundred. + + Postmen, ere morning's light; + Postmen, whilst day was bright; + Postmen, as closed in night, + Ran--tan'd and thunder'd + Loud at our office door; + Brought letters, many score-- + Contents of bags--to pour + Table and desk all o'er: + Handfuls and armfuls bore, + Casting them on the floor. + Then through the town they tore, + Hastening back for more-- + More than Six Hundred. + + Letters to right of us, + Letters to left of us, + Letters in front of us, + Seeming unnumbered! + Envelopes every size + Met our astonish'd eyes. + Writer with writer vies! + Which wins the chiefest prize + Out of Six Hundred. + + How did each writer strain + After a happy vein! + Pegasus, spurning rein, + Shied, jibb'd, and blunder'd. + Reverend writers, then + Took up the winged pen; + Suff'rers on beds of pain + Sought the bright muse again; + Lawyer and barrister + Courted and harassed her; + M. D.s and editors; + Debtors and creditors; + Artists and artisans, + Nicotine's partisans; + Nurses and gentle dames + Call'd it endearing names; + Poets, ship-masters, too; + Ay! poetasters, too; + Wooing fair Nicotine, + Six hundred scribes were seen. + Anti-Tobacco cant, + Bigoted, bilious rant, + Bursting to vent their spleen, + Joined the Six Hundred. + + Flash'd many fancies rare; + Flash'd like Aurora's glare; + Quick jotted down with care; + Some the reverse of fair; + Some that we well could spare; + Some that were made to bear + Blunders unnumbered. + Plunging in metaphor, + Not a bit better for-- + Pardon the Cockney rhyme!-- + Similies plunder'd. + Praising Tobacco smoke, + Heeding not grammar's yoke, + Prosody's rules they broke. + Many a rhyming moke, + Sense from rhyme sundered: + Many wrote well, but not-- + Not the Six Hundred. + Honour Tobacco! roll'd, + Cut, press'd, however sold. + Alpha and Beta, bold, + Ye shall be tipp'd with gold. + Omega shall be sold, + Others in type behold + Nearly Six Hundred." + +The following poem entitled "Weedless," after Byron's "Darkness," +gives a vivid description of the world without tobacco. + + "I had a dream, and it was all a dream: + Tobacco was abolish'd, and cigars + Were flung by "Antis" fearsome space-- + The foreign and the British fared alike-- + And the blue smoke was blown beyond the moon. + Night came and went and came, and brought no "weed," + And men forgot their suppers, in the dread + Of the dire desolation; and all tongues + Were tingling with the taste of empty pipes; + And they did live all wretched; old hay bands, + And street-door mats, and clover brown and dry; + Carpets, rope-yarn, and such things as men sell, + Were burnt for 'bacca; haystacks were consumed, + And men were gathered round each blazing mass, + To have another makeshift sniff. + Happy were those who smoked, with smould'ring logs, + The harmless Yarmouth bloater after death-- + Another pipe not all the world contain'd; + The furze was set on fire, but, hour by hour, + The stock diminish'd; all the prickly points + Quivered to death, and soon it all was gone. + The lips of men by the expiring stuff + Drew in and out, and all the world had fits. + The cinders fell upon them; some sprang up, + And blew their noses loud, and some did stand + Upon their heads, and sway'd despairing feet; + And others madly up and down the world + With "two-pence" hurried, shouting out for "Shag;" + And wink'd and blink'd at th' unclouded sky, + The "Anti's" smokeless banner--then again + Flung all their halfpence down into the dust, + And chewed their tainted pockets; snuffers wept, + And, flatt'ning noses on the dreary ground, + Inhaled the useless dust; the biggest "rough" + Came mild, tobacco-begging; p'licement came, + And mix'd themselves among the multitude, + "Run in" forgotten; uniforms were chew'd, + And teeth which for a moment had had rest, + Did move themselves again; old beaver hats + Fetch'd little fortunes; they were torn in bits, + And smok'd or chew'd at will; no bits were left. + All earth was but one thought, and that was smoke, + Immediate and glorious; and a pang + Of horror came at intervals, and men + Cried; and the boys were restless as themselves, + Till by degrees their stockings were devour'd; + E'en pipes were dropp'd despairing--all, save one, + One man was faithful to his pipe, and kept + Despair and deeper misery at bay, + By seeking ever for a "topper," dropped + From some spurned pipe, but that he could not find; + So, with a piteous and perpetual glare, + And a quick dissolute word, sucking the pipe, + Which answer'd never with a whiff, he slept; + The crowd dispersed by slow degrees, but two + Of all the dreary company remain'd, + And they kept 'bacca shops; they sat upon + The scanted lid of a tobacco tub, + Wherein was heap'd a mass of coined bronze-- + Profits of 'bacca, sold--they were sold out; + They, grinning, scraped with their warm, eager hands + The little halfpence and the bigger pence, + Counted a little time, and cried "Haw! haw!" + Like a whole rookery; then lifted up + The tub as it grew lighter, and beheld + Each other's profits; saw, and smiled, and winked, + Uncaring that the world was poor indeed, + So they were rich in pence. The world was mad, + The populace and peerage both alike + Birds--Eyeless, Shagless, and returnless, too-- + Oh! day of death, oh! chaos of hard times!-- + And princes, dukes, and lords, they all stood still, + Feeling within their pockets' silent depths; + And sailors went a-moaning out to sea, + And chew'd their cables piecemeal: then they wept, + And slept on the abyss without a quid. + All quids were gone, cigars were in their graves; + The plant, their mother, had been rooted up; + Pawnbrokers had a ton of pipes apiece, + And "Antis" triumph'd. Then they had no need + To keep a "Sec.," so Reynolds got the "sack." + +One of the best of all parodies is one in imitation of Longfellow's +"Excelsior," entitled "Tobacco." It is from "Copis' Tobacco Plant." + +[Illustration: The strange youth.] + + "The summer blight was falling fast, + When straight through dirty London passed + A youth, who bore, through road and street, + A packet, thereon written neat; + "Tobacco!" + + His brow was glad, his laughing eye + Flashed like a gooseberry in a pie; + And like a penny whistle rung + The piping notes of that strange tongue-- + "Tobacco!" + + In dusty homes he saw the light + Of supper fires gleam warm and bright; + Above, the ruddy chimneys smoked: + He from his lips the word evoked-- + "Tobacco!" + + "Try not the weed," good Reynolds said; + "I've smoked it 'till I'm nearly dead: + Take not the juice in thy inside;" + But loud the jovial voice replied-- + "Tobacco!" + + "Oh! stay," the maiden said, "and rest; + I have got on my Sunday best:" + A wink stood in his bright blue eye, + And answered he, without a sigh-- + "Tobacco!" + + "Beware the briar's poison'd root; + Beware the birds-eye put into 't." + This was the Anti's latest greet. + A voice replied, far up the street-- + "Tobacco!" + + At break of day, on Clapham Rise. + A pot-boy opened both his eyes, + And to himself did gently swear, + To hear a voice call through the air-- + "Tobacco!" + + A traveler up a tree he found, + Who smoked and spat upon the ground; + And then among the blossoms ripe + He cried, while puffing at his pipe-- + "Tobacco!" + + There in the grayish twilight, "What's + That you say?" cried eager Pots, + And from the branch so green and far, + A voice fell like a broken jar-- + "Tobacco." + +The following lines from the same source have been very appropriately +called "The Smoker's Calendar." + + When January's cold appears, + A glowing pipe my spirit cheers; + And still it glads the length'ning day, + 'Neath February's milder sway. + When March's keener winds succeed, + What charms me like the burning weed? + When April mounts the solar car, + I join him, puffing a cigar; + And May, so beautiful and bright, + Still finds the pleasing weed a-light. + To balmy zephyrs it gives zest, + When June in gayest livery's drest. + Through July Flora's offspring smile, + But still Nicotia's can beguile; + And August, when its fruits are ripe, + Matures my pleasure in a pipe. + September finds me in the garden, + Communing with a long churchwarden. + Ev'n in the wane of dull October, + I smoke my pipe and sip my "robur," + November's soaking show'rs require + The smoking pipe and blazing fire: + The darkest day in drear December's-- + That's lighted by their glowing embers. + +The Hon. "Sunset" Cox in his lecture on American Humor alluded to the +national characteristics of the French, Spanish, German, and other +nationalities, says:-- + + "The highest enjoyment of a Frenchman is to hear the last + cantatrice, the Spaniard enjoys the most skillful thrust of + the matador in the bull arena, the Neapolitan the taste of + the maccaroni, the German his beer and metaphysics, the + darkey his banjo, and the American-- + + 'To the American there's nothing so sweet + As to sit in his chair and tilt up his feet, + Enjoy the Cuba, whose flavor just suits, + And gaze at the world through the toes of his boots.'" + +This would seem to be a feature of the Dutch according to a late +traveler, who says:-- + + "I like Holland--it is the antidote of France. No one is + ever in a hurry here. Life moves on in a slow, majestic + stream, a little muddy and stagnant, perhaps, like one of + their own canals; but you see no waves, no breakers; not an + eddy, nor even a froth bubble, breaks the surface. Even a + Dutch child, as he steals along to school, smoking his short + pipe, has a mock air of thought about him." + +The following epigrams for tobacco jars from "The Tobacco Plant" +evince much "taste, wit, and ingenuity." + + Fill the bowl, you jolly soul, + And burn all sorrow to a coal. + + _Henry Clay._ + + + That man is frugal and content indeed, + Who finds food, solace, pleasure in a weed. + + _The "Weed"._ + + + Behold! this vessel hath a moral got, + Tobacco-smokers all must go to pot. + + _Epigrammatic._ + + + A weed you call me, but you'll own + No rose was e'er more fully blown. + + _Sic Itur ad Nostra._ + + + Great Jove, Pandora's box with jars did fill + This Jar alone has power those jars to still. + + _In Nubilus._ + + + Tobacco some say, is a potent narcotic, + That rules half the world in a way quite despotic; + So to punish him well for his wicked and merry tricks, + We'll burn him forthwith, as they used to do heretics. + + _Zed._ + +[Illustration: Smoker reading epigrams.] + + No use to draw upon a bank if no effects are there, + But a draw of this Tobacco is quite a safe affair; + And a pipe with fragrant weed (such as I hold) neatly stuffed, + Is just the only thing on earth that ought to be well puffed. + + _R. S. Y. P._ + + + Poor woman "pipes her eye," + When in affliction's gripe; + But man, far wiser grown, + Just eyes his pipe. + + _In Nubilus._ + + + Sir Walter Raleigh! name of worth, + How sweet for thee to know + King James, who never smoked on earth, + Is smoking down below. + + _Ex Fumo dare Lucem._ + + + Travelers say Tobacco springs + From the graves of Indian kings: + Fill your pipe, then--smoke will be + Incense to their memory. + Though the weed's nor rich nor rare, + 'Tis a balm for every care. + + _Peter Piper._ + + + Give me the weed, the fragrant weed, + My wearied brain to calm; + In a wreath of smoke, while I crack my joke, + I'll find a healing balm. + + Day after day, let come what may, + The pipe of peace I'll fill; + I readily pay for briar or clay, + To save a doctor's bill. + + _Pompone._ + + + Great men need no pompous marble + To perpetuate their name; + Household gear and common trinkets + Best remind us of their fame. + + Raleigh's glory rests immortal + On ten thousand thousand urns, + Every jar is _in memoriam_, + Every fragrant pipe that burns. + + _At an Ash._ + + + There are jars of jelly, jars of jam, + Jars of potted-beef and ham; + But welcome most to me, by far, + Is my dear old Tobacco-Jar. + There are pipes producing sounds divine, + Pipes producing luscious wine; + But when I consolation need, + I take the pipe that burns the weed. + + _Jars._ + + + Friend of my youth, companion of my later days, + What needs my muse to sing thy various praise? + In country or in town, on land or sea, + The weed is still delightful company. + In joy or sorrow, grief or racking pain, + We fly to thee for solace once again. + Delicious plant, by all the world consumed, + 'Tis pity thou, like man, to ashes too art doom'd. + + _Erutxim._ + + + Hail plant of power, more than king's renown, + Beloved alike in country and in town; + In hotter climes oft mingled with the jet + Of falling fountains; whilst the cigarette + Kisses the fair one's lips, and by thy breath + Redeems the wearied heart from ennui's death. + + _Theta._ + + + If e'er in social jars you join, + Seek this, and let them cease: + Let all your quarrels end in smoke, + And pass the pipe of peace. + + _Fumigator._ + +[Illustration: The explosion.] + + Many a jar of old outbroke + Into fire and riot; + This will yield, with fragrant smoke, + Happy thought, and quiet. + + 41,911. + + + The moralist, philosopher, and sage. + Have sought by every means, in every age, + That which should cause the strife of men to cease, + And steep the world in fellowship and peace; + But all their toil and diligence were vain, + 'Till Raleigh, noble Raleigh! crossed the main, + And brought to Britain's shores the wish'd-for prize, + The sovereign balm of life--within it lies. + + _Dum Spiro Fumigo._ + + + To rich men a pastime, to poor men a treat, + To all a true tonic most bracing and sweet, + To talent a pleasure, to genius a joy, + To workmen a comfort, to none an alloy, + The tyrant it softens; it soothes him if mad, + The king who may rule if he smokes not, is sad. + + _Kit._ + + + Sacred substance! sweet, serene; + Soothing sorrow's saddest scene: + Scent-suffusing, silv'ry smoke, + Softly smoothing suffering's stroke;-- + Solacing so silently-- + Still so swift, so sure, so sly: + Smoke sublimated soars supreme, + Sweetest soul-sustaining stream! + + _Similia Similibus._ + + + Why should men reek, like chimneys, with foul smoke, + Their neighbors and themselves to nearly choke? + Avoid it, ye John Bulls, and eke ye Paddies! + Avoid it, sons of Cambria, and Scottish laddies! + Let reason convince you that it very sad is, + And far too bad is, + And enough to make one mad is + To be smoked like a red herring or rank Finedon haddies. + + _J. S._ + + + No punishment save hanging's too severe + For those who'd rob the poor man of his beer; + But for the wretch who'd take away his pipe, + I think he's fully execution ripe! + + _Pipe Clay._ + + + Weeds are but cares! Well, what of that! + There's one weed bears a goodly crop; + And this exception, then, 'tis flat, + Doth give that rule a firmer prop. + Tobacco brings the genial mood, + Warm heart, shrewd thought, and while we reap + From this poor weed such harvest good, + We'll hold more boasted harvests cheap. + + _Festus._ + + + To poets give the laurel wreath, let heroes have their lay, + Of roses twine for lovely youth the garland fresh and gay; + But we poor mortals, quite content, life's fev'rish way pursue, + Can we but crown our foolish pates with wreaths of fragrant blue, + Convinced that all terrestrial things which please us or provoke, + Of ashes come, to ashes go, and only end in smoke. + + _Pocosmipo._ + + + Whilst cannon's smoke o'erwhelms with deadly cloud + The soldier's comrades in a common shroud, + And whilst the conflagration in the street, + With crushing roar the ruin makes complete, + Tobacco's smoke like incense seeks the skies-- + Blesses the giver, and in silence dies! + + _Theta._ + + + Use me well, and you shall see + An excellent servant I will be; + Let me once become your master, + And you shall rue the great disaster! + + As coin does to he who borrows, + I'll soothe your cares and ease your sorrows; + Abuse me, and your nerves I'll shatter, + Your heart I'll break, your cash I'll scatter, + + _Use, not Abuse._ + + + The savage in his wild estate, + When feuds and discords cease, + Soothes with the fragrant weed his hate, + And smokes the pipe of peace. + + Long may the plant good-will create, + And banish strife afar: + Our only cloud its incense sweet, + And this our only jar. + + _Scire Facias._ + + + Breathes there a man with soul so dead, + Who never to himself hath said; + I'll have to smoke, or I'll be dead? + If so, then let the caitiff dread! + My wrath shall fall upon his head. + 'Tis plain he ne'er the Plant hath read; + But "goody" trash, perchance, instead. + Dear Cope, good night!--Yours, Master Fred. + +That tobacco in one form or another has been patronized from the +cottage to the throne, no one will deny who is at all acquainted with +the history of the plant. And while it has had many a royal hater, it +can also boast of having many a kingly user. A favorite of king and +courtier, its use was alike common in the palace and the courtyard. It +can claim, also, many celebrated physicians who have been its patrons, +and among them the noted Dr. Parr. We give an anecdote of him showing +his love of weed and wit. + +The partiality this worthy Grecian always manifested for smoking is +well known. Whenever he dined he was always indulged with a pipe. Even +His Majesty, when Dr. Parr was his guest at Carlton Palace, +condescended to give him a smoking-room and the company of Colonel +C----, in order that he might suffer no inconvenience. "I don't like +to be smoked myself, doctor," said the royal wit, "but I am anxious +that your pipe should not be put out." One day, Dr. Parr was to dine +at the house of Mr. ----, who informed his lady of the circumstance, +and of the doctor's passion for the pipe. The lady was much mortified +by this intimation, and with warmth said, "I tell you what, Mr. ----, +I don't care a fig for Dr. P.'s Greek; he shan't smoke here." "My +dear," replied the husband, "he must smoke; he is allowed to do so +everywhere." "Excuse me, Mr. ----, he shall not smoke here; leave it +to me, my dear, I'll manage it." The doctor came; a splendid dinner +ensued; the Grecian was very brilliant. After dinner, the doctor +called for his pipes. "Pipes!" screamed the lady. "Pipes! For what +purpose?" "Why, to smoke, madam!" "Oh! my dear doctor, I can't have +pipes here. You'll spoil my room; my curtains will smell of tobacco +for a week." "Not smoke!" exclaimed the astonished and offended +Grecian. "Why, madam, I have smoked in better houses." "Perhaps so, +sir," replied the lady, with dignity; and she added with firmness, "I +shall be most happy, doctor, to show you the rights (rites?) of +hospitality; but you cannot be allowed to smoke." "Then, madam," said +Dr. Parr, looking at her ample person; "then, madam,--I must say, +madam,--" "Sir, sir, are you going to be rude?" "I must say, madam," +he continued, "you are the greatest tobacco-stopper in all England." +Of the clergy, Whatley was one of the greatest in intellect, and, as a +smoker was devotedly attached to tobacco; his pipes, when out, served +him for a book-marker. In summer-time he might be seen, of an evening, +sitting on the chains of Stephen's Green, thinking of "that," as the +song says, and of much more, while he was "smoking tobacco." In winter +he walked and smoked, vigorously in both cases, on the Donnybrook +road; or he would be out with his dogs, climbing up the trees to hide +amid the branches a key or a knife, which, after walking some +distance, he would tell the dogs he had lost, and bid them look for it +and bring it to him. + +[Illustration: Theory against experience.] + +Of many warriors, none have been more devoted to the plant than +Napoleon, Frederick of Prussia and Bluecher the Bold. The following +anecdote of the latter is one of the best of its kind: "As is +well-known, Field-Marshal Bluecher, in addition to his brave young +'fellows' (as he called his horsemen), loved three things above all, +namely, wine, gambling, and a pipe of Tobacco. With his pipe he would +not dispense, and he always took two or three puffs, at least, before +undertaking anything. 'Without Tobacco, I am not worth a farthing,' he +often said. Though so passionately fond of Tobacco, yet old 'Forwards' +was no friend of costly smoking apparatus; and he liked best to smoke +long, Dutch clay pipes, which, as everybody knows, very readily break. +Therefore, from among his 'young fellows' he had chosen for himself a +Pipe-master, who had charge of a chest well packed with clay pipes; +and this chest was the most precious jewel in Bluecher's field baggage. +If one of the pipes broke, it was, for our hero, an event of the +greatest importance. On its occurrence, the 'wounded' pipe was +narrowly examined, and if the stem was not broken off too near the +head, it was sent to join the corps of Invalids, and was called +'Stummel' (Stump, or Stumpy). One of these Stumpies the +Field-Marshal usually smoked when he was on horseback, and when the +troops were marching along or engaged in a reconnoissance, and +eye-witnesses record that many a Stumpy was shot from his mouth by the +balls of the enemy--nothing but a piece of the stem then remaining +between his lips. Bluecher's Pipe-master, at the time of the Liberation +War, was Christian Hennemann, a Mecklenburg and Rostock man, like +Bluecher himself, and most devotedly attached to the Field-Marshal. He +knew all the characteristic peculiarities of the old hero, even the +smallest, and no one could so skillfully adapt himself to them as he. +His duties as Pipe-master, Hennemann discharged with great fidelity; +yea, even with genuine fanatical zeal. The contents of the pipe-chest +he thoroughly knew, for often he counted the pipes. Before every +fierce fight, Prince Bluecher usually ordered a long pipe to be filled. +After smoking for a short time, he gave back the lighted pipe to +Hennemann, placed himself right in the saddle, drew his sabre, and +with the vigorous cry, 'Forward, my lads!' he threw himself into the +fierce onset on the foe. + +On the ever-memorable morning of the battle of Belle-Alliance +(Waterloo), Hennemann had just handed a pipe to his master, when a +cannon-ball struck the ground near, so that earth and sand covered +Bluecher and his gray horse. The horse made a spring to one side, and +the beautiful new pipe was broken before the old hero had taken a +single puff. 'Fill another pipe for me,' said Bluecher; 'keep it +lighted, and wait for me here a moment, till I drive away the French +rascals. Forwards, lads!' Thereupon there was a rush forwards; but the +chase lasted not only 'a moment,' but a whole hot day. At the +Belle-Alliance Inn, which was demolished by shot,--the battle having +at last been gained,--the victorious friends, Bluecher and Wellington, +met and congratulated each other on the grand and nobly achieved work, +each praising the bravery of the other's troops. 'Your fellows slash +in like the very devil himself!' cried Wellington. Bluecher replied, +'Yes; you see, that is their business. But brave as they are, I know +not whether one of them would stand as firmly and calmly in the midst +of the shower of balls and bullets as your English.' Then Wellington +asked Bluecher about his previous position on the field of battle, +which had enabled him to execute an attack so fatal to the enemy. + +Bluecher, who could strike tremendous blows, but was by no means a +consummate orator, and could not paint his deeds in words, conducted +Wellington to the place itself. They found it completely deserted; but +on the very spot where Bluecher had that morning halted, and from which +he had galloped away, stood a man with his head bound up, and with his +arm wrapped in a handkerchief. He smoked a long, dazzling white clay +pipe. 'Good God!' exclaimed Bluecher, 'that is my servant, Christian +Hennemann. What a strange look you have, man! What are you doing +here?' 'Have you come at last?' answered Christian Hennemann, in a +grumbling tone; 'here I have stood the whole day, waiting for you. One +pipe after another have the cursed French shot away from my mouth. +Once even a blue bean (a bullet) made sad work with my head, and my +fist has got a deuce of a smashing. That is the last whole pipe, and +it is a good thing that the firing has ceased; otherwise, the French +would have knocked this pipe to pieces, and you must have stood there +with a dry mouth.' He then handed the lighted pipe to his master, who +took it, and after a few eagerly-enjoyed whiffs, said to his faithful +servant, 'It is true, I have kept you waiting a long time; but to-day +the French fellows could not be forced to run all at once.' With +astonishment, Wellington listened to the conversation. Amazed, he +looked now at the Field-Marshal, now at the 'Pipe-master,' and now at +the branches of trees and the balls scattered all round, which made it +only too evident what a dangerous post this spot must have been during +the battle. The wound in Hennemann's head proved to be somewhat +serious; his hand was completely shattered; and yet, in the midst of +the tempest of shot, he had stood there waiting for his beloved +master."[55] + + [Footnote 55: During the conquest of Holland, Louvais + paid more attention to furnishing tobacco than + provisions; and even at this day, as well as in former + times, more care is taken to procure tobacco than bread + to the soldier. Every soldier was obliged to have his + pipe and his matches.] + +[Illustration: The faithful attendant.] + +Tobacco smoking, however, can boast of many patrons besides warriors, +physicians and statesmen, some of the finest writers of the last three +centuries have indulged in the weed. The following extract from the +"Australasian" entitled, "Tobacco Smoking" refers to many literary +smokers. + + "Burke felt himself precluded from 'drawing an indictment + against a whole community.' The critical moralist pauses + before the formidable array of the entire social world, + civilized and savage. The Cockney, leaving behind him the + regalias and meerschaums of the Strand, finds the wax-tipped + clay-pipe in the parlors of Yorkshire: finds dhudeen and + cutty in the wilds of Galway and on the rugged shores of + Skye and Mull. The Frenchman he finds enveloped in clouds of + Virginia, and the Swede, Dane, and Norwegian, of every grade + or class, makes the pipe his travelling companion and his + domestic solace. The Magyar, the Pole and the Russian rival + the Englishman in gusto, perhaps excel him in refinement; + the Dutch boor smokes finer Tobacco than many English + gentlemen can command, and more of it than many of our + hardened votaries could endure; but all must yield, or + rather, all must accumulate, ere our conceptions can + approach to the German. America and the British colonies + round off the picture, adding Cherokees, Redmen and + Mongolians _ad libitum_. The Jew whether in Hounds ditch, + Paris Hamburgh, or Constantinople, ever inhales the choicest + growths, and the Mussulman's 'keyf' is proverbial. India and + Persia dispute with us the palm of refinement and intensity, + but the philosopher of Australia is embarrassed when he asks + himself to whom shall I award that of zealous devotion? + + "Dr. Adam Clarke, who could never reconcile himself to the + practice, deemed it due to his piety to find a useful + purpose in the creation of tobacco by all-seeing Wisdom, and + as that discovered by the instincts of all the nations of + the planet, and practiced by mankind for three centuries, is + wrong, the benevolent Wesleyan of Heydon, applied himself + diligently and generously to correct the world, and to + vindicate its Author. 'In some rare cases of internal injury + tobacco may be used but not in the customary way.' Be it + known, then, that the Creator has not created it in vain. + Dr. Clarke must have been a very good-natured man. He + tortured his brains to find a hope of pardon for Judas + Iscariot, and held that the creature (Nachash) who tempted + Eve was not a serpent but a monkey cursed by the forfeiture + of _patella_ and _podex_; therefore doomed to crawl! But I + fear, if the present form of using tobacco be not the true + one, we must despair of ever finding it, and people will go + on smoking and 'hearing reason' as long as the world goes + round. Robert Hall received a pamphlet denouncing the pipe. + He read it, and returned it. 'I cannot, sir, confute your + arguments, and I cannot give up smoking,' was his comment. + It is loosely asserted that smoking is more prevalent among + scholars, intellectualists, and men who live by their + brains, than among artisans and subduers of the soil. This + is an error. Tobacco is less a fosterer of thought than a + solace of mental vacuity. The thinker smokes in the + intervals of work, impatient of _ennui_ as well as of + lassitude, and the ploughman, the digger, the blacksmith or + the teamster, lights his cutty for the same reason. No true + worker, be he digger, or divine, blends real work with + either smoking or drinking. Whenever you see a fellow drink + or smoke during work, spot him for a gone coon; he will come + to grief, and that right soon. Sleep stimulates thought, and + sometimes a pipe will bring sleep, but trust it not of + itself for either thought or strength. It combats _ennui_, + lassitude, and intolerable vacuity, soothing the nerves and + diverting attention from self. Sam Johnson came very near + the mark: 'I wonder why a thing that costs so little + trouble, yet has just sufficient semblance of doing + something to break utter idleness, should go out of fashion. + To be sure, it is a horrible thing blowing smoke out; but + every man needs something to quiet him--as, beating with his + feet.' + + "Life is really too short for moralists and medici who have + read Don Quixote, to attack a verdict arrived at and acted + upon by the combined nations of the entire world, during the + experience of three centuries, and apparently deepened by + their advancing civilization. Give us rules and + modifications, give us guides and correctives, give us + warnings against excess, precipitancy, and neglect of other + enjoyments, or of important duties, if you will. The urbane + aestheticism that regulates pleasure also limits it; and true + refinement ever modifies the indulgence it pervades. But it + is emulating Mrs. Partington and her mop to attempt to + preach down a world. When they do agree, their unanimity is + irresistible. Prohibition may give zest to enjoyment, and + provocation to curiosity, but can never overcome the + instincts of nature or cravings of nervous irritability, and + he who rises in rebellion against her absolute decree will + respect the limits and study the laws of a recognized and + regulated enjoyment. + + "Let, then, the moralist point out what social duties may be + imperilled; let the physician apprise us of the disorders to + be guarded against; and let the lover of elegance see that + no neglect or slight awaits her. Of abstract arguments we + have seen the futility, of moral and medical crusades even + the most patient are weary, and we gladly turn to something + real, in the suffrages of a by-gone great man of + acknowledged fame--Ben Jonson. Ben Jonson loved the 'durne + weed,' and describes its every accident with the gusto of a + connoisseur. Hobbes smoked, after his early dinner, pipes + innumerable. Milton never went to bed without a pipe and a + glass of water, which I cannot help associating with his: + + 'Adam waked, + So custom'd, for his sleep was aery light, of pure digestion bred + And temperate vapors bland!' + + "Sir Isaac Newton was smoking in his garden at Woolsthorpe + when the apple fell. Addison had a pipe in his mouth at all + hours, at 'Buttons.' Fielding both smoked and chewed. About + 1740 it became unfashionable, and was banished from St. + James' to the country squires and parsons. Squire Western, + in _Tom Jones_, arriving in town, sends off Parson Supple to + Basingstoke, where he had left his Tobacco-box! The + snuff-box was substituted. Lord Mark Kerr, a brave officer + who affected the _petit maitre_ (_a la_ Pelham, in Lord + Lytton's second novel), invented the invisible hinges, and + it was this 'going out of fashion' that Jonson alluded to in + 1774. + +[Illustration: Newton and his pipe.] + + "We next find Tobacco rearing its head under the auspices of + Paley and Parr. Paley had one of the most orderly minds ever + given to man. A vein of shrewd and humorous sarcasm, + together with an under-current of quiet selfishness, made + him a very pleasant companion. 'I cannot afford to keep a + conscience any more than a carriage,' was worthy of Erasmus, + perhaps of Robelais. 'Our delight was,' said an old + Jonsonian to the writer, 'to get old Paley, on a cold + winter's night, to put up his legs, wrap them well up, stir + the fire, and fill him a long Dutch pipe; he would talk + away, sir, like a being of a higher sphere. He declined + any punch, but drank it up as fast as we replenished his + glass. He would smoke any given quantity of Tobacco, and + drink any _given_ quantity of punch.' + + "Parr smoked ostentatiously and vainly, as he did + everything. He used only the finest Tobacco, half-filling + his pipe with salt. He wrote and read, and smoked and wrote, + rising early, and talking fustian. He was a sort of + miniature Brummagem Johnson. Except his preface to + _Bellendenus_, you might burn all he has written. His 'Life + of Fox' is beneath contempt. His letters are simply + laughable, especially his characters of contemporaries. He, + however, was an amiable and good-natured man, and had + sufficient humanity to regard dissent as an impediment to + his recognition of intellectual or moral worth. Parr was an + arrogant old coxcomb, who abused the respectful kindness he + received, and took his pipe into drawing-rooms. I pass over + the Duke of Bridgewater, because he was early crossed in + love by a most beautiful girl, could not bear the sight of a + flower even growing, and passed life in a pot-house with a + pipe, listening to Brindley, whose intellect and dialect + must have been alike incomprehensible to him. + + "The cigar appeared about 1812; it received the countenance + of the Regent, who had hitherto confined himself to macobau + snuff, scented with lavender and the tonquin bean. Porson + smoked many bundles of cheroots, which nabobs began to + import. After 1815 the continental visits were resumed, and + the practice of smoking began steadily to increase. The + German china bowl with globular receiver of the essential + oil, the absorbent meerschaum, the red Turkish bell-shaped + clay, the elaborate hookah,--a really elegant ornament, and + perhaps the most healthful and rational form of + smoking,--pipes of all shapes, began to fill the shops of + London. Coleridge, when cured of opium, took to snuff. Byron + wrote dashingly about 'sublime Tobacco,' but I do not think + he carried the practice to excess. Shelley never smoked, nor + Wordsworth, nor Keats. Campbell loved a pipe. John Gibson + Lockhart was seldom without a cigar. Sir Walter Scott smoked + in his carriage, and regularly after dinner, loving both + pipes and cigars. Professor Wilson smoked steadily, as did + Charles Lamb. Carlyle, now somewhat past seventy, has been a + sturdy smoker for years. Goethe did not smoke, neither did + Shakespeare. I cannot recall a single allusion to Tobacco in + all his plays; even Sir Toby Belch does not add the pipe to + his burnt sack. But Shakespeare hated every form of + debauchery. The penitence of Cassio is more prominent than + was his fun. 'What! drunk? and talk fustian and speak + parrot, and discourse with one's shadow?' Shakespeare held + drunkenness in disgust. Even Falstaff is more an + intellectual man than a sot. What actor could play Falstaff + after riding forty miles and being well thrashed? Yet, when + Falstaff sustains the evening at the Boar's Head, he has + ridden to Gadshill and back, forty-four miles! No palsied + sot, he. Hamlet's disgust at his countrymen is well known. + 'Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!' is the + comment on the drunken Kit Sly. In short, when you look at + the smooth, happy, half-feminine face of Shakespeare, you + see one to whom all forms of debauchery were ungenial. A + courtier certainly, and a lover of money. The king had + written against Tobacco, and Will Shakespeare set his watch + to the time. Raleigh and Coliban Jonson might smoke at the + Mermaid--Will kept his head clear and his doublet sweet. + +[Illustration: Tennyson, smoking.] + + "Alfred Tennyson is a persistent smoker of some forty years. + Dickens, Jerrold and Thackeray all puffed. Lord Lytton loves + a long pipe at night and cigars by day. Lord Houghton smokes + moderately. The late J. M. Kemble, author of 'The Seasons in + England,' was a tremendous smoker. Moore cared not for it; + indeed, I think that Irish gentlemen smoke much less than + English. Wellington shunned it; so did Peel. D'Israeli loved + the long pipe in his youth, but in middle age pronounced it + 'the tomb of love.' While I am writing, it is not too much + to aver that 99 persons out of 100, taken at random, under + forty years of age, smoke habitually every day of their + lives. How many in Melbourne injure wealth and brain, I + leave to more skilled and morose critics. But my mind + misgives me. Paralysis is becoming very frequent. + + "I have seen stone pipes from Gambia, shaped like the letter + U consisting each of one solid flint, hollowed through, + also hookahs made by sailors with cocoanut shells. All, + however, now agree that it is impossible to have either + comfortable, cool, or safe smoking, unless through a + substance like clay, porous and absorbent, especially as + portable pipes are the mode. Those of black charcoal are not + handsome; indeed, I always feel like a mute at a funeral + while smoking one, but they are delightfully cool, absorbing + more essential oil of nicotine, and more quickly than any + meerschaum. I caution the smoker to have an old glove on; as + these pipes 'sweat,' the oil comes through, and nothing is + more pertinacious than oil of tobacco when it sinks into + your pores, or floats about hair or clothes. My own taste + inclines to the German receiver, long cherry tube and amber, + and to my own garden, for all street smoking is unaesthetic, + and the traveller by coach, boat, or rail has the tastes of + others to consult. Surely it is not urbane to throw on + another the burden of saying that he likes not the smell or + the inhaling of burning tobacco. Better postpone your solace + to more fitting time and place--the close of day and your + own veranda. Indoor smoking is detestable. Life has few + direr disenchanters than the morning smells of obsolete + tobacco, relics though they be of hesternal beatitude. Give + me, in robe or jacket, a hookah, or German arrangement, + Chinese recumbency in matted and moistened veranda, and the + odors of fresh growing beds of flowers wafted by the + southern breeze. Nor be wanting the fragrant perfume of + coffee. 'Meat without salt,' says Hafiz, 'is even as tobacco + without coffee.' The tannin of the coffee corrects the + nicotine. And it may not be amiss to learn that a plate of + watercress, salt, and a large glass of cold water should be + at hand to the smoker by day; the watercress corrects any + excess, and is at hand in a garden. Smoke not before + breakfast, nor till an hour has elapsed after a good meal. + Smoke not with or before wine, you destroy the wine-palate. + If you love tea, postpone pipe till after it; no man can + enjoy fine tea who has smoked. In short, smoke not till the + day is done, with all its tasks and duties. + + "I have seen men of pretension and position treat carpets + most contumeliously, trampling on the pride of Plato with a + recklessness that would bring a blush to the cheek of + Diogenes himself. Can they forget the absorbent powers of + carpet tissues, and the horrors of next morning to + non-smokers, perhaps to ladies? Surely this is unaesthetic + and illiberal: it is in an old man most pitiable, in a young + one intolerable, in a scholar inexcusable, from an + uncleanness that seems willful. Let the young philosopher + avoid such practice, and give a wide berth to those who + follow them. Take the following rules, tyro, _meo + periculo_:-- + + 1. Never smoke when the pores are open: they absorb, and you + are unfit for decent society. Be it your study ever to + escape the noses of strangers. First impressions are + sometimes permanent, and you may lose a useful acquaintance. + + 2. Learn to smoke slowly. Cultivate 'calm and intermittent + puffs.'--_Walter Scott._ + + 3. On the first symptom of expectoration lay down the pipe, + or throw away the cigar; long-continued expectoration is + destructive to yourself and revolting to every spectator. + + 4. Let an interval elapse between the filling of succeeding + pipes. + + 5. Clean your tube regularly, and your amber mouthpiece with + a feather dipped in spirits of lavender. Never suffer the + conduit to remain discolored or stuffed. + + 6. A German receiver can be washed out like a teacup, and + the oil collected is of value, but a meerschaum should never + be wetted. A small sponge at the end of a wire dipped in + sweet oil should be used carefully and persistently round + and round, coaxing out any hard concretions, till the inside + be smooth in its dark polished grain, of a rich mahogany + tint. The outside, also, well polished with sweet oil and + stale milk, then enveloped in chamois leather. The rich dark + coloring is the pledge of your safety--better there than + darkening your own brains. + + "The pale gold c'noster and Turkey have now given way to the + splendid varieties of America, and my knowledge halts behind + the age. The black sticks resembling lollipops are said to + be compounds of rum, bullocks' blood and tobacco lees. A + taste for them, when once contracted, is abiding. Fine + volatile tobacco, with aromatic delicacy, requires a long + tube; used in a short pipe of modern fashion, they parch and + shrivel the tongue. In short, what is true of all other + pleasures is also true of tobacco-smoking. Fruition is + sometimes too rapid for enjoyment, as the dram-drinker is + less wise than the calm imbiber of the fragrant vintage of + the Garonne. With Burke's common sense I began, and with it + I end. Depurate vice of all her offensiveness, and you prune + her of half her evil. Let not your love of indulgence be so + inordinate as to purchase short pleasure by impairing + health, neglecting duty, or, while promoting your own + self-complacency, allow yourself to become permanently + revolting to society, by offending more senses as well as + more principles than one.'" + +[Illustration: Modern smokers.] + +Mantegazza, one of the most brilliant of all writers on tobacco, in +alluding to the enchantment of the "weed," says:-- + + "If a winged inhabitant of some remote world felt the + impulse to traverse space, and, with an astronomical map, to + fly round our planetary system, he would at once recognize + the earth by the odor of tobacco which it exhales, forasmuch + as all known nations smoke the nicotian herb. And thousands + and thousands of men, if compelled to limit themselves to a + single nervous aliment, would relinquish wine and coffee, + opium and brandy, and cling fondly to the precious narcotic + leaf. Before Columbus, tobacco was not smoked except in + America; and now, after a lapse of a few centuries in the + furthest part of China and in Japan, in the island of + Oceanica as in Lapland and Siberia, rises from the hut of + the savage and from the palace of the prince, along with the + smoke of the fireplace, where man bakes his bread and warms + his heart, another odorous smoke, which man inhales and + breathes forth again to soothe his pain and to vanquish + fatigue and anxiety. + + "In the early times of the introduction of tobacco, smokers + in many countries were condemned to infamous and cruel + punishments; had their noses and their lips cut off, and + with blackened faces and mounted on an ass, exposed to the + coarse jests of the vilest vagabonds and the insults of the + multitude. But now the hangman smokes, and the criminal + condemned to death smokes before being hanged. The king in + his gilt coach smokes; and the assassin smokes who lies in + wait to throw down before the feet of the horses the + murderous bomb. The human family spends every year two + thousand six hundred and seventy millions of francs (about a + hundred millions in English money) on tobacco, which is not + food, which is not drink, and without which it contrived to + live for a long succession of ages. + + "In the discomfitures and disasters which befell the Army of + Lavalle, in the civil wars of the Argentine Republic, the + poor fugitives had to suffer the most horrible privations, + which can be imagined. By degrees the tobacco came to an + end, and the Argentines smoked dry leaves. One man, more + fortunate than his comrades, continued to use with much + economy the most precious of all his stores--tobacco. A + fellow soldier begged to be allowed to put the economist's + pipe in his own mouth, and thus to inhale at second-hand the + adored smoke, paying two dollars for the privilege. What is + more striking still, when, in 1843, the convicts in the + prison of Epinal, France, who had for some time been + deprived of tobacco, rose in revolt, their cry was 'tobacco + or death!' When Col. Seybourg was marching in the interior + of Surinam against negro rebels, and the soldiers had to + bear the most awful hardships, they smoked paper, they + chewed leaves and leather, and found the lack of tobacco the + greatest of all their trials and torments." + +Elsewhere, inquiring what nervous aliments harmonize the one with the +other, he says:-- + + "The only, the true, the legitimate companion of coffee is + the nicotian plant; and wisely and well the Turkish epicures + declare that for coffee--the drink of Heaven--tobacco is the + salt. The smoke of a puro, of a manilla, or of real Turkish + tobacco, which passes amorously through the voluptuous tip + of amber, blends magnificently with the austere aroma of the + coffee, and the inebriated palate is agitated between a + caress and a rebuke." + +From a Southern paper we extract these whimsical lines. + "On the Great + Fall in the Price of Tobacco in 1801," by Hugh Montgomery, + Lynchburgh, Va., + + "Lately a planter chanced to pop + His head into a barber's shop-- + Begged to be shaved; it soon was done, + When Strap (inclined oft-times to fun,) + Doubling the price he'd asked before, + Instead of two pence made it four. + The planter said, 'You sure must grant, + Your charge is most exhorbitant.' + 'Not so,' quoth Strap, 'I'm right and you are wrong, + For since tobacco fell, your face is twice as long.'" + +Another quaint whim in the form of an advertisement for a lost +meerschaum is from an Australian paper: + + "To Honest men and others,--Driving from Hale Town to + Bridgetown, on Sunday, last, the advertiser lost a cigar + holder with the face of a pretty girl on it. The intrinsic + value of the missing article is small, but as the owner has + been for the last few months converting the young lady from + a blonde into a brunette, he would be glad to get it back + again. If it was picked up by a gentleman, on reading this + notice, he will, of course, send it to the address below. If + it was picked up by a poor man, who could get a few + shillings by selling it, on his bringing it to the address + below, he shall be paid the full amount of its intrinsic + value. If it was picked up by a thief, let him deliver it, + and he shall be paid a like amount, and thus for once can do + an honest action, without being a penny the worse for it." + +A humorous writer thus discourses on man, who he denominates as +"common clays": + "Yet we are all common clays! There are long clays and + short clays, coarse clays and refined clays, and the latter + are pretty scarce, that's a fact. To follow out the simile, + life is the tobacco with which we are loaded, and when the + vital spark is applied we live; when that tobacco is + exhausted we die, the essence of our life ascending from the + lukewarm clay when the last fibre burns out, as a curl of + smoke from the ashes in the bowl of the pipe, and mingling + with the perfumed breeze of heaven, or the hot breath + of--well, never mind; we hope not. Then the clay is cold, + and glows no more from the fire within; the pipe is broken, + and ceases to comfort and console. We say, 'A friend has + left us,' or 'Poor old Joe; his pipe is out.' We have all a + certain supply of life, or, if we would pursue the + comparison, a share of tobacco. Some young men smoke too + rapidly, even voraciously, and thus exhaust their share + before their proper time,--then we say they have 'lived too + fast,' or 'pulled at their pipes too hard.' Others, on the + contrary, make their limited supply go a long way, and when + they are taking their last puffs of life's perfumed plant + their energy is unimpaired; they can run a race, walk a mile + with any one, and show few wrinkles upon their brow. + +[Illustration: The artist.] + + "A delicate person is like a pipe with a crack in the bowl, + for it takes continued and careful pulling to keep his light + in; and to take life is like willfully dashing a lighted + pipe from the mouth into fragments, and scattering the + sparks to the four winds of heaven. An artist is a good + coloring pipe; an attractive orator is a pipe that draws + well; a communist is a foul pipe; a well-educated woman + whose conversation is attractive is a pipe with a nice + mouthpiece; a girl of the period is a fancy pipe, the + ornament of which is liable to chip; a female orator on + woman's rights is invariably a plain pipe; an old toper is a + well-seasoned pipe; an escaped thief is a cutty pipe, and + the policeman in pursuit is a shilling pipe, for is he not a + Bob?" + +From these ingenious "conceits" we turn to a few thoughts on the +present condition and history of the plant. + +[Illustration: The Yankee smoker.] + +The calumet or pipe of peace, decorated with all the splendor of +savage taste, is smoked by the red man to ratify good feeling or +confirm some treaty of peace. The energetic Yankee bent upon the +accomplishment of his ends, puffs vigorously at his cigar and with +scarcely a passing notice, strides over obstacles that lie in his path +of whatever nature they may be. The dancing Spaniard with his eternal +castanets whispers but a word to his dark-eyed senorita as he hands +her another perfumed cigarette. The lounging Italian hissing intrigues +under the shadow of an ancient portico, smokes on as he stalks over +the proud place where the blood of Caesar dyed the stones of the +Capitol, or where the knife of Virginius flashed in the summer sun. +The Turk comes forth from the Mosque only to smoke. The priest of +Nicaragua with solemn mien strides up the aisle and lights the altar +candles with the fire struck from his cigar. The hardy Laplander +invites the stranger to his hut and offers him his pipe while he +inquires, if he comes from the land of tobacco. The indigent Jakut +exchanges his most valuable furs and skins for a few ounces of the +"Circassian weed." Its charms are recognized by the gondolier of +Venice and the Muleteer of Spain. The Switzer lights his pipe amid +Alpine heights. The tourist climbing AEtna, or Vesuvius' rugged side, +puffs on though _they_ perchance have long since ceased to smoke. +Tobacco, soothed the hardships of Cromwell's soldiers and gave novelty +to the court life of the daughters of Louis XIV, delighted the +courtiers of Queen Elizabeth and bidding defiance to the ire of her +successors, the Stuarts, has never ceased to hold sway over court and +camp, as well as over the masses of the people. + +In nothing cultivated has there been so remarkable a development. +Originally limited to the natives of America, it attracted the +attention of Europeans who by cultivation increased the size and +quality of the plant. But not alone has the plant improved in form and +quality, the rude implements once used by the Indians have given away +(even among themselves) to those of improved form and modern style. +These facts are without a doubt among the most curious that commerce +presents. That a plant primarily used only by savages, should succeed +in spite of the greatest opposition in becoming one of the greatest +luxuries of the civilized world, is a fact without parallel. It can +almost be said, so universally is it used, that its claims are +recognized by all. Though hated by kings and popes it was highly +esteemed by their subjects. Their delight in the new found novelty was +unbounded and doubtless they could sing in praise as Byron did in +later times of: + + "Sublime tobacco which from East to West + Cheers the tar's labor and the Turkman's rest." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SNUFF, SNUFF-BOXES AND SNUFF-TAKERS. + + +The custom of snuff-taking is as old at least as the discovery of the +tobacco plant. The first account we have of it is given by Roman Pane, +the friar who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage of discovery +(1494), and who alludes to its use among the Indians by means of a +cane half a cubit long. Ewbank says: + + "Much has been written on a revolution so unique in its + origin, unsurpassed in incidents and results, and + constituting one of the most singular episodes in human + history; but next to nothing is recorded of whence the + various processes of manufacture and uses were derived. Some + imagine the popular pabulum[56] for the nose of translantic + origin. No such thing! Columbus first beheld smokers in the + Antilles. Pizarro found chewers in Peru, but it was in the + country discovered by Cabral that the great sternutatory was + originally found. Brazilian Indians were the Fathers of + snuff, and its best fabricators. Though counted among the + least refined of aborigines, their taste in this matter was + as pure as that of the fashionable world of the East. Their + snuff has never been surpassed, nor their apparatus for + making it." + + [Footnote 56: Dr. John Hill in his tract "Cautions + against the immoderate use of snuff" gives the following + definition of it. "The dried leaves of tobacco, rasped, + beaten, or otherwise reduced to powder, make what we + call snuff." This tract was published in 1761. The + author, afterwards Sir John Hill, was equally celebrated + as a physician and a writer of farces, as denoted by the + following epigram by Garrick: + + "For physic and farces his equal there scarce is; + His farces are physic, his physic a farce is."] + +Soon after the introduction and cultivation of tobacco in Spain and +Portugal its use in the form of snuff came in vogue and from these +notions it spread rapidly over Europe, particularly in France and +Italy. It is said to have been used first in France[57] by the wife +of Henry II., Catherine de Medici, and that it was first used at court +during the latter part of the Sixteenth Century. The Queen seemed to +give it a good standing in society and it soon became the fashion to +use the powder by placing a little on the back of the hand and +inhaling it. The use of snuff greatly increased from the fact of its +supposed medicinal properties and its curative powers in all diseases, +particularly those affecting the head, hence the wide introduction of +snuff-taking in Europe. Fairholt says of its early use: + + [Footnote 57: An English writer gives a different + account--"The custom of taking snuff as a nasal + gratification does not appear to be of earlier date than + 1620, though the powdered leaves of tobacco were + occasionally prescribed as a medicine long before that + time. It appears to have first become prevalent in + Spain, and from thence to have passed into Italy and + France."] + + "Though thus originally recommended for adoption as a + medicine, it soon became better known as a luxury and the + gratification of a pinch was generally indulged in Spain, + Italy and France, during the early part of the Seventeenth + Century. It was the grandees of the French Court who 'set + the fashion' of snuff, with all its luxurious additions of + scents and expensive boxes. It became common in the Court of + Louis le Grand, although that monarch had a decided + antipathy to tobacco in any form." + + Says an English writer "Between 1660 and 1700, the custom of + taking snuff, though it was disliked by Louis XIV., was + almost as prevalent in France as it is at the present time. + In this instance, the example of the monarch was + disregarded; _tobac en poudre_ or _tobac rape_[58] as snuff + was sometimes called found favor in the noses of the French + people; and all men of fashion prided themselves on carrying + a handsome snuff-box. Ladies also took snuff; and the belle + whose grace and propriety of demeanour were themes of + general admiration, thought it not unbecoming to take a + pinch at dinner, or to blow her pretty nose in her + embroidered _mouchoir_ with the sound of a trombone. Louis + endeavored to discourage the use of snuff and his + valets-de-chambre were obliged to renounce it when they were + appointed to their office. One of these gentlemen, the Duc + d'Harcourt, was supposed to have died of apoplexy in + consequence of having, in order to please the king, totally + discontinued the habit which he had before indulged to + excess." + + [Footnote 58: Grated tobacco.] + +Other grandees were less accommodating: thus we are told that +Marechal d'Huxelles used to cover his cravat and dress with it. The +Royal Physician, Monsieur Fagon, is reported to have devoted his best +energies to a public oration of a very violent kind against snuff, +which unfortunately failed to convince his auditory, as the excited +lecturer in his most enthusiastic moments refreshed his nose with a +pinch. + +[Illustration: A tobacco grater.] + +Although disliked by the most polished prince of Europe, the use of +snuff increased and soon spread outside the limits of the court of +France and in a short time became a favorite mode of using tobacco as +it continues to be with many at this day.[59] The snuff-boxes of this +period were very elegant and were decorated with elaborate paintings +or set with gems. It was the custom to carry both a snuff-box and a +tobacco grater, which was often as expensive and elegant as the +snuff-box itself. Many of them were richly carved and ornamented in +the most superb manner. Others bore the titles and arms of the owner +and it was considered as part of a courtier's outfit to sport a +magnificent box and grater. The French mode of manufacturing snuff was +to saturate the leaves in water, then dry them and color according to +the shade desired. The perfume was then added and the snuff was +prepared for use. The kind of tobacco used was "Tobac de Virginie." +Spanish snuff was perfumed in the same manner with the additional use +of orange-flower water. Carver gives the mode of manufacturing snuff +in America (1779). + + [Footnote 59: The Rev. S. Wesley speaking of the abuses + of tobacco, intimates that the human ear, will not long, + remain exempted from its affliction. + + "To such a height with some is fashion grown + They feed they very nostrils with a spoon. + One, and but one degree is wanting yet, + To make their senseless luxury complete; + Some choice regale, useless as snuff and dear, + To feed the mazy windings of the ear."] + + "Being possessed of a tobacco wheel, which is a very simple + machine, they spin the leaves, after they are properly + cured, into a twist of any size they think fit; and having + folded it into rolls of about twenty pounds weight each, + they lay it by for use. In this state it will keep for + several years, and be continually improving, as it every + hour grows milder. When they have occasion to use it, they + take off such a length as they think necessary, which, if + designed for smoking, they cut into small pieces, for + chewing into larger, as choice directs; if they intend to + make snuff of it they take a quantity from the roll, and + laying it in a room where a fire is kept, in a day or two it + will become dry, and being rubbed on a grater will produce a + genuine snuff. Those in more improved regions who like their + snuff scented, apply to it such odoriferous waters as they + can procure, or think most pleasing." + +Dutch snuff was only partially ground, and was therefore coarse and +harsh in its effects when inhaled into the nostrils. The Irish, +according to Everards, used large quantities of snuff "to purge their +brains." Snuff-taking became general in England[60] at the +commencement of the Seventeenth Century, and scented snuffs were used +in preference to the plain. Frequent mention is made in the plays of +this time of its use and varieties. In Congreve's "Love for Love," one +of the characters presents a young lady with a box of snuff, on +receipt of which she says, "Look you here what Mr. Tattle has given +me! Look you here, cousin, here's a snuff-box; nay, there's snuff +in't: here, will you have any? Oh, good! how sweet it is!" + + [Footnote 60: "The custom of taking snuff was probably + brought into England by some of the followers of Charles + II., about the time of the Restoration. During his + reign, and that of his brother, it does not appear to + have gained much ground: but towards the end of the + Seventeenth Century it had become quite the "rage" with + beaux, who at that period, as well as in the reign of + Queen Anne, sometimes carried their snuff in the hollow + ivory heads of their canes."--_A Paper of Tobacco._] + +Portuguese snuff seemed to be in favor and was delicately perfumed. It +was made from the fibres of the leaves, and was considered among many +to be the finest kind of the "pungent dust." Some varieties of snuff +were named after the scents employed in flavoring them. In France many +kinds became popular from the fact of their use at court, and by the +courtiers throughout the kingdom. Pope notes the use of the snuff-box +by the fops and courtiers of his time in this manner:-- + + "Sir Plume of amber snuff-box justly vain, + And the nice conduct of a clouded cane; + With earnest eyes, and round, unthinking face, + He first the snuff-box open'd, then the case." + +The mode of "tapping the box" before opening was characteristic of the +beaux and fops of this period, and is commented on in a poem on +snuff:-- + + "The lawyer so grave, when he opens his case, + In obscurity finds it is hid, + Till the bright glass of knowledge illumines his face, + As he gives the three taps on the lid." + +Spain, Portugal, and France early in the Seventeenth Century became +noted as the producers of the finest kinds of snuff. In Spain and +Portugal it was the favorite mode of using tobacco, and rare kinds +were compounded and sold at enormous prices. Its use in France by the +fair sex is thus commented on by a French writer:-- + +[Illustration: Demi-journees.] + + "Everything in France depends upon _la mode_; and it has + pleased _la mode_ to patronize this disgusting custom, and + carry about with them small boxes which they term + _demi-journees_." + +The most expensive materials were employed in the manufacture of +snuff-boxes, such as agate, mosaics, and all kinds of rare wood, while +many were of gold, studded with diamonds. Some kinds were made of +China mounted in metal, and were very fanciful. In "Pandora's Box," a +"Satyr against Snuff," 1719, may be found the following description of +the snuff-boxes then in vogue: + + "For females fair, and formal fops to please, + The mines are robb'd of ore, of shells the seas, + With all that mother-earth and beast afford + To man, unworthy now, tho' once their lord: + Which wrought into a box, with all the show + Of art the greatest artist can bestow; + Charming in shape, with polished rays of light, + A joint so fine it shuns the sharpest sight; + Must still be graced with all the radiant gems + And precious stones that e'er arrived in Thames. + Within the lid the painter plays his part, + And with his pencil proves his matchless art; + There drawn to life some spark or mistress dwells, + Like hermits chaste and constant to their cells." + +Some of the more highly perfumed snuffs sold for thirty shillings a +pound, while the cheaper kinds, such as English Rappee and John's +Lane, could be bought for two or three shillings per pound. There are +at least two hundred kinds of snuff well known in commerce. The Scotch +and Irish snuffs are for the most part made from the midribs; the +Strasburgh, French, Spanish, and Russian snuffs from the soft parts of +the leaves. An English writer gives the following account of some of +the well-known snuffs and the method of manufacturing:-- + + "For the famous fancy snuff known as Maroco, the recipe is + to take forty parts of French or St. Omer tobacco, with + twenty parts of fermented Virginia stalks in powder; the + whole to be ground and sifted. To this powder must be added + two pounds and a half of rose leaves in fine powder; and the + whole must be moistened with salt and water and thoroughly + incorporated. After that it must be 'worked up' with cream + and salts of tartar, and packed in lead to preserve its + delicate aroma. The celebrated 'gros grain Paris snuff' is + composed of equal parts of Amersfoort and James River + tobacco, and the scent is imported by a 'sauce,' among the + ingredients of which are salt, soda, tamarinds, red wine, + syrup, cognac, and cream of tartar." + +The mode of manufacture of snuff now is far different than that +employed in the Seventeenth Century. Then the leaves were simply dried +and made fine by rubbing them together in the hands, or ground in some +rude mill; still later the tobacco was washed or cleansed in water, +dried, and then ground. Now, however, the tobacco undergoes quite a +process, and must be kept packed several months before it is ground +into snuff. One of the most celebrated manufacturers of snuff was +James Gillespie, of Edinburgh, who compounded the famous variety +bearing his name. The following account of him we take from "The +Tobacco Plant:"-- + +[Illustration: James Gillespie.] + + "In the High Street of Edinburgh, a little east from the + place where formerly stood the Cross,-- + + "'Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillar'd stone, + Rose on a turret octagon,' + + was situated the shop of James Gillespie, the celebrated + snuff manufacturer. The shop is still occupied by a + tobacconist, whose sign is the head of a typical negro, and + in one of the windows is exhibited the effigy of a + Highlander, who is evidently a competent judge of + 'sneeshin.' Not much is known regarding the personal history + of James Gillespie, but it is understood that he was born + shortly after the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, at Roslin, a + picturesque village about six miles from Edinburgh. He + became a tobacconist in Edinburgh, along with his brother + John, and by the exercise of steady industry and frugality, + he was enabled to purchase Spylaw, a small estate in the + parish of Colinton, about four miles from Edinburgh, where + he erected a snuff-mill on the banks of the Water of Leith, + a small stream which flows through the finely-wooded grounds + of Spylaw. The younger brother, John, attended to the shop, + while the subject of our notice resided at Spylaw, where he + superintended the snuff-mill. Mr. Gillespie was able to + continue his industrious habits through a long life, and + having made some successful speculations in tobacco during + the war of American Independence, when the 'weed' advanced + considerably in price, he was enabled to increase his Spylaw + estate from time to time by making additional purchases of + property in the parish. + + "Mr. Gillespie remained through life a bachelor. His + establishment at Spylaw was of the simplest description. It + is said that he invariably sat at the same table with his + servants, indulging in familiar conversation, and entering + with much spirit into their amusements. Newspapers were not + so widely circulated at that period as they are now, and on + the return of any of his domestics from the city, which one + of them daily visited, he listened with great attention to + the 'news, and enjoyed with much zest the narration of any + jocular incident that had occurred. Mr. Gillespie had a + _penchant_ for animals, and their wants were carefully + attended to. His poultry, equally with his horses, could + have testified to the judicious attention which he bestowed + upon them. A story is told of the familiarity between the + laird and his riding horse, which was well-fed and full of + spirit. + + "The animal frequently indulged in a little restive + curvetting with its master, especially when the latter was + about to get into the saddle. 'Come, come,' he would say, on + such occasions, addressing the animal in his usual quiet + way, 'hae dune, noo, for ye'll no like if I come across your + lugs (ears) wi' the stick.' + + "Even in his old age Mr. Gillespie regularly superintended + the operations in the mill, which was situated in the rear + of his house. On these occasions he was wrapped in an old + blanket ingrained with snuff. Though he kept a carriage he + very seldom used it, until shortly before his death, when + increasing infirmities caused him occasionally to take a + drive. It was of this carriage, plain and neat in its + design, with nothing on its panel but the initials 'J. G.' + that the witty Henry Erskine proposed the couplet-- + + 'Who would have thought it + That noses had bought it?' + + as an appropriate motto. In those days snuff was much more + extensively used than at present, and Mr. Gillespie was in + the habit of gratuitously filling the 'mulls' of many of the + Edinburgh characters of the last century. Colinton appears + to have been a great snuff-making centre. About thirty years + ago there were five snuff mills in operation in the parish, + the produce of which was sold in Edinburgh. Even now a + considerable quantity of snuff is made in the district, + chiefly by grinders to the trade." + +Murray, alluding to the popularity of the custom in England during +the reign of the House of Brunswick, says:-- + +[Illustration: Fops taking snuff. (_From an old print_).] + + "The reigns of the four Georges may be entitled the snuffing + period of English history. The practice became an appanage + of fashion before 1714, as it has continued after 1830, to + be the comfort of priests, literary men, highlanders, + tailors, factory hands, and old people of both sexes. George + IV. was a nasute judge of snuffs, and so enamoured of the + delectation, that in each of his palaces he kept a jar + chamber, containing a choice assortment of tobacco powder, + presided over by a critical superintendent. His favorite + stimulant in the morning was violet Strasburgh, the same + which had previously helped Queen Charlotte to 'kill the + day'--after dinner Carrotte--named from his _penchant_ for + it. King's Carrotte, Martinique, Etrenne, Old Paris, Bureau, + Cologne, Bordeaux, Havre, Princeza, Rouen, and Rappee, were + placed on the table, in as many rich and curious boxes." + +Sterne, in his "Sentimental Journey," gives a pleasing description of +snuff-taking with the poor monk. He writes: + + "The good old monk was within six paces of us, as the idea + of him crossed my mind; and was advancing towards us a + little out of the line, as if uncertain whether he should + break in upon us or no. He stoop'd, however, as soon as he + came up to us with a world of frankness; and having a horn + snuff-box in his hand, he presented it open to me. + + "'You shall taste mine,' said I, pulling out my box (which + was a small tortoise one), and putting it into his hand. + + "''Tis most excellent,' said the monk. + + "'Then do me the favor,' I replied 'to accept of the box and + all, and when you take a pinch out of it, sometimes + recollect it was the peace-offering of a man who once used + you unkindly, but not from his heart.' + + "The poor monk blushed as red as scarlet, 'Mon Dieu?' said + he, pressing his hands together, 'you never used me + unkindly.' + + "'I should think,' said the lady, 'he is not likely.' + + I blushed in my turn; but from what motives, I leave to the + few who feel to analyze. 'Excuse me, madam,' replied I, 'I + treated him most unkindly, and from no provocations.' + + "''Tis impossible,' said the lady. + + "'My God!' cried the monk, with a warmth of asseveration + which seemed not to belong to him, 'the fault was in me, and + in the indiscretion of my zeal.' + + "The lady opposed it, and I joined with her in maintaining + it was impossible, that a spirit so regulated as his could + give offence to any. I knew not that contention could be + rendered so sweet and pleasurable a thing to the nerves as I + then felt it. We remained silent, without any sensation of + that foolish pain which takes place when, in a circle, you + look for ten minutes in one another's faces without saying a + word. + +[Illustration: Horn snuff-boxes.] + + "Whilst this lasted, the monk rubb'd his horn box upon the + sleeve of his tunic; and as soon as it had acquired a little + air of brightness by the friction, he made a low bow and + said, 'twas too late to say whether it was the weakness or + goodness of our tempers which had involved us in this + contest, but be it as it would, he begg'd we would exchange + boxes. In saying this, he presented this to me with one, as + he took mine from me in the other; and having kissed it, + with a stream of good nature in his eyes, he put it into his + bosom, and took his leave. I guard this box as I would the + instrumental parts of my religion, to help my mind on to + something better: in truth I seldom go abroad without it; + and oft and many a time have I called up by it the + courteous spirit of its owner, to regulate my own in the + jostlings of the world; they had found full employment for + his, as I learnt from his story, till about the forty-fifth + year of his age, when upon some military services + ill-requited, and meeting at the same time with a + disappointment in the tenderest of passions, he abandoned + the sword and the sex together, and took sanctuary, not so + much in his convent as in himself. I feel a damp upon my + spirits, as I am going to add, that in my last return + through Calais, upon inquiring after Father Lorenzo, I heard + he had been dead near three months, and was buried, not in + his convent, but according to his desire, in a little + cemetery belonging to it about two leagues off. I had a + strong desire to see where they had laid him, when, upon + pulling out his little horn box, as I sat by his grave, and + plucking a nettle or two at the head of it, which had no + business to grow there, they all struck together so forcibly + upon my affections that I burst into a flood of tears--but I + am as weak as a woman; I beg the world not to smile, but + pity me." + +Many pleasing effusions have been written promoted doubtless by a +sneeze among which the following on "A pinch of Snuff" from "The +Sportsman Magazine," exhibits the custom and the benefits ascribed to +its indulgence. + + "With mind or body sore distrest, + Or with repeated cares opprest, + What sets the aching heart at rest? + A pinch of snuff! + + "Or should some sharp and gnawing pain + Creep round the noddle of the brain, + What puts all things to rights again? + A pinch of snuff! + + "When speech and tongue together fail, + What helps old ladies in their tale, + And adds fresh canvass to their sail? + A pinch of snuff! + + "Or when some drowsy parson prays, + And still more drowsy people gaze, + What opes their eyelids with amaze? + A pinch of snuff! + + "A comfort which they can't forsake, + What is it some would rather take, + Than good roast beef, or rich plum cake? + A pinch of snuff! + + "Should two old gossips chance to sit, + And sip their slop, and talk of it, + What gives a sharpness to their wit? + A pinch of snuff! + + "What introduces Whig or Tory, + And reconciles them in their story, + When each is boasting in his glory? + A pinch of snuff! + + "What warms without a conflagration + Excites without intoxication, + And rouses without irritation? + A pinch of snuff! + + "When friendship fades, and fortune's spent, + And hope seems gone the way they went, + One cheering ray of joy is sent-- + A pinch of snuff! + + "Then let us sing in praise of snuff! + And call it not such 'horrid stuff,' + At which some frown, and others puff, + And seem to flinch. + + "But when a friend presents a box, + Avoid the scruples and the shocks + Of him who laughs and he who mocks, + And take a pinch!" + +From "Pandora's Box" from which we have already quoted, we extract the +following in which the use of snuff is deprecated by the author: + + --"now, 'tis by every sort + And sex adored, from Billingsgate to court. + But ask a dame 'how oysters sell?' if nice, + She begs a pinch before she sets a price. + Go thence to 'Change, inquire the price of Stocks; + Before they ope their lips they open first the box. + Next pay a visit to the Temple, where + The lawyers live, who gold to Heaven prefer; + You'll find them stupify'd to that degree, + They'll take a pinch before they'll take their fee. + Then make a step and view the splendid court, + Where all the gay, the great, the good resort; + E'en they, whose pregnant skulls, though large and thick, + Can scarce secure their native sense and wit, + Are feeding of their hungry souls with pure + Ambrosial snuff. * * * * + But to conclude: the gaudy court resign, + T' observe, for once, a place much more divine, + When the same folly's acted by the good, + And is the sole devotion of the lewd; + The church, more sacred once, is what we mean, + Where now they flock to see and to be seen; + The box is used, the book laid by, as dead, + With snuff, not Scripture, there the soul is fed; + For where to heaven the hands by one of those, + Are lifted, twenty have them at the nose; + And while some pray, to be from sudden death + Deliver'd, others snuff to stop their breath." + +Paolo Mantegazza, one of the most brilliant and witty of Italian +writers on tobacco, says of its use and "some of the delights that may +be imagined through the sense of smell:"-- + + "Human civilization has not yet learned to found on the + sense of smell aught but the moderate enjoyment derived from + snuffing, which, confined within the narrow circle of a few + sensations, renders us incapable of entering into the most + delicate pleasures of that sense. + + "Snuff procures us the rapture of a tactile irritation, of a + slight perfume; but, above all, it furnishes the charm of an + intermittent occupation which soothes us by interrupting, + from time to time, our labor. At other times it renders + idleness less insupportable to us, by breaking it into the + infinite intervals which pass from one pinch of snuff to + another. Sometimes our snuff-box arouses us from torpor and + drowsiness; sometimes, it occupies our hands when in society + we do not know where to put them or what to do with them. + Finally, snuff and snuffing are things which we can love, + because they are always with us; and we can season them with + a little vanity if we possess a snuff-box of silver or of + gold, which we open continually before those who humbly + content themselves with snuff-boxes of bone or of wood. We + gladly concede the pleasures of snuffing to men of all + conditions, and to ladies who, having passed a certain age, + or who, being deformed, have no longer any sex; but we + solemnly and resolutely refuse the snuff-box to young and + beautiful women, who ought to preserve their delicate and + pretty noses for the odors of the mignonette and the rose." + +With royalty snuff has been a prime favorite. Charles III. of Spain +had a great predilection for rappee snuff, but only indulged his +inclination by stealth, and particularly while shooting, when he +imagined himself to be unnoticed. Frederick the Great and Napoleon[61] +both loved and used large quantities of the "pungent dust." Of the +former the following anecdote is related:-- + + [Footnote 61: Napoleon, having been unable to undergo + the ordeal of a first pipe, stigmatized it us a habit + only fit to amuse sluggards. What he renounced in + smoking, however, he compensated in snuff.] + + "The cynical temper of Frederick the Great is well known. + Once when his sister, the Duchess of Brunswick, was at + Potsdam, Frederick made to the brave Count Schwerin the + present of a gold snuff-box. On the lid inside was painted + the head of an ass. Next day, when dining with the king, + Schwerin, with some ostentation, put his snuff-box on the + table. Wishing to turn the joke against Schwerin, the king + called attention to the snuff-box. The Duchess took it up + and opened it. Immediately she exclaimed, 'What a striking + likeness! In truth, brother, this is one of the best + portraits I have ever seen of you.' Frederick, embarrassed, + thought his sister was carrying the jest too far. She passed + the box to her neighbor, who uttered similar expressions to + her own. The box made the round of the table, and every one + was fervently eloquent about the marvelous resemblance. The + king was puzzled what to make of all this. When the box at + last reached his hands, he saw, to his great surprise, that + his portrait was really there. Count Schwerin had simply, + with exceeding dispatch, employed an artist to remove the + ass's head, and to paint the king's head instead. Frederick + could not help laughing at the Count's clever trick, which + was really the best rebuke of his own bad taste and want of + proper and respectful feeling." + + "As Frederick William I., of Prussia, was eminently the + Smoking King, so his son Frederick the Great was eminently + the Snuffing King. Perhaps smoking harmonizes best with + action; and it might, without much stretch of fancy, be + shown that as the Prussian monarchy was founded on tobacco + smoke, it flourished on snuff. Possibly, if Napoleon the + Great, who like Frederick the Great, was an excessive + snuffer, had smoked as well as snuffed, he might have + preserved his empire from overthrow, seeing that smoking + steadies and snuffing impels. The influences of smoking and + snuffing on politics and war are ascertainable. What the + effect of chewing is on political and military affairs, it + is not so easy to discover. We recommend the subject for + meditation to the profoundest metaphysicians. How many of + the American politicians and generals have been chewers as + well as snuffers and smokers? Is there to be some mysterious + affinity between chewing and the revolutions, especially the + social revolutions of the future? May not apocalyptic + interpreters be able to show that chewing is the symbol of + anarchy and annihilation?" + +[Illustration: Scotch snuff-mills.] + +When first used in Europe snuff was made ready for use by the +takers--each person being provided with a box or "mill," as they were +termed, to reduce the leaves to powder. + +In connection with this, the following may not be irrelevent:-- + +The following anecdote of Huerta the celebrated Spanish guitarist, is +taken from one of M. Ella's programmes:-- + + "In the year 1826 the famous Huerta, who astonished the + English by his performances on the guitar, was anxious to be + introduced to the leader of the Italian Opera Band--a + warm-hearted and sensitive Neapolitan--Spagnoletti. The + latter had a great contempt for guitars, concertinas, and + other fancy instruments not used in the orchestra. He was + fond of snuff, had a capacious nose, and, when irritated, + would ejaculate '_Mon Dieu!_' On my presenting the vain + Spaniard to Spagnoletti, the latter inquired, 'Vat you + play?' Huerta--'De guitar-r-r, sare.' Spagnoletti--'De + guitar! humph!' (takes a pinch of snuff.) Huerta--'Yeas, + sare, de guitar-r-r, and ven I play my _adagio_, de tears + shall run down both side your pig nose.' 'Vell den,' (taking + snuff,) said Spagnoletti, 'I vill not hear your _adagio_.'" + +The anecdote related of Count de Tesse, a celebrated courtier of +France, is one of the best of its kind:-- + + "Count de Tesse, Marshal of France, was an eminent man + during the reign of Louis XIV. Though he was a brave soldier + and by no means an incompetent general, yet he was more + remarkable as a skillful diplomatist and a pliant and + prosperous courtier. During the War of Succession in Spain, + he besieged Barcelona with a considerable army, in the + spring of 1705. Terrible was the assault, and terrible was + the resistance. At the end of six weeks the arrival of the + British fleet, and reinforcements thrown into the place, + forced Marshal Tesse to retire. Besides immense losses in + dead and wounded, he had to abandon two hundred and twenty + cannon and all his supplies. Incessantly fighting for + fifteen days in his retreat towards the Pyrenees, he lost + three thousand more of his men. It ought to be said, in + vindication of Tesse, that he undertook the siege by express + and urgent command of the French King, and contrary to his + own judgment; for in writing to a friend, he said: 'If a + Consistory were held to decide the infallibility of the + King, as Consistories have been held to decide the + infallibility of the Pope, I should by my vote declare His + Majesty infallible. His orders have confounded all human + science.' + + "Soon after the siege of Barcelona, a lady at a fashionable + party took out her snuff-box and offered a pinch to any one + who wished it. Marshal Tesse approached to take a pinch; but + suddenly the lady drew her snuff-box back, saying, 'For you, + Marshal, the snuff is too strong--it is Barcelona.'" + +In Scotland the dry kinds of snuff are in favor and are esteemed as +highly as the moister snuffs. Robert Leighton gives the following pen +picture of the snuff-loving Scotchman; it is entitled "The Snuffie +Auld Man:"-- + + "By the cosie fire-side, or the sun-ends o' gavels, + The snuffie auld bodie is sure to be seen. + Tap, tappin' his snuff-box, he snifters and sneevils, + And smachers the snuff frae his mou' to his een. + 'Since tobacco cam' in, and the snuffin' began, + There hasna been seen sic a snuffie auld man. + + "His haurins are dozen'd, his een sair bedizzened. + And red round the lids as the gills o' a fish; + His face is a' bladdit, his sark-breest a' smaddit. + As snuffie a picture as ony could wish. + He makes a mere merter o' a' thing he does, + Wi' snuff frae his fingers an' drops frae his nose. + + "And wow but his nose is a troublesome member-- + Day and nicht, there's nae end to its snuffie desire: + It's wide as the chimlie, it's red as an ember, + And has to be fed like a dry-whinnie fire. + It's a troublesome member, and gi'es him nae peace, + Even sleepin', or eatin', or sayin' the grace. + + "The kirk is disturbed wi' his hauckin' and sneezin' + The dominie stoppit when leadin' the psalm; + The minister, deav'd out o' logic and reason, + Pours gall in the lugs that are gapi' for balm. + The auld folks look surly, the young chaps jocose, + While the bodie himsel' is bambazed wi' his nose. + + "He scrimps the auld wife baith in garnal and caddy + He snuffs what wad keep her in comfort and ease; + Rapee, Lundyfitt, Prince's Mixture, and Toddy, + She looks upon them as the worst o' her faes. + And we'll see an end o' her kooshian nar + While the auld carle's nose is upheld like a Czar." + +Sharp has written some verses founded upon the following singular +anecdote in Dean Ramsay's "Reminiscences of Scottish Life and +Character:" + + "The inveterate snuff-taker, like the dram-drinker, felt + severely the being deprived of his accustomed stimulant, as + in the following instance: A severe snow-storm in the + Highlands, which lasted for several weeks, having stopped + all communication betwixt neighboring hamlets, the + snuff-boxes were soon reduced to their last pinch. Borrowing + and begging from all the neighbors within reach were first + resorted to, but when these failed all were alike reduced to + the longing which unwillingly abstinent snuff-takers alone + know. The minister of the parish was amongst the unhappy + number; the craving was so intense that study was out of the + question, and he became quite restless. As a last resort, + the beadle was dispatched through the snow, to a neighboring + glen, in the hope of getting a supply; but he came back as + unsuccessful as he went. 'What's to be done, John? was the + minister's pathetic inquiry. John shook his head, as much as + to say that he could not tell, but immediately thereafter + started up, as if a new idea occurred to him. He came back + in a few minutes, crying, 'Hae!' The minister, too eager to + be scrutinizing, took a long deep pinch, and then said, + 'Whour did you get it?' 'I soupit (swept) the poupit,' was + John's expressive reply. The minister's accumulated + superfluous Sabbath snuff now came into good use." + +[Illustration: Sweeping from the Pulpit.] + + "Near the Highlands, + Where the dry lands + Are divided into islands, + And distinguish'd from the mainland + As the Western Hebrides. + + "Stormy weather, + Those who stay there, + Oftentimes for weeks together + Keep asunder from their neighbors, + Hemm'd about by angry seas. + + "For, storm-batter'd, + Boats are shattered, + And their precious cargoes scatter'd + In the boist'rous Sound of Jura, + Or thy passage, Colonsay; + + "While the seamen, + Like true freemen, + Battle bravely with the Demon + Of the storm, who strives to keep them + From their harbor in the bay. + + "For this reason + One bad season, + (If to say so be not treason,) + In an island town the people + Were reduced to great distress. + + "Though on mainland + They would fain land, + They were storm-bound in their ain land, + Where each luxury was little, + And grew beautifully less. + + "But whose sorrow, + That sad morrow, + When no man could beg or borrow + From a friend's repository, + Equall'd theirs who craved for snuff. + + "But, most sadden'd, + Nearly madden'd + For the lack of that which gladden'd + His proboscis, was the parson, + Hight the Rev'rend Neil Macduff. + + "If a snuffer, + Though no puffer, + You may guess what pangs he'd suffer + In his journey through a snow-drift, + Visiting a neighboring town. + + "From his rushing + For some sneishing; + But his choring and his fishing + Could procure no Toddy's Mixture, + Moist Rappee, or Kendal Brown. + + "In his trouble-- + Now made double, + Since his last hope proved a bubble-- + To his aid came Beadle Johnnie, + In his parish right-hand man. + + "With a packet, + Saying, Tak' it, + It's as clean as I can mak' it, + If ye'd save yer snuff on Sabbath + A toom box ye needna scan. + + "Being lusty + (Though 'twas musty) + To his nose the snuff so dusty + Put the minister, too much in want, + The gift to scrutinize. + + "An idea + He could see a + Blessing in this panacea; + So he took such hearty pinches as brought + Tears into his eyes. + + "Then to Johnnie, + His old cronie, + Cried--'I fear'd I'd ne'er get ony.' + 'Well, I'll tell ye,' said the beadle, + 'Whaur I got the stock of snuff.' + + "'In the poupit + Low I stoopit, + An' the snuff and stour I soupit, + Then I brocht ye here a handfu', + For ye need it sair enough.'" + +The old Scottish snuff-mill, which consisted of a small box-like +receptacle into which fitted a conical-shaped projection with a short, +strong handle was a more substantial affair than the rasp used by the +French and English snuff-takers. (See page 232). Both, answered the +purpose for which they were designed, the leaves of tobacco being +"toasted before the fire," and then ground in the mill as it was +called. The more modern snuff-mill is similar in shape, but is used to +hold the snuff after being ground, rather than for reducing the leaves +to a powder. + +Boswell gives the following poem on snuff, in his "Shrubs of +Parnassus:" + + "Oh Snuff! our fashionable end and aim! + Strasburg, Rappee, Dutch, Scotch, what'eer thy name, + Powder celestial! quintessence divine! + New joys entrance my soul while thou art mine. + Who takes--who takes thee not! where'er I range, + I smell thy sweets from Pall Mall to the 'Change. + By thee assisted, ladies kill the day, + And breathe their scandal freely o'er their tea; + Nor less they prize thy virtues when in bed, + One pinch of thee revives the vapor'd head, + Removes the spleen, removes the qualmish fit, + And gives a brisker turn to female wit, + Warms in the nose, refreshes like the breeze, + Glows in the herd and tickles in the sneeze. + Without it, Tinsel, what would be thy lot! + What, but to strut neglected and forgot! + What boots it for thee to have dipt thy hand + In odors wafted from Arabian land? + Ah! what avails thy scented solitaire, + Thy careless swing and pertly tripping air, + The crimson wash that glows upon thy face, + Thy modish hat, and coat that flames with lace! + In vain thy dress, in vain thy trimmings shine, + If the Parisian snuff-box be not thine. + Come to my nose, then, Snuff, nor come alone, + Bring taste with thee, for taste is all thy own." + +There seems to be as great a variety of design in snuff-boxes as among +pipes and tobacco-stoppers. The Indians of both North and South +America have their mills for grinding or pulverizing the leaves. In +the East a great variety of snuff-boxes may be seen; they are made of +wood and ivory, while many of them have a spoon attached to the box, +which they use in taking the dust from the box to the back of the +hand, whence it is taken by the forefinger and conveyed to the nose. +In Europe we find greater variety of design in snuff-boxes than in the +East. In Europe they are made of the most costly materials, and +studded with the rarest gems. + +In the East they are made of ivory, wood, bamboo, and other materials. +Of late years boxes made of wood from Abbotsford or some other noted +place have been used for the manufacture of snuff-boxes. Formerly when +snuff-taking was in more general use by kings and courtiers than +now--a magnificent snuff-box was considered by royalty as one of the +most valuable and pleasing of "memorials." Many of these testimonials +of friendship and regard were of gold and silver, and set with +diamonds of the finest water. + +Among the anecdotes of celebrated snuff-takers, the following from +White's "Life of Swedenborg," will be new to many: + + "Swedenborg took snuff profusely and carelessly, strewing it + over his papers and the carpet. His manuscripts bear its + traces to this day. His carpet set those sneezing who shook + it. One Sunday he desired to have it taken up and beaten. + Shearsmith objected, 'Better wait till to-morrow,' 'Dat be + good! dat be good!' was his answer." + +We copy the following article on the manufacture of snuff from a +well-known English journal, "Cope's Tobacco Plant:"-- + + "Although snuff is still extensively consumed in this + country (Great Britain), the mode of its manufacture is very + little known to those who use it; and there are very few + persons of even the most inquisitive turn of mind who can + say they have ever penetrated into the mysterious precincts + of a snuff-mill. Even those who have been privileged, and + have had the courage to inspect the interior of such an + establishment, have come away with very vague notions of + what they saw. The hollow whirr of the revolving pestles, + the hazy atmosphere closely resembling a London fog in + November, a phenomenon which is produced by the innumerable + particles of tobacco floating about, and causing the gas to + flicker and sparkle in a mysterious way, and producing a + lively irritation of the mucous membrane, all combine in + placing the visitor in a state of amusing bewilderment, and + he is compelled to make a speedy exit, having only had just + a running peep at the interesting process of snuff-making. + It is therefore our duty to give a description of a process + which will be new to a large number of people, and will help + to clear up some of the obscure theories that a great many + more entertain of it. + + "Those persons who have travelled on the Continent, and who + have noticed on tobacconists' counters a small machine, + somewhat like a coffee-mill, which a man works with one + hand, while he holds a hard-pressed plug of tobacco about a + pound weight against the revolving grater, and produces + snuff while the snuff-taker waits for it, may imagine that + snuff in England is produced on a somewhat similar small + scale. But this, like many kindred theories, is quite a + mistake. In this country there exist large snuff-mills + worked by steam power, and in Scotland there is one + water-mill which is driven by a water-power of the strength + of thirty horses. The grinding of snuff is at present + carried on much as it was one hundred years ago. The + apparatus, although effective, is very primitive, and would + lead one to suppose that mechanical ingenuity had wholly + neglected to trouble itself about improving that branch of + machinery. + +[Illustration: Snuff-mill a century ago.] + + "All kinds of snuff are made from tobacco leaves, or tobacco + stalks, either separate or mixed. This in the first instance + goes through a kind of fermentation, and, like the basis of + soup at the modern hotels, forms, as it were, the stock from + which all the varieties in flavor and appearance are + produced by special treatment and flavoring. Of course the + strength and pungency of the snuff will depend a good deal + upon the richness of the tobacco originally put aside for + it. About one thousand pounds of tobacco would form an + ordinary batch of snuff. The duty on this would amount to + about L150, and this has to be paid before the tobacco is + removed from the bonded warehouse. Having got his heap of + material ready, the snuff-maker moistens it, then places it + in a warm room and covers it over with warm cloths--coddles + it, as it were, to make it comfortable, so that the cold air + cannot get to it--and the heap is then left for three or + four weeks, as the case may be, to ferment. + + "In France, where, under the Imperial _regime_, snuff-making + was a Government monopoly, the tobacco was allowed to + ferment for twelve or eighteen months; and in the principal + factory (that at Strasburg) might have been seen scores of + huge bins, as large as porter vats, all piled up with + tobacco in various stages of fermentation. The tobacco, + after being fermented, if intended for that light, powdery, + brown-looking snuff called S. P., is dried a little; or if + for Prince's Mixture, Macobau, or any other kind of Rappee, + is at once thrown into what is called the mull. The mull is + a kind of large iron mortar weighing about half a ton and + lined with wood; and there is a heavy pestle which travels + round it, forming, as it were, a large pestle and mortar. + +These mulls are placed in rows and shut up in separate cupboards, to +keep in the dust. The snuff-maker wanders from one to the other, and +feeds them as they require. + + "When the grinding of the snuff is completed it is then + ready for flavouring, and in this consists the great art and + secret of the trade. Receipts for peculiar flavors are + handed down from father to son as most valuable heir-looms, + and these receipts are in fact a valuable property in many + instances, for so delicate is the nose of your snuff-taker + that he can detect the slightest variation in the + preparation of his favorite snuff. It is related of one old + snuff-maker in London, who had acquired a handsome fortune + and retired from business, that he made it a consideration + with his successors that he should be allowed, so long as he + lived, to attend one day in the week at the business and + flavor all the snuff. Most people will also be familiar with + some one of the numerous versions of the origin of the once + famous Lundy Foote Snuff, better known as 'Irish + Blackguard.' + + "The excise are very rigid in their laws for regulating the + manufacture of snuff; and with the exception of a little + common salt, which is added to make the tobacco keep, and + alkalies for bringing out the flavor, nothing is allowed to + be used but a few essential oils. And here we must digress + for a moment to correct a popular error, viz., that snuff + contains ground glass, put there for titillating purposes. + What appears to be ground glass is only the little crystals + or small particles of alkali that have not been dissolved. + So that fastidious snuff-takers may dismiss this bugbear at + once and forever. + + "The essential oils referred to form a very expensive item + to the manufacture of snuff. The ladies would be much + surprised to see a dusty snuff-maker drain off five pounds' + worth of pure unadulterated otto-of-roses into a tin can, + and as they (the ladies) would suppose, throw it away on a + heap of what would appear to them rubbishy dust in one + corner of the snuff-room. Of course the ladies would + consider the proper place for it to be on the cambric + handkerchief, but this idea would be about the last to occur + to your matter-of-fact snuff-maker. + +[Illustration: Perfuming snuff.] + + "In addition to otto-of-roses, the scent-room contains great + jars of essence of lemon, French geranium, verbena, oil of + pimento, bergamotte, etc., all of which are used in the + various flavoring combinations. There would most likely also + be a few hundred-weight of fine Tonquin beans, and one of + these beans is generally presented to any visitor who drops + in, as souvenir to carry away in his waistcoat pocket. Snuff + is very extensively used in the mills and factories of + Lancashire. Those who toil long in heated and noisy mills + seem to require, and doubtless do require, tobacco in some + shape or other to keep them from flagging; and as chewing is + not polite, and smoking in a mill not allowed, the only + resource left to the operative is his snuff. A singular + feature connected with this is, we believe, the fact that + spinners in very few instances use snuff-boxes, they prefer + having their supply of snuff screwed up in a piece of paper. + One retail shop-keeper in a busy spinning town in Lancashire + assured us that he retailed over four hundred weight of + snuff a week in pennyworths. + + "It is impossible to state the exact quantity of snuff used + in this country; but, as far as we can arrive at it from + statistics at hand, we should say it cannot be less than + five hundred tons per annum. This seems an enormous + quantity, considering the comparatively small number of + persons who now use snuff; but the great bulk of snuff seems + to be consumed by particular communities, such as the + Lancashire operatives, and the consumption of it is + therefore not generally observable; and further it should be + remembered that those who do take snuff, individually use + large quantities." + +Snuff-manufacturing has in some cases been attended with considerable +affluence. One instance is the London manufacturer already mentioned, +whose profits accumulated to the extent of nearly a quarter of a +million; another is the Lundy Foote business, and the third a Scotch +manufacturer (Gillespie), who by the way, practised a bit of +benevolence, in the shape of building an hospital, in return for the +good things fortune had sent him. Of course an hospital, like many +other things, may have a doubtful origin, as witness the famous Guy's, +which stands as a lasting monument to the wonderful profits that used +to be made out of the iniquitous advance note system. But we do not by +any means wish to make comparisons which must be odious and although +the profits of snuff-manufacturing are for a variety of +reasons--amongst others the decreased consumption of the manufactured +article--not nearly as large as they were fifty years ago; yet we are +sure that the fortunes accumulated by some of the old snuff-makers +were the result of honest, upright industry. + +Of European tobacco used in the manufacture of snuff that of Holland +and France (St. Omer) is considered to be equal to any grown in +Europe. Of the varieties grown in America, Virginia leaf is used quite +extensively for some grades of snuff and "good stout rich snuff leaf" +commands excellent prices and meets with a ready sale. + +A writer gives the following account of the love the Terra Del +Fuegians have for tobacco. + + "This morning we were up early, a large party going ashore + for various scientific purposes, and the others taking the + ship out in the channel to do a little dredging; both + parties were very successful, and added much to our + collection. As we on the shore were about ready to come off, + we were visited by a party of Fuegians, five men, four + women, and nine children, with three dogs. They came in an + English-built boat, stolen or lost from some English ship. + The men and dogs landed and came towards us with a great + frankness of manner. They could talk neither English nor + Spanish, except the few words, boat, fire, tobac, galleto, + arco. But they understood the imperial manner of one of our + officers, who said quietly but firmly, 'keep back those + dogs,' and immediately drove back the barking curs with + sticks and stones. They warmed themselves at our fire, and + seemed disposed to be very civil and friendly. We gave them + our remaining biscuit, and what little tobacco there was in + our party to spare. One of them accepted a pinch of snuff + and pretended to sneeze, crying 'Hatchee!' with mock + solemnity. + +[Illustration: Fuegian snuff-takers.] + + An old man sat down on a stone and sang to us a low, sweet + recitation, or chant, in wild key, or mode, ending on a + rising melody with each stanza. + + They followed us to the ship, and we gave them some calico + and beads, and tobacco, and also bought bows and arrows, and + a sea-urchin, paying them in tobacco. They clung to the ship + as we got under way, men and women, crying, 'Tobacco!' and + frantic to catch any fragment of the precious weed thrown to + them. But at length they let go, and we left the bay with + the cry of tobacco ringing in our ears." + +Having spoken of most of the modes of using snuff in both the Old and +New World, we come now to a description of using snuff at the South, +known as "dipping," and by some as "rubbing," both terms used to +denote the same manner of use. The description of it as given by A. L. +Adams is as follows:-- + + "In the South, and more especially in Virginia, where + tobacco has been cultivated for more than two hundred and + fifty years, and where a few pounds of it was the + legitimate price for a wife, it is not surprising that it + should be more highly prized and come into more general use + than in any other section of our country. On the banks of + the James River it was first successfully cultivated by the + English colony, and this simple fact alone must forever + throw a charm around it, which will foster the pride of the + Virginian who has any respect for his ancestry, and hold him + under sacred obligations to use, cherish, and defend the + plant and its use--all of which he regards as no less a + pleasure than a duty. Here too its many virtues were first + discovered, and its soothing effects first felt and + appreciated. + + "To the old Virginian it is indeed a cherished weed, + charming all manner of diseases, comforting in sorrow, + soothing the ills of life, and preserving to a good old age + and in a happy frame of mind all who use it. He believes in + its superior virtues, and ascribes to it more good qualities + than to any other known plant. He always carries it about + with him, and if perchance he gets out he is truly + miserable. He not only loves but worships it as a cure all. + His wife and daughters know its virtues full well, and use + it with equal grace and relish, believing it gives a lustre + to the eye and a freshness to the cheek rarely surpassed. + Among the variety of ways in which it is used none attracted + my attention so much as the novel manner of snuff-taking in + various parts of Virginia, West Virginia, the Carolinas and + Georgia. + + "In some localities the practice is unknown, while in many + others it is very common. I first discovered young ladies + putting snuff into their mouths as if eating it, when my + curiosity was excited to an alarming extent, but on being + invited to 'dip' with them I soon learned that they were not + eating, but 'rubbing and chewing' it, as they called it, and + in such a lively manner as to soon convince me that they + appreciated it. I found the habit to be quite common even + among the young of both sexes--all indulging in it as if it + afforded real satisfaction to the appetite for tobacco in + some form. + + "The young ladies however seemed the more attached to the + 'rubbing process,' as it has been appropriately styled, and + defended it with equal logic and grace whenever it was + assailed. The young gentlemen when in the society of the + young ladies generally join them in this unique use of + snuff, as they are always sure to be invited and urged if + they decline, and to merit their favor of course they must + appear social. I believe, in credit to their taste, + however, that they really prefer a good cigar, and think it + more in keeping with their ideas of manhood and neatness. I + have seen young girls of ten 'rubbing and chewing,' as if + they appreciated it as much as mother Eve did the apple in + the garden of paradise. + + "I have also seen old ladies with trembling limbs and few + teeth 'rubbing and chewing,' as if it made them feel young + again. I have frequently been ushered unexpectedly into the + presence of young ladies, and found them puffing their + cigarettes in a manner that convinced me that they knew how + to smoke. There is nothing that will more surely and quickly + bring a stranger into the fellowship and good graces of the + ladies than to join them in their pet habit of + snuff-rubbing. It seems to form a bond of friendship which + they regard as sacred as the vows of wedlock. + + "The older matrons 'rub' less and smoke more, which is in + accordance with nature and philosophy: The older we grow the + more we smoke. They find solid pleasure in sitting by the + open grate after tea with fifteen inches of pipe's tail + between their teeth, and slowly but gracefully puffing the + perfumes of the exhilarating weed into the room, and + watching with childish pleasure the hazy curling wreaths of + smoke as they gently float around, changing in form and + color until they finally disappear up the chimney, affording + rich themes for meditation and profitable study, and perhaps + suggestive of earlier days when grandmother, an innocent, + blooming maid, was exchanged for the weed, the seed of which + produced the plant she is now burning. Everywhere I marked + only pleasant and soothing effects from the use of tobacco. + + "The planter is never more indifferent to the ills of life + and in sympathy with good feeling and pleasure, than when he + sits down after dinner in his vine-thatched portico and + lights his pipe, passing to his guests pipes, cigars, and + tobacco in various forms, leaving them to choose their + favorite mode of using it. Sambo is never more contented + than when he burns the weed in a cob pipe, and draws the + delicious smoke through an elder sprig or mullen stem. But + the maid is happiest of all when with her lover she sits + face to face, and they 'dip' together from the same magic + plant--tobacco. + + "In every walk of life throughout the sunny South tobacco in + some form may be found, and its effects are always the same, + whether drawn from the pocket of the beggar or taken with + gloved fingers from the golden tobacco-box of the planter. + For snuff the ladies have very nice round boxes with lids + which, they always carry with them full of black snuff + highly but pleasantly flavored. They also carry little + brushes or sticks about three inches long with pliable ends; + these they wet in the mouth, then dip into the snuff-box, + and then place it in the mouth outside of the gums and rub + earnestly for two or three minutes. 'Will you dip with me?' + is the usual way of putting the invitation, when the box is + drawn from the pocket and rapped slightly on the cover, + sometimes by all present, who thus signify their readiness + to 'dip,' then it is repassed open to all, and the 'dipping + and rubbing' begins in earnest. + +[Illustration: Snuff-dipping.] + + "The only advantage I ever discovered in this unnatural way + of snuffing is in avoiding all unpleasant sneezing which + snuffing is sure to produce, although it is claimed that it + whitens and preserves the teeth and sweetens the mouth, and + produces a beneficial effect on the lungs, all of which is + true or not, just as you choose to believe. 'Will you dip + and rub with me?' said one of the prettiest belles of + Winchester, and in another city in another state the + daughter of an ex-governor, handing me a silver-tipped brush + and opening a rose-wood snuff-box richly inlaid with gold, + politely asked me to 'dip' with her, expressing the belief + that friendship would always follow. I have frequently been + asked by ladies when travelling through the country and + stopping at farm-houses, if I used tobacco--as a hint to + offer them some, and it was a pleasure to comply, and + receive the thankful smile of an appreciative heart." + +[Illustration: Snuffers.] + +In other parts of the country the habit of snuff-taking is confined +principally to old ladies, who use any kind, either black or yellow, +and who prefer themselves the cheaper kinds. But few varieties are +used, and there seems to be but little taste manifested in the +selection of the "dust." Foreign varieties are used only to a limited +extent, being chiefly confined to those of transatlantic birth and +tastes. The custom of chewing and smoking seems to be more popular +with the male sex than snuff-taking, and one rarely finds a man +addicted to the latter habit, unless it be one somewhat advanced in +years. + +Stewart in his admirable paper on snuff gives much useful information +in regard to the universal custom of using it as well as its origin +and distinguished uses of the great sternutatory. + + "The luckless fate of inventors and originators has become + proverbial, but the ingenious individual whose nostrils + rejoiced in the first pinch of snuff stood in no need of the + niggardly praise of contemporaries or the lavish gratitude + of posterity. That first 'pinch' was its own priceless + reward, far above present appreciation or future fame. What + matters it, that his great name has not been reverently + handed down to us: that posterity seeks in vain his honored + tomb, on which to hang her grateful votive wreath; that + zealous antiquaries have raised up innumerable pretenders to + his unclaimed honors, and striven to rob him of his fame? + Enough for that lucky inventor, wherever he may rest, that + he enjoyed in his lifetime the reward for which ordinary + benefactors of their kind are fain to look to the future. + + "It is perfectly vain to attempt now to penetrate into the + mystery which envelopes the name and nation of the first + snuff-taker: long before rough, noble-hearted Drake cured + his dyspepsia by the use of tobacco, or Raleigh transplanted + some roots of that precious weed into English soil, there + were European noses which had rejoiced at its pulverized + leaves. Conjecture, lost in the mazy distance, gladly lays + hold of something substantial in the shape of snuff's first + royal patron. This was Catherine de Medicis, who, receiving + some seeds of the tobacco plant from a Dutch colony, + cherished them, and elevated the dried and pounded leaves + into a royal medicine, with the proud title of 'Herbe a la + Reine.' For in the beginning men took snuff, not as an + everyday luxury, but as a medicament. Like tea--which a + hundred years later was advertised as a cure for every + ill--the new sneezing powder was hailed a universal + specific; and so pleasant in its operation, that mankind, + acting upon the wholesome aphorism that prevention is much + better than cure, and eagerly anticipated the disease it was + supposed to remedy." + + "The use of 'the pungent grains of titillating dust' + received a somewhat heavy and discouraging blow from an + unexpected quarter. That ubiquitous power which hurled + anathemas alike at the heresies of Luther and the length of + clerical wigs, discountenanced its use, and at length fairly + lost its temper in the contest with snuff. Whether from a + prescience of the beneficial influence it was destined to + exert upon mankind, or from a suspicion of its power of + sharpening intellects, it is difficult to say; but Popes + Urban VIII., and Innocent waged quite a miniature crusade + against snuff, anathematizing those who should use it in + any church, and positively threatening with excommunication + all impious persons who should provoke a profane sneeze + within the sacred precincts of St. Peter's pile; Louis XIV., + that good son of the Church, filially complied with the + paternal injunction, but his courtiers were less yielding; + and the ante-chamber of Versailles frequently resounded with + the effects of the pleasant stimulant. + + "All persecution has a distinct tendency to establish the + object of its hate, and so it was with the subject of our + article--it only required to be loved; and I do not doubt + that, had circumstances required them, snuff would have + found its martyrs. Its use was not general in England until + Charles II. introduced it, upon his return from exile, with + other important fashions. It had been known and used before, + as had the periwig, but it was not until his reign that it + became common. When the Stuarts relieved the country of + their presence for the second and last time, it had become + firmly established; and, by the days of good Queen Anne, was + such a necessary of life, that there were in the metropolis + alone no less than seven thousand shops where the + snuff-boxes of the Londoners could be replenished. + + "At that time, indeed, gallants were as proud of their + jewelled boxes of amber, porcelain, ebony and agate as they + were of their flowing wigs and clouded canes, the handles of + which were not unfrequently constructed to hold the + cherished dust. We are told by courtly Dick Steel, that a + handsome snuff-box was as much an essential of 'the fine + gentleman' as his gilt chariot, diamond ring, and brocade + sword-knot. We know them to have been manufactured of the + costliest material, heavy with gold and brilliant with + jewels, as they needed to be when their masters carried wigs + 'high on the shoulder in a basket borne,' worth forty or + fifty guineas, and wore enough Flanders lace upon their + persons to have stocked a milliner's stall in New England. + + "Unfortunately, but very naturally, this extravagance + rendered snuff a butt for the wits (who all took it, by the + way), to shoot at. Steele, whose weakness for dress and show + were proverbial, levelled many of his blunt shafts at its + use; and Pope, who himself tells us 'of his wig all powder + and all snuff his band,' let fly one of his keener arrows at + the beaux, whose wit lay in their snuff-boxes and tweezer + cases. As the men laid by, in the Georgian era, much of the + magnificence of their attire, so their snuff-boxes became + plainer and decidedly uglier. Rushing into an opposite + extreme, the most outrageous receptacles for the precious + dust were devised. Boxes in the shape of bibles, boots, + shoes, toads, and coffins outraged public taste. The + strangest materials were used in their construction; the + public taste leaning towards relics possessing historical + interest. Thus the mulberry tree planted by Shakespeare, the + hull of the Royal George, in which 'brave Kempenfelt went + down, with twice four hundred men,' and the deck of the + Victory, on which Nelson died 'for England, home, and + beauty,' have alone been supposed to supply material for + snuff-boxes to an extent which, if known, must considerably + weaken the faith of their possessors in their genuineness. + +[Illustration: Fancy snuff-boxes.] + + "Nor has snuff itself been less liable to the rule of + fashion than the boxes that held it. We will give a few + familiar instances. In the naval engagement of Viga, in + 1703, when a large Spanish fleet was taken or destroyed, a + great quantity of musty snuff was made prize of, and + patriotism ran high enough to cause the 'town' for some + length of time to resist all that was not manufactured to + imitate the flavor from which it took its well-known name of + 'musty.' Nearer to our own time, a large tobacco warehouse + having been destroyed by fire, in Dublin, a poor man + purchased some of the scorched or damaged stock, and + manufacturing it into coarse snuff, sold it to the poorer + class of snuff-takers. Forthwith capricious fashion adopted + it, endowing it with fabulous qualities, and Lundy Foot's + Irish Black-guard (so it was termed) filled the most + fashionable boxes. + + "Again, during the Peninsular campaigns, in which the light + division of the British army bore so memorable a part, the + mixture used by and called after its gallant leader, General + Sir. Amos Norcott, had a more extensive sale than any other. + When Napoleon was at Elba, and folks began to tire of + legitimacy, as they soon did, it became fashionable to use + snuff scented with the spirit of violet, and significantly + to allude to the perfume. Garrick, when he was manager of + Drury Lane Theatre, brought a mixture into fashion by using + or alluding to it in one of his most famous parts. The + tobacconist whom he thus favored was his under-treasurer, + Hardham, whom no writer about snuff should omit to notice. + He was a great favorite with Garrick, whom in his turn he + almost revered. One of Hardham's most important duties was + to number the house from a hole in the curtain above the + stage; and it is amusing to fancy the little tobacconist, + snuff-box in hand, calmly watching the pit fill, or from his + elevated position admiring the histrionic talents of his + gifted patron. His shop in Fleet street is also memorable. + It was the general resort of theatrical men and tyros, who + sought to reach the manager through his subordinates, and + his little back parlor witnessed the _debut_ of many who + afterwards gained applause from larger, though not more + exacting audiences. + + "Her Majesty Queen Charlotte has bequeathed her name to a + once favorite mixture, and George the Fourth has some slight + chance of being remembered by the famous 'Prince's Mixture,' + which was so popular when it was the fashion to admire and + imitate that gifted individual. It would be a grateful but + almost an impossible task to enumerate the kings, soldiers, + lawyers, poets and actors who had sought from and found in + the snuff-box comfort and inspiration. Prominent among the + rulers of the earth who have acknowledged the pleasing + influence of snuff is Frederick the Great. His snuff-box was + the pocket of the long waistcoats of that period, in which + he kept large quantities loose--a dirty habit, which + Napoleon, who was a great plagiarist, adopted. It would be + easy to draw out a famous list of literary names attached to + snuff, beginning with Dryden, who was particular enough to + manufacture his own mixture, and selfish enough to preserve + the secret of its excellence, with a view, probably, of + enhancing the value of the pinch from his box, for which the + beaux and wits at Will's intrigued. + + "In the pulpit, at the bar, and on the stage, snuff has been + equally valuable in adding to the persuasive eloquence and + talent of its patrons. By the female portion of human-kind + it was at one time pretty generally taken, nor was it + uncommon for young and even pretty women to offer and accept + a pinch in public. After the gentle sex had to a great + extent given up the habit, some strong minded females were + to be found who retained it. Mrs. Siddons, when she came off + the stage after dying hard, as Desdemona, or harrowing the + hearts of her audience by her representation of Jane Shore, + could composedly ask those around for a pinch of the + precious restorative. When we consider the beneficial + influence which snuff has exerted over mankind generally, we + cannot help regretting that its virtues were not sooner + known. + + "For we put forth the proposition seriously, that its effect + upon the world has been to render it more humane and + even-tempered, and that had the western hemisphere + discovered the tobacco plant earlier, historians would have + had more pleasant events to chronicle. For instance, it is + not impossible--nay, most probable--that the fate of Rome, + discussed by the Triumvirate over their snuff-boxes, would + have been different. Is it likely that, under the humanizing + influence of mutual pinches, Antony would have asked for, or + Augustus resigned, the head of Cicero to his bloodthirsty + colleague; or that the other details of the conscription + which deluged the streets of Rome with the blood of her best + citizens, would have been agreed to? Again, can any one + imagine Charles the Ninth and his evil counsellors plotting + the massacre of St. Bartholomew over pinches of the soothing + dust? Is it probable that the High Court of Justiciary would + have entitled its royal martyr to a special service in the + Book of Common Prayer, if its deliberation had been inspired + by the kindly snuff which since that time has so often + softened the rigor of the law? My hypothesis may seem an + absurd one, but history supports it. + + "When Charles the Second introduced snuff into general use, + men's hands had scarcely adapted themselves to more + peaceable occupations than cutting their neighbors' throats, + and the ashes of a long and bitter civil war needed little + fanning to break into a blaze again; and yet, for forty + years of misgovernment the nation kept its temper. How can + this forbearance be accounted for? Was it that circumstances + no longer called for as stern and as effectual remedies as + before? No. Was the second Charles one whit more desirable + than the first of that ilk? Was Clarendon more liked than + Stafford? Was Russell's head of less consequence than + Prynne's ears? No. Again, wrongs as grievous as those which + Hampden had died in resisting were to be avenged, but in a + milder, better fashion; for mankind had in the meantime + learned to take snuff. Much of the haste and irritation + which had previously led to blows discharged itself in a + good-natured sneeze. Snuff made men forbearing, even jocular + over their wrongs. Who can doubt that the revolution which + ended in placing William of Orange on his father-in-law's + throne owed its bloodless character not a little to the + influence of snuff. We read of difficulties in its course, + which, fifty years previously, would inevitably have led to + bloodshed, being easily, almost humorously surmounted. The + plagued nation effected a revolution over its snuff-boxes in + the happiest conceivable manner. + + "Having ventured so far I am inclined to put forward a yet + higher claim which snuff has upon our gratitude, and to hint + that the great deeds of great men who were snuff-takers may + be traced by a chain of reasoning--slight, yet + conclusive--to this dearly prized luxury. The hackneyed + saying that time is money, or money's worth, has more truth + in it than most of the fallacies which are supposed to + regulate our conduct. The most important events of our lives + often hinge on moments. A moment to stifle passion, to + summon reflection, to plunge into the past and bring up a + buried memory, to consider results, is often of the utmost + consequence, and this valued moment the pinch of snuff + insures, when, without it, delay would be simply + embarrassment. The pinch of snuff, taken at the right + instant, secures an important reprieve, during which the + unpleasant question may be evaded, the hasty reply + reconsidered, or an angry _repartee_ thought better of, + while the same time gained serves to improve the + diplomatist's _equivoque_, to point the orator's satire, and + polish the wit's _mot_. In a word, its use on important + occasions affords, to every one who needs them, better means + of acting upon Talleyrand's mischievous yet clever + aphorism--that language is useful rather to conceal than to + express our thoughts. Moreover, the action necessary in + conveying the tempting graces to their destination has not + unfrequently been found useful. It employs the hasty hand + that may itch to take illegal vengeance for fancied insults; + it serves to hide the angry twitching mouth and passionately + expanding nostrils, to give a natural expression to changes + of the countenance which would otherwise indicate emotion, + and to parry attention till reason has been summoned to + supplant passion. + + "It is denied (in a rather irritating way sometimes) that + the subject of our article has any beneficial influence upon + the intellects of its patrons. We are not about to claim for + it any such exalted qualities, but we may be allowed to + mention a fact or so which entitles it to some respect + medicinally. As we have before stated, in its early days it + was considered to possess powerful healing qualities, and + even now is found of use in cases of headache and weak + sight. It was also supposed valuable in cases of heaviness + and obtuseness of intellect. Is it, therefore unreasonable + to presume that it may have had some share in gaining for + our brethren beyond the Tweed that shrewdness of national + character which has become proverbial? + +[Illustration: Curing a headache.] + + "The specimens which came in the reign of James I., + southward, did not command much respect or admiration from + our countrymen; indeed they were the bulls at which every + satirist hurled his shafts, and blunt must have been that + one which did not pierce some potent folly of language or + manner. The town rang with anecdotes of their rags, beggary, + and quarrels; ballad-singers made merry at their expense, + and the stage resounded with uncomplimentary allusions. + Indeed, in one of the most popular plays of that period, the + king himself was not spared, and the actors (Ben Jonson + among them) had very nearly lost their ears for their + boldness. Nor was it at least for a hundred and fifty years + after this period that the Scotch became noted for that + enterprise and talent which now distinguish them. + + "We do not deny that the union may have developed their + traits, but it is clear that within that time snuff had + become a national stimulant. To the observer of men and + manners there is something very characteristic in the + various fashions in which the pinch of snuff is taken. 'The + exercise of the snuff-box,' as it was once termed, was an + acknowledged science, but few were the great proficients who + could mutely express their feelings by its aid. We have not + space to run through all its exercise, but we may mention + the 'pinch military,' which Frederick, and after him, + Napoleon practiced inhaling snuff copiously, and with much + waste, as though it were human life they were throwing away; + the 'pinch malicious,' of which Pope was perfect master; the + 'pinch dictatorial,' which burly Jonson established; the + 'pinch sublimely contemptuous,' such as Reynolds took when + some travelling virtuoso hinted at excellence away from + Leicester-square, and ruffled his complacent vanity; and, + above all, the 'pinch polite,' which Talleyrand understood + so well. + + "From snuff to sneezing is but a step, which we purpose + taking before we bring this cursory article to a close. The + act of sneezing appears to have been variously regarded at + various stages of the world's history, but from the earliest + times of which we have any authentic record, it has been the + customs of those around to give vent to a short benediction + immediately upon its commission. The Robbins considering + themselves bound to find a reason for this universal custom, + and being hard pressed, gave the somewhat incomprehensible + explanation that, previous to Jacob, man sneezed but once in + his lifetime, and then immediately before death; so that + those around, warned of his imminent journey, hastened to + wish it a good termination. How it was that Jacob instituted + a new order of things we are not told, but as a proof of the + truth of their assertion they give the fact that in all + nations of the earth a similar custom will be found + existing. + + "Strangely enough this assertion was corroborated by the + first colonists of America, who found the habit to be in + common use amongst the aboriginal tribes. The Greeks and + Romans certainly had a similar habit, but far from attaching + any ill-omen to the sneeze they regarded it as of good + augury. Thus Catullus assures us that when Cupid upon a + memorable occasion sneezed, all: + + 'The little loves that waited by + Bowed and blessed the augury. + + And in the 'Life of Themistocles,' Plutarch informs his + readers that sneezing by the General on the eve of a battle + was regarded as a certain sign of conquest. Strangely enough + we find that in comparatively modern times, the custom of + giving expression to good wishes when a friend sneezed was + attributed to the fearful plague which periodically swept + over Europe. Sneezing was one of its first and most + dangerous symptoms, and those who were by, as they gathered + their robes about them and fled from their doomed + fellow-creature, would ejaculate a quick 'God bless you,' + hurriedly invoking from a more merciful quarter the aid they + feared to give. Violent sneezing was not only among the + first, but was one of the last fatal signs of that fearful + scourge, and was often too rapidly followed by death to give + time for more than a short benediction. Anyhow, the custom + still exists and one of the most pleasant reminiscences + attached to the first pinch of snuff is the chorus of hearty + good wishes of sympathizing friends which follows upon the + inevitable sneeze." + +[Illustration: Highlanders.] + +The variety of taste in snuff is accounted for by the proverb, "So +many men to so many noses." Highland gentlemen of every degree are +mostly fond of Gillespie; while operatives from the Lowlands generally +prefer plain Scotch. When two Highlanders meet, they usually exchange +a pinch of snuff, mutually _preeing_ the contents of their _mulls_, +while their _colleys_, (dogs) after a fashion of their own, take a +reciprocal _sniff_ of each other. Cuba is the favorite of the +gentlemen of the stock exchange; the tradesman's box usually contains +rappee; high dried Irish is grateful to those who love to feel the +taste of snuff in their throat. Sea-faring men seldom take snuff: a +sailor with a snuff-box is as rarely to be met with as a sailor +without a knife. + +The history of the rise and progress of snuff-taking abounds in +incidents and anecdotes, among the most curious of all that relate to +the various modes of using the weed. Though once the most popular and +fashionable manner of using tobacco it now falls far behind the other +and more common and more popular forms of indulging in the herb. In +France and Spain the introduction of tobacco ushered in this form of +using it, and to inhale a few grains of the pungent dust was the +delight of polished and favored courtiers who regardless of the forms +royalty patronized and gave sanction to the custom. Thus its use in a +short time became popular all over Europe and gave unlimited scope for +the satirist and dramatist to ridicule the habit. In spite, however, +of frown and ridicule this ancient custom though not now as popular or +as fashionable, still claims many sincere votaries and doubtless will +as long as the plant is cultivated or used in any form. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +CIGARS. + + "The poet may sing of the leaf of the rose, + And call it the purest and sweetest that blows; + But of all the leaves that ever were tried, + Give me the tobacco leaf rolled up and dried." + + +The smoking of cigars is now considered the best as it is the most +fashionable mode of using the weed. The word cigar is from the Spanish +_cigarro_, and signifies a cylindrical roll of tobacco leaves, made of +short pieces or shreds of the leaves divested of the stem and wound +about with a binder, and enveloped in a portion of the leaf known by +the name of wrapper--acute at one end and truncated at the other. In +the East Indies a sort of cigar called _cheroot_ is also made with +both ends truncated. The smoking of tobacco in the form of cigars is +doubtless the most general as well as the most ancient mode of its +use. When Columbus landed in Hispaniola, the sailors saw the natives +smoking the leaves of a plant, "the perfume of which was fragrant and +grateful." But while cigars are of very ancient origin in the West +Indies, they were not generally known in Europe until the beginning of +the Nineteenth Century. In fact, of all the various works on +gastronomy and the pleasures of the table, written and published from +1800 to 1815, not one speaks of this now indispensable adjunct of a +good dinner. Even Britlat-Savarin, in his _Physiologie du Gout_, +entirely ignores tobacco and all its distractions and charms. Benzo +gives the following account of the manufacture of a cigar in +Hispaniola:-- + + "They take a leafe from the stalks of their great bastard + corn (which we commonly called Turkie--wheat) together with + one of these tobacco-leaves and fold them up together like a + coffin of paper, such as grocers make to put spices in, or + like a small organ-pipe. Then putting one end of the same + coffin to the fire, and holding the other end in their + mouths, they draw their breath to them. When the fire hath + once taken at the pipe's end, they draw forth so much smoke + that they have their mouth, nose, throat, and head full of + it; and, as if they tooke a singular delight therein they + never leave supping and drinking till they can sup no more, + and thereby loose their breath and their feeling." + +Sahagun, in his "History of New Spain," speaks of the natives as using +the leaves of tobacco rolled into cigars, which they ignite and smoke +in tubes of tortoise-shell or silver. The following article from the +_New York Times_ contains much valuable information in regard to +cigars, especially Havanas: + +[Illustration: Cigars.] + + "It is perfectly safe to say that there is more money spent + every day in New York for cigars than for bread," (doubted.) + "From the fine gentlemen, who buy their cigars at + Delmonico's, or get them direct from the importers, down to + the little barefoot boys in the streets, who buy theirs from + the Chinamen at the corners or pick up the stumps that are + thrown away, all smoke. In some countries pipes and + cigarettes are made to do duty by the poorer classes, but in + New York cigars seem to be almost invariably preferred. Now, + while there is nothing better, in the way of something to + smoke, than a first-class Havana cigar, there is nothing + nastier than some of the cheap abominations made in that + shape in New York. To the truth of this last proposition, + anyone will readily testify who has ever been so unfortunate + as to have had to ride from Harlem to New York in a late + smoking-car, with half a dozen roughs smoking cheap cigars + on board. + + "The cigars sold in this market may be divided into three + classes--the imported, those made of imported tobacco, and + those made of domestic tobacco. These may be again + classified under many different heads, as there are many + kinds and grades of each. The cheapest cigars in New York + are dispensed by dilapidated Chinamen, who have little + stands about the streets and markets. These are certainly + the vilest cigars made anywhere in the world, and are sold + from one to five cents each. Next in order come the common + domestic cigars. They are sold at five cents each, or six + for twenty-five cents, and are of the kind kept at the cheap + refreshment stalls, lager beer saloons, and low groggeries. + After these are the more pretentious home-made cigars, + manufactured of selected domestic tobacco, which are sold + all over the city, and in the making of which Havana + 'fillers' are supposed to be used. A filler, be it known, in + technical parlance means that portion of the tobacco of + which the inside of the cigar is made. Price, ten to fifteen + cents. Then comes the best class of cigars in which domestic + tobacco is used, those which are made with clear Havana + fillers and Connecticut wrappers. Fifteen cents is the + price, and many are palmed off on the unwise for the real + imported article. Cigars made wholly of imported Cuban + tobacco come next on the list. Some of them are excellent, + and compare favorably with many of the imported. They bring + from fifteen to fifty cents each at the cigar stores. Last + in line, but best of all, is the genuine, imported Havana + cigar. Few and rare are they, and great is the price of the + higher grades thereof. + + "There are some places in New York where an imported cigar + of a reasonable size may be bought for fifteen cents, but + they are few and far between. Twenty or twenty-five cents is + the price usually charged, and from that to a dollar. All + the cigars made in the United States are invariably put up + in imitation Havana boxes, with imitation Havana labels and + brands. It is doubtful, however, whether this transparent + device deceives anybody, for in accordance with the United + States Internal Revenue laws, all boxes of cigars + manufactured in the United States must not only bear the + manufacturer's label, giving his full name and place of + business, and the number of his manufactory, but they must + also bear the United States inspector's brand. Before the + present law was in force, and the duties on tobacco were + low, this scheme may have been profitable. But why the + practice is still adhered to by the manufacturers is hard to + imagine, for the boxes now used, being made of imported + cedar, must be very costly, and must materially increase the + price of cigars. Only those of the very poorest quality are + packed in white wooden boxes. + +[Illustration: Cigar-holders.] + + "Some people seem to smoke not because they like it, but + only to be in the fashion. Some days ago the writer of this + article happened to be in a cigar-store, when two + well-dressed young men came in and asked for some ten cent + cigars. The clerk handed out the box, and after a critical + inspection the purchaser asked: "Are these medium?' 'Yes, + sir,' said the clerk. 'Then I'll take a dollar's worth.' + After they had gone the writer asked the clerk what they + meant by 'medium.' He said he didn't exactly know, but + supposed they wanted to know whether the cigars were between + strong and mild. 'I told them they were,' said he, 'because + I thought they would buy if I said so, but they are all + alike.' And in this connection it is very singular that + although the Island of Cuba is so near to the United States + and so many cigars are imported into this city, so little is + known about the different sizes and brands of cigars, + excepting, of course, by those in the business. It is a + common thing here to see a man ask in a cigar store for a + _Flor del Fumar_, a _Figaro_, or an _Espanola_. By this he + means a cigar of a certain size, and does not seem to know + that these are not the names which designate the size, but + are the names of the manufactories. In Havana, were a man to + ask for a _Flor del Fumar_, the dealer would ask him what + size he wanted. + + "Every box of cigars packed in Havana has, at least, six + distinctive works on it. First is the brand, which is burned + in the upper side of the lid of the box, with an iron made + for the purpose; second the label, this bears the name and + address of the manufactory; third, the mark designating the + size and shape of the cigars, this is usually put on with a + stencil; there are not so very many regular sizes, or + _vitolas_, made in Havana as might be imagined, a list of + them may prove interesting. These are: Damos, Entre Actos, + Opera, Concha, Regalia de Concha, Londres, Londres de Corte, + Regalia de Londres, Regalia Britanica, Regalia del Rey, + Regalia de la Reina, Reina Victoria, Panetelos, Trabucos, + Embajadores, Especiales, Imperiales, Brevos, Prensados, + Cilindrados, Millar Vegueros. The _Damos_ (Dames) as their + name indicates, are meant for the ladies, and are the + smallest made. The _Cozadores_ (huntsmen) are the longest, + and the _Trabucos_ (blunderbusses) the fattest. The + _Prensados_ (pressed) are flat, and _Cilindrados_ + (cylindrical) are so called because, when green, they are + put in bundles of twenty-five, and tightly rolled in strong + tissue paper, which is twisted at each end of the roll. When + the cigars are dry the paper is taken off, and the bunch + retains the cylindrical shape given it. The _Brevos_ (figs) + are also tied up while green, and tightly pressed. This + makes them stick together something like figs, hence their + name. The _Vegueros_ (plantation) take their name from the + fact that they are supposed to be made like those made on + the plantations, but they are not made in the same way. + + "In the _Vegos_ (plantations) the _veguero_, or planter, + makes his cigar of a single leaf of tobacco, which he + carries ready moistened for the purpose, by rolling it on + his knee. Besides the above, some fancy sizes have been + adopted of late years, but they are made by only a few of + the larger manufacturers in Havana. Fourth is the color + mark, which is also put on in stencil. Fifth, the class + mark. All the round cigars made in Havana are separated into + three classes: _Primera_, or first; _Segunda_, or second; + and _Tercera_, or third. Some manufacturers never mark any + of their cigars as of the third class, not because they do + not make them, but because they think they sell better + without the mark. They make the first class _Flor_, the + second _Primera_, and the third _Segunda_. Others mark all + their cigars as of the first class, and indicate the classes + by the color of the labels, and in this way none but the + wholesale purchaser knows the secret. Sixth, the last, is + the mark denoting the number of cigars in the box. This is + stenciled on the side in Arabic numerals. + + "A theory has obtained that cigars made in Havana, by reason + of some inexplicable climatic influence, are better than + those made in New York, even should they be made of tobacco + from the same plantation. This may be so, but it is doubtful + whether this was ever fairly tested, or, indeed, whether it + was ever tested at all. The truth is that all the best + tobacco grown in the island of Cuba is bought up by the + heavy manufacturers in Havana. The crops of the best + plantations are contracted for in advance, and the + old-established firms buy from the same _vegos_ year after + year. Hence it is why their cigars are so uniform in + quality. All Cuban tobacco is not good, by any means. The + tobacco from the Vuelta de Arriba is not so good as that + from the Vuelta de Abajo, and yet there is but little + difference in their geographical position. And in the Vuelta + de Abajo, a short distance makes a difference in the quality + of the tobacco. Some _vegos_ are celebrated for their good + crops, while others, perhaps not a hundred yards away, do + not produce good crops at all. There are many poor cigars + made in Cuba, as all who have ever been there know, and all + over the island the Havana cigar is deemed the best. In + Havana, and, indeed, in all parts of the island, green or + freshly-made cigars are preferred, and the most esteemed + cigar-cases are made of carefully prepared bladders, in + which the cigars are rolled to prevent the evaporation of + the moisture. + + "When a Cuban gentleman gives a cigar to a friend, he does + not, as we do, open his case, and offer it to him to choose + from but he examines its contents carefully and critically, + selects the one he thinks the best and offers it. And there + is a great deal more in the choice of a cigar, by selecting + it on account of its outside appearance, than one not + accustomed to it would suppose. A wrapper which has that + which the Cubans call _calidad_ makes the cigar much + stronger than one which does not possess it. That is to say, + that the wrapper which has _calidad_ contains more essential + oil, is denoted by an abundance of small pustules on the + surface of the leaf, and by a general rich, oily appearance. + As a proof of the foregoing proposition, it is only + necessary to know how cigars are made. A lot of tobacco is + worked up into say 50,000. After they are all made, they are + turned over to be assorted, according to color and class, + and are packed and marked. The fillers are all alike, it is + the wrappers that make the difference. To assort the colors + a very, correct eye is required, and those who do this part + of the work make better wages than those who make the + cigars. + + "The value of cigars does not increase in direct ratio with + their size, for owing to the difficulty in getting good + wrappers for the larger kinds, the expense of their + manufacture is much increased. Upon one occasion, in Havana, + a manufacturer received an order for a thousand cigars + intended for the Queen of Spain's husband, Don Francisco de + Asis, which he agreed to make for $1,000. They were + delivered in due time, and packed in a richly-mounted cedar + chest, were sent to the royal recipient. They were + magnificent cigars, of the cazadores size, all of the same + color, and so smoothly made as to look as if they had been + turned out of hard wood instead of rolled tobacco. They were + placed on exhibition for a few days before they were sent to + Spain, and a gentleman who saw them, wishing to make a + present to some dignitary, asked the manufacturer to make + him a like number at the same price. To his surprise, the + order was refused. The manufacturer said he could not do it + for the money. His explanation was that it was not the + actual cost of the tobacco and labor of making them, but it + was on account of the trouble and expense met with in + selecting the wrappers. He said he had to pick over + thousands of bales before he could secure a sufficient + number of the proper length, color, and fineness. + + "Some two years ago there was a story of a Cuban + cigar-dealer in Broadway, who selected cigars for his more + favored customers by ear. It was said that he put the cigar + to his ear, and listened intently for a moment, and by the + cracking of the tobacco was enabled to judge of its quality. + This was a good advertising dodge, but in practice it was + all nonsense. None but that wily Cuban ever heard of such a + mode of trying a cigar. In the Island of Cuba that which we + call a cigar is called a _tabaco_ (a tobacco) and when it is + required to discriminate between the manufactured and + unmanufactured article it is called _tabaco torcido_, or + rolled tobacco. This, however, is only necessary when used + in the plural. In Mexico a cigar is called a _puro_, and in + Peru[62] and some of the other Spanish American countries it + is called a _cigarro puro_, in contradistinction to the + _cigarro de papel_, or cigarette. Cigarettes in Cuba are + called _cigarros_, and their consumption is enormous. + Strange as it may appear, there are some confirmed smokers + in Cuba who never use cigars at all, but confine themselves + to cigarettes. To the New Yorker it looks curious to see a + great, bearded man smoking a tiny cigarette; and, indeed + were he to smoke his cigarette as the New Yorker would smoke + his cigar, it would be labor lost, so far as getting any + effect of the tobacco was concerned. But the cigarette + smoker inhales the greater part of the smoke, it goes + directly into his lungs, and into contact with a large + surface of mucous membrane, and, indeed, with the blood + itself. Were the New York cigar-makers to smoke a cigarette + in the same way it would make him so giddy that he would be + compelled to give it up long before it was consumed. That + the smoke does go into the lungs is proved by the fact that + a cigarette smoker can inhale the smoke and exhale it again + after drinking a glass of water." + + [Footnote 62: Ballaert says that the consumption of + cigars in Peru is enormous. "An old fisherman on being + asked how he amused himself when not at his labors + replied, 'Why I smoke; and as I have consumed 40 paper + cigars a day for the last 50 years, which cost me one + rial each will you have the goodness to tell me how many + I have smoked, and how much I have expended for + tobacco?'"] + +[Illustration: Life in Mexico.] + +All tobacco grown upon the island of Cuba is not of the finest +quality; the majority of it is far inferior to the best Mexican coast +tobacco. The value of the tobacco lands of this last mentioned country +has not been fully developed. The variety of soil, exposure, climate, +and atmospheric influences are greater than can possibly be in Cuba, +and when the best is discovered, combining all the requisites, which +undoubtedly will be the case with an increased culture of the plant, +it will be found to be equal to the Vuelta Abogo of Cuba, and much +more extensive. The subject of tobacco lands, evidently, is not well +understood in Mexico, as it must be, from great experience, in Cuba. +All of these varieties of lands and circumstances exist in Mexico, and +it is safe to predict that, at some day, this country will stand +pre-eminent over all others in this industry. + +We extract the following from the _Tobacco Leaf_ in regard to +cigar-making in Cuba:-- + + "The rule is that a cigar-maker devotes all his ingenuity + and diligence to one class of goods. For example, one + workman makes only _Londres_; another only _Regalias_; + another only _Milores Communes_; and so on. In the Cuban's + factory the operatives are allowed to smoke as many cigars + as they like when at work; and to take home with them, when + they leave work in the evening, five cigars each. The + immigration of Chinese laborers into Cuba has modified, and + must further modify, the labor market there. In the + cigarette factories at Havana, Chinese workmen are almost + exclusively employed. Though objectionable for many of their + moral habits, these workmen are nevertheless docile, + ingenious, laborious, and contented." + +A writer, alluding to the manufacture of cigars, says:-- + + "The colors or strengths are _Amarillo Claro_, bright + yellow; _Amarillo Obscuro_, dark yellow; _Claro_, bright; + _Colorado Claro_, bright red; _Colorado_, red; _Colorado + Obscuro_, dark red; _Colorado Maduro_, red-ripe or mellow; + _Maduro_, ripe or mellow; _Maduro Obscuro_, dark ripe or + mellow; _Pajizo Claro_, bright straw-colored; _Pajizo_, + straw-colored; _Pajizo Obscuro_, dark straw-colored; + _Fuerte_, strong or heavy; _Entre Fuerte_, rather strong or + heavy; _Flajo_, light. Then there are the indications of the + qualities:--Superfine; _Firo_, not quite so fine; _Flor_, + finest or firsts; _Superior_, next, or seconds; _Buenos_, + next, or thirds. The cigar has a notable history. First has + to be determined the part of the plant from which it is + taken; then the part of the leaf from which it is taken, the + tobacco being best which is furthest away from the root or + middle of the leaf. One elaborate process follows another + for the perfection of a work of art--for as such we must + regard a cigar." + +Hazard, in his admirable work on Cuba, devotes considerable space to +cigars, their manufacture, varieties, and use, in which he speaks of +the various brands as follows:-- + + "The brands known as '_Yara Mayau_,' and the '_Guisa_,' are + perhaps the most celebrated made upon the Island. Of the + '_Yara_,' which has some considerable reputation, + particularly in the London market, I confess I cannot speak + favorably. Cigars that I smoked made from this leaf, and + which are much smoked in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, I + found had a peculiar saline taste which was very unpleasant, + as also a slight degree of bitterness; many smokers, + however, become very fond of this flavor. When I state that + in Havana alone there are over one hundred and twenty-five + manufacturers of cigars, it will readily be understood there + must be a great many inferior cigars made even in Cuba. + Havana may be called the 'City of cigars,' from its + reputation and the immense number of factories there are in + it for the manufacture of cigars, from the smallest shop + opening on the street, employing three or four hands to the + immense _fabricos_ erected expressly for this purpose, and + employing five or six hundred. + +[Illustration: Cuban cigar shop.] + + "Let not any one imagine, then, that because he is in Havana + he will get no poor cigars, for a greater mistake can not be + made, for just as vile trash can there be purchased as any + where; and it appeared to me that in buying, from time to + time in different _fabricos_, a few cigars it was rarely I + found a really good one. It behooves, then, every lover of a + good cigar to make himself familiar with the best makers and + brands, and to purchase those, and those only, that suit + his taste. To the traveler in Havana, this is easy enough, + as he can there buy sample boxes from any of the factories + and of any of the brands. There are, in addition to these + hundreds of other cigar factories, some of which, such as + _Cabargos_, _Figaros_, _Luetanos_, _Victorias_, etc., are + first-class, three or four at least in whose cigars every + smoker may have perfect confidence, the brands of which are + known all over the world. These are: _Cabanos_, _Uppmann_ + and _Partagas_; for whose brands, perhaps, one pays + something more, but has always the satisfaction of finding + them good. To the kindness of the gentlemen connected with + some of these factories I am indebted for most of the + information in this article, and particularly to Senor Don + Avulmo G. del Valle, the present proprietor of the Cabanos + Factory, who was good enough to show me through his + establishment, carefully explaining to me its peculiarities. + As the process of manufacture and description of grades and + qualities are the same with all the best makers, I give here + a detailed history of this factory and its products. + + "The factory for Cabanos cigars has been established + seventy-two years the founder of it being Don Francisco + Cabanos, his son, Don de P. Cabanos, succeeding him, to whom + has succeeded his son-in-law, Senor del Valle, the present + proprietor and director of the factory. When it was founded, + the cigars were sold to the public in bundles of twenty, + only amounting to a total number per year, of four or five + hundred thousand cigars, the sales of which kept constantly + increasing until 1826, when there were sold two millions. At + this period the demand for exportation commenced, increasing + each year until 1848, when the number sold amounted to three + and a half millions. At this time, the present director came + in charge, and increased the sale to eight millions per + year, until, in 1866, the total sales by this one house + only, amounted to the enormous number of sixteen million + cigars, which went to different parts of the world. The + tobacco manipulated in this factory is, with some few + exceptions, that grown upon plantations in the Vuelta Abojo, + with the proprietors of which Senor del Valle has a special + contract for their product. The most noted of these places + are known as '_La Lena_,' '_San Juan aj Martin_,' '_Los + Pilotos_,' '_Rio Hondo_.' The firm also own three _vegas_, + as do also Partagas, Uppmann, and others, in a greater or + less degree. The amount raised upon these _vegas_ in + connection with the Cabanos Factory, amounts to five + thousand bales, of from first to eighth quality, leaving + the most inferior qualities, which amount to about one + thousand bales, for exportation, the factory not using such + common grades. It is a custom of the manufacturers to keep a + supply of the best qualities always on hand from year to + year, in order that, should the tobacco crop, in any one + year, be bad, the reputation of the house can be maintained + by using the good tobacco in the store. The factory is a + large stone building, opposite the Canipo de Moste, in which + all the operations connected with cigar making are carried + on (excepting the manufacture of boxes) by over five hundred + operatives, all males. The following is the process of + manufacture: + + "Arrived at the factory, the tobacco bales, carefully packed + and wrapped in palm leaves, are kept in a cool, dark, place + on the first floor, being divided off into classes according + to quality and value, which latter varies from twenty to + four hundred dollars per bale of two hundred pounds. When + wanted, the bales are opened, the _manojas_ and _gabillos_ + are separated, and the latter carried in their dry state to + the moistening room. Here are a number of men whose business + it is to place the leaves, for the purpose of moistening and + softening them, into large barrels in which is a solution of + saltpetre in water; this done, the water is poured off, and + other workmen spread out the leaves with their hands upon + the edges of the barrels, ridding them as much as possible, + of any surplus water; after which, the leaves, from being + moistened, unfold very easily, and, with care, without + tearing. The stem is then taken out, the process being known + as _disbalillar_. These stems, with the refuse of other + tobacco, are sometime used as filling for the commonest kind + of cigars. The filling is known as _tripa_, the very best + being selected, like the leaf, for the best cigars. Now + comes the maker, and supplying himself with a handful of + leaf (_copa_) for wrappers, and a lot of the _tripa_ for + filling or really making the body of the cigar itself he + carries it to a little table, and spreading the wrapper upon + the table, cuts with a short knife the different portions of + the leaf. This is a very nice operation, requiring skill, + knowledge, and experience; for it is in this operation that + the different qualities of tobacco are separated, the + outside of the leaf being generally the best; next that, + another quality; and that portion adjoining the stem the + worst. + +[Illustration: Tobacco leaf.] + + "The general sorting of the tobacco is done by hands of + great experience and judgment, who are the highest in + consideration in the factories, some of them receiving + large pay; thus for instance, the official _escojedor_, or + chooser, gets from five to seven dollars (gold) per day, and + the _torcedores_, or twisters, from two to four, the workmen + being paid so much per thousand cigars, generally from two + to four dollars. To show how very careful the maker must be + in cutting out the leaf to make the most of it: Mr. del + Valle was explaining to me the process of manufacture, and + directed the maker to cut the leaf. This the man did drawing + his knife in the manner denoted by the dotted lines in the + engraving. This it appears was not making the most of the + fine part of the leaf, for Mr. del Valle, annoyed, took the + knife himself, and after rating the maker soundly for his + carelessness, showed him how to cut it properly, as defined + by the black line, the difference being, as far as I could + judge, a slight inequality of color between the two parts. + The manufacture of the cigar is very simple. The cigar + maker, being seated before a low work table, which has + raised ledges on every side except that nearest him, takes a + leaf of tobacco, spreads it out smoothly before him, and + cuts it as in the drawing. He then lays a few fragments of + tobacco (_tripa_) in the centre or a leaf strip and rolls + the whole into the shape of a cigar, and taking then a + wrapper, rolls it spirally around the cigar. If the workman + is skillful, he makes it of just the right length and size, + without any trimming of the knife. The cigars are assorted, + counted, and done up in bundles of generally twenty-five + each, and then packed in the boxes, ready for market, under + their different names of _Londres_, _Regalias_, etc. These + names are generally understood to have the same meaning + throughout the trade, the '_Vegueros_,' for instance, being + the plantation cigars, made at the _regas_, and much + esteemed by smokers, though they are rarely to be met with + for sale, or, if so, at an exhorbitant price. The '_Regalia + Imperial_,' the finest and best, is nearly seven inches + long, the price varying from one hundred and fifty to three + hundred dollars per thousand (gold). The '_Regalia_' is not + so large but fine, the '_Trabuco_,' short and thick; the + '_Londres_,' the most convenient in shape, and most smoked + in this country and England; the '_Dama_' the small sized + one used by ladies(?) or by men between acts of the opera + (_entr' operas_). There are also other names which each + factory has for some particular kinds. Artificial flavors + are given to cigars, when some particular taste is to be + satisfied, by the use of flavoring extracts. Each of the + above names has different qualities, as: + + _Londres_ '_superfine_' the very best of that size (delicious). + " '_fino_,' not quite so fine. + " '_flor_,' finest, or firsts. + " '_superior_,' next, or seconds. + " '_buenos_,' next, or thirds. + + Again, these different qualities have different colors, + known as: '_maduro_,' strongest; '_oscuro_,' strong (dark); + '_colorado_,' medium; '_claro_,' mild; '_Brevors_,' means + pressed. Thus, supposing one wanted a good cigar to suit his + taste, he would perhaps order: 'Partagas' (maker), 'londres' + (size), 'flor' (quality), 'Colorado' or 'oscuro' (strength), + and he would get a good cigar, nice size, best quality, not + too strong, or too mild. + + "I must confess to a weakness for the Uppmann cigars, which + I have found, without exception, to be good, and which have + a fine reputation throughout the West Indies. A millionaire + need not want a better cigar to smoke than their '_Londres + superfine_,' at sixty dollars (gold) per thousand, in + Havana, or their '_Cazadores_,' at fifty dollars. Partagas + cigars of course, every one knows are good; and he keeps + generally pretty well sold up, but fills orders as they come + in. For a new experience, one of his '_Regalio Reyno flor_,' + is something to try, even if they do cost out there + eighty-five dollars, gold. + + "In all the factories they make about the following rates: + For every order of ten thousand, costing fifty dollars per + thousand, five per cent. discount is allowed. Less than five + thousand will pay five dollars extra. I should, perhaps, + mention that no distinction is made to dealers, the only + advantage they have over the private buyer is, that they are + enabled to get the discount for large lots. The absurd + notion so prevalent with us, that the Cubans only smoke + their cigars green, is an error, since the leaf is entirely + dried in the sun before being touched by the manufacturer. + The Cubans are very particular indeed to preserve the aroma + and fragrance of the cigars, by keeping them in wrappers of + oiled and soft silks; it is, in fact, quite a sight to see + with what ceremony some of these are produced at gentlemen's + tables, with much unction, like the ushering in of old wine. + My chapter on cigars would be incomplete did I fail to note + the beautiful and courteous way in which all Cubans no + matter of what position, whether the exquisite at the club, + or the _portero_ at the door, ask you for a light. 'Do me + the favor Senor?' and you present your cigar, the lighted + end towards the speaker. He takes the cigar delicately + between his thumb and fore-finger, lights his own, and then, + with a quick, graceful motion, turns yours in his fingers, + presenting you, with another wave, the mouth end, makes you + a hand salute, utters his _gracios_, and leaves you studying + out the 'motions' and thinking what a charming thing is + national politeness." + +In the selection of leaves for the manufacture of cigars in the +factories only the large fine ones are used for _Regalias_, +_Imperiales_, or _Medios Regalias_; and also for _Cazadores_, +_Panetelos_, _Imperiales_, _Caballeros_, and so on; the smaller fine +leaves for _Panetelos_ and _Londres_; the dark inferior leaves for +_Canones_. The commonest tobacco goes to form the _Milores Communes_; +the worst is converted into cigars which are generally pressed flat, +and known as _Prinsados_. For the smallest kind of _Londres_ and for +_Damos_, a proportionally small leaf is employed. + +In Cuba and Luzon, one of the Philippine Islands, is found one of the +largest factories for cigars in the world. In Manilla there are three +factories where 7,000 families and 1,200 males are employed: one in +Cavite, in which 5,000 operatives, mostly females, are engaged; and +one in Malabar, which gives employment to about 2,000 more, also +females. The tobacco is worked into both cigars and cheroots both of +which have a variety of shapes. In both Manilla and Havana the custom +of smoking is universal and one rarely meets with any of the male sex +without a cigar between his lips. + +A writer speaking of the universality of the custom says: + + "In Havana, the custom of smoking is a universal one. There, + young and old indulge freely in the use of the weed, + dividing their attention pretty equally between the cigar + and the cigarette. Even the ladies of the better class in + many instances indulge; though not to so great an extent as + is commonly reported." + + "Smoking in Cuba" says an American writer, "is like the + habit of making shoes in Lynn, Massachusetts, everybody + smokes!--in the house, and by the way; in the cars, and on + horseback; everywhere, and at all times. You meet whole + regiments of youngsters, from six to eight years of age, + with black beaver hats, tail-coats, and canes, each with a + cigar, nearly his own size, in his mouth. You feel like + putting the miniature dandies into the water of the next + fountain basin, which shallow as it is, would fully, suffice + to drown the largest of them." + +[Illustration: Wenches smoking.] + +You have a right to accost any one smoking in the street, however much +may be his superiority or inferiority to yourself, and to ask a light +for your cigar; even negroes hatless and shirtless, thus address +well-dickied gentlemen, and _vice versa_. Refuse to take a cigar with +a Cuban, and you refuse his friendship. The negroes cannot work at all +without their quota of cigars; "and looking out of the windows of a +room in that magnificent hotel '_El Telegrafo_,' the writer remembers +to have caught a glimpse more than once of the negro women at work in +the laundry, every one of whom held a long cigar in her mouth, and +puffed incessantly as the clothes were manipulated upon the +washboards." In Havana, as throughout Cuba, there is a cigar +etiquette, to infringe any of the rules of which is construed as an +insult. It is, for instance considered a breach of etiquette when you +are asked for a light to hand your cigar without first knocking off +the ashes. A greater breach, however, is to pass the cigar handed for +you to obtain a light from, to a third party for a similar purpose; +the rule is to hand back the cigar with as graceful a wave as you can +command, and then if necessary, pass your own cigar to the third +party. + +[Illustration: A moonlight reverie in Havana.] + +The insult direct in cigar etiquette is for the party to whom you +apply for a light, to pass on and leave you with the remains of his +cigar, or to intimate to you, by word or action, that he has no +further use for it, and that you can throw it away. In Cuba, where +cigars are plentiful, the usual custom is, when you ask for a light, +even if the party be a stranger, to pull out your case and offer him a +cigar, by way of recognizing the civility in stopping to accommodate +you. The Spaniards are naturally a polite people, and the stranger +stepping into the Louvre and other public places of resort in Havana, +is struck at once with the marked contrast in this respect to familiar +gatherings elsewhere. In no place is a cigar more enjoyable than in +Havana. Seated upon the roof of one of the large hotels in that city +in a bright moonlight night, within hearing of the dreamy roll on the +beach: the regular throb of the sea, lulling one into quietness; the +sigh of the summer breeze a lullaby to the senses; while a +high-flavored prime cigar, as it wastes and floats away in air, is +the fairy wand which opens the enchanted gates of Reverie and +Imagination. + +What need of a friend under such soothing circumstances? What need of +the jolly _camarade_ of former days to sigh back sigh for sigh, puff +for puff, and wander in gentle reminiscences over the Lesbian +labyrinth of the past, when Julia was most kind, or Cynthia, darling +girl, delighted in the perfume of a capital havana? Here, in this +quaint old city by the sea, is the place for dreams and reveries and +the utter rendering of one's self up--to a good cigar. Is it not a +place for reverie? Has not one with this most respectable weed, this +prime _havana_, the concomitants of a thousand reveries? Will not one +puff of that narcotic breath drowse deep all watching dragons, and +make for him the sleeping beauties of his will? And, _presto_, there +they are! and, oh! ye houris of the South, with what a smile and +glance between the azure puffs! Well let me not forget myself. With a +sterner morality he sees how the bending Bedouin fashions his pipe in +the moistened ground; he sees the slender Indian reed with the flat +bowls of Lahore and Oude, the pipe of the Anglo-eyed celestial, the +red clay of Bengal, and the glittering gilded cups in which the +dark-skinned races of Siam, the Malacca Isles, and the Philippines, +love to enshrine their dreamy opium-haunted spirits of the weed. He +sees how in the squatter's hut the old squaw sits by her hunter lord, +and puffs at the corn-cob sweetness, and how by lonely ways the +traveler rests and thinks of home, and in the blue smoke greets once +more the faces of the loved, perhaps forever gone. He sees how the +Esquimaux, with his hollow Walrus-tooth, makes bearable the stifling +squalor of his den; or, sterner and graver still, some item of +historic lore mingles rudely with his dreams, and elbows sharply the +airy spirits of his smoke-engendered thoughts. Softly tremble in the +delicate blue mist and the azure spirals from his old Virginia +clay--the domes of a sea-bathed city. Loftily pierce the tall white +minarets into the quivering heavens, while the solemn cypress throws +its shade below. Before him, silent-paced as in a dream, files the +weird array of Arab camels, bowing their long necks tufted with +crimson braids, and measuring the brown sands of the desert with +ghost-like tread. 'Tis the moon of Egypt and the waters of the Nile; +'tis the palm-bough waves for him; and women, free-limbed, with +flashing eyes, and antique water-vases on their heads, move past him +from the low-rimmed shadowy wells. And he sees them there and smiles. + +[Illustration: By the sea.] + +He sees on beach by the sea the summer idler sitting beneath the +jutting rock, gazing far out upon the sea, yet ignoring the white +sails that pass up and down before him, as well as the open volume +upon his knee, while his thoughts float outward and upward with the +graceful wreaths of smoke that encircle his head; and if of a +practical turn, he listlessly wonders why, if his own delightful land +furnishes some twentieth of the whole Tobacco produce of the world, +and does honor to her native weed by being its mightiest consumer, +why, in the name of all disasters, the product is so dear--ay, doubly +dear? And thus as his pipe burns low, a hundred other statistics; +then, knocking out his whitened ashes on the floor, he reads sedately +(his pipe being out) that the "Tobacco plant furnishes ashes to the +amount of one-fourth of its bulk, being a much greater proportion than +that of any other vegetable product," and, moreover, that "Tobacco +exhausts the soil at the ratio of fourteen tons of wheat to one of +Tobacco!" Oh, base insinuation! But, as he relights his pipe, and the +graceful vapor circles in fresh buoyancy and grace before him, he +only, in his contented mind, retains that one supreme expression--"_One +ton of Tobacco!_" Ah, + + "Think of it, picture it + Now, if you can!" + +From "A Paper of Tobacco,"[63] we extract the following humorous +description of Yankee cigar smokers, which to a certain extent is true +to life, but like most of the articles descriptive of American life by +English Authors, who travel in America and write _a book_ afterwards, +it is exaggerated or overdrawn: + + [Footnote 63: London, 1839.] + +[Illustration: An American smoker.] + + "The Americans, who pride themselves on being the + fastest-going people on the 'versal globe'--who build + steamers that can out-paddle the sea-serpent and breed + horses that can trot faster than an ostrich can run--are, + undoubtedly, entitled to take precedence of all nations as + consumers of the weed. The sedentary Turk, who smokes from + morn to night, does not, on an average, get through so much + tobacco per annum, as a right slick, active, go-ahead + Yankee, who thinks nothing, 'upon his own relation,' of + felling a wagon-load of timber before breakfast, or of + cutting down a couple of acres corn before dinner. The + Americans, it is to be observed, generally smoke cigars; and + tobacco in this form burns very fast away in the open air, + more especially when the consumer is rapidly locomotive, + whether upon his own legs, the back of a horse, the top of a + coach, the deck of a steamboat, or in an open railway + carriage. The habit of chewing tobacco is also prevalent + in 'the States,' nor is it, as in Great Britain and Ireland, + almost entirely confined to the poorer classes. Members of + the House of Representatives and of the Senate, doctors, + judges, barristers, and attorneys chew tobacco almost as + generally as the laboring classes in the old country. Even + in a court of justice, more especially in the Western + States, it is no unusual thing to see judge, jury, and the + gentlemen of the bar, all chewing and spitting as liberally + as the crew of a homeward-bound West Indiaman. It must + indeed be confessed that Brother Jonathan loves tobacco 'not + wisely but too well,' and that the habits which are induced + by his manner of using it are far from 'elegant.' The truth + is, he neither smokes nor chews like a gentleman; he lives + in a land of liberty, and takes his tobacco when and where + he pleases. He spits as freely as he smokes and chews--upon + the carpet or in the fire-place--for he is not particular as + to where he squirts his copious saliva, and does not think + with the late Dr. Samuel Parr, that a spitting-box is a + necessary article of household furniture. The free-born + citizen of the States laughs at the aristocratic + restrictions imposed on smoking in England, where, on board + of the numerous steamboats that ply on the Thames, + conveying the pride of the city to Gravesend and Margate, no + smoking is allowed abaft the funnel, and where, in + public-houses ashore, no gentleman is permitted to smoke in + the parlor before two o'clock in the afternoon. A pipe of + tobacco, or a cigar, after a day's hard exercise, whether + mental or bodily, and after the cravings of hunger and + thirst are appeased, may be fairly ranked amongst the most + delightful and most harmless of all earthly luxuries. It + fills the mind with pleasing visions, and the heart with + kindly feelings. A hard-working laborer, smoking by the side + of his hearth at night, presents a perfect picture of quiet + enjoyment. I see him now in my mind's eye. He is seated in + an old high-backed, cushionless arm-chair, but an easy one, + nevertheless, to him, who from dawn till sunset, has been + engaged in ploughing, thrashing, ditching, or mowing. With + one leg thrown over the other, he quietly reclines backward, + and with an expression of perfect mental composure, he gazes + on the smoke that ascends from his pipe. There is a + sentiment-exciting power[64] in the smoke of tobacco when + perceived by the eye, as well as a pleasing sedative effect + when inhaled; and those smokers who have any doubt of the + fact should take a pipe with their eyes closed. A person who + smokes with his eyes shut cannot very well tell whether his + cigar is lighted or not. How soothing is a pipe or a cigar + to a wearied sportsman, on his return to his inn from the + moors! As he sits quietly smoking, he thinks of the absent + friends whom he will gratify with presents of grouse; and, + in a state of perfect contentment with himself and all the + world, he determines to give all his game away. Full of such + kindly feelings, he retires to bed; but, alas, with + day-light, when the effect of the tobacco has subsided, the + old leaven of selfishness prevails, and his good intentions + are abandoned. 'Mary,' said an old Cumberland farmer to his + daughter, when she was once asking him to buy her a new + beaver, 'why dost thou always tease me about such things + when I'm quietly smoking my pipe?' 'Because ye are always + best-tempered then, feyther,' was the reply. 'I believe, + lass, thou's reet,' rejoined the farmer; 'for when I was a + lad, I remember that my poor feyther was just the same; + after he had smoked a pipe or twee he wad ha' gi'en his head + away if it had been loose.'" + + [Footnote 64: The smoke ascending from the snuff of a + candle could excite a sentimental feeling in the minds + of Wordsworth and Sir George Beaumont, though it seems + to have had no such effect on the mind of + Crabbe.--_Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott._] + +The following ode to a Cigar is no doubt familiar to many, yet will +pay a re-perusal: + + "And oft, mild friend, to me thou art + A monitor, though still; + Thou speak'st a lesson to my heart + Beyond the preacher's skill. + + "Thou'rt like the man of worth, who gives + To goodness every day, + The odor of whose virtues lives + When he has passed away. + + "When in the lonely evening hour, + Attended but by thee, + O'er history's varied page I pore, + Man's fate in thine I see. + + "Oft, as thy snowy column grows, + Then breaks and falls away, + I trace how mighty realms thus rose, + Thus trembled to decay. + + "Awhile, like thee, earth's masters burn, + And smoke and fume around, + And then like thee to ashes turn, + And mingle with the ground. + + "Life's but a leaf adroitly rolled, + And time's the wasting breath, + That, late or early, we behold + Gives all to dusty death. + + "From beggar's frieze to monarch's robe + One common doom is passed; + Sweet nature's work, the swelling globe, + Must all burn out at last. + + "And what is he who smokes thee now? + A little moving heap, + That soon, like thee, to fate must bow, + With thee in dust must sleep. + + "But though thy ashes downward go, + Thy essence rolls on high; + Thus, when my body must lie low, + My soul shall cleave the sky." + +In Charles Butler's "Story of Count Bismarck's Life," a good anecdote +is told of the Count and his last cigar:-- + + "'The value of a good cigar,' said Bismarck, as he proceeded + to light an excellent Havana, 'is best understood when it is + the last you possess, and there is no chance of getting + another. At Koeniggraetz I had only one cigar left in my + pocket, which I carefully guarded during the whole of the + battle as a miser does his treasure. I did not feel + justified in using it. I painted in glowing colors in my + mind the happy hour when I should enjoy it after the + victory. But I had miscalculated my chances.' 'And what was + the cause of your miscalculation?' 'A poor dragoon. He lay + helpless, with both arms crushed, murmuring for something to + refresh him. I felt in my pockets and found I had only gold, + and that would be of no use to him. But, stay, I had still + my treasured cigar! I lighted this for him, and placed it + between his teeth. You should have seen the poor fellow's + grateful smile! I never enjoyed a cigar so much as that one + which I did not smoke.'" + +In European cities juveniles offer the smoker, at every street corner, +a "pipe" or a "cigar light." The following description, entitled +"Light, Sir," is from an English journal, and contains much +interesting information on the various modes of lighting pipes and +cigars. + +[Illustration: "Light, Sir."] + + "''Ere y'are, sir--pipe-light, cigar-light, on'y 'ap'ny a + box--'ave a light, sir.' Every smoker of the larger cities + knows the cry. Every tender-hearted smoker is familiar with + the appeal, by day and by night, and remembers pangs of + regret he has felt when the want of ha'pence or the + repletion of his match-box has prevented his much-besought + response. There is no need now to enlarge upon the + sufferings, the adventures, the dangers of these peripatetic + juvenile trades folk, sparse of clothes and food, and full + of the material which may make or mar a nation; for all + this was done, and even overdone, by the graphic + sensationalists of the London penny dailies when Chancellor + Lowe proposed a tax on matches. We may, upon occasion, feel + for the manufacturers and venders of 'lights,' but more + generally we find ourselves constrained to sympathize with + the purchasers of such contrivances for the ignition of + pipes and cigars. The smoking of tobacco is an art; an art + which, in its proper exercise, requires much care, much + prudence, and not a little skill. This is a proposition + which must, from its very nature, be startling to + non-smokers, and surprising to many smokers. The tobacco + hater (invariably an illogical creature, who hates that + which he knows not) will hold up hands in amazement, and + sniff with the nose in contempt, to whom reply would be + superfluous. + + "With the smoker the case is otherwise. A German writer + recently said that the English were better smokers than the + Germans; because, whereas the German smoked incessantly, + without rule, system, or moderation, the English smoked with + care, with slow and appreciative lovingness, and the + determination not to overstep the bounds of rational + enjoyment. Had he known more of English smokers, he would + not have made so wild a statement; and had he known English + women better, he would never have attributed to their sweet + influence the fancied superiority he describes in English as + compared with German smoking. In truth, the art of tobacco + using is nowhere more ignored, nowhere more contemptuously + neglected than in these 'favored isles.' For one man who + smokes with a reason, for a purpose, or by system, you shall + find a thousand who smoke without either; and the result is + that those who smoke have little defense, in the general + way, for their practice, while those who condemn the habit + have far better grounds for their opposition than they have + ever yet been able to explain. To those who do know why they + use tobacco, it is well-nigh incredible that so many of + their fellow-smokers should be ignorant of the properties, + the uses, the abuses, of the weed they burn and the fumes in + which they delight. Yet, even this is not so surprising as + the fact that so few of those who smoke--smoke much, often + and constantly--should be ignorant of, or indifferent to, + the conditions which are necessary to their own adequate + enjoyment of the weed. + + "You will see a man light a cigar so carelessly that one + side of the roll will burn rapidly, with prodigious + fumigation and giving out a dark and offensive cloud, while + the other side remains untouched by the fire, only to wither + and crackle and twist into uncouth shapes, until the smoker + flings the cigar away, with an accompaniment of expletives + which attach rather to his own stupidity than to the piece + of tobacco he has so abominably abused. You will see another + with a good pipe, laden with good tobacco, well lit, blowing + incessantly down the mouth-piece and the stem until the + moisture introduced with his breath into the bowl of his + pipe effectually prevents the tobacco from burning, and puts + out the fire; and then you will hear him lament that he + should have paid so good a price for a pipe so bad that it + 'fouls' before he has smoked a single hour. You will see + another who, while he talks to his friends, allows his + tobacco to go out every three or four minutes, so that at + length his mouth is sore and his palate nauseated with the + combined fumes of lucifer matches, burnt paper and exhausted + tobacco dust; and he inveighs against the 'cabbage-leaf + which that rascally tobacconist sold him for good Shag or + Cavendish.' Another knows so little of the art of smoking + that he never 'stops' his pipe, and so allows the light dust + of the burnt weed to fly about him in flakes and minute + particles, to the permanent damage of his own and his + neighbors' clothes. But in nothing is the inartistic + character of English smoking so conspicuously exemplified as + in the use of 'lights.' Those who form the great majority of + smokers amongst the English-speaking races seem to consider + that, so long as their pipes are set alight, it matters not + how or from what source the light is obtained. Thus, one + will place his pipe-bowl in a flame of gas, and pull away at + the stem till his tobacco is on fire; another will thrust + the bowl into the midst of a coal fire, and when he sees a + glow in the bowl withdraw it, and contentedly puff away; + another stops an obliging policeman or railway guard, and + ignites his tobacco by hard pulling at the flame of an + oil-lamp; another will stick the end of a choice cigar into + the bowl of a pipe filled with coarsest Shag, thus ruining + the flavor of his 'prime Havana' forever; while yet another + will light lucifer matches, and apply the blazing brimstone + to his pipe or cigar, thus saturating the whole mass with + sulphurous and phosphoretic fumes, to the ruin of the weed + and the injury of his own health. + + "How much wiser the West Indian negro, who takes a burning + stick from the wood fire, and tenderly lights his weed + therewith, or joyfully brings a handful of the white-hot + ashes in his thick-skinned palm, that 'massa' may fire his + cigar! Or the travelling peddler or tinker, who, as he sits + by the way-side, patiently wooes the sun with a + 'burning-glass' till his tobacco ignites, or uses with equal + prudence and skill the ancient but inimitable tinder-box. + +[Illustration: Bringing a light.] + + "But this is the age of Fusees. What a name! When, in our + youth, those longitudinal strips of tinder, semi-divided + into innumerable transverse slips, all tipped with harmless, + ignitable matter, first assumed the title, we had little + notion of the atrocities which would come to be dignified by + their name. This was soon after the world had been delighted + by the Congreves, which drove Lucifer to the wall, and + before English and German ingenuity had taught us to find + 'death' in the box, as well as 'the pot.' The innocent old + fusee had his faults, certainly. He would not always light; + he had a bad habit of turning back on your finger-nail and + burning its quick when you struck him; and he would + occasionally light up, all by himself, and set fire to fifty + of his fellows in your waist-coast pocket, or the tail of + your best dress-coat. (Those were the days when waist-coats + were gorgeous and tail-coats immense.) But what were these + peccadilloes compared with the sins of the modern + 'cigar-light?' 'Fusees,' forsooth! More like bomb-shells, + military mines, torpedoes, and nitroglycerine trains. Who + has not had them explode in his eye, on his cheek, down his + neck, scarring his skin, burning holes in his coats and + trousers, frightening passers-by, and doing all manner of + deep-dyed devilment? Nor is this the worst. Those who will + trust their skins, and their eyes, and their clothes to + 'Vesuvians,' 'Flamers,' and the like, are not to be pitied; + for they are more cruel to their tobacco than the fusees are + to them. Our grievance is that so many engines of + destructiveness and offensiveness should be so largely + patronized by smokers, to their own discomfort, the + ruination of their tobacco, the scandalization of gentle and + simple, and the encouragement of vicious manufactures. Now, + we are not going to particularize too closely, for fear of + consequences. In these days, when a man may bring an action + for libel because it has been said of him that he sells bad + soup at a railway station, prudence is the better part of + valor. But, just examine this heterogeneous pile of + 'cigar-lights,' which rears its audacious head upon the + table. Here are Palmers, Barbers, Farmers, Lord Lornes, + Tichbornes, Bryants and Moys, Bells and Blacks, Alexandres, + Bismarcks, King Williams, Napoleons, and scores of other + varieties. Some light 'only on the box,' some light + anywhere, some everywhere, and some nowhere. Some are on + wood, some on porcelain, some on glass, some on dire deeds + intent. There are vestas, safety-matches, patent + flint-and-steel contrivances, with silver tubes and + marvellous screws wherewith to put them out when they have + served your turn. Some are excellent, many passable, still + more intolerable. One of these times it may be worth while + to speak of the good ones, but at present we care only to + treat of those that are bad, and that briefly. + + "Here's a 'Flamer'--we name no names--everybody seems to + make flamers; and this one deserves his title. We want to + light a peaceful pipe, and he bursts out in a fury like unto + nothing on earth so much as Etna in convulsion, or the + Tuilleries in petroleum blaze. But, if you have any respect + for your tobacco, your lips, your nostrils, or your lungs, + you will let him get rid of his flames before you apply him + to your cigar; and, when you do venture so far, he drops off + the stick and burns a hole in the carpet. Or, if you be + daring enough to take a light from the flamer while he + flames, you spoil your tobacco, foul your mouth, and get a + taste of sulphur-suffocation such as Asmodeus might have + were he to take a whiff of a smoke-and-fire belching chimney + in the Black Country as he flies across that district by + night. Haven't got a light? Glad of it. Try a + Vesuvian-round, black and tipped with blue. There's a + pyrotechnic display for you! Now, in with it, after the + approved style illustrated by the two human hands engaged in + lighting a cigar on the illuminated cover of the box. 'Ugh!' + you say. Just so; you've got a mouthful of choice + abominations, which will cost you much waste of saliva, + several shivers, and the whole piece of tobacco you were + about to enjoy. Here, put that away; take another, light it + quietly with this wax-vesta, or this wooden 'spill,' or this + screw of paper; smoke gently, don't let the fire out, and + you'll be all right. In future, you may be wise enough to + avoid cheap cigar-lights and pipe-lights, even for use in + the streets. Our word upon it--they are far dearer than + those which cost more." + +The following description of "Home Made Cigars" is from _All the Year +Round_, and will doubtless be read with interest by many growers of +the weed who may recall similar scenes: + + "'Apropos of cigars,' said Wilkins, lighting a second + fragrant Havana with the stump of the first, 'let's go and + see the farmer's establishment for making them. You see that + field of tobacco over yonder? Old Standish raises his own + weed, dries it in the big open sheds behind the barn, cures + it--I don't quite know the whole process--and then has it + made into sixes and short fives, Conchas and Cabanas, like a + Cuban senor. I went over the establishment about a year ago, + and it is worth seeing.' + + "We strolled first over to the tobacco field. The weed was + then just at its full ripeness, and the long, flappy, + delicately-furred green leaves bent gracefully over toward + the ground, growing smaller and smaller the higher they were + on the stout stalk. Few foreigners know that even as far + north as New England, in the sunny valleys of Connecticut, + sheltered as they are from the bleak east winds of the + Atlantic and accustomed to a long and steady summer heat, + tobacco is grown in large quantities, flourishes + exuberantly, and is one of the chief sources of profit to + the farmers. It needs a rich warm soil and careful tending; + but it gives in its growth, a sentimental reward to the + cultivator; for it comes up gracefully, rapidly, and + beautifully, and is with some care, one of the most + satisfactory crops to 'handle.' Having gazed at and tasted + the thick leaves, we sauntered behind the barn, and there + saw the long open shed, with beams running parallel from + end to end, where the gathered tobacco leaves were hung to + be thoroughly dried by the sun. + +[Illustration: Making cigars.] + + "Then Wilkins conducted us for some distance along the river + bank; we jumped into a boat and rowed perhaps half a mile, + landing by the side of a little shop-like building, where we + heard the hum of voices and the commotion of many busy + persons. We entered and found ourselves in a long, low room, + having wide tables ranged along the walls; here, working + rapidly, were rows of chatty country girls, who, as they + worked, laughed and talked, and now and then hummed a verse + of some familiar ballad. Neatly packed piles of the dried + and cured leaf lay upon the table before them. + + "Each was armed with knives and cutters, and we watched the + quick transformation of the flat leaves into the smooth and + compact cigars. The tobacco grown upon the farm was, we + discovered, only used as wrappers for the cigars. The good + farmer imported, for the interior filling, a fine tobacco + from Havana. Strips and little pieces of this the girls + placed in the centre of the cigar, wrapping the Connecticut + tobacco in wide strips tightly about it, then pasting each + of the last with some paste in a pot by their side. It + seemed to be done almost in an instant; the Havana slips + were laid down, cut and trimmed, and pressed into shape in + a twinkling; the wrappers were cut as quickly; and, more + rapidly than I can describe it, the cigar was made. These + girls were mostly daughters of neighboring farmers, who + received so much per hundred cigars made; intelligent, + bright-eyed and witty; many of them comely, with rosy cheeks + and ruddy health; educated at the common schools, and able, + their day's work over, to sit down at the piano and rattle + away _ad infinitum_. + + "His stock of cigars thus made up, from the first sowing to + the last finishing touch, the good squire (being + Yankee-like, a sort of Jack-of-all-trades,) would have them + put up in gorgeously labeled boxes, carry them to town, and + sell them to retail dealers; not disdaining himself, twice + or thrice a year, to go through the neighboring States with + samples, and acting as his own commercial traveler." + +This description, however, may not convey a correct idea of the exact +mode of manufacture to many growers of tobacco in the Connecticut +Valley inasmuch as many planters of the "weed" make the entire cigar +(more particularly for their own use) wrapper, binder and filler +wholly of seed-leaf tobacco, such cigars do not readily sell to the +trade except at inferior prices which admit of but a small profit to +the manufacturer. The following spicy article from the "London +_Figaro_" may be interesting to all smokers as well as guide them in +the selection of a good cigar. + + "I am an imaginative person, and 'society' has treated me + shamefully of late--its tangible delights are absent from + me. Allow me, then, to console myself by the 'creations of + smoke,' as Lord Lytton puts it. I am scouted by society + because I am in love. I am told I look: + + "As hyenas in love are supposed to look, or + A something between Abelard and old Bluecher." + + And, moreover, I am an ugly man, but there was only a + fortnight's difference in gaining a woman's love between + John Wilkes and the handsomest man in England, courage, + Jehu! I like idleness, because it shows that one can afford + it; so I am puffing idly--ah! the balmy fragrance of this + mild Havana! 'Oh! the effect of that first note from the + woman one loves!' says one; 'Oh! the kiss on the dimpled + cheek, the sound of the silver voice!' says another; but + what can compare to the dreamy exquisite luxury of a good + cigar? But, heavens, what am I saying? I am in love, and + Julia reads the "_Figaro_!" The paleness of Flaxman's + illustrations spreads over me--please, reader, look upon the + sentiment as sarcastic. I am in a fog of smoke, and am + quaffing claret from the silvered pewter. There's plenty of + it; and no soul can say: + + "That in drinking from _that_ beaker + I am sipping like a fly.' + + How changed from the long, long days ago, when I was a + connoisseur in Parparillo cigars, brown-paper cigarettes, + and cane cheroots! Then I fondly adored Sir Walter Raleigh + as my earthly idol, for giving me tobacco--when I had the + halfpence to buy it--and delighted in the story, told by + queer Oldys, of Sir Walter's servant extinguishing the + Virginny smoke that issued from his master's lips, by + drenching him with ale. Alas! my idol is shattered by + Hawkins. The Spaniards say, 'The lie that lasts for half an + hour is worth telling.' History has lied for longer, by a + considerable period. Fond even as I was of my brown-papered + cigarettes when baccy failed, I must confess I never reached + the stage attained by Sir Christopher Haydon's chaplain, + William Breedon, parson of Thornton, in Bucks, who was so + given to + + "October store and best Virginia," + + that when he had no tobacco (and too much drink) he used to + cut the _bell-ropes_ and smoke them! + + "The Polyglot--three parts--my text; + Howbeit--likewise--now to my next." + + "On Smoke.--It is a vulgar, ludicrous, and foolish custom to + bite off the nose of a cigar. Don't be a Vandal--you are not + a Sandwich Islander, about to chew your _Kava_. A cigar + should be handled daintily; it is a fragile, graceful + creature--don't mar its beauty. Tear off the twist, and the + pleasure of smoking is at an end! The outer leaf becomes + untwirled. Ere it is half finished, you have a ragged end + between your lips--nasty, foul, and unsightly--through which + the smoke comes in huge clouds to your mouth, instead of + slender streams on the palate. 'How, then,' say you; 'prick + it, or cut it, or what? Tear it not, cut it not; nor yet + puncture it. Don't be frightened of the cigar--thrusting a + half-inch alone into the mouth; but, when you begin, take a + good half of it in the mouth; pull at it lustily for a few + seconds, to open its pores; then draw it out, allowing but + an inch to be held within the lips--believe me, you will + enjoy it a hundred-fold more; and there are but few cigars + that will not allow of their virtue being drawn though their + leaves. Never bite the end off, and never use your cigar + cruelly, by squeezing it, biting it, or re-lighting it. + Cigar-holders, tubes, quills, and such like inventions, we + despise. If you cannot bear the cigar in your mouth--aye, + and enjoy it--you have no business with it: go back to your + brown paper and cane! + + "What is the best beverage to imbibe whilst inhaling the + precious weed? Momentous question! Coffee, or claret, says + Jehu. I do not believe in bitter, as an accompanying liquid + to a cigar. The Corporation of Christ-church, years ago, + smoked cigars, and drank with them that then famous + concoction known as 'Ringwood Beer.' What was the result? + The first toast at every civic banquet held for years in + that borough was gravely given out, and bumpered with due + solemnity, as follows:-- + + 'Prosperation to this Corporation.' + + Brandy is a perfect antidote to inebriation from beer, so we + are told. The Corporation should have known this, and been + awakened from their long and pleasant dream of + _prosperation_. Brandy I should hardly reckon amongst the + drinks that ought to be with cigars, notwithstanding that + Tennyson has asked:-- + + 'For what delights can equal those + Which stir, with spirits, inner depths? &c.' + + Brandy-and-water, gin, whisky, and the likes are only fit + for those who nocturnally lay the foundation for matutinal + 'hot coppers,' with the vilest shag in the most odorous of + yards of clay. 'Smoking leads to drinking,' has been a + favorite old woman's saying for time out of mind. How I hate + old women's sayings! A grain--requiring to be picked out + with a pin and microscope--of truth, with a bushel of bunkum + or cant. How is it, that ever since the days of James I, of + 'hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain' memory, there + have always been carpers on the injurious effects of + smoking? 'Nicotine!' they say, with a + would-be-taken-for-know-all-about-it-air. Quite so; but, as + recent investigations have proved that, so far as the actual + 'poisoning' is concerned, it would take upwards of a + thousand years to kill the most inveterate of healthy + smokers, we have still time to breathe--and 'it please the + pigs.' _Mem._ for pipers--French tobacco contains the + greatest, Turkish the least, per-centage of nicotine. + Havana, two and one-half per cent. + + "But an unique old woman of Jehu's acquaintance goes further + still; boldly asserting that 'smoking is well for making + good soldiers, well for making good sailors, well for making + sometimes good lawyers; not so well for making good + Christians.' Oh! ashes of Hawkins and Raleigh, shudder for + the results of 'baccy on degraded human nature.' There must + be a rarity of good Christians, then amongst the parsons; + they are all fond of it. Dean Aldrich was, perhaps, tho + greatest smoker of his day. His excessive attachment to this + habit was the cause of many wagers. Here's one:--At + breakfast, one morning, at the 'Varsity, an undergraduate + laid his companion long odds that the Dean was smoking at + that instant. Away they hastened; and, being admitted to the + Dean's study, stated the occasion of their visit. The Dean + replied, in perfect good humor, to the layer of the bet, + 'You see, sir, you have lost your wager; for I am not + smoking, but filling my pipe.' But--my cigar has reached its + last dying speech, and there is but a drop left in the + beaker. + + 'I'll not leave thee, thou lone drop! + 'Twould be mighty unkind, + Since the rest I have swallow'd, + To leave thee behind.' + + "Final exhortation. Choose the small, sound, tolerably firm, + and elastic cigar: the dwarf contains stuff within which the + giant hath not. Don't flatter yourself you're smoking + cabbage, if not tobacco--its any odds on rhubarb! + + 'For me there's nothing new or rare, + Till wine deceives my brain; + And that, I think, 's a reason fair + To fill my pipe again.'" + + Charles Lamb, "the gentle Elia" was during a portion of his + lifetime a famous smoker. In a letter to Hazlitt he writes, + "I am so smoky with last night's ten pipes, that I must + leave off." It is said that he smoked only the coarsest and + strongest he could procure. Dr. Parr inquired of him how he + acquired his "prodigious smoking powers." "I toiled after + it, sir," was the reply, "as some men toil after virtue!" + Lamb was constant in his use of tobacco, and among all the + great luminaries of English literature we know of none more + addicted to the use of the pipe. Lamb might often be seen in + his chambers in Mitre Court Building, puffing the coarsest + weed from a long clay pipe, in company with Parr who used + the finest kind of tobacco in a pipe half filled with salt. + It was no easy task to relinquish the use of tobacco and it + cost him many a struggle and much determined effort. In + writing to Wordsworth he says:--"I wish you may think this a + handsome farewell to my 'Friendly Traitress.' Tobacco has + been my evening comfort and my morning curse for these five + years. I have had it in my head to do it (Farewell to + Tobacco) these two years; but tobacco stood in its own light + when it gave me headaches that prevented my singing its + praises." + +Lamb's poem is without doubt one of the finest pieces of verse ever +written on tobacco, and seemingly contains both words of praise and +dispraise--the latter however in some sense are insincere. + + "May the Babylonish curse + Straight confound my stammering verse + If I can a passage see + In this word-perplexity, + Or a fit expression find, + Or a language to my mind, + (Still the phrase is wide or scant,) + To take leave of thee, GREAT PLANT! + Or in my terms relate + Half my love, or half my hate; + For I hate, yet love thee so, + That whichever thing I show, + The plain truth will seem to be + A constrain'd hyperbole, + And the passion to proceed + More from a mistress than a weed. + Sooty retainer to the vine, + Bacchus' black servant, negro fine; + Sorcerer, thou mak'st us dote upon + Thy begrimed complexion, + And for thy pernicious sake, + More and greater oaths to break + Than reclaimed lovers take + 'Gainst women: thou thy siege do'st lay + Much too in the female way, + While thou suck'st the lab'ring breath + Faster than kisses or than death. + Thou in such a cloud do'st bind us, + That our worst foes cannot find us. + And ill fortune that would thwart us, + Shoots at rovers shooting at us; + While each man through thy height'ning steam + Does like a smoking AEtna seem, + And all about us does express + (Fancy and wit in richest dress) + A Sicilian fruitfulness. + Thou though such a mist dost show us + That our best friends do not know us, + And for those allowed features + Due to reasonable creatures, + Liken'st us to feel Chimeras + Monsters that, who see us, fear us; + Worse than Cerberus or Geryon, + Or, who first loved a cloud, Ixion. + Bacchus we know, and we allow, + His tipsy rites, but what art thou, + That but by reflex canst show + What his deity can do, + As the false Egyptian spell + Aped the true Hebrew miracle? + Some few vapors thou may'st raise, + The weak brain may serve to amaze, + But to the reins and nobler heart + Canst nor life nor heat impart. + Brother of Bacchus, later born, + The old world was sure forlorn, + Wanting thee, that aidest more, + The gods' victories than before + All his panthers, and the brawls, + Of his piping Bacchanals. + These, as stole, we disallow + Or judge of thee meant: only thou + His true Indian conquest art; + And, for ivy round his dart, + The reformed god now weaves + A finer thyrsus of thy leaves. + Scent to match thy rich perfume-- + Chemic art did ne'er presume, + Through her quaint alembic strain, + None so sov'reign to the brain. + Nature, that did in thee excel, + Framed again no second smell. + Roses, Violets but toys + For the smaller sort of boys; + Or for greener damsels meant; + Thou art the only manly scent. + Stinking'st of the stinking kind, + Filth of the mouth and fog of the mind, + Africa, that brags her fois on + Breeds no such prodigious poison, + Henbane, nightshade, both together, + Hemlock, aconite---- + Nay, rather, + Plant divine of rarest virtue: + Blisters on the tongue would hurt you. + 'Twas but in a sort I blamed thee; + None e'er prospered who defamed thee; + Irony all, and feigned abuse, + Such as perplex'd lovers use, + At a need, when in despair, + To paint forth their fairest fair, + Or in part but to express + That exceeding comeliness + Which their fancies doth so strike, + They borrow language of dislike; + And instead of Dearest Miss, + Jewel, Honey, Sweetheart, Bliss, + And those forms of old admiring, + Call her Cockatrice and Siren, + Basilisk, and all that's evil, + Witch, Hyena, Mermaid, devil, + Ethiop, Wench, and Blackamoor, + Monkey, Ape, and twenty more; + Friendly traitress, loving foe, + Not that she is truly so, + But no other may they know, + A contentment to express, + Borders so upon excess, + That they do not rightly wot, + Whether it be pain or not; + Or, as men constrained to part + With what's nearest to their heart, + While their sorrow's at the height + Lose discrimination quite, + And their hasty wrath let fall, + To oppose their frantic gall, + On the darling thing whatever + Whence they feel it death to sever, + Though it be, as they, perforce, + Guiltless of the sad divorce. + For I must (nor let it grieve thee, + Friendliest of plants, + That I must) leave thee. + For thy sake, TOBACCO, I + Would do anything but die, + And but seek to extend my days + Long enough to sing thy praise. + But as she who once hath been, + A king's consort, is a queen + Ever after, nor will bate + Any title of her state, + Though a widow, or divorced, + So I, from thy converse forced, + The old name and style retain, + A right Katherine of Spain, + And a seat, too, 'mongst the joys + Of the blest Tobacco Boys; + Where, though I, by sour physician, + Am debarred the full fruition + Of thy favors, I may catch, + Some collateral sweets, and snatch, + Sidelong odors, that give life + Like glances from a neighbor's wife; + And still live in the by-places, + And the suburbs of thy graces; + And in thy borders take delight, + An unconquered Canaanite." + +Thomas Jones, in the following neat little tribute to tobacco, pays a +deserved compliment, not only to the plant, but to the great English +smoker, "ye renowned Sir Walter Raleigh." + + "Let poets rhyme of what they will, + Youth, Beauty, Love or Glory, still + My theme shall be Tobacco! + Hail, weed, eclipsing every flow'r, + Of thee I fain would make my bow'r + When fortune frowns, or tempests low'r, + Mild comforter of woe! + + "They say in truth an angel's foot + First brought to life thy precious root, + The source of every pleasure! + Descending from the skies he press'd + With hallow'd touch Earth's yielding breast, + Forth sprang the plant, and then was bless'd, + As man's chief treasure! + + "Throughout the world who knows thee not? + Of palace and of lowly cot + The universal guest; + The friend of Gentile, Turk and Jew, + To all a stay--to none untrue, + The balm that can our ills subdue, + And soothe us into rest. + + "With thee the poor man can abide + Oppression, want, the scorn of pride, + The curse of penury, + Companion of his lonely state, + He is no longer desolate, + And still can brave an adverse fate, + With honest worth and thee! + + "All honor to the patriot bold, + Who brought instead of promised gold, + Thy leaf to Britain's shore; + It cost him life; but thou shall raise + A cloud of fragrance to his praise, + And bards shall hail in deathless lays + The valiant knight of yore. + + "Ay, Raleigh! thou wilt live till Time + Shall ring his last oblivious chime, + The fruitful theme of story; + And man in ages hence shall tell, + How greatness, virtue, wisdom fell, + When England sounded out thy knell, + And dimmed her ancient glory. + + "And thou, O Plant! shall keep his name + Unwither'd in the scroll of fame, + And teach us to remember; + He gave with thee content and peace, + Bestow'd on life a longer lease, + And bidding ev'ry trouble cease, + Made Summer of December!" + +The smoker of cigarettes is passionately attached to his "little roll" +and regards this mode of obtaining the flavor of tobacco the best. The +finest are made in Havana and, vast quantities are used by the Cubans +and Spaniards. A writer in "The Tobacco Plant" gives this pleasing +effusion in regard to them:-- + + "Your cigarette is a sort of hybrid--half-pipe and + half-cigar; neither the one nor the other; neither the + delight of the epicure nor the solace of the true + tobacco-lover. Far be it from us to deny, or even to + question, its value, its utility, or its charm. We have + smoked too many to dream of treating them with + scorn--cigarettes of Virginia shag, strong, pungent, + luscious; of light and fragrant Persian, innocuous and + soothing; cigarettes rolled by ladies' dainty fingers, + compressed by elegant French machines of silk and silver, + cut, stamped, and gummed by prosy, matter-of-fact, and even + vulgar Titanic engines in great tobacco-factories. But the + thorough-paced smoker renders to his cigarette only a + secondary and diluted adoration: it is nice, it is delicate, + it is pretty--a thing to be toyed with, to be fondled, even + to burn one's fingers (or, perchance, one's lips) withal; + but by no means an object to call forth a passion. + + "But just as the world would be a tame and an insipid + institution were all men's tastes alike, so the world of + smokers would lose much of its romance were all the lovers + of the weed of temperament too robust to love a cigarette. + Brevity and sweetness are proverbially held to constitute + claims upon the respect and admiration of the voluptuous, + and to the cigarette these cannot be denied. There is + something touching in the self-abnegation of a tobaccoite + who will devote five mortal minutes and the sweat of his + refined intelligence, with the skill of his delicate + fingers, to the preparation of a tiny capsule of the weed, + which burns itself to ashes in five minutes more. There is a + butterfly-beauty about the cigarette to which the cigar and + the pipe can lay no claim--a summer charm to stir the dreamy + rapture of a poet, and to excite the Lotus-eating + philosopher even to analogy. Just as the suns, and flowers, + and balmy zephyrs of a century have gone to form the gauzy, + multi-colored insect that flits across your path throughout + a single summer's day, and then returns to dust and vapor, + so the harvest of West-Indian and East-Asian fields, the + long voyage of the mariner, the merchant's hours of soil, + the steam-power and manual labor of the factory, the + thoughtful calculations of the trader, the skill of the + tissue-paper maker, all have gone, and more than these, to + the creation of a fairy-cylinder of Tobacco, which glows, + delights, expires, and meets its end in ten or fifteen + fleeting minutes." + +Although the cigarette is not a favorite with us, still we admire its +use as a sort of appendage to a good dinner, and as preparatory work +for a "good smoke." The Spaniards have always been great lovers of +their minute rolls, and with them, no other method of burning tobacco +appears so delicate or refined. Especially is this true among the +ladies, who prefer "Seville cigarettes" to all others. Many smokers +make their own cigarettes, sometimes using Havana tobacco, and +sometimes making them of two or more kinds. An excellent cigar is made +by using equal parts of Virginia and Perique tobacco, or equal parts +of Havana and Perique. A fine flavored cigarette is also made from +Yara and Havana tobacco, equal parts of each being used. Thos. Hood +has signalized his attachment to cigar in the following pleasing +little poem:-- + + THE CIGAR. + + "Some sigh for this and that, + My wishes don't go far; + The world may wag at will, + So I have my cigar. + + "Some fret themselves to death + With Whig and Tory jar; + I don't care which is in, + So I have my cigar. + + "Sir John requests my vote, + And so does Mr. Marr; + I don't care how it does, + So I have my cigar. + + "Some want a German row, + Some wish a Russian war; + I care not. I'm at peace, + So I have my cigar. + + "I never see the Post, + I seldom read the Star; + The Globe I scarcely heed, + So I have my cigar. + + "Honors have come to men + My juniors at the Bar; + No matter--I can wait, + So I have my cigar. + + "Ambition frets me not; + A cab or glory's car + Are just the same to me, + So I have my cigar. + + "I worship no vain gods, + But serve the household Lar; + I'm sure to be at home, + So I have my cigar. + + "I do not seek for fame, + A General with a scar; + A private let me be, + So I have my cigar. + + "To have my choice among + The toys of life's bazar, + The deuce may take them all, + So I have my cigar. + + "Some minds are often tost + By tempests like a tar; + I always seem in port, + So I have my cigar. + + "The ardent flame of love + My bosom cannot char, + I smoke but do not burn, + So I have my cigar. + + "They tell me Nancy Low + Has married Mr. R.; + The jilt! but I can live, + So I have my cigar." + +Lord Byron, a "good smoker" as well as a great poet, has immortalized +his love of the cigar in the following graceful lines:-- + + "Sublime Tobacco! which from east to west, + Cheers the tars labors, and the Turkman's rest-- + Which on the Moslem's ottoman divides + His hours, and rivals opium and his brides; + Magnificent in Stamboul, but less grand, + Though not less loved in Wapping or the Strand; + Divine in hookhas, glorious in a pipe, + When tipped with amber, mellow, rich, and ripe, + Like other charms, wooing the caress + More dazzingly when dawning in full dress. + Yet thy true lovers more admire by far + Thy naked beauties--Give me a Cigar!" + +Having given a general description of the cigar and its mode of +manufacture, we come now to a more particular account of the various +kinds known as the best and of world-wide reputation. Standing at the +head of the various kinds of cigars, either of the Old or New World, +are those known to all smokers as: + + +HAVANA CIGARS. + +[Illustration: Havanas.] + +These are, by common consent, the finest in the world. They possess +every quality desirable in a cigar, and seemingly to its greatest +extent. Grown in the richest portion of the tropical world, the leaf +has a rich, oily appearance, and, when made into cigars, possesses a +flavor as rich as it is rare. Unlike most tobaccos suitable for +cigars, every taste can be met in the Havana cigars, its many +varieties of flavor and strength suiting it alike to both sexes, and +to the making of the delicate cigarette or the largest Cabanas. These +cigars are made up of all the various colors and parts of the leaf, +and also of all sizes common to the trade. In shape they are usually +round, though sometimes pressed (flat), and in color are (according to +our description) light and dark brown, light and dark red, straw +colored and dark straw colored, and some other shades or strengths. It +is necessary to have all the various shades of color in order to meet +the demand for the various flavors desired. Without doubt a greater +variety of flavors can be found among Havana cigars than in any other +kind, owing to the many shades of color, which determines the strength +and flavor of the cigar. The Havana cigar is made of a leaf tobacco +well known for its good burning qualities, when properly cured and +sweated,--burning with a clear, steady light, leaving a fine white or +pearl-colored ash, according to the color chosen. These cigars rarely +"char" in burning; certainly not, if made of good quality of tobacco +and thoroughly sweat. If a full-flavored cigar is desired, choose the +dark colors, and the lighter if a mild cigar is preferable. The +lighter the color of the tobacco the lighter the ash and the milder +the flavor of the cigar. Light-colored cigars usually burn freer and +more evenly than dark ones. In selecting a cigar for its good burning +qualities, choose those (if such are to be had) covered with white +specks, or white rust; such cigars burn well, as white rust is found +only on well-ripened leaves. Select a firm, well-made cigar--one that +contains a good quantity of fillers--avoiding, however, in Havana +cigars, one made _too_ nicely, as it is sometimes the case that +superior external appearance is made to cover defects in the more +important qualities. + +Such a selection will insure a cigar of good quality; one that will +hold fire and last the length of time appropriate to its size. A cigar +should not be chosen simply because it is made well, and neither +because its outside appearance (wrapper) is fine, both in color and +quality of leaf; rather depend upon the manufacture of the brand. +Havana cigars have as many distinct flavors as there are colors of the +leaf, ranging from very mild to very strong. + +The first great requisite of a cigar is its burning quality, and the +second its flavor; without the first the latter is of little value. A +cigar made from leaf that does not burn freely will not possess any +desirable flavor, but will char and emit rank-smelling smoke, without +any desirable feature whatever. When both of these qualities are in a +measure perfect the cigar will prove to be good. There are two +varieties, at least, known as non-burning tobacco, of which we shall +speak hereafter. The flavor and burning quality of a cigar always +determine its character, and are found in perfection in those made of +fine even-colored leaf. Dark cigars have a thicker leaf or more body, +and consequently are stronger than light-colored cigars. When the +cigar is made of fine, well-sweat tobacco, and contains the full +quantity of fillers, the pellet of ashes will be firm and strong, and +should possess the same color all through, if the filler, binder and +wrapper are of the same shade of color. The finest-flavored cigars are +those of a medium shade, between a light and a dark brown,--not so +dark as to be of strong, rank taste, or so mild as to be deficient in +a decided tobacco flavor, but simply possessing sufficient strength to +give character to the cigar. + + +YARA CIGARS. + +[Illustration: Yara cigars.] + +This variety of cigars is made from tobacco grown on the Island of +Cuba, bearing the same name as the cigars. They are highly esteemed by +those who smoke only this kind, but are not liked by most smokers of +Havana cigars. Most of them are exported to Europe, very few of them +finding their way to this country. It is somewhat difficult to compare +them with Havana cigars, as the flavor is essentially different. In +comparison with other brands made upon the Island, the Yara holds an +unimportant place, yet, in some parts of Cuba, it is preferred to any +other kind. In London the Yara is a favorite with many old smokers, +who use no others. Old smokers describe the Yara cigar as having a +"sweet" flavor, but one unaccustomed to them, like Hazard and others, +pronounce them bitter, and having a "peculiar saline taste." It can, +doubtless, be said with truth concerning the Yara cigar, that unlike +other varieties, such as Havana, Manilla, Paraguayan, Swiss and +Brazil, the taste for them is not natural, but, when once formed, +becomes very decided. As a general rule smokers of Yara cigars think +other kinds are deficient in flavor, and are wanting in quality, +because they lack the peculiar flavor belonging only to Yara cigars. +Be this as it may, we hardly think the Yara cigar suited to the +cigarist's taste at the present time. Its aromatic flavor is not +adapted to the general taste, and some little time is required to +develop a decided love for it. We prefer the "Cubas," made from a good +quality of leaf grown near Trinidad, Puerto-Principe, and other cities +east of Havana. The peculiar flavor of Yara cigars is owing to the +character of the soil, rather than to any artificial process employed +in manufacturing. In moistening Havana leaf Catalan wine is used, and +other flavoring extracts. This may (and does) change the condition and +quality of the tobacco, but even _with_ this treatment, the flavor of +Yara tobacco would be unlike that of Havana leaf. + + +MANILLA CIGARS. + +[Illustration: Manilla cigar and cheroot.] + +This well-known variety of cigars is manufactured from Manilla tobacco +grown in Luzerne, one of the Philippine Islands, which is known as +superior leaf for cigar purposes. Manilla cigars have an extensive +reputation, but principally in the East and in Europe. These cigars +are made in various forms and shapes, some of them are called cheroots +(the term used in the East for cigars) and are principally known for +their aromatic flavor, entirely distinct from that of Havana cigars. +Some smokers think that they have the same effect as varieties of +tobacco that have been moistened with the juice of the poppy, giving +the cigar a flavor like that of opium, and as a natural result, +securing a light-colored ash. There are not as many colors of Manilla +cigars as there are of Havana, and they are not as closely assorted. +Some of them are a high-cinnamon color, and are far from being a +strong cigar. Their flavor is not always uniform, and is not denoted +by the color as in other varieties. The flavor is not unpleasant, but +is better suited to those who prefer a mild rather than a full +flavored cigar. The aroma is pleasant and mild, and to those but +little acquainted with them, agreeable. Manilla tobacco usually burns +well, if the leaf is of good quality and well sweated, still it is +known as a non-burning tobacco. As the tobacco is of good body, the +cigars do not usually burn as well as other kinds. Select a +light-colored rather than a dark cigar if one of good quality is +desired. Both the cigars and cheroots are made of the same quality of +leaf, and are of about the same size--differing, however, in shape. +There are but few grades of Manilla cigars, and most of them are solid +and well wrapped. They are flat rather than round, and draw well but +do not hold fire like some other cigars. The leaf makes a very good +wrapper for a tobacco of its thickness and strength. + + +SWISS CIGARS. + +[Illustration: Swiss cigars.] + +These well-known cigars have but little reputation in this country, +owing to the fact of their being but little known. In Europe the +cigars of Luzerne have no insignificant reputation, and are generally +liked by smokers who prefer a mild and agreeable cigar. These cigars +are usually dark-colored, but not strong, and have but little variety +of flavor. Travelers and tourists through Switzerland speak of Swiss +cigars as being of agreeable flavor, and unlike any other found in +Europe. With American tobacco, those of a dark color are usually +strong, but with European tobaccos this is not always the case--they +possess much less strength, and can be used more freely than the +tobacco of America. These cigars are usually pressed, and burn well, +leaving a dark-colored ash, and emitting a fragrant odor. Most of +those used in this country may be more properly termed cheroots, both +ends being cut, allowing a free passage of air, which is usually the +case with all kinds of cheroots, or Eastern and European cigars. There +is not that freshness of flavor to Swiss cigars peculiar to Havana's, +and they lack that essential quality which renders the latter so +delicious and enjoyable. The Swiss cigar is in perfection when just +made or rolled, and such should be chosen instead of those that have +been made for some time and closely packed and dried. + + +PARAGUAY CIGARS. + +[Illustration: Paraguay cigars.] + +These cigars are made of one of the finest varieties of leaf tobacco +known to commerce. Although unknown to this country--both the cigars +and the leaf tobacco have a deserved reputation in Europe, and it is +beyond all question one of the finest tobaccos in the world for +cigars. These cigars have a delicacy of flavor unapproachable in any +other variety, and may justly be termed the finest at least of all +South American cigars. It is one of the finest burning tobaccos in the +world, and does not fail to suit the taste of the most fastidious of +smokers. The finest are of dark color and wholly free from any rank or +unpleasant taste. These cigars are uniformly mild and have but little +variety of flavor, the ash is dark-colored, firm and strong, clinging +with tenacity to the cigar, which is the best evidence of the quality +of the leaf. In Paraguay they are considered superior to all other +kinds and are smoked continuously without any seemingly ill effect. +Page alludes to the custom of smoking as being universal, "Men, women, +and children--delicate, refined girls, and youngsters who would not +with us be promoted to the dignity of pantaloons--smoke with a gravity +and gusto that is irresistibly ludicrous to a foreigner." The +Paraguayans consider excessive smoking of other tobacco as injurious +but not of the delicate flavored leaf of Paraguay. These cigars are +rolled firm and strong usually small and hold fire until the entire +cigar has been consumed. + + +GUATEMALA CIGARS. + +This variety of cigars, although of excellent flavor, is hardly known +outside of Central America. They are made from Guatemala tobacco--one +of the few varieties of tobacco bearing white blossoms, and possessed +of a similar flavor to Mexican tobacco. Although Guatemala tobacco has +not been thoroughly tested by the great manufacturers of cigars either +in Europe or America, it doubtless is well suited for cigars. It is a +distinct variety from those kinds bearing pink and yellow blossoms, +and its growth and quality would seem to suggest some doubt as to its +quality and adaptability for cigars. Stephens and other travelers seem +to regard it as tobacco of excellent quality, and allude to its +constant use by the ladies who smoke _puros_, a cigar made of a single +leaf, or formed entirely of tobacco. They also use the _papelotes_ +wrapped in paper and sometimes in the dried leaf of maize. It would +seem probable from the climate of Central America, that Guatemala +tobacco would be exactly suited for the manufacture of cigars, but so +little is known concerning it, and its cultivation is so limited, that +at present it is simply a matter of conjecture. + + +BRAZILIAN CIGARS. + +The cigars of Brazil, like those made of South American tobacco, are +noted for their superior flavor. They are made of "Brazilian Aromatic" +one of the finest tobaccos of Brazil. Although but little known in +this country, both the tobacco and the cigars are highly esteemed in +Europe, where most of the leaf is sent. Both Brazilian cigars and the +celebrated "Tauri Cigarettes" possess a delicacy of flavor, described +by travelers as unapproachable by any other variety of cigars and +cigarettes. A late traveler says concerning them:--"Accustomed to +smoke only Havana cigars, I was unprepared to recognize any others as +being worthy even of the name of cigars. I was presented with a box of +Brazilian cigars of commendable size and finish, of a dark color and +of a good flavor, before trying them, I ignited one, merely to test +their quality and not from any impression that they were worth even +the value of the cheapest Havanas. Great was my surprise to find them +of an agreeable flavor and very pleasant to the taste." + +The leaf is very thin, and without doubt, well suited for a cigar +wrapper. The flavor of all cigars made from South American tobacco is +similar, especially those made from tobacco grown east of the Andes. A +writer, alluding to their mode of manufacturing cigars for their own +use says: + + "They take the leaf after it is cured and ready for + manufacture into cigars, and dampen it, not with pure water + but with water containing the juice of the poppy so as to + produce the effect of opium. When prepared in this manner + they are much esteemed by the Brazilians and especially by + the herders." + + +AMERICAN CIGARS. + +This was the name given to cigars made some forty or fifty years ago +composed of Connecticut seed-leaf, or as it was then called, American +tobacco. The fillers were selected from various kinds of tobacco, +including Virginia, Kentucky, and Spanish, using for a wrapper +Spanish, American or Maryland leaf. At this time the tobacco was not +sorted as now, and was made up into cigars after being stripped, but +the cigars after being manufactured were kept for some time before +they were sold. At this time but little pains comparatively was taken +in their manufacture: they were not assorted or shaded according to +the present standard, and were packed in chestnut instead of cedar +boxes containing from one to five hundred cigars each. A manufacturer +of cigars nearly fifty years ago gives the following account of his +method: + "We selected for wrappers those leaves having white specks + (white rust) upon them, which greatly increased the sale of + the cigars, and which were considered by smokers to be much + better than those not wound with fancy wrappers. After the + cigars were packed in the boxes a little Spanish bean was + grated upon the cigars, or a single bean was placed between + the cigars in the box." + At this time some little taste was +evinced for colors, and cigars of a "bright cinnamon red," and +afterwards, of a dark brown, were considered the finest, while leaf +that was black was considered worthless for wrappers. A kind of cigar +which is distinctly American and which is made to a considerable +extent, is called a seed cigar, and is made from tobacco grown in +Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. These cigars have but +little reputation, and are of inferior quality and manufacture. A very +good cigar, call a "sprig cigar," is made from Havana and Connecticut +seed-leaf filler wound with a seed wrapper which gives a good flavor +similar to clear Havana. + +A full flavored cigar like a sip of rare old wine is inspiring to a +lover of the "royal plant" and amid the sublime and companionable +thoughts that its fragrance engenders, one is led oftentimes to +reflect on its rare virtues and the benign effects it produces +wherever known. Thus it lightens the toil of the weary laborer +plodding along the highway of life. The student poring over musty +tomes sees with a clearer perception as its fragrance accompanies him +along the pathway of science and of history. The poet "as those +wreathes up go" sees Helicon's fresh founts flowing clearer and purer. +The musician "lord of sounds," evokes tones from his instrument never +before heard by mortal ear. The warrior, "fresh from glory's field" is +charmed by its fragrance as he dreams of shattered battalions and +sleeping hosts. The farmer nurtured amid the odors of the "balmy +plant" honors the "useless weed" as a promoter of happiness and an +increaser of gains. While: + + "Kings smoke when they ruminate + Over grave affairs of state." + +The exile too, far from home and kindred smokes on as he muses of +happier hours gone never to return. And thus amid all the varied ranks +and walks of life this solace of the mind and comfort of life exhales +its fragrance and breathes its benedictions over all. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +TOBACCO PLANTERS AND PLANTATIONS. + + +The grounds selected for the cultivation of tobacco are called by +various names even in the same countries. Thus in the Connecticut +Valley, such lands are called tobacco fields, at the South they are +known as tobacco plantations, while in Cuba they are called Vegas or +tobacco farms. In Cuba almost the entire tobacco farm is planted to +tobacco while at the South and in New England this is rarely the case +unless the plantations or tobacco farms are small and contain but a +few acres. In the Connecticut Valley and more especially along the +banks of the Connecticut River, where the farms are frequently small, +this is sometimes the case but farther removed from the river, where +the farms are much larger but a few acres of the best land is used for +this purpose. + +In the Connecticut Valley the tobacco fields average from one to forty +acres, rarely exceeding the latter and indeed seldom including as +large an area. The average size of tobacco fields is about five +acres--sometimes all in one lot but oftener divided into several small +pieces on various parts of the farm. + +The Connecticut planter is deeply interested in the plant and gives it +his undivided attention from seed-sowing until it is sold to the +speculator or manufacturer. All other crops in his opinion are of but +little importance compared with the great New England product, one +crop is frequently not off his hands before he is preparing for +another. The Connecticut planter stands first in the rank of tobacco +growers; he is thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the plant and +knows just what land to select and what kind of fertilizers to apply. +He has reduced the cultivation to almost an exact science and can +obtain (the season being favorable) the color most desirable. He has +thoroughly tested all kinds of fertilizers, and knows just what kinds +will produce the various shades of color as well as the desired +texture and size of leaf. No other tobacco planter so thoroughly +understands the methods of curing, sweating and doing up the crop, and +he takes no little pride in showing his crop to the buyer. + +[Illustration: Connecticut tobacco field.] + +It is his aim to obtain not only the best leaf for a cigar-wrapper but +also a tobacco of the finest possible flavor; hence he tries the +principal varieties grown in Cuba, Brazil and other countries in order +to judge of their quality and whether they can be cultivated with +profit on his lands. He has the best constructed sheds for hanging and +curing and the latest and most improved agricultural implements for +the cultivation of the plants. The greatest pains are taken in +securing the crop and harvesting and handling the plants without +injuring the leaves. The tobacco fields are kept in the best possible +condition, no weeds or grass is allowed to grow and the entire +surface is as free from stones as a lawn. He usually, if his farm is +small, plants the same field year after year, securing a much finer +leaf and by yearly manuring keeping the ground fertile and in good +condition. When the tobacco is stripped the utmost care is taken to +assort the leaves and he frequently shades or assorts the colors, +obtaining fancy prices for such "selections." + +The Connecticut grower is well acquainted with the different soils, +and is able to judge with considerable accuracy in regard to selecting +the right fields for tobacco. The warmest land is chosen--mellow and +free from stones or shaded by trees and prepared as if for a garden. +All of the improved methods of obtaining early plants as well as +transplanting, he adopts, and in spite of early freezing, is generally +able to outwit Jack Frost, and secure the plants before this great foe +of the weed ravages the fields. It may safely be said of the +Connecticut planter that he secures more even crops than any other +grower of the plant, and obtains the finest colored leaf for cigar +wrappers. + +The growers are thoroughly informed as regards the prices, and +although the buyers may steal suddenly upon them, are generally +prepared to "set" a price upon their crops. Some refuse to sell on the +poles, or even after it is stripped, preferring to pack their tobacco +until it has passed through the sweat, when larger prices are +obtained. Many growers not only pack their own crop, but buy up that +of others, thus acting as both producer and buyer. During the growing +of the crop, and particularly after it has been cured and stripped, +the growers congregate together, and talk over the condition of the +crop and the prices likely to be realized. Sometimes they form an +association or club, agreeing to "hold" the tobacco for satisfactory +prices, and frequently employing an agent to sell the crop. Many of +the tobacco fields or farms in the Connecticut valley are very +valuable, especially those near large cities and means of +transportation; such lands often selling for one thousand dollars per +acre. + +The finest tobacco lands in the Connecticut valley are located in +the vicinity of Hartford about fifty miles from Long Island Sound. +These lands are near enough to the sound to get the salts in the +atmosphere from the south winds that blow up the valley in the precise +amount which the plant needs. Not much farther north does the +atmosphere possess this peculiar quality, while lower down the river +the salt air is too strong for the plant, and the leaves in +consequence are thick and harsh. Fine tobacco leaves can be +manufactured as well as fine broadcloth or costly silks. These results +depend in a great manner upon the proper soil and the fertilizers, +applied together with the most thorough cultivation of the plants. The +soil of our best Connecticut tobacco fields is alluvial, varying in +composition from a heavy sandy loam to a light one containing very +little clay. + +For the past few years light soil has been preferred for the tobacco +field, on account of the demand for light colored leaf. The soil can +hardly be too light when leaf of a light cinnamon color is desired; as +the color of all kinds of tobacco depends upon the soil and the +fertilizers used. + +A quarter of a century since Havana tobacco commanded very high +prices, both in this country and in Europe. It burnt freely and +purely. The Cuban planters, although getting rich on the ordinary +crops, were not satisfied with their gains, and attempted to increase +their crops by the use of guano and artificial fertilizers. They +secured heavier crops, but the quality became poorer. The prices fell +off and the planters did not realize as much for their crops as +formerly, although the growth was larger. About this time Connecticut +seed leaf became known as a cigar wrapper, and in a short time took +the lead for this purpose, as it still continues to. It cured finely, +burnt white and free, and in a short time brought high prices. The +profit realized from its growth led some Connecticut growers into the +same mistake as it did the Cuban planters, when they, by misguided +culture, nearly ruined their crops and injured the reputation of Cuban +tobacco. + +Artificial fertilizers and strong manure produce a leaf larger and +heavier, but their effect on the character of the leaf is injurious, +the salts destroying its fine qualities, so that it sweats and cures +poorly, and compared with the finest leaf burns dark and emits a rank +and unpleasant odor. + +The Connecticut tobacco grower requires considerable capital when +engaged extensively in the business, as ordinarily he buys large +quantities of fertilizers and requires many hands to cultivate the +crop. On the largest tobacco farms the sheds or "hanging houses" are +built near or in the field, and are sometimes very large, say two or +three hundred feet in length, and capable of holding the crop of from +five to ten acres. + +[Illustration: Home of the Connecticut planter.] + +His broad fields of the weed can usually be seen from his house and he +loves to show to visitors the plants growing in all their luxuriance, +or to sit on his piazza and call attention to their waving leaves and +graceful showy tops. Few tobacco-growers can discuss the relative +merits of the numerous varieties like the Connecticut planter, and he +is well acquainted not only with the various kinds grown in his own +country but also with those of others. Indeed you may often see +growing in his garden specimens of Cuban, Brazil or Latakia tobacco; +such is his love for all that pertains to this great tropical plant. +He considers it one of the greatest of all the vegetable products and +never tires of lauding the plant and its use. He sincerely hates all +anti-tobaccoites and has a supreme disgust for the memory of King +James I. and all royal foes of the plant. He is, however, a man of +large and liberal views and bestows his favors with a princely hand. +If fortune frowns he may lessen his crop but never his attachment for +the plant. Amid all the cares and perplexities incident to life, he +puffs away and as the ashes drop from his cigar meditates upon the +probable future of tobacco growers and all users of the weed. + +The Connecticut tobacco grower is in all respects a man of genuine +refinement and nobility of soul. He is always ready to give +information on his particular system of culture, and how he obtains +such large and fine crops. He is a good judge of leaf tobacco, and can +tell in a moment the quality of his famous variety. He is thoroughly +awake to modern improvements, and always willing to try new +implements, such as tobacco hangers or transplanters in his sheds or +fields. He is just the person one likes to meet, jovial and +good-natured; he naturally loves the plant he cultivates and uses it +freely; lighting his after-dinner cigar or evening pipe with a gusto +that is peculiar to the grower of tobacco everywhere. Indeed he is +hardly in a proper frame of mind to converse about tobacco until he +lights a cigar. + +No other cultivator of the soil gains as many friends as the +tobacco-grower. His table is well supplied from the choicest his +larder affords and he cheerfully welcomes all to its side. He is the +friend of the poor and the companion of the rich. No meanness or low +chicanery is his. His attachment for home, friends, and country is as +firm and strong as for the plant he cultivates. + +Olmsted in his work "The Seaboard Slave States" gives the following +description of a Virginia plantation: + +[Illustration: Negro quarters.] + + "Half an hour after this I arrived at the negro quarters--a + little hamlet of ten or twelve small and dilapidated cabins. + Just beyond them was a plain farm gate at which several + negroes were standing; one of them, a well-made man, with an + intelligent countenance and prompt manner, directed me how + to find my way to his owner's house. It was still nearly a + mile distant; and yet, until I arrived in its immediate + vicinity, I saw no cultivated field, and but one clearing. + + "In the edge of this clearing, a number of negroes, male and + female, lay stretched out upon the ground near a small + smoking charcoal pit. Their master afterwards informed me + that they were burning charcoal for the plantation + blacksmith, using the time allowed them for holidays--from + Christmas to New Years--to earn a little money for + themselves in this way. He paid them by the bushel for it. + When I said that I supposed he allowed them to take what + wood they chose for this purpose, he replied that he had + five hundred acres covered with wood, which he would be very + glad to have any one burn, or clear off in any way. Cannot + some Yankee contrive a method of concentrating some of the + valuable properties of this old field pine, so that they may + be profitably brought into use in more cultivated regions? + Charcoal is now brought from Virginia; but when made from + pine it is not very valuable, and will only bear + transportation from the banks of the navigable rivers whence + it can be shipped, at one movement to New York. Turpentine + does not flow in sufficient quantity from this variety of + the pine to be profitably collected, and for lumber it is of + very small value. + +[Illustration: The planter's home.] + + "Mr. W.'s house was an old family mansion, which he had + himself remodeled in the Grecian style, and furnished with a + large wooden portico. An oak forest had originally occupied + the ground where it stood; but this having been cleared and + the soil worn out in cultivation by the previous + proprietors, pine woods now surrounded it in every + direction; a square of a few acres only being kept clear + immediately about it. A number of the old oaks still stood + in the rear of the house, and, until Mr. W. commenced his + improvements, there had been some in its front. These, + however, he had cut away, as interfering with the symmetry + of his grounds, and in place of them had ailanthus trees in + parallel rows. + + "On three sides of the outer part of the cleared square + there was a row of large and comfortable-looking negro + quarters, stables, tobacco-houses, and other offices, built + of logs. Mr. W. was one of the few large planters, of his + vicinity, who still made the culture of tobacco their + principal business. He said there was a general prejudice + against tobacco, in all the tide water regions of the State, + because it was through the culture of tobacco that the once + fertile soil had been impoverished; but he did not believe + that, at the present value of negroes, their labor could be + applied to the culture of grain with any profit, except + under peculiarly favorable circumstances. Possibly the use + of guano might make wheat a paying crop, but he still + doubted. He had not used it, himself. Tobacco required fresh + land, and was rapidly exhausting, but it returned more + money, for the labor used upon it, than anything else; + enough more, in his opinion to pay for the wearing out of + the land. If he was well paid for it, he did not know why he + should not wear out his land. His tobacco-fields were nearly + all in a distant and lower part of his plantation; land + which had been neglected before his time, in a great + measure, because it had been sometimes flooded, and was, + much of the year, too wet for cultivation. He was draining + and clearing it, and it now brought good crops. He had had + an Irish gang draining for him, by contract. He thought a + negro could do twice as much work in a day as an Irishman. + He had not stood over them and seen them at work, but judged + entirely from the amount they accomplished: he thought a + good gang of negroes would have got on twice as fast. He was + sure they must have 'trifled' a great deal, or they would + have accomplished more than they had. He complained much of + their sprees and quarrels. I asked why he should employ + Irishmen, in preference to doing the work with his own + hands. It's dangerous work, (unhealthy!) and a negro's life + is too valuable to be risked at it. If a negro dies it's a + considerable loss, you know.' He afterwards said that his + negroes never worked so hard as to tire themselves--always + were lively, and ready to go off on a frolic at night. He + did not think they ever did half a fair day's work. They + could not be made to work hard: they never would lay out + their strength freely, and it was impossible to make them do + it. This is just what I have thought when I have seen slaves + at work--they seem to go through the motions of labor + without putting strength into them. They keep their powers + in reserve for their own use at night, perhaps. + + "Mr. W. also said that he cultivated only the coarser and + lower-priced sorts of tobacco, because the finer sorts + required more pains-taking and discretion than it was + possible to make a large gang of negroes use. 'You can make + a nigger work,' be said, 'but you cannot make him think.'" + +In speaking of the early tobacco culture of Virginia, he says:-- + + The light, rich mould resting on the sandy soil of Eastern + Virginia was exactly suited to the cultivation of tobacco, + and no better climate for this plant was to be found on the + globe. This had just been sufficiently proved, and a + suitable method of culture learned experimentally, when the + land was offered to individual proprietors by the king, + (James I.) Very little else was to be obtained from the soil + which would be of value to send to Europe, without an + application to it of a higher degree of art than the slaves, + or stupid, careless servants of the proprietors could + readily be forced to use. Although tobacco had been + introduced into England but a few years, an enormous number + of persons had initiated themselves in the appreciation of + its mysterious value. + + "The king, having taken a violent prejudice against it, + though he saw no harm in the distillation of grain, had + forbidden that it should be cultivated in England. Virginia, + therefore, had every advantage to supply the demand. + Merchants and the super-cargoes of ships, arriving with + slaves from Africa, or manufactured goods, spirits, or other + luxuries from England, very gladly bartered them with the + planters for tobacco, but for nothing else. Tobacco, + therefore, stood for money, and the passion for raising it, + to the exclusion of everything else, became a mania, like + the 'California fever' of 1849. + + "The culture being once established, there were many reasons + growing out of the social structure of the colony, which, + for more than a century, kept the industry of the Virginians + confined to this one staple. These reasons were chiefly the + difficulty of breaking the slaves, or training the + bond-servants to new methods of labor, the want of + enterprise or ingenuity of the proprietors to contrive other + profitable occupations for them, and the difficulty or + expense of distributing the guard or oversight, without + which it was impossible to get any work done at all, if the + laborers were separated, or worked in any other way than + side by side, in gangs, as in the tobacco-fields. + + "Owing to these causes the planters kept on raising tobacco + with hardly sufficient intermission to provide sustenance, + though often, by reason of the excessive quantity raised, + scarcely anything could be got for it. Tobacco is not now + considered peculiarly and excessively exhaustive; in a + judicious rotation, especially as a preparation for wheat, + it is an admirable fallow crop, and, under a scientific + system of agriculture, it is grown with no continued + detriment to the soil. But in Virginia it was grown without + interruption or alternation, and the plantations rapidly + deteriorated in fertility. As they did so, the crops grew + smaller in proportion to the labor expended upon them; yet, + from the continued importation of laborers, the total crops + of the colony increased annually, and the market value fell + proportionately to the better supply. + + "With smaller return for labor and lower prices, the + planters soon found themselves bankrupt, instead of nabobs. + How could they help themselves? Only by forcing the + merchants to pay them higher prices. But how to do that, + when every planter had his crop pledged in advance, and was + obliged to hurry it off at any price he could get for it, in + order to pay for his food, and drink, and clothing, and to + keep his head above water at credit for the following year. + The crop supplied more tobacco than was needed, but no one + man would cease to plant it, or lessen his crop for the + general good. Then it was agreed all men must be made to do + so, and the colonial legislature was called upon to make + them. + + "Acts were accordingly passed to prevent any planter from + cultivating more than a certain number of plants to each + hand he employed in labor, and prescribing the number of + leaves which might be permitted to ripen upon each plant + permitted to be grown. An inspection of all tobacco, after + it had been prepared for market, was decreed, and the + inspectors were bound by oath, after having rejected all of + inferior quality, to divide the good into two equal parts, + and then to burn and destroy one of them. Thus, it was + expected the quantity of tobacco offered for sale would be + so small that merchants would be glad to pay better prices + for it, and the planters would be relieved of their + embarrassment." + +Mrs. M. P. Handy gives the following interesting sketch, entitled "On +the Tobacco Plantation":-- + +[Illustration: "Burning the patch."] + + "Riding through Southside, Virginia, any warm, bright + winter's day after Christmas, the stranger may be startled + to see a dense column of smoke rising from the forest + beyond. He anxiously inquires of the first person he + meets--probably a negro--if the woods are on fire. Cuffee + shows his white teeth in a grin that is half amusement, half + contempt, as he answers: 'No, sar, deys jis burnin' a + plant-patch.' For this is the first step in tobacco-culture. + + "A sunny, sheltered spot on the southern slope of a hill is + selected, one protected from northern winds by the + surrounding forest, but open to the sun in front, and here + the hot-bed for the reception of the seed is prepared. All + growth is felled within the area needed, large dead logs are + dragged and heaped on the ground as for a holocaust, the + whole ignited, and the fire kept up until nothing is left of + the immense wood-heap but circles of the smoldering ashes. + These are afterward carefully plowed in; the soil, + fertilized still further, if need be, is harrowed and + prepared as though for a garden-bed, and the small brown + seed sown, from which is to spring the most widely-used of + man's useless luxuries. Later, when the spring fairly opens, + and the young plants in this primitive hot-bed are large and + strong enough to bear transplanting, the Virginian draws + them, as the New Englander does his cabbages, and plants + them in like manner, in hills from two to four feet apart + each way. Lucky is he whose plant-bed has escaped the fly, + the first enemy of the precious weed. Its attacks are made + upon it in the first stage of its existence, and are more + fatal, because less easily prevented, than those of the + tobacco-worm, that scourge, _par excellence_, of the tobacco + crop. Farmers often lose their entire stock of plants, and + are forced to send miles to beg or buy of a more fortunate + planter. Freshly-cleared land--'new ground,' as the negroes + call it--makes the best tobacco-field, and on this and the + rich lowlands throughout Southside is raised the staple + known through the world as James River tobacco. + + "On this crop the planter lavishes his choicest fertilizers; + for the ranker the growth, the longer and larger the leaf, + the greater is the value thereof, though the manufacturers + complain bitterly of the free use of guano, which, they say, + destroys the resinous gum on which the value of the leaf + depends. Once set, the young plant must contend, not only + with the ordinary risk of transplanting, but the cut-worm is + now to be dreaded. Working underground, it severs the stem + just above the root, and the first intimation of its + presence is the prone and drooping plant. For this there is + no remedy, except to plant and replant, until the tobacco + itself kills the worm. In one instance, which came under our + observation, a single field was replanted six times before + the planter succeeded in getting 'a good stand,' as they + call it on the plantations; but this was an extreme case. + +[Illustration: Stringing the primings.] + + "When the plants are fairly started in their growth, the + planter tops and primes them, processes performed, the first + by pinching off the top bud, which would else run to seed, + and the second by removing the lower leaves of each plant, + leaving bare a space of some inches near the ground, and + retaining from six to a dozen stout, well-formed leaves on + each stem, according to the promise of the soil and season, + and these leaves form the crop. The rejected lower leaves or + primings, in the days of slavery, formed one of the + mistress' perquisites and were carefully collected by the + 'house-gang,' as the force was styled, strung on small + sharp sticks like exaggerated meat-skewers, and cured, first + in the sun, afterwards in the barn, often placing a pretty + penny in her private purse. Now when all labor must be paid + for in money, they are not worth collecting, and, except + when some thrifty freedman has a large family which he + wishes to turn to account, are left to wither where they + fall. + + "There is absolutely no rest on a large tobacco plantation, + one step following another in the cultivation of the + troublesome weed--the last year's crop is rarely shipped to + market before the seed must be sown for the next--and + planting and replanting, topping and priming, suckering and + worming, crowd on each other through all the summer months. + Withal the ground must be rigidly kept free from grass and + weeds, and after the plants have attained any size this must + be done by hoe; horse and plow would break and bruise the + brittle leaves. + + "'Suckering' is performed by removing every leaf-bud which + the plant throws out after the priming (and topping), thus + retaining all its sap and strength for the development of + the leaves already formed, and this must be done again and + again through the whole season. Worming is still more + tedious and unremitting. In the animal kingdom there are + three creatures, and three only, to whom tobacco is not + poisonous--man, a goat found among the Andes, and the + tobacco-worm. This last is a long, smooth-skinned worm, its + body formed of successive knobs or rings, furnished each + with a pair of legs, large prominent eyes, and is in color + as green as the leaf upon which it feeds. It is found only + on the under side of the leaves, every one of which must be + carefully lifted and examined for its presence. Women make + better wormers than men, probably because they are more + patient and painstaking. When caught the worm is pulled + apart between the thumb and finger, for crushing it in the + soft mold of the carefully cultivated fields is impossible. + Carelessness in worming was an unpardonable offence in the + days of slavery, and was frequently punished with great + severity. An occasional penalty on some plantations--very + few, in justice to Virginia planters be it said--was to + compel the delinquent wormer to bite in two the disgusting + worm discovered in his or her row by the lynx-eyed overseer. + Valuable coadjutors in this work are the housewife's flock + of turkeys, which are allowed the range of the tobacco lots + near the house, and which destroy the worms by scores. The + moth, whose egg produces these larvae, is a large white + miller of unusual size and prolificness. Liberal and kind + masters would frequently offer the negro children a reward + for every miller captured, and many were the pennies won in + this way. One of these insects, placed one evening under an + inverted tumbler, was found next morning to have deposited + over two hundred eggs on the glass. + +[Illustration: Worming.] + + "As the plant matures the leaves grow heavy, and, thick with + gum, droop gracefully over from the plant. Then as they + ripen, one by one the plants are cut, some inches below the + first leaves, with short stout knives,--scythe or reaper is + useless here,--and hung, heads down, on scaffolds, in the + open air, till ready to be taken to the barn. A Virginia + tobacco-barn is totally unlike any other building under the + sun. Square as to the ground plan, its height is usually + twice its width and length. In the center of the bare + earthen floor is the trench for firing; around the sides + runs a raised platform for placing the leaves in bulk; and, + commencing at a safe distance from the fire, up to the top + of the tall building, reach beams stretching across for the + reception of the tobacco-sticks, thick pine laths, from + which are suspended the heavy plants. Safely housed and + beyond all danger of the frost, whose slightest touch is + sufficient to blacken and destroy it, the crop is now ready + for firing, and through the late autumn days blue clouds of + smoke hover over and around the steep roofs of the tall + tobacco-barns. A stranger might suppose the buildings on + fire, but not a blaze is within, the object here, as in + bacon-curing, being _smoke_, not _fire_. + + "For this the old field-pine is eschewed, and the planter + draws on his stock of oak and hickory-trees. Many use + sassafras and sweet gum in preference to all other woods for + this purpose, under the impression that they improve the + flavor of the tobacco-leaf. When the leaves, fully cured, + have taken the rich brown hue of the tobacco of commerce, so + unlike the deep green of the growing plant that a person + familiar with the one would never recognize the other as the + same plant, the planter must fold his hands and wait until + they are in condition for what is technically known as + striking, i. e., taking down from the rafters on which they + are suspended. Touch the tobacco when too dry and it + crumbles, disturb it when too high or damp, and its value + for shipping is materially lessened, while if handled in too + cold weather it becomes harsh. But there comes a mild damp + spell, and the watchful planter seizing the right moment, + since tobacco, like time and tide, waits for no man, musters + all the force he can command for the work of stripping and + stemming. This done, the leaves are sorted and tied in + bundles, several being held in one hand, while around the + stalk-end of the cluster is wrapped another leaf, the loose + end of which is tucked through the center of the bundle. + Great care is taken in this operation not to break the leaf, + and oil or lard is freely used in the work. During this + process the crop is divided into the various grades of + commerce from 'long bright' leaf to 'lugs' the lowest grade + known to manufacturers. These last are not packed into + hogsheads, but are sent loose, and sold without the trouble + of prizing, in the nearest market-town. + + "Shades imperceptible to a novice, serve to determine the + value of the leaf. As it varies in color, texture, and + length, so fluctuates its market price, and at least half + the battle lies in the manner in which the crop has been + handled in curing. From the mountainous counties of + South-western Virginia, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick, comes + all the rarest and the most valuable tobacco, 'fancy + wrappers' but these crops are smaller in proportion to those + raised along the lowlands of the rivers. This tobacco is + much lighter in color, much softer in texture, than the + ordinary staple, and is frequently as soft and fine as silk. + Some years ago a bonnet made of this tobacco was exhibited + at the Border Agricultural Fair, and had somewhat the + appearance of brown silk. Only one such plant have I ever + seen grown in Southside, and that, a bright golden brown, + and nearly two feet in length, was carefully preserved for + show on the parlor-mantel of the planter who raised it. + + "After tying, the bundles are placed in bulk, and when again + 'in order,' are 'prized' or packed into the hogsheads,--no + smoothly-planed and iron-hooped cask, by the way, but huge + pine structures very roughly made. The old machine for + prizing was a primitive affair, the upright beam through + which ran another at right angles, turning slightly on a + pivot, heavily weighted at one end, and used as a lever for + compressing the brown mass into the hogsheads. Now, most + well-to-do planters own a tobacco straightener and + screw-press, inventions which materially lessen the manual + labor of preparing the crop for market. Each hogshead is + branded with the name of the owner, and thus shipped to his + commission-merchant, when the hogshead is 'broken' by + tearing off a stave, thus exposing the strata of the bulk to + view. Of late years some planters have been guilty of + 'nesting,' or placing prime leaf around the outer part and + an inferior article in the center of the hogshead. + + "At a tobacco mart in Southside, occurred perhaps the only + instance of negro-selling since the establishment of the + Freedman's Bureau. At every town is a huge platform scale + for weighing wagon and load, deducting the weight of the + former from the united weight of both to find the quantity + of tobacco offered for sale. A small planter has brought a + lot of loose tobacco to market, which, being sold, was + weighed in this manner, and for which the purchaser was + about to pay, when a bystander quietly remarked, 'You forgot + to weigh the nigger.' An explanation followed, and the + tobacco, re-weighed, was found short 158 lbs., or the exact + weight of the colored driver, who had, unobserved, been + standing on the scales behind the cart while the first + weighing took place. + + "Thirty years or more ago--before the Danville and Southside + Railroads were built--the tobacco was principally carried to + market on flat-boats, and the refrain to a favorite negro + song was:-- + + "'Oh, I'm gwine down to Town! + An' I'm gwine down to Town! + I'm gwine down to Richmond Town + To cayr my 'bacca down!' + + "Then all along the rivers, at every landing, was a tobacco + warehouse, the ruins of some of which may still be seen. + With no crop has the Emancipation Act interfered so much as + with this, and the old tobacco planters will tell you with a + sigh that tobacco no longer yields them the profits it once + did: the manufacturers are the only people who make fortunes + on it now-a-days; $12 per hundred is the lowest price which + pays for the raising, and few crops average that now. Still + every farmer essays its culture, every freedman has his + email tobacco patch by his cabin door, and the Indian weed + is still the great staple of Eastern Virginia." + +The first planters of tobacco at the West were the Ohioans, who began +its culture about fifty years ago. From the first they have taken much +interest in the plant, and as the result of many experiments not only +produce seed leaf, but the finest cutting leaf grown in this country. +The Ohio tobacco growers have shown a spirit of enterprise in this +direction that is as commendable as it is rare. While they have not +tested the great tropical varieties like their brother tobacco growers +of Connecticut, they have succeeded in producing a leaf for cutting +that is the admiration of the world. At first their experiments were +unsuccessful, and the early growers were ridiculed for entertaining +the belief that tobacco could be grown at the West. Yet despite all +objections and seeming failures, the growers continued its cultivation +until it has become one of the great products of the State. Of late +the Ohio growers have demonstrated that their soil is better adapted +for the finer grades of cutting leaf, than for seed leaf or even the +more common "cinnamon blotch." + +The soil is rich, and an experience of half a century has at length +given them a thorough knowledge of the plant and the most successful +modes of cultivation. In appearance an Ohio tobacco field resembles +those of the Connecticut valley--the leaf is large, and though +coarser, cures down a dark rich brown, like "cinnamon blotch," or a +light yellow, the color of the famous "white tobacco." The Ohio +growers have taken much pains with the Ohio broad leaf, and have +produced a seed leaf tobacco that in many respects is a superior +wrapper for cigars. While it does not possess the fine texture of +Connecticut seed leaf it still has many good qualities, and with the +careful culture given it will doubtless become still finer as a leaf +tobacco, for wrapping cigars. But it is in the production of cutting +leaf that the Ohio growers take rank, and ere long will supply the +vast demand made upon them for their great cutting variety. + +[Illustration: Ohio tobacco field.] + +With a degree of pride peculiar to all tobacco growers, (when any new +variety has originated,) they point with no little egotism to their +fields of "white tobacco," and ask their fellow-growers of New England +to rival this "great plant." So successful have they been of late with +cutting leaf, that their fields yield them returns not inferior to +many of the choicest tobacco farms on the Connecticut River. The Ohio +growers have one advantage over earlier growers of the plant--their +land has not been cultivated as long as the famous tobacco lands of +the Connecticut valley, and does not require that thorough fertilizing +which is so necessary in New England. Still the tobacco field cannot +be too thoroughly prepared for the growth of tobacco, whether in the +tropics or in the more temperate regions. + +In the curing of tobacco, the Ohio growers have but few equals, and no +superiors. At first, the complaint made by the buyers of Ohio tobacco +was, that "Ohio tobacco has the appearance of being too hard fired, +indeed so much so as to have the flavor of being baked." The early +culture of tobacco in the State attracted the attention of tobacco +buyers, especially those who had dealt largely in Maryland leaf, and +so much so, that one large firm issued a circular and sent to all the +prominent growers in the tobacco growing section giving instructions +in regard to its cultivation and management. We copy from one lying +before us, and dated 1842. It reads as follows: + "As tobacco is every + year becoming a more prominent article in your State, we + deem it of so much importance that we have had this circular + printed on the subject of its Cultivation and Management, + and take the liberty to address it to you. New ground + produces the finest and highest priced tobacco. The plants + should be set about 2 feet 9 inches or three feet apart, + which will give them sufficient air and sun to ripen, and + give the leaf a good body. It should be topped as soon as it + buttons, kept clear of suckers, and cut as soon as it is + ripe--if favorable weather, it will be fit for the house in + 15 to twenty days after it is topped. + + "When cut, let it remain until sufficiently lank to handle + without breaking; but it should be housed before it is + sun-killed, or much deadened, to prevent which, put it up in + small heaps, say as much as a man can carry, with the heads + to the sun, as soon as cut, and even then the top plants may + be too much deadened, unless soon removed to the house. If + sun-killed, it will not cure fine. The Maryland system is to + fire without flues, and when the precaution is taken to lay + planks or boards directly over the fire, accidents seldom + occur. + + "Slow fires are kept up for the first four or five days + after the house is filled, so as to give it a moderate heat + throughout, until the Tobacco is generally yellow, then the + fires are raised or increased so as to kill the leaf and + stem in forty-eight hours or less. When cured on the stock, + as is done in Maryland, it can be better assorted, or the + different qualities more readily separated than when + stripped in the field and cured in the leaf. When stripping + and tying up in bundles, it should be assorted according to + the following classifications: 1st, Fine Yellow; 2d, Yellow; + 3d, Spangled; 4th, Fine Red; 5th, Good Red; 6th, Brown and + Common. It is often put up as if there were but two or three + qualities, hence there is a great mixture of the several + sorts, which is a very serious disadvantage in selling, as + the purchaser generally values it at the price of the most + inferior in the sample. + + "The process of curing unfired, or air-dried tobacco, is + similar to the above, except the firing; when so cured, it + is more difficult to condition, so as to make it keep; but + it generally sells quite as well. Planters should be very + careful to have their Tobacco in good dry condition when + they deliver it to the dealer or purchaser, as it is + all-important to him to receive it free from dampness or + moisture, which bruises it and injures its quality. We think + such management as directed above would raise the value of + Ohio tobacco as high as similar quality of Maryland." + +[Illustration: Tobacco warehouse.] + +As when first cultivated, the Ohio growers still select new land as +the best adapted for tobacco, though not as easy of cultivation. When +the tobacco growers are ready for preparing their "new ground" they +invite in their friends and neighbors, and the field is "grubbed" in a +short time. "Grubbing Day," with the young people, is an event of no +common interest; the farmers gather from the adjoining farms and with +mirth and muscle soon render the field fit for the "Indian herb." In +the evening, the planter's home is filled with the young people, bent +on having a right good time, and with "stripping the willow" and other +games, close the day if not the night in the most enjoyable manner. +Many of the country merchants take the tobacco of the growers when in +condition to handle, paying them (or at least a portion of it,) in +goods, or purchasing the tobacco as they do other merchandise. They +have large warehouses where they receive and pack the tobacco until +shipped to market. In the early Spring the growers take their tobacco +to the workhouses, where it is packed by the merchants who frequently +have a claim on the crop for advances made on the same. + +Having given a description of the Connecticut, Virginia and Ohio +tobacco growers, we come now to the most extensive cultivators of +tobacco in America--the Kentuckians. With the exception of the +Virginians they are the oldest growers of the plant in the United +States,[65] and are confessedly among the most thorough cultivators of +the plant in the world. The soil of Kentucky is admirably adapted for +the great staple, and along the banks of the Green River may be seen +the largest tobacco fields in the world. The plant attains a large +size, and grows with a luxuriance common to all products grown in the +famous "blue grass" region. + + [Footnote 65: Kentucky was originally a part of + Virginia.] + +[Illustration: Kentucky tobacco plantation.] + +The system adopted by the Kentucky growers is similar to that adopted +by all growers of cut tobacco, and the fine quality of Kentucky +"selections" has deservedly gained the leaf a reputation that must +place it in the front rank of American tobacco. The vast quantity +grown in the state is an evidence not only of the good quality of +Kentucky tobacco, but of the adaptation of the soil and of the method +of cultivation in use. As a cut tobacco, Kentucky-leaf is held in the +highest esteem, the exportation of the leaf to all parts of Europe +gaining for it a reputation hardly equaled by any Southern tobacco. +The system of cultivation is similar to that pursued by the Virginian, +and the same process of curing is also adopted. + +The Kentucky growers generally succeed in getting a "good stand" and +when once the plants have commenced to grow they come forward with a +rapidity that is truly astonishing. The soil of Kentucky is well +adapted for the production of the largest varieties of tobacco as well +as the finest grades of cutting leaf. Much attention is paid to the +selection of soil, that the light standard of Kentucky leaf may be +further advanced. On the large plantations a vast amount of tobacco is +grown, in some instances equaling the entire product of some of the +tobacco-growing towns in the Connecticut Valley. The tobacco is packed +in hogsheads, each one containing twelve hundred pounds, the same as +in Virginia and Missouri. + +The Kentucky planter prides himself on the superior quality of +tobacco, as well as his famous blooded stock. If there is anything +more remarkable than the high character of the latter, it must +certainly be the renowned plant which has given the wealthy planters +of Kentucky a national popularity among all cultivators of tobacco. +The Kentuckians are thorough in all of their methods of cultivation, +and with the first stock and tobacco farms in the country bid fair to +achieve still further honors as "tillers of the soil." Possessed of +the largest means, they have brought their farms up to a high state of +cultivation, and produce in their famous valleys the very finest of +Nature's products. + +Kentucky planters are men of the largest endowments; Nature, in her +gifts to them has been most lavish, and the princely fortunes which +they have acquired shows how well they have benefited by her +munificence. In manners affable, and in benevolence unsurpassed, the +Kentucky planter gains the plaudits of all. He is polite to both +friend and foe, and possessed with all of that polished manner which +marks the true gentleman, and especially all growers of the "kingly +plant." Easy of approach, he has still that reserve that bids all +sycophants mark well their conduct and demeanor. On the plantation or +at the race, the Kentuckian is ever in his best mood for recreation +and enjoyment. + +[Illustration: The Kentucky planter.] + +His attachment for the horse has developed qualities of patience and +thoroughness that are shown elsewhere than on the "course." Benefiting +by years of training and study, the success that follows his efforts +shows at once that such talents are not confined to a single field of +operations. In many respects like the Virginia planter, they differ +somewhat in their taste in all that pertains to the turf and the +field. But we would not lose sight, among his many noble traits of +character, of that love of his State that pre-eminently characterizes +the Kentuckian. He is justly proud of her soil and of her sons, and +whether in the halls of Congress or on the field of carnage and blood, +fears not to maintain the honor and safety of the one and the other. + +It is surprising to one acquainted with the growth of tobacco and the +value of the Southern States for its production that so small an area +of land is devoted to its culture in Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. +When owned by Spain, West Florida was noted for its tobacco, and +produced large quantities which were exported to Spain and France. The +soil of Florida is well adapted for tobacco, and the rich hummock +lands produce an excellent quality for cigars, not unlike Havana leaf. +Its cultivation has been tried in various parts of the State, but the +result has not warranted its cultivation to any great extent +excepting in Gadsden County where the plant flourishes as well as in +Cuba. + +The seed used in Havana and the plant resembles it so closely that +even Cuban planters cannot distinguish it from that grown on the +island. The mode of cultivation is nearly the same, and the soil is +said to produce a leaf of tobacco similar to that of the celebrated +Vuelta de Albajo. Formerly the product was sent to New Orleans, and +the leaf was pronounced by some dealers to be bitter, but most of them +considered it valuable. The planter selects the high lands or +hummocks, the soil of which is light and rich for the tobacco field. +The plants are carefully drawn from the bed, and transplanted +afterwards. The mode of culture is to plow between the rows and hoe +the plants carefully. + +A Florida tobacco field in appearance is not unlike a _vega_, or Cuba +tobacco field; the same luxuriant growth of the forest may be seen on +every hand, and the "queen of herbs" grows underneath or near the +fragrant Orange and the stately Magnolia. The soil of Gadsden County +is in some respects unlike that of the rest of the State in that there +is an entire absence of limestone, which is found elsewhere all +through Florida. The climate of the State is well adapted for the +growth of tobacco, and is less changeable on the Gulf side than along +the Atlantic coast. + +Formerly larger crops were raised than now. Under the old _regime_ +when on every plantation were a score or more of idle negro urchins, a +large portion of the labor could be performed by them, such as +worming, dropping the plants, and picking up the primings, while now +the labor has to be paid for in money or its equivalent. At this time, +the "wrapper leaf" was considered to be among the best for cigars, and +brought high prices. In the days of slavery, tobacco was considered to +be as profitable as the cotton crop, and good tobacco plantations were +considered to be the most valuable in the State. + +[Illustration: Florida tobacco plantation.] + +This peculiar tobacco region is without doubt capable, with proper +management, of producing a superior article for cigars, both wrappers +and fillers, and when grown on "new ground" the staple is exceedingly +fine. The leaf cures as rapidly, and is of as good color as in Cuba, +and in a favorable season and when harvested fully ripe, is destitute +of that bitter taste formerly ascribed to it. The plants grow large, +and have that smooth, shiny appearance peculiar to Havana tobacco, the +leaves growing erect, and frequently covered with "specks" or "white +rust," one of the best evidences of a fine flavored and a good-burning +tobacco. A Florida tobacco-grower gives the following account of the +plant: + + "The Gadsden 'wrapper-leaf' was always in high repute, and + extensively used in the manufacture of cigars, being in + size, firmness, and texture fully equal to the best Cuba, + and far superior to the Connecticut seed-leaf. Where the + variety known as the Cuba filler has been tried, it has + succeeded finely in this county, possessing that delicate + and peculiar aroma so highly prized in the Havana cigars. We + need but the capital to make the most profitable crop that + is grown. It is a fact, that of all the counties of the + State, many of them abounding in the very finest soil, + Gadsden is the only one that has succeeded in making the + Cuba tobacco a staple market-crop. Prior to 1860 it rivaled + in net returns the great staple cotton, and from present + indications, it is about to resume its former status among + the great agricultural products of the country." + + "Whether this success is attributable to any peculiarity in + the elements of the soil, I am not able to determine, but + this fact is worthy of note, that, except immediately on the + banks of the Apalachicola River, which forms the Western + boundary of the County, there is an entire absence of the + rotten limestone which so largely pervades the other + sections of the State. For the planter of limited means, + there is no crop so well suited to his condition as the Cuba + tobacco. To produce a given result there is a less area of + land required than is demanded for the production of any + other field crop. The cultivation, harvesting, and + preparation for market is simple, and the labor so light + that it may be participated in by every member of the + family, male and female, over six years of age. The growth + of the plant is so rapid, and its arrival at maturity so + quick, that it never interferes with any of the provision + crops, and rarely with a moderate cotton crop." + +In Louisiana the tobacco plant flourishes well and grows as well and +as luxuriantly as sugar cane. Even along the banks of the Mississippi +the plants attain good size, and succeed as finely as in some of the +other parishes in the interior of the State. The Perique and Louisiana +tobacco are the principal varieties cultivated, and attain nearly the +size of Connecticut seed leaf. In St. James parish the soil seems well +adapted for Perique tobacco, and here it readily takes on that black +hue that is one of the peculiar features of this singular variety. In +Coddo parish tobacco is cultivated to some extent, but does not +produce a leaf equal to that grown in St. James Parish. The tobacco +grown in the Parishes of Bossier and Natchitoches is used chiefly by +the growers of the parishes and is fitted for both smoking and snuff. + +The Louisiana planters have adopted the method of the French in doing +up their tobacco--twisting it in rolls, or as the French call them, +"Carrots." The planters of St. James Parish annually put up from ten +to fourteen thousand carrots of Perique, each carrot weighing about +four pounds. + +Mr. Perique, from whom the tobacco takes its name, made many +improvements in the manner of preparing the tobacco for market, one +of which consisted in taking up the twisted lumps (after remaining in +press for six months), spreading them to fifteen or sixteen inches in +length and having completed four pounds in weight, rolling it into a +lump which retained its shape by means of a rope one-fourth inch in +diameter, tightly twisted around it. The labor in pressing and +twisting is entirely done by hand, and attended to with the most +scrupulous care. + +[Illustration: Louisiana tobacco plantation.] + +The Creole planters sometimes raise two, and even three crops on the +same field, two of them being the growths of suckers or shoots from +the parent stock or stump. The growers of Perique tobacco have tested +Havana seed, but can see but little difference between the product and +that from Virginia or Kentucky tobacco seed, while the growth is much +smaller. In color Louisiana tobacco is very dark, entirely different +from any other variety grown in the Mississippi valley. + +Some few years since tobacco culture was introduced into California, +and the belief then entertained by those who planted the consoling +weed, that the state would soon become as famous for raising tobacco +as she now is for producing wheat and gold seem likely to be +realized. The soil and climate of California are admirably adapted for +tobacco. In the valleys the land is a deep alluvial loam, easily +worked, producing bountiful crops of the finest leaf tobacco. The +planters have experimented with several varieties, including Havana, +Florida, Latakia, Hungarian, Mexican, Virginia, Connecticut, Standard +and White leaf. Large crops are grown, especially of Florida tobacco, +which, with careful culture, produces two thousand five hundred pounds +of merchantable leaf to the acre. The planters get their Havana seed +from Cuba, preferring to do so rather than to risk the seed from their +own plants. At first they used home-grown seed and could not see any +serious deterioration or change in the quality of the tobacco, but a +singular change in the form of the leaf took place. That from +home-grown seed grew longer, and the veins or ribs, which in Havana +tobacco stand out at right angles from the leaf stalks took an acute +angle, and thus became longer and made up a greater part of the leaf. +Of Florida tobacco the home-grown seed comes true. + +Tobacco is now being tested in the several counties in the State and +with every promise of success. Many of the ranches seem well adapted +for the plant and the planters are confident by their new process of +curing, of being able to produce an article equal to the best Havana +brand. The plants attain a remarkable size, and grow up like many +kinds of tropical vegetation, without much care being bestowed upon +them, although the plants are regularly cultivated and hoed. The +planters are not troubled with that foe of most tobacco fields, "the +worm." They attribute this in part to the excellence of their soil and +partly to the abundance of birds and yellow jackets. The planters do +not always "top" the Havana and do very little "suckering." If the +ground is rich, and free from weeds they let one of the suckers from +that root grow, and thus become almost as large and heavy as the +original plant. They believe that the soil is strong enough to bear +the plants and suckers, and that they get a better leaf and finer +quality without suckering. + +In summer the roads are very dusty in California, and this dust is a +disadvantage to the tobacco planter. On some of the plantations double +rows of shade trees are planted along the main roads, and gravel is +spread on the interior roads; and to protect the fields of tobacco +from the high winds which sweep through the California valley, almonds +and cottonwoods are planted for wind-breaks in the fields. + +Some of the planters employ Chinese to cultivate the plants, who are +very careful in hoeing and weeding the tobacco, living an apparently +jolly life in shanties near the fields. A witty California +correspondent of the _Tobacco Leaf_ writes concerning the early +cultivation of tobacco in that State: + + "We are doing a great many other things in California now + besides raising grain, fruit, wine, wool, and gold. We are + doing a lively business in tobacco. Fifteen years ago I was + down East on one occasion when they were gathering the + tobacco crop--which goes to New York, and, by a process + equal to wine making, becomes Havana tobacco. It struck me + that this country was admirably adapted to its cultivation, + and I brought back some seed, which I gave to a friend + living on the bank of the Sacramento River, instructing him + to plant it as per direction given me. We sat down and + calculated the immense fortune we would make raising + tobacco, if the experiment was a success. A week later my + friend, who was an impatient sort of a fellow, wrote me just + a line--'No results.' I replied, and asked him if he + expected a crop of tobacco in seven days. A few weeks later + he wrote, 'Here she comes;' two weeks later, 'How big is the + stuff to be?' two weeks later, 'Not room for tobacco and me + too. Who shall quit?' I heard no more for a month and + thought I would go up and see it. I did so, and the + steamboat landed me at my friend's ranch. I could not see + the house, and hallooed. I heard an answer from the depths, + and then following a path, I found my friend swinging in a + hammock in the shade of a grove of tobacco trees. I desire + to maintain my reputation for truth and veracity, so + necessary to a correspondent, so I won't say how big or how + high those tobacco plants were; but my friend's hammock was + slung from them--and he was no feather-weight--the leaves + completely embowered the cottage. I congratulated him on the + results--such a grove and such a shade--and moreover I + said, 'You will be permanently rid of mosquitoes.' 'Will I!' + said he. 'Do you know that these gallinippers have learned + to chew already, and the habit is spreading so that all the + old he-fellows are coming down from Marysville to take a + hand.' I inquired if my friend had cured any or smoked any. + He pointed to a Manyanita pipe split open on the ground, and + said. 'Before it was real strong, some three weeks ago, I + tried a leaf in that pipe. Observe the result--busted it the + second whiff, and knocked me off the log I was sitting on.' + Such was the first experiment in tobacco raising in + California. But now they have learned the trick. They have + searched the State for the poorest and most barren soil, + and, having found it are cultivating a splendid article of + genuine Havana leaf tobacco, manufacturing cigars as good as + you get one time in twenty even in Havana, making several + brands of smoking tobacco, and, lastly, an article of + Louisiana perique, ('peruke' proper,) that any old smoker + would go into ecstasies over, fully equal, it is said to the + genuine old-fashioned article, and that is saying a good + deal. Now if we can supply the world with cigars and + tobacco, we have got a dead sure thing for the future, even + if gold gives out, grain fails and the pigs eat up all the + fruit. Your people who have been paying fifteen cents apiece + for genuine Havana cigars imported direct from--Connecticut, + should rejoice and join in an earnest _hooray!_" + +In Mexico the tobacco plantations exhibit a diversity of scenery not +met with in other portions of America. The soil is well adapted for +the crop, and on many of the plantations in the Gulf States the plant +grows as finely as on any of the _vegas_ of Cuba. The Mexicans are +among the best cultivators of the plant in the world, and, like the +Turks, prefer its culture to that of any product grown. The plant is a +strong, vigorous grower, and ripens early, emitting an odor like that +of Havana tobacco. The climate is so favorable that from one to three +crops can be grown on the same field in one year, and yield a +bountiful harvest without seemingly impoverishing the soil.[66] +Transplanted in the summer or autumn, the plants grow through the +winter months, and in spring are gathered and taken to the sheds. +Sartorius, in his work on Mexico, says of its culture on the +plantation:-- + + [Footnote 66: Shepard says of the cultivation of tobacco + by the Indians:--"The tobacco which is raised on the + Tehuantepec isthmus is said, by good judges, to rival + that of Cuba, and commands, in the capital, equal prices + with the far-famed Havana. It is cultivated by the + Indians, whose fields, or '_milpas_,' according to + Indian custom, are situated at some distance from their + villages, often in the depths of the forest. Upon these + little patches they bestow whatever labor is consistent + with dislike for exertion, leaving the rich soil to + accomplish the balance."] + +[Illustration: Mexican tobacco plantation.] + + "Various kinds of tobacco are planted, mostly that with the + short, dingy, yellow blossoms, which has a very large, + strong leaf. But there is little doubt that the sorts would + be more carefully selected, if the trade were not fettered + by the monopoly. Most of the government planters enter into + an arrangement with the small farmers and peasants who have + to grow a certain number of plants, on conditions of handing + over the harvest at a low figure--six to eight dollars per + crop. These _aviados_ receive something in advance, and + their chief profit consists in securing the sand leaf and + the greater part of the after-harvest, which they sell to + the contrabandists. It is indeed allowed to export whatever + remains; but it is attended with so many annoyances from the + authorities, that it is never attempted. The many ships + which enter the Mexican harbor of the east coast with + European manufactures, find no return freight except gold + and silver, cochineal, vanilla, a few drugs and goat skins, + all of which take up very little room in the ships (money is + usually sent off in the English government steamers); + consequently they must either proceed to Laguna to buy + log-wood, or they must take in sugar, coffee, or tobacco, in + a Cuban or Haytian port. As soon as tobacco becomes an + export article, its cultivation must increase immensely in + the Coast States, the Mexican being very partial to this + branch of agriculture, which occupies him part of the year + only." + +Mayer also alludes as follows to the same subject:-- + + "A large portion of the tobacco sold in the republic is + contraband; for the ridiculous and greedy restrictions and + exactions with which a plant of such universal consumption + is surrounded, necessarily disposes the people to violate + laws which they feel were only made to impair their rights + of production and trade under a constitution professing to + be free." + +The government planters in the State of Vera Cruz have large, fine +plantations, and the plants are carefully tended and cultivated as in +all countries where tobacco is a government monopoly. On each plant a +certain number of leaves are taken off, including the sand leaf, which +is thrown away, and everything in the way of topping and suckering +performed as carefully as on the tobacco farms in Cuba. The small +farmers who raise only a few thousand plants are not as careful as the +large planters, and are sometimes guilty of planting more than the +number agreed upon, while the mountain passes towards the table-land +are carefully guarded to prevent smuggling of the crop, which is far +more remunerative than selling to the government. + +We will now take the reader to the primitive tobacco plantations of +America about the middle of the Sixteenth Century. The plantations +were not located in Cuba as many have supposed but what has been +variously named Hispaniola, Hayti, and St. Domingo. It was in this +island that the Spaniards first began the cultivation of tobacco and +inaugurated (under the guise of Christianity) that career of monstrous +cruelty, with which their insatiable appetite for the burning of +heretics and for the baiting of bulls so well accords. In 1509, Diego +Columbus, the eldest son of the great discoverer, assumed in St. +Domingo, or as it was then called, Hispaniola, the vice-regal powers +which had been intrusted to him. Diego as portrayed by the historian +"was a man as noble as his father, and almost as gifted; and he had +his father's fate. Like his father, he had to bear all that Spanish +envy and Spanish malignity could inflict. In 1511, Diego Columbus sent +Diego Velasquez to conquer Cuba." From historians Velasquez gets a +better character than most of the _Conquistadores_, who in general +were as ferocious as they were audacious and fortunate. No serious +opposition was or could be offered. With the name of Velasquez the +prosperity of Cuba is inseparably identified. As Governor of Cuba he +was a vigorous colonizer and civilizer. He founded Havana, which he +called the Key of the New World, and which is said to rank as the +eighth place in the hierarchy of commercial cities. Havana, however +had long been flourishing before the seat of Government had been +transferred to it from Santiago. It was Velasquez who introduced +slavery into Cuba; and it was during his vice-royalty and under his +sanction that those memorable exploratory and conquering expeditions +began, the most astonishing of which was that to Mexico, led by +Cortez, the insubordinate lieutenant of Velasquez, whose death is said +to have been hastened by the rebellious and ungrateful conduct of +Cortez, and perhaps by the spectacle of such immense and rapid +success. The agricultural, commercial, and general growth of the West +India islands at this period would have been much more rapid if the +Spaniards had not annihilated the native population, and if they had +not been exposed to incessant piratical attacks. These were often of +the most desolating kind. In 1688, the city of Puerto Principe was +plundered and destroyed. From its strongly fortified position Havana +set the buccaneers at defiance, and sometimes saved the whole island +from ruin. + +[Illustration: St. Domingo tobacco field, 1535.] + +The exact period of the first cultivation of tobacco in St. Domingo is +not known, but we find that as early as 1535 the negroes had +habituated themselves to the use of it in the plantations of their +master. Soon however its cultivation increased, and during the latter +part of the Sixteenth Century the Spaniards shipped vast quantities +to Europe, a very large amount of which found its way to England, +where it brought fabulous prices. The Spaniards, by the application of +the lash and other cruelties, extorted from the negroes an amount of +labor never equaled by any other task masters in the world. Forcing +these slaves to labor on the plantations from morning until night, +with the fierce rays of a tropical sun shining full upon their +uncovered backs, and goaded on to the performance of the severest +toil, is it any wonder that the haughty cavaliers of Spain grew rich +from their industry, and feasted on the products of the Indies. +Cultivated on the rich soil of this fertile island, the tobacco of St. +Domingo had no competitor, until the Spaniards began its culture a +little later on the island of Trinidad, the product of which in time +stood at the head of all the tobaccos of the Indies and of South +America. The tobacco trade at this time was wholly controlled by the +Spaniards, who, though successful in this direction, made but slow +progress in colonization. Compared in the British colonies in the New +World, the Spanish possessions were weak and incompetent, and for all +their advantages in their great product, it was ultimately rivaled by +the English Colonial tobacco. In the conquest of the New World, +Spanish energy and enterprise seem to have exhausted themselves; and +as Spain was declining, its colonies could not be expected rapidly to +advance. The history of the Spanish conquest in America is a record of +cruelty and of blood, while that of English colonization is marked by +English rigor and enterprise, and is one of successful daring and +ultimate triumph. + +The West India plantations, however, were still worked, and for more +than a century St. Domingo yielded a vast amount of tobacco, until the +soil of Cuba was found to be better adapted for its production than +any other of the West India islands, not excepting even the island of +Trinidad. + +Hazard, in his work on Cuba, describes the celebrated _vegas_ or +tobacco plantations, of the island as follows: + +[Illustration: A Cuban _vega_.] + + "The best properties known as _vegas_, or tobacco farms, are + comprised in a narrow area in the south-west part of the + island, about twenty-seven leagues broad. Near the western + extremity of the Island of Cuba, on the southern coast, is + found one of the finest tobaccos in the world. Within a + space of seventy-three miles long and eighteen miles wide, + grows the plant that stands as eminent among tobacco plants + as the lordly Johannisberger among the wines of the Rhine. + Shut in on the north by mountains, and south-west by the + ocean, Pinar del Rio being the principal point in the + district. These _vegas_ are found generally on the margins + of rivers, or in low, moist localities, their ordinary size + being not more than a _coballeria_, which amounts to about + thirty-three acres of our measurement. The half of this is + also most frequently devoted to the raising of the vegetable + known as the _platano_ (banana), which may be said to be the + bread of the lower classes. A few other small vegetables are + raised. The usual buildings upon such places are a dwelling + house, a drying-house, a few sheds for cattle, and perhaps a + small _bohio_ (hut), or two, made in the rudest manner, for + the shelter of the hands, who, upon some of the very largest + places number twenty or thirty, though not always + negroes--for this portion of the labor of the island seems + to be performed by the lower classes of whites. Some of the + places that are large have a mayoral, as he is called, a man + whose business it is to look after the negroes, and direct + the agricultural labors; but, as a general thing, the + planter, who is not always the owner of the property, but + simply the lessee, lives upon, directs, and governs the + place. + + "Guided by the results of a long experience transmitted from + his ancestors (says a Spanish author), the farmer knows, + without being able to explain himself, the means of + augmenting or diminishing the strength or the mildness of + the tobacco. His right hand, as if guided by an instinct, + foresees what buds it is necessary to take off in order to + put a limit to the increase or height, and what amount of + trimming is necessary to give a chance to the proper + quantity of leaves. But the principal care, and that which + occupies him in his waking hours, is the extermination of + the voracious insects that persecute the plant. One called + _cachaga_ domesticates itself at the foot of the leaves; the + _verde_, on the under side of the leaves; the _rosquilla_, + in the heart of the plant; all of them doing more or less + damage. The planter passes entire nights, provided with + lights, clearing the buds just opening, of these destructive + insects. He has even to carry on a war with still worse + enemies,--the _vivijagnas_, a species of large, native ants, + that are to the tobacco what the locust is to the wheat. + This plague is so great, at times, that prayers and special + adoration are offered up to San Marcial to intercede against + the plague of ants. + + "The plant, whose original name was _cohiba_, seems to have + been cultivated first by Europeans on the island in the + vicinity of Havana. The island of Cuba is without doubt + well adapted for the cultivation of tobacco--the soil, + climate, and improved methods of culture all tend to the + production of a leaf tobacco as celebrated as it is + valuable. + +[Illustration: Killing bugs by night.] + + "Between the 'Lower Valley,' in the Nicotian, not the + geographical, sense of these words, lie the so-called + _Partidos_ which produce the tobacco that is sent to Europe + as _Partido_ or _Cabanas_. The leaf often surpasses that of + the 'Lower Valley' in size and fineness, as well as in the + beauty of the color; but it is inferior in quality. The + tobacco farmers though stalwart fellows are not fond of + work, and too often waste their time at the tavern. Many of + them from thriftlessness are plunged into debt; and scarcely + is the harvest ended when they borrow money from the tobacco + merchant on the following harvest, who thereby obtains the + right to interfere, it may be despotically, with the + management of the crop. Continual embarrassments tempt the + tobacco planters to be dishonest. To cheat their creditors, + they often sell the best part of the crop in underhand + fashion. Such of the tobacco farmers as wish to produce a + great deal of tobacco, without regard to the excellence of + the article, leave the plant to its natural growth, which is + both scientifically and otherwise objectionable, for it is + on a process of thinning and pruning a due diffusion of sap + in the leaves depends, and consequently the quality of the + tobacco." + +The tobacco, after being baled, is sent to the Havana market. The +bales of tobacco are carried on the backs of mules or horses to the +city or to the nearest railway station. + +[Illustration: Going to market.] + + "In the long line or train of mules or horses, the head of + one mule or horse is tied to the tail of the one before it. + On the back of the foremost sits the driver. The hindmost + carries a bell, which enables the driver to know whether any + of the animals have broken loose." + +From the description given by Hazard of Cuba, its soil, climate, and +other resources, it will readily be seen by all acquainted with the +tobacco plant that this famous island is well adapted for the +production of a tobacco that for fineness and delicacy of flavor is +hardly rivaled. With the peculiar composition of the soil, and with a +climate well adapted for the perfection of all kinds of tropical +plants and fruits, it can hardly be imagined that any finer variety of +tobacco can be grown than that produced in Cuba and the adjoining +islands. Doubtless the climate of Cuba is nearly the same as when +Columbus discovered the island, and wrote in such extravagant +language its praise. The soil of Cuba is prolific, and the variety of +tropical plants and fruits grown upon the island is quite remarkable. +Nowhere is this seen to a greater extent than in the varieties of +tobacco cultivated. Although there are several kinds and qualities +grown on the island, the mode of culture upon all the _vegas_ is +nearly the same. These _vegas_ or tobacco farms greatly outnumber the +coffee and sugar estates, but are much smaller, and require a less +number of hands to work them. Hazard estimates the number at ten +thousand, while they are constantly increasing as new fields are being +tried and new modes of culture introduced. Russell says of tobacco +culture in Cuba:-- + + "In regard to climate, it is worthy of observation that + tobacco is only cultivated during winter, when there is + little rain. It grows most luxuriantly in summer with the + increased heat and moisture; but the leaves grown in this + season are devoid of those qualities for which the weed is + esteemed. The conditions of growth are less powerful in + winter, when the temperature is ten degrees lower, and the + fall of rain small. At the same time, there is more sunshine + to impart those aromatic qualities which are so much + relished by smokers of tobacco. In Virginia the torrid heat + and thunder showers during the summer months are by no means + favorable for developing the mild aroma of a good smoking + leaf. Such atmospheric conditions are better suited for + cotton and Indian corn than tobacco, which must have dry + weather and sunshine to produce it in perfection." + +No country in Europe is more celebrated for its tobacco than Germany. +The tobacco plant has been cultivated in some parts of Prussia for +nearly two centuries. The tobacco of Germany is used for all purposes +for which the leaf is designed--for cutting, cigars, and snuff. There +are various kinds of German tobacco, the finest being grown in the +Grand Duchy of Baden. The native tobacco of Germany, however, is not +powerful in flavor, and may be smoked continuously to an extent which +would be dangerous and disagreeable if American tobacco were used. +Although it is cultivated in most of the States of Germany, and by a +large number of growers, still the tobacco fields as a rule are small. +The Germans are among the most thorough cultivators of the plant in +Europe, and every operation in the field is done at the proper time +and in the right manner. After it is cured they prepare it nicely in +rolls and carots, the latter for manufacturing into snuff. The tobacco +fields are faithfully tended, and the utmost pains taken to secure +large, well-formed leaves. The fields present a much more even +appearance than similar fields in France, where the tobacco grown is +small and uneven. The South German growers of tobacco are without +doubt the most successful tobacco-growers in Europe, not excepting the +Hollanders, who raise an excellent tobacco for snuff. The time of +gathering the leaves is the occasion of quite a merry-making among the +growers and villagers, and is considered an event of considerable +importance. Fairholt says:-- + + "The time of harvesting the leaves is an interesting period + for a stranger to visit the villages, which put on a new + aspect as every house and barn is hung all over with the + drying leaves." + +[Illustration: German tobacco field.] + +German tobacco cures well, and some of the finer sorts make excellent +cigar wrappers and are much esteemed throughout Europe. The following +account of the cultivation and production of tobacco in the different +German States, will give some idea of the amount cultivated and used +in Germany:-- + + "The aggregate area of land cultivated with tobacco in + Prussia during the year 1871, amounted to 5.925 hectares (a + hectare being equal to 2.47 English acres). It appears that + the extent of tobacco-growing land has, during the last + fifty years, been gradually diminishing in Prussia, and that + accordingly the expectations entertained in the beginning of + that period of a great future development of this branch of + agriculture, have not been realized; for whilst the area of + land planted with tobacco in the year 1825 was 12.374 + hectares, it amounted in 1871 to less than one-half this + amount. The reasons for this gradual decline are considered + to be, on the one hand, the growing competition of the South + German growers, and the increase in the importations of + American tobacco; on the other, the fact that the + cultivation of beet-root (for sugar manufacturing) and of + potatoes (for the distilleries) has proved to be a more + profitable business than the cultivation of tobacco. It has, + moreover, been found by many years' experience, that whilst + the quality of the tobacco cultivated in most parts of + Prussia is not such as to enable the growers to compete + successfully with the importers of foreign (particularly of + North American) sorts, the labor attending its cultivation + and its preparation for the market, as well as the + uncertainty of only an average crop, are out of proportion, + as a rule, to the average profits arising therefrom. The + cultivation of the plant has, consequently, gradually become + restricted, chiefly to those districts of the country where + either the soil is peculiarly adapted for the purpose, or + where it is carried on for the private use of the producer." + + With regard to the various provinces of Prussia, it appears + that "In East Prussia the extent of tobacco land is only a + limited one, and is confined to the district around Tilsit, + where about two-thirds of the entire cultivation is in the + hands of peasants, who consume their own produce. In West + Prussia (the western portion of the province of Prussia + proper) the cultivation is rather more extensive, + particularly near the town of Marienwerder; the tobacco, + however, is very inferior. The most important districts of + the province of Posen are those of Chodziesz and Meseritz. + In Pomerania, next to Brandenburg the most important + tobacco-growing province of the kingdom, the area of land + cultivated is very large. The principal districts are those + near Stettin. In Silesia the most important districts are + those around Breslau, Ratibor, and Oels. The principal + tobacco-growing province of Prussia is Brandenburg, and here + again, particularly the part of the government district of + Potsdam, which contains the towns of Neustadt, Eberswalde + and Prenzlau. Besides the districts mentioned, tobacco is + grown largely in that of Frankfort-on-the Oder. In the + province of Saxony the chief districts are those of Stendal, + Salzwedel, Nordhausen, Burg, and Wittenburg. Hanover, like + the other western provinces of the kingdom, produces a + superior quality of tobacco to that raised in the eastern + parts of Prussia--the most important district is that of + Munden. The chief tobacco-growing districts of Hesse-Nossau + are situated near the towns of Cassel and Hanau. In Rhenish + Prussia the plant is cultivated, particularly in the + neighborhood of Cleve, Emmerich, Coblenz, Creuznach, and + Saarbruck; the districts first mentioned produce a very + superior quality. The production of tobacco in Westphalia is + extremely small, while in the province of Schleswig-Holstein + the plant is not cultivated at all. In the account given it + will be seen that the tobacco plant holds an important place + among the products of Prussia, and although not as + extensively cultivated as formerly, has not been entirely + driven from the soil by other products which yield a larger + profit to the producer. The plant is cultivated in other + parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, where large + quantities of tobacco are grown, particularly so in the + Bavarian Palatinate and in Franconia (viz., the districts + around Nuremberg and Erlangen). In the Kingdom of Saxony but + little tobacco is raised, as is also the case in Wurtemberg, + although the soil and climate in parts of this state are + said to be very favorable to the growth of the tobacco + plant; the area of land cultivated is upon the whole, a very + limited one, and in 1871 did not exceed 178.2 hectares. The + Grand Duchy of Baden has at all times been the chief + tobacco-growing part of Germany; as far back as the end of + the Seventeenth Century, special laws for regulation of the + cultivation, preparation, and warehousing of this article + were in force. The most prominent tobacco-growing districts + of Baden are those of Carlsruhe, Mannheim, Heidelburg, + Badenburg, Schwetzingen, and Lahr; the quality of the plant + grown in those parts being a very superior one (among the + various kinds of German tobacco). The produce of the + districts mentioned is therefore applied chiefly in the + manufacture of cigar wrappers, and is exported in + considerable quantities to Bremen, Hamburg, Switzerland, + Holland, and even to America for the use of cigar + manufacture. The prices of the best kinds of Baden tobacco + are consequently also, on an average, much higher than those + realized by other German growers. In the Grand Duchy of + Hesse the plant is cultivated, the chief district being that + around the town of Darmstadt; in the Thuringian States, + tobacco is grown; the most prominent among them as regards + its production is the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. In + Mecklenburg also some tobacco is raised, the most important + district being that of Neu Brandenburg (in + Mecklenburg-Strelitz). In Brunswick only a small extent of + land is used for tobacco growing, the same being situated + near the town of Helmstadt. In Alsace and Lorraine, the + recently acquired provinces of Germany, the cultivation of + tobacco has been extensively carried on for many years, more + especially in the country around Strasburg, Mulhausen, + Schirmeck, and Munster, and to a small extent near Metz and + Thionville." + +It is apparent from this account that the German tobacco fields +produce a vast quantity of tobacco, some of which is of excellent +texture and flavor, and well adapted to the taste of European smokers +of the plant. + +Ever since the introduction of tobacco into Holland, its cultivation +and its use has been looked upon with favor by the "true-born +Nederlander," who associates the plant with every social enjoyment. +The Dutch, on the discovery of tobacco, were among the first to use it +and encourage its cultivation. In the history of the Dutch colonies in +the Indies it plays an important part. Tobacco began to be cultivated +in Holland about Amersfoot in 1615, and from that time until now, its +culture has increased until it has become one of the greatest of +agricultural products of the country. The plant is grown in the +Veluive (the valley of Guelderland), where the soil is particularly +adapted for the rich snuff-leaf which is manufactured from Amersfoot +tobacco. The Dutch, like the Germans, are excellent cultivators of +tobacco, selecting the richest and the strongest land, and working the +fields of as fine a tilth as possible. The plants do not grow as +rapidly as in America, as they are transplanted into the fields in +May, and are not harvested until the latter part of September or +beginning of October. The plants attain good size--larger than most +of the tobacco of Europe, and a tobacco field in Holland compares +favorably with any in this country. The color of the plants while +growing, is a dark rich green, and they are of a uniform size, +maturing slowly but thoroughly. Connor says of Amersfoot tobacco: +"This tobacco is much esteemed, the fineness of the leaf and its +freedom from fibres fitting it for cigar-wrappers." + +[Illustration: Dutch planters.] + +The Dutch planters of tobacco are among the happiest cultivators of +the plant in Europe, if not in the world, and unlike the renowned Van +Twiller never "have any doubts about the matter," and believe that +tobacco is absolutely necessary to sustain life. After the evening +meal the planter lights his pipe or calls upon the good dominie, to +have a social chat, discoursing over their favorite beverage the +virtues of two great luxuries. Oftener, however, he passes his +evenings at the village inn, where, surrounded by other comrades, he +discourses as follows of his favorite plant,--tabak: + + "That the smoking of tobacco is of infinite benefit, no one + who is impartial and unprejudiced can deny. In a country + like Holland, where the atmosphere is always laden with + heavy and hurtful particles, and where, while people + breathe that atmosphere from above, they feel themselves not + less affected from below by the cold, moist, swampy + soil--the smoking and the chewing of tobacco are the + wholesome prophylactics of which we can make use. To the + Indians and the Negroes, tobacco is almost the only solace + in this transient life. They learn, by means of it, to + support nature, and to encounter valiantly, by its help, all + the tribulations incidental to the human lot. If they are + depressed, they smoke or chew tobacco, and gladden + themselves therewith. If they are exhausted, and the sun and + their hard and inhuman masters appear to conspire to destroy + them, a little tobacco restores their strength, makes them + forget their slavish life, and go vigorously to work again. + + In the Thirty Years' War in Germany, the smoking and chewing + of tobacco proved the salvation of many thousands of men, + who by its aid guarded themselves against the deadly effects + of deficient food and of bad meats and drinks. Nothing is so + good, nothing so serviceable to human life, as the smoking + of tobacco--which may well be called a kingly plant, seeing + that the monarchs of the earth are not ashamed to use it. + While tobacco cultivates sociality, and is of great avail in + severe hunger and thirst, it strengthens the body and checks + fluxions, and colds, and slimy humors. Nature has willed it + that men should make use of plants like tobacco, which, by + their heat and sharpness, draw the humors outward, and cause + a slight salivation. Witness, as confirmation of what has + been said, cloves and pepper, which hold sway nearly over + the earth; betel, which to the Hindoos is the remedy for + every disease; the onions and leeks of the Egyptians, who + while building the pyramids and obelisks, spent their money + eagerly on those dainties; and tobacco, which is adopted by + the four quarters of the world. + + The justly celebrated British physician, Cheyne, has + remarked that both chewing and smoking of tobacco are + exceedingly serviceable for those who suffer from rheumatic + and catarrhal affections, have a sluggish digestion, or live + a luxurious life. As tobacco has numerous slanderers, so + there are many who know not how to turn tobacco to a good + purpose. Excess and abuse may be found in the smoking and + chewing of tobacco as in other things. Instead of using + tobacco in moderation, there are persons who make themselves + its slaves, and render themselves incapable of the immense + benefit of the enlivening and stimulating effect they would + otherwise owe to it. A little tobacco smoked or chewed + three or four times a day cannot fail to be beneficial. But + the adversaries of tobacco, in order to furnish themselves + with an argument, make tobacco bear all the blame when some + one who has given himself up to an intemperate and luxurious + life, and who is besides a great smoker, becomes the victim + of all kinds of discomforts and sickness. To condemn tobacco + by saying those who begin to chew or smoke it nearly always + suffer from malaise and nausea, is surely preposterous. May + we not in fairness contend that tobacco is essentially + wholesome, that it helps digestion, relieves the mind and + cheers the spirits." + +The following humorous account of "Thirsty Tobacco" is a most curious +illustration of the superstitions which spontaneously grow up in the +hearts of the people. + + "Soon after the introduction of tobacco into Holland many of + the Dutch were of the opinion that the tobacco plant drank + in moisture greedily and required to be often and abundantly + watered. From this insatiable thirst the belief arose that + tobacco was the cause of rain, brought clouds to the + heavens, and restored the general crops. Once, in the + neighborhood of Amersfoot, the weather was very rainy, and + the crops suffered accordingly. On the tobacco growing round + the town the blame of the calamity was thrown; and it was + resolved to punish tobacco, the sottish rain-drinker and + wicked rain-bringer. A rabble, consisting chiefly of boys + and youths, rushed to the tobacco fields, and scattered + havoc with the ferocity of stupidity. The mad creatures + pulled up the stalks, tore off the leaves, and trampled + leaves and stalks under foot. Before they had done the work + of destruction quite as completely as they desired, soldiers + appeared on the scene. They sternly commanded the rioters to + desist, but the rioters paid no heed either to entreaties or + threats. Thereupon they drew their swords, as if by the mere + flash of these to terrify the rioters, who laughed a laugh + of contempt. Then effectually to frighten the rioters, the + soldiers fired at them with blank cartridges. This harmless + noise drove the mischief-makers to ignominious flight, and + the tobacco plants which were still uninjured were left in + peace." + +At what exact time this destruction of "thirsty tobacco" took place we +are left in doubt. It is doubtless a "good joke" got up by some +"ponderous joker" for the amusement of Dutch smokers. + +All admirers of tobacco like Holland and its people. It is +emphatically the land of smoke. One is constantly in cloud-land, and +whether in the house or on the street the incense of tobacco is +perpetual, from the good natured dominie who puffs leisurely at many +pipes to the humblest peasant who works modestly among the plants, all +burn the fragrant weed and pay homage to its shrine. Ever since the +Dutch looked upon the plant it has been more to them than king and +courtier. The old Dutch burgomasters "who dozed away their lives and +grew fat upon the bench of magistracy in Rotterdam; and who had +comported themselves with such singular wisdom and propriety, that +they were never either heard or talked of, owed all to the use and +influence of the 'kingly plant.'" Not only are the Dutch prodigious +smokers, but they use the pipe at all places and at all times. On the +way to Church the pipe is lighted, and after service it is the solace +of the evening hour. + +[Illustration: Success to Von Tromp.] + +In all public places the pipe plays an important part. The traveler is +constantly reminded of the use of tobacco; for even the bridges have +public notices affixed to them requesting all visitors to prevent the +fall of tobacco-ashes on the gravel or grass; and not to knock out +their pipes within bounds of the place. The old Dutch planters were +fond of a "silent pipe," and after the labors of the day gathered +together to drink and smoke to the success of Admiral Von Tromp, whose +exploits in the British Channel carried terror to many a heart. Or, +speculated upon the voyage of the "_Goede Vrouw_" (Good Woman), which +had been fitted out to colonize the new country. + +The progress of tobacco-culture in Oceanica, is shown in the following +account which Connor gives of the tobacco plantations of Australia: + + "The development of tobacco culture in Australia has been + great and rapid. In these colonies, where only a few years + ago the plant was not known, there are now hundreds of acres + under tobacco. The local manufacture is also keeping pace + with the production of the leaf, and the import of tobacco + into the Australian colonies yearly diminishes in proportion + to the increased consumption of locally grown and + manufactured tobacco. Imported leaf is used in the + manufacture of cigars, those made from colonial leaf being + held in low esteem. Steady efforts are being made by the + cultivators to improve the quality of the produce, and with + every prospect of success, many places in the colonies being + well adapted for the growth of the plant. Colonel De Coin + says Australia is capable of producing very good qualities. + Tobacco has hitherto been grown upon alluvial lands, but a + preference is evinced for lands somewhat less rich but free + from floods. Alluvial land gives a larger crop per acre, but + the flavor is ranker. In 1872 there were 567 acres under + tobacco in New South Wales. The average produce of the + colonies is about 1,300 pounds to the acre. The amount of + produce varied from 976 pounds to the acre in New South + Wales to 2,016 in Tasmania, the climate of this island being + moister and more favorable for tobacco than that of the + other colonies. Manilla and Havana tobacco has been grown + with great success for seed for many years at the Adelaide + Botanic Gardens, and the seed raised has been largely + distributed." + +The Australian growers may demonstrate the fact that as good or better +Manilla tobacco can be grown by them than in the Philippine islands. +If the leaf will burn freely, and leave a white, firm ash, the product +will no doubt prove a rival of the leaf grown in Luzon. From the +composition of the soil, it is hardly probable that Havana tobacco +can be grown to perfection; it may, however, resemble in some measure +the Cuban leaf. The climate has much to do with the flavor of tobacco; +more than with the size of the plants or the color of the leaf. Cuba +in this respect has a decided advantage over Australia; and Havana +tobacco will hardly find a rival in Australian leaf, though grown on +the finest soil, and given the most thorough care. + +[Illustration: Tobacco field in Algiers.] + +So extensive is the cultivation of the tobacco plant, that even the +Arab cultivates it in the burning desert. In Algiers it is an +important product; and through the efforts and encouragement of the +French government its cultivation is assuming large dimensions. Some +portions of Algiers seem to be well adapted for tobacco, the finest of +which is equal to any obtained from America; but a large portion of +the product from that province is of poor quality. It is a favorite +plant with the Arab, and his attention seems to be about equally +divided between his tobacco and his camels. The plant is light in +color and of peculiar flavor, well suited to his taste, and in keeping +with his idea of quality and excellence. The crop is usually +bountiful, notwithstanding the heat of the summer and the absence of +moisture in the soil. + +[Illustration: Tobacco field in Africa.] + +The tobacco plant is also cultivated in other parts of Africa besides +Algiers. In Egypt and Nubia it is grown to a considerable extent, as +well as by most of the native tribes of the South-west. Among some +tribes it forms an important article of trade, and serves the purpose +of money or its representative. The natives are partial to the plant, +and devotedly attached to smoking. Little patches may be seen near +their huts, on which they lavish their attention and care. In some +parts of Africa tobacco grows to a very great height. Livingstone +gives an account of a variety that attained an altitude much higher +than the American plant. Several varieties are cultivated, some of +them resembling the Shiraz and Latakia, while most of it is said to be +similar to Virginia tobacco, only larger. With careful culture the +plant would doubtless thrive in most parts of Africa, as the soil is +light and the season usually favorable. Though the heat is extreme the +plant flourishes even in the hottest part of the season, and attains a +degree of perfection corresponding to the labor bestowed by the +natives in cultivating. Their manner of curing is simply by drying the +leaves, and is not suited to the taste of any besides themselves. In +Egypt, Algiers, and Nubia, the plant is cultivated with more care, and +a better system of curing is adopted than by the natives of the +interior. Burton gives an account of the cultivation of tobacco by the +natives of East Africa:-- + + "Tobacco grows plentifully in the more fertile regions of + East Africa. Planted at the end of the rains, it gains + strength by sun and dew, and is harvested in October. It is + prepared for sale in different forms. Everywhere, however, a + simple sun-drying supplies the place of cocking and + sweating, and the people are not so fastidious as to reject + the lower or coarser leaves and those tainted by the earth. + Usumbara produces what is considered at Zanzibar a superior + article; it is kneaded into little circular cakes four + inches in diameter by half an inch deep: rolls of these + cakes are neatly packed in plantain-leaves for exportation. + The next in order of excellence is that grown in Uhiao: it + is exported in leaf or in the form called _kambari_, + roll-tobacco, a circle of coils each about an inch in + diameter. The people of Khutu and Usagara mould the pounded + and wetted material into discs like cheeses, 8 or 9 inches + across by 2 or 3 in depth, and weighing about 3 lbs.; they + supply the Wagogo with tobacco, taking in exchange for it + salt. The leaf in Unyamwezi generally is soft and + perishable, that of Usukuma being the worst; it is sold in + blunt cones, so shaped by the mortars in which they are + pounded. At Karaguah, according to the Arabs, the tobacco, a + superior variety, tastes like musk in the water-pipe. The + produce of Ujiji is better than that of Unyamwezi; it is + sold in leaf, and is called by the Arabs _hamumi_, after a + well-known growth in Hazramaut. It is impossible to give an + average price to tobacco in East Africa; it varies from 1 + khete of coral beads per 6 oz. to 2 lbs." + +Some of the most beautiful and fragrant tobacco fields in the world +are to be found in Syria. Indeed it may truthfully be said that a +field of Latakia tobacco is hardly inferior in beauty to the large and +fragrant orchards of the olive and mulberry, or the wheat fields on +the terraced sides of Mount Lebanon. + +The tobacco plant is cultivated in various parts of Syria and +particularly by the Druses on "The Lebanon," as it is usually called. + +[Illustration: Tobacco field in Syria.] + +The cultivation of tobacco in Syria, has been a considerable industry, +and the product has acquired a reputation in European markets that has +demonstrated its real value, and a constant demand for this variety of +the plant. Latakia tobacco resembles in flavor the yellow tobacco of +Eastern Thibet and Western China, both of them grown from the same +seed. Latakia tobacco is not sweated like most tobacco, but is first +cured in the sun and then hung up in the peasants' huts to cure until +ready for market. The plants ripen very fast and emit an aromatic +odor, increasing in strength as the plants ripen. For smoking it has +but few superiors. After curing, it is baled and sent to Europe, where +it is manufactured into smoking tobacco. The plants are well +cultivated and watched against the ravages of birds, which seem to +like the young and tender plants especially before they are +transplanted. From the nature of the soil the plants are watered +frequently, and when the leaves are about the size of a large cabbage +leaf are ready to harvest. As the plants ripen the leaves gradually +thicken and take on a lighter shade; the leaf when green is very +thick, but after curing is quite thin and of a bright yellow or brown, +according to the process employed in curing. The peasants take equal +pains in its fumigation, using various kinds of wood according to the +color of leaf they wish to obtain. They usually make two kinds of +leaf, the finest being colored brown and known by the name of +_abowri_. The tobacco is fumigated with two kinds of wood, _gozen_ +(pine wood) and _sindian_ (oak), the tobacco fumigated with gozen +having the best smell. The fumigation, however, is said not to be +resorted to expressly for the tobacco, but the mountaineers of +necessity burn much wood in their huts in the winter, and the smoke +improves the tobacco in color, smell, and flavor. All the tobacco +grown about Latakia derives its origin from the same seed, but the +difference between the _abowri_ and the other kinds is owing to the +cultivation of the former about high mountains and with the use of +pine wood in fumigating it. A field of Latakia tobacco presents a +novel appearance, the short straight plants with their ovate leaves +bearing yellow blossoms form a striking contrast to towering seed leaf +rising fully two or three feet higher than the Syrian plant. + +Fairholt says that "Latakia tobacco is a native of America but grows +wild in other countries, and is a hardy annual in English gardens, +flowering from midsummer to Michaelmas, so that by some botanists it +has been termed 'common, or 'English tobacco.'" Burton's work on +unexplored Syria is full of passages relating to tobacco and the +custom of smoking. + + "The tobacco which is grown on the slopes of the Libanus and + the Anti-Libanus mountains appears to be one of the finest + quality and most delicate flavor. The monks of the convents + are famous for the production of a snuff, which for + pungency, at least, is far superior to the snuffs of Europe. + Personal experience of it convinces us that a great deal of + the pungency of this snuff is due to the addition of some + aromatic herb in addition to the natural acridity produced + by the highly dried tobacco. The cultivation of tobacco in + Syria, will probably increase in proportion to the improved + condition of affairs in Syria, we have little doubt; and we + trust that when agricultural science is better studied + there, Englishmen will have the opportunity of testing the + value and importance of Syrian tobacco products." + +Connor says of the tobacco fields of India:-- + + "In the Bombay Presidency tobacco is largely produced, and + its quality in such districts as Kaira and Khandesh is + superior. In 1871 there were nearly 43,000 acres of land + under tobacco in the presidency, the largest quantities + being grown in Kaira, Khandesh, Belgaum Sattara, Shalopoor, + and Poona. The trade is extensive. The exports of tobacco to + foreign countries amount to several million pounds annually. + Among foreign countries, Mauritius, Bourbon, and + neighboring places, not reckoned as part of British India, + take a large share of the exports. Bombay exports tobacco to + other Indian presidencies. Small quantities of the fine + Guzerat tobaccos find their way by rail into the + North-western Provinces. Numerous endeavors have for many + years past been made to improve the quality of Bombay + tobacco. In 1831 the Resident in the Persian Gulf sent to + the local Government a maund of seed of the 'very finest + tobacco grown in Persia,' and with it he sent some + observations on the mode of cultivating tobacco in the + neighborhood of Shiraz. In 1867 fifteen small packets of + genuine Shiraz tobacco were forwarded for trial in the + Bombay Presidency. Of the seed sown in Kolhopoor, about + eight or nine germinated, and the plants grew to a height of + five feet two inches; of these only four survived. There + were two varieties, one with oblong the other with circular + leaves. + +[Illustration: Tobacco field in India.] + + "Of the seeds sent to Kandesh, only a few germinated. All + the seed put down in the Victoria Gardens failed. That sent + to Sind, though said to have been carefully sown, also + failed to germinate. The Conservator of Forests had the + seeds sent him sown in beds, and the plants, when a few + inches in height, were transplanted into pots. They grew + with the greatest luxuriance, and produced abundance of + flowers and seed. Some of the seed was sent to the collector + of Kaira, who forwarded a sample of the tobacco grown from + it. The Conservator considered the produce very good, and + the secretary of the Agri-Horticultural Society pronounced + it 'of a superior kind.' The flavor was exceedingly fine, + but it had not been allowed to come to maturity, hence it + was thin and shriveled. It had also been spoilt by rain, + and consequently its market value could not be fairly + tested. The experiment, it is clear, was not conducted with + proper care by most of those to whom the seed was confided, + but the Local Government considered that on the whole the + result was satisfactory, as showing that there was every + probability that Shiraz tobacco, with care and proper + gardening, might be introduced into the Bombay Presidency. + + "In August, 1869, the Bombay Government again distributed a + small supply of seed of the Shiraz, Havana, and other + varieties to the superintendents of cotton experiments, and + to the collectors of Kaira, Khandesh, Dharwar, and + Kurrachee, for experimental cultivation. The seeds did well + in the hands of all the superintendents, who reported very + favorably on the plants raised from them. In Sind only the + soil in which the seed was sown proved unsuitable. In + Dharwar all the five varieties germinated, though the + Maryland failed to some extent, and a considerable quantity + of seed of each variety was secured. Of Latakia, only twenty + grains were sent to the superintendent; and the quantity in + each case increased to one pound from the produce of the + plants. These two varieties of tobacco, however, were not so + much admired by the cultivators as Shiraz, Havana, and + Maryland, to which they gave a decided preference. The only + varieties of seed which were available for experiments at + Broach and Veermgaum were Havana and Shiraz. In both places + the plants came up well, and a large quantity of seed was + obtained from them. That sent to Broach arrived a little too + late in the season to admit of an extensive experiment being + made; this indeed appears to have been the case at all the + other places. The seed, however, was of good quality, + germinated freely, and produced excellent plants in a very + short time. + + "The first transplanting was made out into a field in an + open piece of land, where they commenced growing vigorously, + but the rains being then over, swarms of small locusts made + their appearance, and ate up the young plants before they + had thoroughly established themselves in the ground. The + second lot was transplanted into a more sheltered patch, + where the progress was all that could be desired, both the + varieties growing rapidly, the Havana especially producing + some leaves of enormous size. The first cutting was + entrusted to a potel, who managed it according to the native + process of curing. The tobacco was so strong, however, that + only old confirmed smokers could manage it. The most + formidable difficulty which presented itself was the + management of the midrib, which in the large leaves was + extremely coarse and juicy. When the leaves were made up + into hands for the purpose of fermentation before the midrib + was thoroughly dry, the result was invariably mould and + discoloration. On the other hand, when dried sufficiently to + insure freedom from mould, the lamina of the leaf became so + brittle that it was crushed to powder at the slightest + touch, and so wrinkled and dry that the heaps did not + ferment at all. Of the varieties supplied, the Shiraz, + Havana, and Maryland attracted most attention and promised + the best results. The great drawback was the curing part of + the process. So far as the cultivation was concerned, there + was every prospect of success; but not so with regard to the + curing." + +Robertson says of the curing of the leaf:-- + + "In my opinion, all efforts to produce good tobacco will be + useless until the services of a competent curer are + obtained." + +He considers the fault of all Indian tobacco to lie in the curing. The +leaf itself is good, and it is simply the art of curing that should be +studied. + + "I have cured tobacco of different varieties, some of which + would hold a good place in the English market, but the fault + generally found with the tobacco is that it is too full + flavored. Further experiments were carried on in the same + districts with varying results. In Sind the experiments and + their results were insignificant. In Broach they were + somewhat more successful, the superintendent thus + summarising his experience:--'Havana, Shiraz, and other + varieties of exotic tobacco will, with ordinary care and + attention, yield fair and certain crops on ordinary black + land, and presumably on every other kind to be met with in + Guzerat. By the skillful application of manure, leaf of any + desired quality or peculiarity of flavor and texture may be + obtained. The quantity of produce is so great that, should + it be found practicable to cure the leaf well enough to make + it a salable article in the European market, a source of + profit by no means insignificant would be opened up to the + Guzerat ryot. For the native market the country plant is + more suitable, and its cultivation consequently the more + profitable.' In Dharwar the superintendent was enabled to + distribute seed in sufficient quantities to those applying + for it, but found the ryots would not cultivate it on a + large scale, being apprehensive of loss. Native tobacco he + considers less liable to injury than the exotic varieties + during the squally weather prevalent about the time the leaf + is approaching maturity." + +Robertson, in replying to the assertion that the tobacco of India +contains little if any nicotine, says: + + "It appears to me that there must be some mistake as to the + tobacco containing little or no nicotine. Very many have + tried the tobacco, and pronounce it to be good, with, + however, the fault of being exceedingly strong. Now, the + strength of tobacco comes from its nicotine, and if the + specimens I sent contain no nicotine, whence the strength? I + believe that nothing destroys tobacco so much as moistening + it. How, then, are acetic acid and chloride of soda to be + used in the curing? If the process of desiccation had been + carried on too quickly, the tobacco would have been of + either a green or greenish-yellow color. If too slowly, it + would have been black, like much of the country tobacco. I + perceive that the amount of nicotine in a great measure + depends on the extent to which the leaf is allowed to ripen. + The riper the leaf the more the nicotine. The amount of + nicotine does not appear to depend on the amount of curing. + The soil the tobacco was grown in is a hardish red moorum + soil, containing much iron; probably that may account for + the red coloring matter being so much developed. I intend to + have some of each description of the tobacco leaf analyzed, + and also intend to submit the soil in which it was grown to + the same process. I have had some of the cigars packed up + for some months to test how far they are proof against + insects. None have been attacked by insects. Some Manilla + cigars, some Trichinopoly cheroots, all packed up at the + same time, have, however, been entirely destroyed by + insects. + + "It is clear from the reports that both in Guzerat and + Khandesh, Havana and Shiraz tobacco will flourish, and that + they may be introduced without difficulty. The ryots, it is + said, preferred the new kinds to their own, and desire their + introduction, the foreign varieties commanding a higher + price in the market. The chief drawback is the want of + knowledge and appliances for the proper curing of the leaf. + This, indeed, is the great drawback throughout India. In the + district of Kaira the seed is always sown in nursery beds in + the month of July, and transplanting commences about the end + of August, the operation continuing for about two months. + The tobacco planted on the dry soil called 'koormit' ripens + and is fit for cutting in January and February; that which + is grown on irrigated land during March and April. In + Canara, tobacco is generally grown in elevated situations. + The seed is sown in August, and the seedlings are + transplanted in November, the crop arriving at maturity in + three or four months. North Canara derives its supply + chiefly from Mysore, the leaf produced in that province + being said to be less liable to affect the head than that of + the Canara plant." + +The Turk and his family love to cultivate tobacco as well as to smoke +it; and give it their attention from seed-sowing until it is sold to +the merchant. The Turk is very particular in cultivating it, as on its +color depends in a great measure its value. He commences work on his +plant-bed in March, sowing the seed about the same time as the +Virginia planters. After the leaves are gathered the same scrupulous +care is taken with them; especially in drying and baling, that the +leaf may be in just the right condition to ferment properly, and be +ready to be assorted by the "tobacco pickers." The Turk presses his +whole family into the cultivation of the plants. The children are +engaged in weeding while he waters the beds or prepares the tobacco +field for the planting of the tobacco. In pruning and picking the +leaves he removes only those that are small--the removal of which will +still further advance the growth of the plants, and is careful to +gather only those leaves that are turning yellow, giving evidence of +their maturity. Says one in regard to the cultivation of tobacco in +Turkey: + +[Illustration: Turkish tobacco going to market.] + + "The Turk and his family, it will seem, have now been + occupied upon their tobacco crop for nearly a whole year. + The leaf is just becoming a bright light yellow when it + falls into the hands of the merchant, and it is during this + period that the process of fermentation or heating generally + occurs, before which the tobacco can not be shipped. The + bales having been placed in the merchant's store, are left + end up until a fermentation or baking has taken place, the + ends being reversed every three or four days. In the course + of a few weeks a bale is reduced to about two-thirds of its + original size. It is then placed upon its sides to cool. + When it is discovered to be cold it is broken open by the + native tobacco-pickers, and every leaf sorted and + classified. The patience with which this operation is + carried out is truly astonishing. There is a good deal of + difference in their rate of work. One man may pick only + fifty pounds weight a day, while another does twice that + quantity. It is necessary to watch them closely, or they + will put a dirty brown leaf with a pale yellow. They neither + know nor care about the losses that may be incurred by the + merchant, whose samples may be thus spoiled. A bale of leaf + purchased at five piastres per _oque_, when dissected by the + Greek for various markets will be found to contain varieties + ranging in price from 5 to 60 piastres; of these some are + dispatched to Odessa, some to Smyrna, others to + Constantinople, Alexandria, and England--the mixed and + common qualities generally to the latter country, the price + there obtained being the least remunerative to the Greek + shippers. The bales are brought from the interior to the + shipping ports upon mules, each animal carrying two bales; + and it is a pretty sight to witness, say 150 mules at a + time, crossing mountains and rugged paths with their + burdens, followed by perhaps fifty camels laden with cotton, + marching to the merry tinkle of the bells on their necks. + When the tobacco reaches the shipping port the troubles of + the exporter are intensified. The bales are first taken to + the Custom House, and there weighed. The weights thus + arrived at are compared with the quantity received from the + interior, and if there be any material difference the + shipper has to account for it. If any has been sold for + consumption in Turkey, duty has to be paid upon the amount; + and in order that no part of his shipment may be used in the + country, he has to sign a bond that the tobacco shall not be + landed in any other port of Turkey. On the arrival of the + tobacco in England, the landing certificates are forwarded + to Turkey. It is in this way that the trade is retained in + the hands of a few Greeks, who naturally put every obstacle + in the way of the foreigner, whose sole remedy is at last + found to be the payment of the universal 'backshish,' to the + comptroller of customs." + +The merchant who buys the tobacco of the planter at a low price, and +thereby takes the profit from him of cultivating it, is preyed upon in +the same manner by the Greek buyers who have the sole monopoly of the +trade. Like Shiraz tobacco, that of Turkey has to be handled +frequently and pass through several stages of curing before it is +ready to be manufactured. In this respect it is unlike most of the +tobaccos of America, but its treatment is not unlike that of the +varieties of the East. + +[Illustration: Japan tobacco field.] + +The tobacco plant is cultivated with great success in many of the +provinces of Japan, and is exported in large quantities to Europe. The +leaf is excellent, and is in request by many buyers of Eastern +tobaccos. Robertson gives the following interesting account of the +Japan tobacco fields:-- + + "According to a native account, tobacco was introduced into + Japan in the year 1605, and was first planted at Nagasaki in + Hizen. It is now very generally grown throughout the + country. In the province of Awa, where a great deal of + tobacco is grown, the seed is sown in early spring in fields + well exposed to the sun and duly prepared for its reception. + Well sifted stable manure is strewn over the field, and the + seedlings appear after the lapse of about twenty days. The + old manure is then swept away, and liquid manure applied + from time to time. If the plants are too dense they are + thinned out. The larger plants are now planted out into + fields well prepared for the purpose in rows, with about + eight inches space between each plant, the furrows between + each row being about two feet wide. They are again well + sprinkled with liquid manure, also with the lees of oil at + intervals of about seven days. A covering of wheat or millet + bran is now laid over the furrows. The bitter taste of the + leaf is in a measure an effectual safeguard against the + ravages of insects, but the leaves are nevertheless + carefully tended to prevent damage from such cause. If the + reproduction from seed is not desired the flowers should be + cut off and the stem pruned down, otherwise the leaves will + lose in scent and flavor. In Osumi exceptional attention is + paid to the cultivation of the tobacco plant. The lees of + oil, if liberally used, and stable manure sparsely applied, + have great effect on the plant, producing a small leaf with + an excellent flavor; while, if the opposite course is + followed, the leaves grow to an immense size, but are + inferior in taste. + +[Illustration: Transplanting.] + + "When the flowers are in full bloom the 'sand' leaves are + picked. After the lapse of twelve or fourteen days the + leaves are gathered by twos. Any leaves that may remain are + afterwards broken off along with the stalk. Any sand + adhering to the leaves is removed with a brush; the stems + having been cut off, the leaves are rolled round, firmly + pressed down with a thin board, and cut exactly in the + centre. The two halves are then placed one on the top of the + other in such manner that the edges exactly correspond, and + being in this position firmly compressed between two boards, + they are cut into fine strips, the degree of fineness + depending on the skill of the cutter. A machine made of + hard wood, but with the vital parts of iron, is used by some + persons for this purpose. The machine was devised about + sixty years ago by a skillful Yeddo mechanic, the idea being + taken from those used in Osaka and Kiyoto for cutting thread + used for weaving into silk embroidery. Since then numerous + improvements have been made in it, and it is now extremely + well adapted for the economization of labor. Another machine + was invented about eight years since, also by a Yeddo + mechanic. It is smaller than the first mentioned, but being + very easily worked is much in use. Tobacco is sometimes cut + in the following crude manner:--The leaves are piled one on + top of the other, tightly compressed into the consistency of + a board, and then cut into shavings by a carpenter's plane. + This is, however, about the worst method, and even the best + tobacco, if treated in such fashion, loses its flavor and + valuable qualities." + +[Illustration: Chinese tobacco field.] + +In China[67] tobacco is cultivated in the western part of the empire, +and grows almost as large as most American varieties. Chinese tobacco +is usually light in color, of a thin, silky texture, and mixed with +Turkey tobacco, is a considerable feature in the export trade of that +country. The Chinese cultivate the plant like the Japanese, and give +it as much care and attention as they do the tea plant. The leaves are +gathered when ripe, and are dried and well-assorted before baling. The +Chinese planter often raises large fields of the plants, and employs +many hands to tend and cultivate them. We give a cut of a tobacco +field and the planter looking at the field and noting the progress of +the laborers. + + [Footnote 67: I saw also great plantations of tobacco, + which they call tharr, and which yield very considerable + profit, as it is universally used in smoking, by persons + of all ranks, of both sexes in China; and, besides great + quantities are sent to the Mongolls, who prefer the + Chinese manner of preparing it before any other. They + make it into a gross powder, like saw-dust, which they + keep in a small bag, and fill their little brass pipes + out of it, without touching the tobacco with their + fingers.--_Bell's Travels in Asia_, 1716, 1719, 1722.] + +[Illustration: Tobacco field in Persia.] + +In Persia tobacco is cultivated near Shiraz, which gives name to the +variety. The soil is very fertile and richly cultivated. Not only does +the tobacco plant flourish finely, but all kinds of vegetables grow to +perfection. The Persians cultivate the plant principally for their own +use. It is a fine smoking tobacco, and when cured properly is said to +be equal to Latakia. Their mode of curing is unlike that adopted by +any other cultivators of the weed but is very successful, and is no +doubt the proper method of preparing the leaves for use. Their mode of +pressing in large cakes is unlike that of any other growers--but +doubtless adds to the aromatic quality of the leaf which makes it so +popular in the East. + +The tobacco field is trenched so as to retain water, while the +plants are set on the ridges where they flourish and mature until the +buds and flowers are broken off. The harvest occurs in the autumn, +when the singular process of curing begins. + +Abbott says of the culture and commerce of tobacco in Persia: + + "Jehrum, South Persia, is the principal mart for tobacco, + which is brought here from all the surrounding districts, + and disposed of to traders, who distribute it over the + country far and near. These traders are numerous, and many + established here are wealthy; they usually transact their + business in their private houses, without resorting to the + caravansaries of which there are six in the place. There are + many grades and qualities of Shiraz tobacco but that + produced at Tuffres (according to Forster), a town about one + hundred miles to the south-west of Turshish, is esteemed the + best in Persia. + + "Of the many varieties of the tobacco plant grown in the + East, that known as Manilla is among the most famous and the + most extensively cultivated. It is grown in several of the + Philippine islands, particularly in Luzon and the southern + group, known as the Visayos. The Philippines are a large + group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, discovered by + Magellan in 1521; they were afterwards taken posession of by + the Spaniards, in the reign of Philip II., from whom they + take their name. + + "The islands are said to be eleven hundred in number, but + some hundreds of them are very small, and all are nominally + subject to the Spanish government at Manilla. The + Philippines produce a great variety of tropical products + such as rice, coffee, sugar, indigo, tobacco, cotton, cacao, + abaca, or vegetable silk, pepper, gums, cocoa-nuts, + dye-woods, timber of all descriptions for furniture and the + buildings, rattans of various kinds, and all the agreeable + fruits of the tropics. On the shores are found nacre, or + mother of pearl, magnificent pearls, bird's-nests, shells of + every description, an incredible quantity of excellent fish, + and the _trepang_, or _balate_, a sea-worm, or animal + substance, found on the shores of the Philippine Islands, + resembling a large pudding. The Chinese esteem it as a great + delicacy and mix it with fowl and vegetables. The + inhabitants practise various kinds of industry; they weave + matting of extraordinary fineness and of the brightest + colors, straw hats, cigar cases and brackets; they + manufacture cloth and tissues of every sort from cotton, + silk, and abaca; they, from filaments taken from the leaves + of the _etuana_, make cambric of a texture much finer than + that of France; and they also manufacture coarse strong + cloth for sails, and ropes and cables of all dimensions; + they tan and dress leather and skins to perfection; they + manufacture coarse earthen ware, and forge and polish arms + of various kinds; they build ships of heavy tonnage, and + also light and neat boats; and at Manilla they frame and + finish-off beautiful carriages; they are also very clever + workers in gold, silver, and copper; and the Indian women + are specially expert in needlework, and in all kinds of + embroidery. + + "The island of Luzon is the largest of the Philippines, and + extends from north to south for the length of about six + degrees. It is divided throughout its whole extent by a + chain of mountains, which in general owe their formation to + volcanic eruptions. In the provinces of Laguna and Batangas + there is the high mountain called Maijai, one of the + loftiest in Luzon, which is beyond doubt an ancient crater; + on the summit a little lake is found, the depth of which + cannot be measured. At some period the lava that then flowed + from the summit towards the base, in the neighborhood of the + town of Nacarlan, covered up immense cavities, which are now + recognizable by the sonorous noise of the ground for a great + extent; and sometimes it happens that, in consequence of an + inundation or an earthquake, this volcanic crust is in some + places broken, and exposes to the view enormous caverns, + which the Indians call 'the mouths of hell.' In the district + about the town of San Pablo, which is situated on the + mountain, are found great numbers of little circular lakes + and immense heaps of rotten stones, basalt, and different + descriptions of lava, which show that all these lakes are + nothing else than the craters of old volcanoes. Altogether + the soil to the southward, in the province of Albai, is + completely volcanic, and the frequent eruptions of the + volcano bearing that name may, as the natives say, be + attributed to the same cause as the earthquakes so often + felt in the island of Luzon. Over almost the whole of these + mountains, where fire has played so conspicuous a part, + there is a great depth of vegetable earth, and they are + covered with a most splendid vegetation. Their declivities + nourish immense forests and fine pastures in which grow + gigantic trees--palm trees, rattans, and lianas of a + thousand kinds, or gramineous plants of various sorts, + particularly the wild sugar cane, which rises to the height + of from nine to twelve feet from the ground; in their + interior are rich mines of copper, gold, iron, and coal. + +[Illustration: Growing tobacco on the Philippine islands.] + + "There are two distinct and strongly marked seasons in the + island of Luzon, namely, the rainy or the wintry season, and + the dry or summer season. For six months of the year--that + is from June to December--the wind blows from the south-west + to the north-east, and then the declivities of the mountains + and all the western side of the island are in the season of + the rains; in the six other months, the wind changes, and + blows from the north-east to the south-west, when all the + eastern parts of the island have the season of winter. + During the rainy season, the incessant fall of rain on the + mountains causes the rivers, both large and small, to + overflow and to become torrents, that rush down upon the + plains, covering them with water, and depositing the broken + earth and slime which they have gathered in their course. In + the dry season, water is supplied for irrigation from + reservoirs, which are carefully filled during the rains. + From these causes it follows that without any manuring, and + with scarcely any improvement from human industry, the soil + of the Philippines is as fertile as any in the world; so + that, without great labor, the cultivator has most abundant + harvests." + +The above description of the Philippines by Gironiere gives a faithful +account of the vast resources of the islands. Of the products +cultivated rice and tobacco are the most important. The finest tobacco +plantations are situated in the northern parts of the island of Luzon, +and furnish the finest quality of Manilla tobacco. That grown in the +Visayos is of an inferior quality, and is sold to merchants holding a +permit to purchase at the shipping ports and transport to Manilla for +sale to the government. In the island of Luzon, the greatest quantity +of tobacco is cultivated in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Cagavan. + +[Illustration: Tobacco plow.] + +Tomlinson in an account of the tobacco of the Philippines says: +"Manilla leaf comes from the three principal districts of the island +of Luzon--Visayos, Ygarotes and Cagayan." The mode of cultivation does +not differ in any great respect from that followed in other parts of +the world. Great seed beds are made on the plantations where the +plants are grown until ready to transplant in the tobacco ground. +Unlike most land adapted for tobacco, large crops are grown without +the aid of any fertilizer whatever. In cultivating the plants, +buffaloes are used, yoked one after the other, going between the rows +several times, and at the last ploughing leaving a trench in the +middle of the rows, for letting off the water. The Indian plow used in +cultivating is exceedingly simple: it is composed of four pieces of +wood which the most unhandy ploughman can put together, with the mould +board and share, which are of cast iron. The lightness and simplicity +of this plough render it easy to be used in every kind of cultivation, +where the plantations are divided into rows, such as those of tobacco, +maize and sugar cane. It is used with great advantage, not only for +cutting down weeds, but also for giving to each row a ploughing, which +is serviceable to the plantation, and which is less costly and +quicker than simple weeding with the mattock. + +When the leaves are ripe they are stripped from the stalks and +separated into three classes, according to their size, and afterwards +made into bunches of fifty or a hundred, by passing through them, near +the foot, a little bamboo cane, as if it was a skewer, by which the +bunches are afterwards hung up to dry in vast sheds, into which the +sun's rays cannot enter, but in which the air circulates freely; they +are left to hang there until they become quite dry, and for this, a +greater or less time is required, according to the state of the +weather. When the drying is effected the leaves are placed according +to their quality, in bales of twenty-five pounds, and in that state +they are handed over to the administration of the monopoly. Gironiere +in describing the mode of culture on the tobacco plantations says: + + "During the first two months after the transplanting it is + indispensably necessary to give four ploughings to the + ground between the rows of the plants, and every fifteen + days to handpick, or even better, to root out with the + mattock, all the weeds which cannot be touched by the + plough. These four ploughings ought to be done in such a + manner as to leave alternately a furrow in the middle of + each line, and on the sides, and consequently, at the last + ploughing, the earth covers the plants up to their first + leaves, leaving a trench for carrying off all water that may + accumulate during the heavy rains. As soon as each plant has + gained a proper height, its head is lopped off to force the + sap to turn into the leaves, and, in a few weeks afterwards, + it is fit for being gathered." + +The tobacco fields or plantations are very large, and together with +the vast sheds for curing, the fields present a beautiful appearance; +the long straight rows with their dark green leaves adding not a +little to the beauty and variety of the landscape. The great growers +of the plant are very careful in cultivating the fields and give the +tobacco frequent hoeings, until ready to be gathered and taken to the +sheds. The planters are obliged to take the utmost pains, as the +product is obliged to be given up to the monopolizing government which +is the sole purchaser, and which, in its great establishment at +Binondoc, employs continually from 15,000 to 20,000 workmen and +workwomen in manufacturing cigars for the consumption of the country +and for exportation. + +[Illustration: Spanish planters.] + +Manilla tobacco is much esteemed in the islands both by the Spaniards +and the Chinese. The custom of smoking is universal among all classes +and at all times. In the house, on the road and street, the aroma of a +fragrant Manilla is ever borne on the breeze. The Spaniards are the +principal owners of the tobacco fields, and, like their brother +planters on the island of Cuba, are fond of the weed and its more +potent companion. After a luxurious breakfast the planter elevates his +feet for a quiet smoke, and lights either a cigar or cheroot, filling +the room with smoke and with the most fragrant perfume. + +Of all the various products cultivated, but few vie with the tobacco +plant in beauty of form and general appearance. By its great variety +of colors in leaves and flowers, it offers a striking contrast with +the more sombre hues of most other plants. When left to grow until +the plants have reached full size, the tobacco field has the +appearance of a vast flower garden, the tiny blossoms exhaling their +fragrance and the entire plant emitting odors as rare and as delicate +as the most fragrant exotic. In the tropics the finest tobacco +plantations are found, as nature is more lavish, not only in the +richness of the soil, but in the variety of the vegetable products. +Here the tobacco plant attains its finest form and most delicately +flavored leaves. The hues of the flowers are brighter and their +fragrance sweeter. In the tropics the tobacco field may be scented +from afar, as its odors are wafted on the breeze. In its native home +it flourishes and matures as readily as the more common kinds of +vegetation, while it affords the planter a larger revenue than many of +the more useful of nature's products. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +VARIETIES. + + +The tobacco plant almost vies with the palm in the number of +varieties; botanists having enumerated as many as forty, which by no +means includes the entire number now being cultivated. The plant shows +also a great variety of forms, leaves, color of flowers, and texture. +Each kind has some peculiar feature or quality not found in another; +thus, one variety will have large leaves, while another will have +small ones; one kind leaves flowers of a pink or yellow color, another +white; one variety will produce a leaf black or brown, another yellow +or dark red. The following list includes nearly all of the principal +varieties now cultivated:--Connecticut seed leaf (broad and narrow +leaf), New York seed leaf, Pennsylvania (Duck Island), Virginia and +Maryland (Pryor and Frederick, James River, etc.), North Carolina +(Yellow Orinoco, and Gooch or Pride of Granville, etc.), Ohio Seed +leaf (broad leaf), Ohio leaf (Thick Set, Pear Tree, Burley, and +White), Texas, Louisiana (Perique), Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, +Wisconsin, Havana, Yara, Mexican, St. Domingo, Columbia (Columbian, +Giron, Esmelraldia, Palmyra, Ambolima), Rio Grande, Brazil, Orinoco, +Paraguay, Porto Rico, Arracan, Greek, Java, Sumatra, Japan, Hungarian, +China, Manilla, Algerian, Turkey, Holland (Amersfoort), Syrian +(Latakia), French (St. Omer), Russian, and Circassian. Many of these +varieties are well known to commerce, and others are hardly known +outside the limit of their cultivation. + +All of these varieties may be divided into three classes,[68] viz.: +cigar, snuff, and cut-leaf tobacco. The first class, cigar leaf, +includes all those varieties of tobacco that are used in the +manufacture of cigars, and embraces the finest quality of tobacco +grown, including Connecticut seed leaf, Havana, Yara, Manilla, Giron, +Paraguayan, Mexican, Brazilian, Sumatra, etc. The second class +embraces all of the varieties used in the manufacture of snuff, such +as Virginia, Holland (Amersfoort), Brazilian, French (St. Omer), etc. +The third class includes all of those tobaccos used for smoking and +chewing purposes, such as Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, +Maryland, Latakia, Perique, Turkish, and others. + + [Footnote 68: Probably most writers would divide tobacco + into but two classes, including tobacco used for the + manufacture of snuff with cut tobacco.] + +South American tobaccos are almost exclusively used for the +manufacture of cigars. Although of various qualities, they possess the +distinctive flavor which characterizes all tobacco used for this +purpose. This is generally the case with most of the tobacco grown in +the tropics--it seems to be especially adapted for the manufacture of +cigars, rather than for cutting purposes. European tobaccos are milder +in flavor, and are used extensively in the manufacture of snuff; while +the tobacco of the East is well adapted for the pipe. + +Tobacco to be used for cigars must not only be of good flavor, but +must burn freely, without which it has no real value for this purpose. +Non-burning tobaccos cannot be used, and are either employed in the +manufacture of snuff or for cutting. + +Of the many kinds of tobacco of both the Old and New World, doubtless +the most curious of all is that kind known as + + +DWARF TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Mexican dwarf tobacco.] + +This plant is a native of Mexico, and was discovered by Houston, who +found it growing near Vera Cruz. This is probably the smallest kind of +tobacco known. The plant grows to the height of about eighteen inches, +the leaves growing tufts at the base of the plant. Some have supposed +this tobacco to be what is known as Deer Tongue, which is used for +flavoring, but it is quite probable that it is entirely different. The +leaf is small and light green, and it is quite a showy plant when in +blossom. As a curiosity it can hardly fail to attract attention from +all those acquainted and interested in tobacco, but will hardly admit +of cultivation, on account of the absence of leaves, with the +exception of the few growing near the ground. Of all the tobaccos used +for the manufacture of cigars, none have obtained an equal reputation +(simply as a cigar wrapper) with the famous and much sought for +variety known as + + +CONNECTICUT SEED LEAF, + +which in all respects towers far above the seed products of the other +states. The varieties cultivated in the United States and known as +"seed leaf" tobaccos, are grown in Connecticut, Massachusetts, +Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. +All of the seed leaf of these states is used exclusively in the +manufacture of cigars. Connecticut seed leaf is justly celebrated as +the finest known for cigar wrappers, from the superiority of its color +and texture, and the good burning quality of the leaf. The plant grows +to the height of about five feet, with leaves from two and one half to +three feet in length and from fifteen to twenty inches broad, fitted +preeminently by their large size for wrappers, which are obtained at +such a distance from the stem of the leaf as to be free from large +veins. + +Connecticut seed leaf tobacco in color, is either dark or light +cinnamon, two of the most fashionable colors to be found in American +tobaccos. The plant is strong and vigorous, ripening in a few weeks, +and when properly cultivated attaining a very large size. There are +two principal varieties of Connecticut seed leaf, viz.--broad and +narrow leaf: of these two, the broad leaf is considered the finest, +cutting up to better advantage and ripening and curing fully as well. +Connecticut seed leaf attains its finest form and perfection of leaf +in the rich meadows of the Connecticut Valley, where it has been +cultivated to a greater or less extent for nearly half a century. + +[Illustration: Connecticut seed leaf.] + +The plant is one of the most showy of all the varieties of tobacco. +The stalk is straight and large, while the leaf (especially the broad) +is admirably proportioned, and the top is broad and graceful, +rendering it far more symmetrical in appearance than many of the +smaller varieties. + +Before Connecticut tobacco became known as a wrapper, Maryland and +Havana tobaccos were used for this purpose, and when Connecticut first +came into use, it was only as a filler. This variety differs very +materially from Havana in this respect--it has not that fine flavor of +Cuba tobacco, but in texture is much superior. The lighter shades of +it burn purely and freely, leaving a white or pearl colored ash, which +is one of the best evidences of a good wrapper. The leaf also is +very firm and strong, and sufficiently elastic to bear considerable +manipulating in manufacture. The various shades also of the two +colors, dark and light brown or cinnamon, are among the finest and +most delicate of any to be found among the numerous kinds of tobacco +used for cigars. The color of the wrapper, however, is merely a matter +of taste; when first used for a wrapper the color in demand was a dark +brown or cinnamon, now it is light cinnamon leaf that is the most +fashionable, and leaf of this color is considered the finest and of +the most delicate flavor. As a superior burning tobacco, seed leaf +especially commends itself, and while all of the seed products of the +various states producing this description of tobacco, are remarkable +for their good burning qualities, none are more so than Connecticut +seed leaf. + +Thorough cultivation by the growers has made this quality of tobacco +the most profitable of any grown in the United States. Some +considerable controversy has arisen among tobacco-growers concerning +the origin of this famous variety. One opinion sets forth that it +sprung from plants or seeds brought from Virginia, while another is +that tobacco seed from Cuba gave it origin. Most probably the former +theory is correct, as the plant was cultivated in gardens in New +England, during the reign of Charles I. + +However this may be, the system of cultivation pursued has been +successful in the production of a leaf tobacco that can hardly be +improved, so far as the texture of the leaf is concerned. Some of the +"selections" of seed leaf have that fine soft feeling peculiar to +satin or silks, and we have seen specimens of such selections, that +seemed almost destitute of veins, or anything that would naturally +suggest that it was a leaf. In this respect it is quite remarkable, +for while the leaf is very large the stem and veins are quite small, +no larger than in many varieties with a much smaller leaf. From its +first cultivation in the Connecticut valley, the quality has gradually +improved until now, and it seems at last to possess almost every +feature desirable in a good wrapper. + +[Illustration: Havana tobacco.] + +This famous variety of the tobacco plant is by common consent the +finest flavored tobacco for cigars now being cultivated. Some, +however, consider Paraguayian, Brazil, and Mexican coast tobacco its +equals, while, according to Tomlinson, Macuba tobacco, grown on the +island of Martinica, stands at the head of all varieties of the plant. +These statements may, however, be regarded as mere opinions rather +than acknowledged facts. + +Havana tobacco, according to Hazard, + "grows to a height of from six to + nine feet, as allowed, with oblong, spear-shaped leaves; the + tobacco being stronger when few leaves are permitted to + grow. The leaves when young are of a dark-green color and + have rather a smooth appearance, changing at maturity into + yellowish-green. The plant grows quickly, and by careful + pruning a fine colored leaf is obtained, varying from a + straw color to dark brown or black." + The plant bears a pink blossom, +which is succeeded by capsules not quite as large as those of +seed-leaf tobacco. The finest is grown in the Vuelta de Abajo, which, +for nearly a century, has been celebrated as a fine tobacco-producing +district. When growing, a _vega_ of Havana tobacco forms a most +pleasing feature of the landscape. As the plants ripen, the dark, +glossy green of the leaves is succeeded by a lighter shade and a +thickening of the leaf. The plant ripens in from eight to ten weeks +after being transplanted. The stalk and leaves are not as large as its +great rival, Connecticut seed-leaf, but it far surpasses it in flavor. +The plant emits a pleasant odor while growing, like most varieties of +the plant grown in the tropics. + + +YARA TOBACCO. + +This variety of tobacco, like Havana, is grown upon the island of +Cuba, but is unlike it in flavor, as well as in the appearance of the +plant. It is well known as an admirable tobacco for cigars, but is not +sought after or grown to such an extent as Havana. The leaf when +growing, is in color a fine green, and when cured is of considerable +body and fine texture. A writer in alluding to Yara tobacco says: + + "The most noted _vega_ or tobacco plantation is situated + near Santiago de Cuba and is called Yara. The choicest + tobacco is that grown on the banks of rivers which are + periodically overflowed. They are called Lo Rio, Rio Hondo, + and Pinar del Rio, and the tobacco is distinguished from all + other grown upon the island by a fine sand which is found in + the creases of the leaves." + +The flavor of Yara tobacco is so essentially different from Havana, +that it is not cultivated as extensively, if indeed it could be. It is +grown more particularly for home use and for exporting to Europe, +where it is considered one of the finest of tobaccos. Of the other +varieties grown in the West Indies such as St. Domingo, Jamaica, and +Trinidad, much may be said both in praise and dispraise. St. Domingo +and Trinidad have been cultivated for more than two hundred years. St. +Domingo tobacco has a large leaf, but is of inferior flavor to most +varieties of West India tobacco. + +[Illustration: Virginia tobacco.] + +Virginia tobacco has acquired a reputation which has gradually +strengthened for more than two hundred and fifty years. It was one of +the first products to be cultivated by the English colony, and in less +than a quarter of a century after the settlement of Virginia, had +acquired a reputation hardly surpassed by its well known rivals, +Trinidad, Brazil, St. Domingo, and Various tobaccos. The plant grows +to the height of from five to seven feet; the leaves are long and +broad, and when cured are of various colors, from a rich brown to a +fine yellow. The finest of Virginia tobacco comes from the mountainous +counties, but the amount is small in proportion to the vast quantities +raised on the lowlands of the Dan and James rivers and their +tributaries. The leaf grown in the higher counties of South-western +Virginia is much lighter in color and much softer than the ordinary +Virginia tobacco. Shades of color in Virginia tobacco (as well as in +most others) serve to determine its use, while texture and length of +leaf affect as well its market value. There are various grades of +Virginia tobacco, especially in that grown in Southside, Virginia. +"Long bright leaf" is considered the finest, while that known as +"Luga" is the poorest and lowest grade of leaf. + +The staple known as James River tobacco has acquired a world-wide +reputation, and the same ground is cultivated and planted with tobacco +now as in 1620. Virginia tobacco is known chiefly as a cut tobacco; +"good, stout snuff leaf" is also obtained from it, which brings as +much in European markets as "fine spinners." Missouri, Kentucky, and +some parts of Ohio also produce large quantities for manufacturing +into chewing and smoking tobacco. + + +OHIO TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Ohio white tobacco.] + +The tobacco plant has been cultivated in this State for nearly fifty +years. Sullivan, in describing the kinds used for cutting, says:-- + + "Two kinds of seed are used, viz., the 'Thick Set' and the + 'Pear Tree,' and of late years the 'Burley' has come into + favor. Nearly all tobacco grown in Ohio is 'fired,' that is, + cured by fires or flues; it is packed in hogsheads of about + eight hundred pounds net." + +Another writer says:-- + + "In some parts her soil produces a fine yellow article + called 'Northern Ohio;' it is manufactured into the finest + quality of smoking tobacco, and is extensively used by all + epicures of the meerschaum, both in this country and in + Europe. Ohio also produces another variety called Ohio seed + leaf, or more familiarly, 'Seed.'" + +While in another section she produces an excellent article of leaf for +chewing. Ohio tobacco of all kinds is a large plant, and cures "down" +to fine colors. One variety for cutting, known as "cinnamon blotch," +is a leaf of good body and is considered an excellent tobacco for +chewing. A few years since a variety originated in a very curious +manner. We give the account as published by Prof. E. W. Smith:-- + + "This tobacco is known by the name of White tobacco. The + seed was procured about three years ago, in a very singular + way. There were a few hills of tobacco that looked very + singular, situated near a thicket of bushes and trees. The + rising morning sun sent its rays through this thicket, + striking diagonally upon a few hills, and producing by some + chemical law or daguerreotyping process the (white) tobacco. + The tobacco was allowed to go to seed. This seed was sown + the next year, and produced the same kind of tobacco. The + tobacco, before the white tobacco was daguerreotyped, was a + cinnamon blotch, so it may be seen by this freak of nature + how it was changed from red to white." + + +PERIQUE TOBACCO. + +There are many varieties of tobacco well adapted for smoking, of all +colors and strengths. Of American tobaccos suitable for this purpose, +none have acquired a wider reputation at home than Perique. It is +cultivated only in small quantities in one or two parishes in +Louisiana. Perique tobacco may be used not only for smoking, but for +chewing and for snuff. The leaf when cured measures some eighteen +inches in length by fourteen in width, is thick and substantial, has +the appearance of a rich Kentucky tobacco, and when placed under press +immediately after being cured becomes black without the aid of any +artificial means. It is put up in rolls, or, as they are called, +"carrots." This tobacco is raised mostly in the parish of St. James, +La., and derives its name from an old Spanish navigator who settled in +St. James parish in the year 1820. His first attempt at raising +tobacco, for his own use, succeeded so well and gave him such a fine +result, (the plant developing itself to a great extent and being very +rich,) that he concluded to devote all his time to the culture of +tobacco, in order to make a living out of it. + +The seed first used by him was the Kentucky, but this was subsequently +changed for the Virginia, which has been in use up to this time, being +renewed every four or five years. The tobacco originally put up by +Perique was twisted by hand and placed under press for three or four +days, then taken out, untwisted, retwisted and replaced in the press +for five or six days. After undergoing the same process three or four +different times, it was finally left to remain under press for six +months, and then taken out for use. Mr. Perique, however, soon made a +capital improvement in the mode of putting up his tobacco; for, as +early as the year 1824, we find the tobacco in beautiful rolls of four +pounds, and as hard as a "Saucisson de Boulogne." + +This tobacco, which has retained the name of its producer, is still +manufactured in the same manner as it was fifty-four years ago, the +work still being done entirely by hand. The plant is cultivated as the +Virginia tobacco by about a dozen small planters in that part of the +Parish called "Grande-Pointe," seven miles from the Mississippi river. +A small quantity is also raised on the banks of the river in the same +parish by a few planters. The growers of Perique tobacco have tried +Virginia, Kentucky, and Havana seed, but prefer the former--Havana +producing too small a plant without a much better flavor. + +Tobacco is grown in other parishes of the State; it is however of +inferior quality, and is used only for smoking or snuff. Perique +tobacco, when cut for smoking, is very black in appearance, +exceedingly smooth, and of peculiar odor. It is probably the thinnest +tobacco cultivated; and is strong, but of agreeable flavor. + + +PERUVIAN TOBACCO. + +John Gerard gives the following description of the tobacco of Peru: + + "Tobacco, or henbane of Peru, hath very great stalks of the + bigness of a child's arme, growing in fertile and + well-dunged ground of seven or eight feet high, dividing + itself in sundry branches of great length; whereon are + placed in most comely order very faire, long leaves, broad, + smooth and sharp-pointed, soft and of a light green color; + so fastened about the stalk that they seem to embrace and + compass it about. The flowers grow at the top of the stalks + in shape like a bell-flower, somewhat long and cornered; + hollow within, of a light carnation color, tending to + whiteness towards the rims. The seed is contained in long, + sharp-pointed cods, or seed-vessels, like unto the seed of + yellow henbane, but somewhat smaller, and browner of color. + The root is great, thicke and of a wooddy substance, with + some threddy strings annexed thereunto." + + +MEXICAN TOBACCO. + +The tobacco plant seems to have been cultivated in Mexico from time +immemorial. Francisco Lopez de Gomara, who was chaplain to Cortez, +when he made conquest of Mexico, in 1519, alludes to the plant and the +custom of smoking; and Diaz relates that the king Montezuma had his +pipe brought with much ceremony by the chief ladies of his court, +after he had dined and washed his mouth with scented water. The +Spaniards encouraged its cultivation, and to this day it is grown in +several of the coast states. Various kinds are cultivated, but chiefly +a variety bearing yellow flowers, with a large leaf of fine flavor +resembling the Havana. The plant is a favorite with the Mexicans, who +prefer it to any other product grown. It is cultivated like most +varieties of the tropics, and is hardly inferior to any grown in the +West Indies, and is especially adapted for cigars and cigaritos. After +the first harvest another, and sometimes a third crop is gathered by +allowing one shoot to grow from the parent root, which oftentimes +develops to a considerable size. The quality of leaf, however, is +inferior; as is the case with all second and third crops grown in this +manner. + + +ST. DOMINGO TOBACCO. + +This well-known West India variety is inferior to most kinds grown on +the neighboring islands. The plant attains a large size, cures dark, +is coarse, and of inferior flavor. It is a favorite tobacco in +Germany, and thousands of Ceroons are annually shipped to Hamburg. The +West India islands produce many varieties of tobacco, which is owing +more to the composition of the soil and climate than to the method of +cultivation and curing. + +The demand for St. Domingo tobacco is limited. It has no established +reputation in this country, and on account of the high duties can not +compete with our domestic tobaccos. + + +LATAKIA TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Latakia tobacco, (Syria).] + +This variety of the tobacco plant is one of the most celebrated known +to commerce. It attains its finest form and flavor in Syria, where it +is cultivated to a considerable extent. For smoking it is among the +best of the varieties of the East, and is used for the more delicate +cut tobaccos and cigars. It grows to the height of three feet--each +offshoot bearing flowers, the leaves of which are ovate in form, and +are attached to the stalk by a long stem. The flowers are yellow, and +number only a few in comparison with most varieties. When growing, the +leaves are thick, but after curing are thin and elastic. The stalk is +small, as are also the leaves. While growing, the plants emit a strong +aromatic odor not like that of Havana tobacco, but stronger and less +agreeable. + +The plant was introduced into this country by Bayard Taylor, and +attains its full size in the Connecticut valley, where it has been +tested by many growers. After curing, the leaf is a bright yellow of +agreeable flavor, having the odor of ashes of roses. The flavor is +similar to Turkish tobacco, but is said to be less delicate. + +After harvesting, the plants cure rapidly and on account of their +small size rarely sweat. Latakia tobacco, however, is not adapted to +the taste of American smokers, most of whom prefer tobacco of home +growth to even the finest of Turkish leaf. Latakia tobacco can be +raised with less labor than most varieties. Its diminutive size and +its unpopularity, however, prevent its general culture in this +country. + + +RUSSIAN TOBACCO. + +In no other country in Europe is the tobacco plant attracting as much +as attention as in the empire of Russia. The varieties grown in +America, Cuba, Turkey, and Persia, have been tried, renewing the seed +once in two or three years. The tobacco of Russia is mild, and of +inferior flavor, and brings from 40 to 80 kopecks per pood. A very +good quality of tobacco is grown in the trans-Caucasian provinces; it +also flourishes well in the Southern provinces. + +The plants attain good size, but lack that fine flavor when cured that +other tobaccos possess. A recent traveler through Russia, describing +the tobacco, says: + + "Russian tobacco is very mild and rather sweet flavored, + though not equal in aroma to the Havana, or posessing that + rich ripe taste so much prized in that well known tobacco." + + +COLOMBIA TOBACCO. + +Colombia has long been celebrated for the quality and varieties of its +tobacco. Its cultivation has been carried on for more than two hundred +and fifty years, and Varinian tobacco had obtained a well established +reputation in Europe long before Raleigh's "would-be-colonists" +sailed for Virginia. The principal varieties grown are Colombian, +Carmen, Ambalema, Palmyra, and Giron. Most of these tobaccos are used +for cigar purposes, especially the latter. The leaf is fine, of good +size, and marked with light yellow spots. Tanning says of the tobacco +of Colombia: + + "The Cumanacoa, Tobacco de la Cueva, de los Misones, de la + Laguna de Valencia cura seca and Caraco, de la Lagunade + Valencia cura negro, de Oriluca, de Varinos cura seca, de + Casovare, de Baylodores, de Rio Negro en Andull, are equal + to the tobacco of the Brazils. The tobacco of the Cueva, in + the department of Cumana, is said to be grown from the + excrements of certain birds deposited by them in a cavity, + from which the natives extract it: it is considered the + finest tobacco in Colombia. The birds are a species of the + owl. + + "The natives of Varinos, and in fact of the whole kingdom, + chew a substance called chimo, which is made of a jelly, by + boiling the Varinos tobacco, and afterwards mixed with an + alkali called _hurado_, which is found in a lake near + Merida. Both are an _estanco_ of government, and produce a + large annual income. The mode of cultivating the above + tobacco by the natives is as follows:--They prepare a small + bed, sifting the earth very fine, on which they sow the + seed, and then cover it with plantain leaves for some days. + As soon as the plants make their appearance, they raise the + leaves about two feet, so as to give the plants free air, + and to allow them sooner to grow strong. When they become + large enough to transplant, they have the land prepared; and + as soon as the rainy season sets in, they plant out their + young plants, taking great care to protect them from the + sun, and to keep them clean as they grow up, as well as to + prevent the worms from destroying or eating the leaves. When + the leaf is ripe, it gets yellow spots on it; and on bending + the leaf it cracks. Then it is fit for pulling off, which is + done, and the leaves are neatly packed in handsful, placed + in a dry situation, and occasionally shifted from one place + to another. When the leaves are well dried they are all + packed closely, and well covered, to keep the flavor in. + + "The leaf is left in this state for one or two months, and + then made up for use. They never top their tobacco, and the + leaves never ripen together. The mode adopted by the North + American planters is somewhat different; they top their + plants when they have eight full leaves, or they keep it + suckered; and, by this means, the leaves are large and + sappy. + + "They cut off the stem at the ground, when ripe, and hang it + on laths for one day and a night, with the leaves all + hanging down; they then place it in their barns; and, when + these are quite full, they smoke it for some days, and let + it remain in that way until the stem, as well as the leaf, + is quite dry; they then put it in a heap, and cover it up + for market. They strip off the leaves, and pack them in + hogsheads, and it is received in London." + + +SUMATRA TOBACCO. + +Sumatra tobacco is one of the finest varieties cultivated, and +commands in European markets the very highest prices. The plant is a +vigorous grower, and produces large, fine leaves of most delicate +odor. The leaf is of beautiful appearance, of almost a silky texture, +and in color a rich brown. It is extensively used in the manufacture +of cigars, and on the continent it frequently realizes as much as 5s. +per pound for this purpose. It sells in London for from 3s. 6d. to 4s. +per pound. + + +BRAZILIAN TOBACCO. + +Brazil tobacco is grown chiefly in the valley of San Diego and San +Francisco. The former being on the west side of the Brazilian +mountains, and the latter on the east. The San Diego is the finest, +and the following analysis of the San Diego of Brazil, and Vuelta de +Abajo, will give one an idea of the soil of these famous tobacco +lands:-- + + VUELTA DE ABAJO, CUBA. SAN DIEGO, BRAZIL. + + PARTS. PARTS. + Organic matter, 9.60 4.60 + Silica, 86.40 90.60 + Lime, .40 + Alumina, .68 3.00 + Oxide of Iron, 1.92 1.20 + Loss by Evaporation, 1.40 .20 + ------ ------ + 100.00 100.00 + +The tobacco of Brazil is grown in the same manner as in other parts of +South America. The planter raises two crops a year; curing for +exportation as in Cuba or Venezuela. The plant grows to the height of +about six feet, bearing leaves lanceolate in form, about thirty inches +long, and from eight to twelve inches wide. The tobacco fields are +very irregular. After it is cut it is placed on poles in the field, +and afterwards carried to the drying sheds. It is gathered in the dry +season in September. After curing, it is removed to the packing house +and baled in packages, and then transported on mules to the coast for +shipping. A large portion of the crop is shipped to Portugal. It is a +dark maroon-colored leaf, and contains a large proportion of the +nicotine oil. It is a high-flavored tobacco, and on this account is +used for cigars and cutting. + +Burton says of the tobacco of Brazil: + + "The tobacco of the Rio de Pomba, especially the 'Fumo + crespo,' is a dark strong leaf, well fitted for making + 'Cavendish' or 'Honey-dew;' the weed flourishes throughout + Minos Gerals. The soil will be much improved by compost; and + the produce by being treated in Virginia style delicately + dried in closed barns with fires." + + +VENEZUELAN TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Orinoco tobacco, (Venezuela)] + +The Orinoco tobacco grows from four to five feet high, bearing large +ovate leaves, and is in all respects a fine quality of tobacco. The +plant is grown during all seasons of the year. It is used chiefly for +cigars, and is shipped to Northern Europe. It is packed in +_carrottes_, and then baled. In color it is dark mahogany, and of good +body and texture. The leaf is about eighteen inches long, and about +ten inches wide. The planters cure by air-drying in sheds, and +afterwards it is tied up in hands and baled for export. For their own +use, they have adopted the method of the Brazilians, sprinkling the +leaf with water containing the juice of the poppy. + +The flavor is rich and mellow; a little more oily than Havana leaf. It +is used for the manufacture of cigars. Orinoco tobacco makes very fine +flavored cigars, burning freely, and leaving a pearl-colored ash; it +is considered by the Venezuelans to be much better than any variety +grown in South America. In cultivating it the planters use no +fertilizers whatever, taking up new land as the old wears out. The +crop is gathered first in May, and then in September. + + +PERSIAN TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Shiraz tobacco, Persia.] + +Shiraz tobacco is a native of Persia, and is one of the finest +varieties for the pipe to be found in the East. The plant differs from +most varieties in the color of the flowers and the form of the leaves. +It is not adapted for cigars as it does not readily ignite, and this +variety together with Manilla, are known as non-burning tobaccos. +After curing, the color is a light yellow, the flavor mild and not +unlike Latakia and Turkish tobacco. The color of the flowers like +those of Guatemala tobacco, is white, but in other respects nearly +similar to other kinds. + + +AMERSFOORT TOBACCO. + +This variety of tobacco is cultivated quite extensively in Holland, in +the Veluwe (valley of Guelderland). The plant is of good size and +averages 1.580 kilos to the hectare. The cultivation is very carefully +conducted on the richest soil. The leaf is very fine and is free from +large fibres, fitting it for cigars. Large quantities are also used in +the manufacture of snuff. The tobacco plant has been cultivated in +Holland since its first introduction, with complete success, +producing a variety for snuff unrivaled by any other tobacco grown in +Europe. + +In color Dutch tobacco is both dark and light; the former being used +for snuff and the latter for cigars and cheroots. + + +ST. OMER TOBACCO. + +Tobacco is an important product in France, and affords the government +an immense revenue. In the north of France two varieties are +cultivated, the Brazilian and the Mexican, but the tobacco is unlike +that grown in those countries. Most of the tobacco of France is small +and inferior to Havana and Manilla. In the South of France tobacco is +cultivated to a considerable extent, but is of inferior quality, +lacking the rich flavor of the tobacco of Cuba. The cultivation is +permitted only in certain departments, and the cultivators must use +only the seed supplied to them by the officers of the _regie_. This is +selected with the greatest care, the kind and quantity depending upon +the nature of the land, the soil being carefully analyzed, and +cultivation prohibited in soils which do not possess the constituents +necessary for the growth of good tobacco. These analyses also +determine the quantities and sorts of manure required to bring the +land into fit condition. Most of the seed used is the produce of seed +imported at various times from North America and Cuba. + +The cultivation is most carefully watched, and the statistics +available concerning it are of the minutest kind. Not only is the area +of each field of tobacco accurately measured, but each plant is noted +down, and even each leaf on each plant is accounted for. St. Omer is +used chiefly for snuff, sometimes used with other kinds and is much +esteemed by the French who consider it among the best of tobaccos. + + +HUNGARIAN TOBACCO. + +This variety is attracting considerable attention, from the fact that +it is well adapted for the manufacture of cigars. Like Connecticut +seed leaf, the leaves are large and well suited for cigar wrappers. A +considerable portion is adapted for other uses, and it is in some +respects a good cutting tobacco. When in fine condition, Hungarian +leaf burns freely and leaves a clean, light-colored ash. No variety of +tobacco grown in Europe is attracting more notice than this, and if +good leaf tobacco suitable for cigars can be grown, American tobacco +will diminish in proportion. Hungarian tobacco is a favorite with the +Italians, and large quantities are sold to the Italian monopoly to be +used both for cigars and cutting. + + +SPANISH TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Spanish tobacco.] + +For several years the growers of tobacco in the Connecticut valley +have directed their attention towards the production of a tobacco +possessing all of the excellencies of both wrapper and filler; in +other words, if possible securing a leaf of light color and fine +texture and good flavor, so as to combine all of the desirable +features and qualities of tobacco in one variety. Some few years since +the Department of Agriculture at Washington distributed a variety of +tobacco seed among the Connecticut tobacco growers known by the name +of Spanish tobacco. + +It has been tested by many of the largest tobacco growers in +Connecticut, and found to be one of the best varieties of the plant +ever cultivated in the valley. The plant grows to the height of eight +feet, bearing leaves about two feet in length by one foot in width, is +an erect, strong, growing tobacco with a small, hard stalk and stout, +long roots. The plant, when growing, imparts a strong aromatic odor +not unlike Havana tobacco, but is larger everyway, and of inferior +flavor for cigars. By repeated trials its superiority has been +demonstrated to a certainty, while the profit arising from its culture +proves it worthy of attention from all cultivators of tobacco. + +When cured the leaf is very fine and light of color, the stem and +veins of the leaf are small, thus fitting it for a good wrapper as +well as filler. If the tobacco growers in the Connecticut valley can +succeed in raising this variety, they will produce a leaf tobacco much +superior to the common variety known as seed leaf. Beyond all question +a much finer flavored tobacco than Connecticut seed leaf can be grown, +and still retain all of the excellencies of the latter, such as color, +texture, and size of leaf. + + +TURKISH TOBACCO. + +The tobacco of Turkey has been called by some enthusiastic smoker "the +king of tobaccos," but whether it possesses this royal preeminence +over all other varieties must be decided by other than ourselves. That +it is a fine smoking tobacco, no one can doubt that ever "put breath" +to the favored pipe that contains the yellow shreds, but we should +prefer by far to part with it rather than with its great rival, Havana +tobacco. + +The plant is not as large as many varieties, but grows up strong and +flourishes well on account of the care and attention given it by the +Turk and his family, as it is in all respects a family plant, and the +flower garden is generally the tobacco field. Turkey tobacco ranges in +color from brown to light yellow, the latter being the most in demand. +This variety is similar in flavor to Latakia and Shiraz, and these +three tobaccos, Persian, Syrian, and Turkish, are considered the +finest and best adapted of all tobaccos for the pipe. The work of +cultivating a field of Turkish tobacco is very tedious, as large +quantities of water have to be carried to sprinkle upon the plants. +The finest colored, a pale yellow leaf, brings "inflated" prices, but +more often by others than the poor Turk who grows it. + + +JAPAN TOBACCO. + +[Illustration: Japan tobacco.] + +Of the tobacco of Asia, the best known in Europe is the yellow leaf +grown in Japan. In those provinces where a high degree of temperature +prevails, the plant lives throughout the winter, but it is +nevertheless customary to sow fresh seed in the early spring of each +successive year. When fully grown, Japan tobacco attains an altitude +of about six feet, bearing leaves long and pointed, completely +enveloping the stalk. The leaves, however, differ in form in different +provinces, some being round and wide, others narrow and pointed, and +others thick and long. + +The mode of cultivating also varies in the different provinces. The +sowing and transplanting are dependent on the temperature of the +locality, and each place follows its own customs. In autumn a great +number of flowers spring from the tip of the stalk. These are about an +inch in length, and of a pale purple tint. To these succeed small +round capsules, inside of which are three small chambers containing a +great number of light red seeds. The method of cultivation is novel, +the manuring of tobacco differing from that of other plants in that it +is plentifully applied both to the roots and leaves. + + +GUATEMALA TOBACCO. + +The tobacco of Central America, though possessing considerable +excellence, has never become an important product, nor to any great +extent an article of commerce. There are several varieties grown in +Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the other Central American states; +some of which by proper cultivation might be valuable to both the user +and the manufacturer. One variety bears white flowers like the tobacco +of Persia, but in other respects it differs but little from South +American varieties. Numerous other sorts occur, many of which are +local, and differ principally, if not solely, in the size or form of +the leaves. + +The soil of Guatemala is well adapted for tobacco, and with careful +cultivation it could hardly fail of becoming an important agricultural +product. It is also probable that the soil of nearly all of Central +America is adapted to the plant, and with the favorable climate, the +varieties now grown would doubtless with proper care, become noted as +tobacco well adapted for cigars. + + +MANILLA TOBACCO. + +This variety is one of the most celebrated grown in the East.[69] It +is used exclusively for the manufacture of cigars and cheroots, and +supplies India and Spain with a vast quantity of the manufactured +article. The plant is a strong, vigorous grower, bearing dark green +leaves; coming forward rapidly under the careful culture bestowed upon +the plants.[70] After curing, the leaves show a variety of colors +ranging from dark brown to light yellow or straw color. The leaf when +cured, has a peculiar appearance unlike that of any other tobacco. It +is of good body but smooth, and has the appearance of tobacco that has +been 'frost-bitten.' The leaf is not as porous as most other tobaccos, +and therefore does not as readily ignite, and frequently 'chars' in +burning--thus giving it the name of a non-burning tobacco. + + [Footnote 69: Blanco thus describes the tobacco of the + Philippines: "It is an annual, growing to the height of + a fathom, and furnishes the tobacco for the _estancos_ + (licensed shops). General opinion prefers the tobacco of + Gapan, but that of the Pasy districts, Laglag and + Lambunao, in Iloilo, of Maasin or Leyte, is appreciated + for its fine aroma; also that of Cagayan, after being + kept for some years,--for this use like the tobacco of + the island of Negros it burns the mouth."] + + [Footnote 70: The seedlings are planted in January, and + the greater part of the crop comes forward in May and + June.] + +The plants are 'set' wide apart, and during the first two months are +carefully cultivated, when the top is broken off and the leaves +allowed to ripen. In some respects, Manilla tobacco is one of the best +varieties of the plant cultivated, and were it not for its non-burning +quality, it would have but few rivals among cigar tobaccos.[71] We +have thus, at some length, described nearly half of the varieties of +tobacco now being cultivated. There are, however, others as well known +and of equal value and favor. Some of these are of superior quality +and of world-wide repute. Of those described, the varieties grown in +the tropics are the most celebrated and of the finest flavor. As when +first discovered, the tobaccos of the tropics command the highest +prices, and possess qualities not easily transmitted when grown in a +temperate clime. + + [Footnote 71: "The soil of many of the islands + especially of the Bisayas is favorable to the growth of + tobacco. The island of Negros formerly produced some of + very good quality."] + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +TOBACCO HOUSES. + + +The drying houses or sheds for the curing and storing of tobacco are +among the most interesting objects to be seen on the tobacco +plantation. These sheds vary in size from a small structure capable of +holding only a few thousand plants to the immense sheds with +sufficient capacity for hanging the products of several acres. In the +Connecticut valley, the Southern States, at the West, and in the +Philippine Islands these tobacco sheds are often several hundred feet +in length, built in the most substantial manner and provided with +suitable side doors and ventilators for the free passage of air, and +the most perfect system of ventilation. The most substantial and +finest tobacco sheds are to be found in the Connecticut valley, which +are provided with every convenience for hanging and taking down or +"striking" the crop. Many of them are painted and adorned with a +cupola, which serves the double purpose of an ornament and a +ventilator for the hot air to pass off from the curing and heated +plants. Formerly, the tobacco being harvested was hung in barns and +sheds, used for storing grain and hay, and better adapted to other +purposes than to that of a tobacco shed, where thorough ventilation is +necessary to avoid sweat and pole-rot, attending upon the curing of +the plants. Of late, tobacco growers, throughout the world, have paid +considerable attention to the method of curing, and to erecting more +suitable buildings for the purpose. At the South and West, the log +tobacco barns are giving way to the more substantial frame buildings, +and better facilities are employed for "firing" the tobacco in the +sheds. Formerly, the tobacco sheds at the South looked more like the +rude huts of the herders on the pampas of South America, than +buildings devoted to the curing of tobacco. Tobacco barns and sheds +are built of a great variety of material, and in various ways, +according to the manner of building where the tobacco is grown. Thus +in the Connecticut valley, such sheds or barns are large and +commodious frame buildings; at the South and West, many of them are +built of logs; in Cuba, of slabs covered with palm leaves or thatched. +In Turkey, of stones covered with rough boards, and daubed with mud. + +[Illustration: Old Connecticut tobacco shed.] + +In selecting a site for the tobacco shed, not only should its +proximity to the tobacco field be considered, but also the ground on +which it is to be built. It should always be erected on dry ground, +rather than upon moist, so that no dampness may arise and injure the +leaves in curing. The tobacco shed should also be built on an elevated +spot, so that a free circulation of air may be had, which is hardly +possible if built on low ground or among trees or in the woods as at +the South. This applies more particularly to sheds where the method +of curing is by air-drying instead of by "firing" or by "flues." In +New England the strongest timber, as oak, is used for building, as the +weight of the plants before fully cured is immense. The shed is braced +at every point and generally rests upon stone posts so as to allow a +good circulation underneath the building. Poles are used for hanging, +either round or sawed, when the plants are hung with twine; when hung +on tobacco hooks, laths are used, the hooks attached to the lath; more +frequently the plants are strung upon the laths without the aid of +hooks, the lath passing through the center of the stalk an inch or two +from the end. The doors lengthwise of the building are simply the +outside boards hung on hinges, every second or third being chosen +according to the ideas of curing entertained by the grower. Some +planters are of the opinion that the plants need all the air that can +be obtained, and keep the sheds open during both day and night, while +others open the doors only now and then--closing during warm days, and +during a storm. Sometimes the doors are hung on hinges at the +top--opening but partially and not allowing as free circulation as +when hung on the sides. + +[Illustration: Modern Connecticut tobacco shed.] + +Another building of late has been built by the growers in the +Connecticut valley, called a stripping house. This building is +frequently attached to the shed or near by so that stripping may be +performed during all kinds of weather, without danger of injuring the +tobacco, or the health of the stripper. Such buildings however are +needed only in tobacco sections where the cold is extreme during the +winter, when most of the tobacco is to be stripped. The stripping room +or house is provided with a stove, a long table, or elevated platform, +in front of the windows, of which there should be several to admit +plenty of light, and a number of chairs to accommodate the strippers. +On the stove a kettle of water is kept constantly boiling or heated, +the ascending steam of which keeps the leaves of tobacco from drying +and consequently from cracking or breaking. When in condition for +"striking" or taking down, the plants are carried to the +stripping-room, and covered with boards and blankets, when the +operation called stripping commences. Many of the stripping-rooms are +built large enough to contain the cases after the tobacco is packed, +thus answering a double purpose. + +[Illustration: Stripping room.] + +In Virginia and the other tobacco-growing states of the South, the +tobacco barn is built altogether different, as the method of curing is +by fires or flues instead of air curing. The height of the building is +usually twice its width and length. In the center of the smooth +earthen floor, is the trench for "firing," while around the sides of +the building runs an elevated platform for placing the tobacco leaves +in bulk; and, commencing at a safe distance from the trench, up to the +top of the building, reach beams stretching across for the reception +of the pine laths, from which are suspended the tobacco plants. Many +of the tobacco sheds at the South, are built like those of New +England, but many log structures are still to be seen and many +planters prefer them to those made like other frame buildings. The old +Virginia planters of a hundred years ago, built rough log sheds for +housing the plants, which afforded little protection from wind and +rain, which, in consequence, injured much of the tobacco hanging +around the sides of the building. Tatham gives the following +description of the "Tobacco house and its variety" in his work on +tobacco. + +[Illustration: Modern Virginia shed.] + + "The barn which is appropriated to the use of receiving and + curing this crop, is not, in the manner of other barns, + connected with the farm yard, so that the whole occupation + may be rendered snug and compact, and occasion little waste + of time by inconsiderate and useless locomotion; but it is + constructed to suit the particular occasion in point of + size, and is generally erected in, or by the side of, each + respective piece of tobacco ground; or sometimes in the + woods, upon some hill or particular site which may be + convenient to more than one field of tobacco. The sizes + which are most generally built where this kind of culture + prevails, are what are called forty-feet, and sixty-feet + tobacco houses; that is, of these lengths respectively, and + of a proportionate width; and the plate of the wall, or part + which supports the eaves of the roof, is generally elevated + from the groundsel about the pitch of twelve feet. About + twelve feet pitch is indeed a good height for the larger + crops; because this will allow four pitch each to three + successive tiers of tobacco, besides those which are hung in + the roof; and this distance admits a free circulation of + air, and is a good space apart for the process of curing the + plant. There are various methods in use in respect to the + construction of tobacco houses, and various materials of + which they are constructed; but such are generally found + upon the premises as suffice for the occasion. And although + these sizes are most prevalent, yet tobacco houses are in + many instances built larger or smaller according to the + circumstances of the proprietor, or the size of the spot of + ground under cultivation. + +[Illustration: Virginia shed 150 years ago.] + + "The most ordinary kinds consist of two square pens built + out of logs of six or eight inches thick, and from sixteen + to twenty feet long. Out of this material the two pens are + formed by notching the logs near their extremities with an + axe; so that they are alternately fitted one upon another, + until they rise to a competent height; taking care to fit + joists in at the respective tiers of four feet space, so + that scaffolds may be formed by them similar to those + heretofore described to have been erected in the open field, + for the purpose of hanging the sticks of tobacco upon, that + they may be open to a free circulation of air during this + stage of the process. These pens are placed on a line with + each other, at the opposite extremes of an oblong square, + formed of such a length as to admit of a space between the + two pens wide enough for the reception of a cart or wagon. + This space, together with the two pens, is covered over with + one and the same roof, the frame of which is formed in the + same way as the walls by notching the logs aforesaid, and + narrowing up the gable ends to a point at the upper + extremity of the house, termed the ridge pole. The remaining + part of the fabric consists of a rough cover of thin slabs + of wood, split first with a mall and wedges, and afterwards + riven with an instrument or tool termed a froe. The only + thing which then remains to be done, is to cut a door into + each of the pens, which is done by putting blocks or wedges + in betwixt the logs which are to be cut out, and securing + the jambs with side pieces pinned on with an anger and + wooden pins. The roof is secured by weighing it down with + logs; so that neither hammer, nails, brick, or stone, is + concerned in the structure; and locks and keys are very + rarely deemed necessary. + + "The second kind of tobacco houses differ somewhat from + these, with a view to longer duration. The logs are to this + end more choicely selected. The foundation consists of four + well hewn groundsels, of about eight by ten inches, leveled + and laid upon cross sawed blocks of a larger tree, or upon + large stones. The corners are truly measured, and squared + diamond-wise, by which means they are more nicely notched in + upon each other; the roof is fitted with rafters, footed + upon wall plates, and covered with clap-boards nailed upon + the rafters in the manner of slating. In all other respects + this is the same with the last mentioned method; and both + are left open for the passage of the air between the logs. + + "The third kind is laid upon a foundation similar to the + second; but instead of logs, the walls are composed of posts + and studs, tenoned into the sells, and braced; the top of + these are mounted with a wall-plate and joists; upon these + come the rafters; and the whole is covered with clap-boards + and nails, so as to form one uninterrupted oblong square, + with doors, etc., termed, as heretofore, a forty, sixty, or + one hundred feet tobacco house, etc. + + "The fourth species of these differs from the third only in + the covering, which is generally of good sawed feather-edged + plank; in the roof, which is now composed of shingles; and + in the doors and finishing, which consist of good sawed + plank, hinged, &c. Sometimes this kind are underpinned with + a brick or stone wall beneath the groundsels; but they have + no floors or windows, except a plank or two along the sides + to raise upon hinges for sake of air, and occasional light: + indeed, if these were constructed with sides similar to the + brewery tops in London, I think it would be found + advantageous. In respect to the inside framing of a tobacco + house, one description may serve for every kind: they are so + contrived as to admit poles in the nature of a scaffold + through every part of them, ranging four feet from centre to + centre, which is the length of the tobacco stick, as + heretofore described; and the lower ties should be so + contrived as to remove away occasionally, in order to pursue + other employments at different stages in the process of + curing the crop." + +In Ohio, the tobacco barns are built in a manner similar to those in +Virginia; constructed of logs and provided with trenches for fires in +curing the tobacco. The tobacco sheds for hanging the tobacco cured by +air-drying, are built of the same material without trenches, as smoke +is not employed in curing "seed-leaf" tobacco. The sheds for both +kinds of curing tobacco are large structures, varying in size +according to the area of tobacco planted. Sometimes the sheds are +built near the woods where fuel can be procured, and in the immediate +vicinity of the tobacco field. The tobacco houses are built in the +strongest manner and of the most durable material, and are well fitted +for the purpose designed. In the counties bordering the Ohio River, +where a large quantity of tobacco is raised, the tobacco sheds are to +be seen on every hand, the smoke issuing from the sides of the +building, giving a stranger the idea of a burning building rather than +the curing of a great staple. + +[Illustration: Ohio tobacco shed.] + +The following account of constructing tobacco barns in Missouri, is +from a St. Louis paper: + + "We believe in small barns for any kind of curing. A house + built 16 feet inside and divided into four rooms and six + tier high in the body is the preferable size for flue or + coal curing. For flues they should be built on a very + slightly sloping place; just enough to make the flues draw + well. Flues four inches lower at the eye than the chimney + will be slope enough. The door should always be between the + flues and in the end of the house, to prevent the drip from + falling before the door and the eye of the flues. The tiers + should begin eight feet above the ground and be placed two + feet above each other to the top. They should be placed + across the house so that the roof tier can conveniently be + placed above them. The door, three feet wide and six feet + high, furnished with a good, close shutter. A barn of this + size will cure 800 sticks of common size tobacco, which + will weigh about 1200 lbs. The proper construction of flues + is of great importance; they should be built of any stone + that will stand fire without bursting. White sand-stone, + bastard soap-stone, or any other that does not contain + flint. The size of a flue for a sixteen foot barn, is + generally about 12 inches wide by 14 inches high inside. Not + much care need be taken to have them smooth on the outside. + If stone can be had to make the inside smooth so as not to + obstruct the putting on of wood, it is all that is + necessary. They should be run just far enough from the + house-side not to set the house on fire, and there is not as + much danger of this as may be supposed. Run the walls of the + house-side all around, running the stem out at the middle of + the upper side. The stem should be run far enough above the + wall of the house to avoid danger of sparks from the + chimney. The height of the inside of the flue should be + preserved its whole length. The width may be slightly + decreased from the elbow to the chimney. The inner wall is + carried all around. But too much explanation bewilders; we + think we have said enough. As before said, we like small + barns; where too much tobacco is together, it all can not + receive the heat alike, which is our main objection to large + barns. As to the number of barns necessary, we would say + that there ought to be enough to receive all the crop + without moving any. Say one sixteen-foot barn to every 8,000 + hills of tobacco planted. As a general rule, plant one + thousand hills for every hundred sticks house-room. That is, + if you have three barns plant 24,000 hills, and if it is + common tobacco, they will receive it. A much larger quantity + may be saved in this number of barns by curing and moving + out, but it is very troublesome." + +[Illustration: Persian tobacco shed.] + +In Kentucky and Tennessee the tobacco barns resemble those of Ohio and +the other Western states, and are large, commodious structures, +provided with every facility for curing the plants. In other +tobacco-growing countries the tobacco barns and sheds differ but +little from those in America, the only difference being in form and +building material. In countries where tobacco is a government +monopoly, large and comfortable buildings are provided for the crop +with all the necessary accessories for the curing, packing, and +storing of the tobacco. In South America many of the sheds are large +and low, built on the plantation, and close to the tobacco field. In +Cuba, the curing houses are located on the _vegas_, and as soon as the +tobacco is cut it is placed on the poles to dry or cure. In Asia, a +large quantity of the tobacco is cured in the peasants' huts, where +the smoke is said to impart additional flavor to the already fragrant +leaves. In the Philippines the largest tobacco sheds are found, +described by Gironiere as "vast sheds," and of sufficient capacity to +hold acres of the leaves. In Persia, where the celebrated Shiraz +tobacco is grown, the sheds are simply covered buildings without any +boards on the sides, the only protection afforded from the weather +being supplied by light, thorny bushes, so that the plants may be +exposed to the wind. After fully curing, the tobacco is removed to +another drying-house and turned every day. The drying-houses in other +tobacco-growing countries differ but little from those described, +while the manner of curing is similar, the plants being "fired," +sun-cured, or air-dried--the three modes now employed in drying the +leaves. If the tobacco of the tropics is fragrant while growing, it is +doubly so after being harvested and carried to the sheds. The odor +from the well-filled barns is borne on the breeze alike to friend and +foe of the plant. As the process of drying goes on, the plants +gradually lose the strong perfume emitted during the earlier stages of +curing, and by the time the leaves are "cured down" and the sheds +closed, but little odor issues from the plants, and this continues to +be the case until the leaves are entirely dried. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +TOBACCO CULTURE. + + +Tobacco at the present time is one of the great products of the world. +As an article of agriculture and of commerce, it holds an important +place among the great staples, while as a luxury, its use has become +as extensive as its culture. The tobacco plant is now cultivated in +nearly all parts of the world with varying success, according to the +system of cultivation adopted by its growers. Primarily cultivated by +the aborigines of America in the rude manner common to uncivilized +races, the plant has, by numerous experiments and careful culture, +become one of the greatest of agricultural products. When first +discovered by the Spanish and Portuguese, the plant was small, and in +flavor "poor and weak and of a byting taste." As soon, however, as the +Spaniards began its cultivation in the islands of St. Domingo and +Trinidad, attention was paid to developing it, and in a few years the +description we find of the latter variety is that it is "large, sharp, +and growing two or three yards from the ground." + +At the close of the sixteenth century the Portuguese began its +cultivation in Portugal, the soil of which seemed well adapted to the +plant, and still further increased the size and quality of the leaf. +Tobacco is now cultivated through a wider range of temperature than +any other tropical plant, and whether grown amid the sands of Arabia, +the plains of South America, or in the rich valley of the Connecticut, +develops its finest form and perfection of leaf. During the last +half-century the plant has been developed to a greater extent than +during the three hundred years succeeding its discovery. Now its +cultivation has been reduced to almost an exact science, and the +quality of the leaf is in a great measure within the control of the +growers of the plant. + +Formerly it was supposed that the varieties that grew in the tropics +could not be successfully cultivated in the temperate regions, but +recent and repeated experiments have demonstrated the fact that the +tobacco of Cuba can be grown with success in the Connecticut valley. +While the tobacco of the tropics is the finest in flavor, the more +temperate regions produce the finest and best colored leaf. The +tobacco of the tropics, as to the uses to which it is put, is limited, +while the tobacco of the more temperate regions can be used for all +the purposes for which the plant is designed. + +The cultivation of the plant varies with the variety, the soil, and +the use to be made of the leaf. Thus a tobacco designed for cutting +purposes is cultivated somewhat differently from that designed for the +manufacture of snuff or cigars. In the one case the plant is allowed +to remain growing longer in the field, while in the other the work of +topping the plants is performed at an earlier stage of their growth. +Primarily but little attention was paid to the color and texture of +the leaf, the principal object being the production of a leaf of large +size, rather than one of good color, and of a silky texture. Now, +however, these are most important considerations, and give value to +the tobacco in proportion to the perfection of these qualities. + +The soil, too, is carefully chosen and fitted in the most thorough +manner, while the fertilizers used are selected with reference to the +color of leaf desired. When first cultivated in the United States it +was thought that tobacco designed for various uses could not be grown +in the same state or section; now, however, tobacco for cigars and for +cutting are grown nearly side by side. But in the fineness of the +leaf, tobacco culture has made its greatest stride. By a careful +selection of soil, and by the judicious application of proper +fertilizers, the leaf tobaccos of Connecticut, Cuba, and Virginia, +resemble in texture the finest satins and silks. This result has been +reached, not by the sacrifice of the strength of the leaf, but by the +most careful culture and improved methods of curing. + +The first labor to be performed in connection with the growth of a +crop of tobacco, is the selection of a site for, and the making of, +the "plant bed" or "plant patch." These beds for the early growth of +the plants until large enough to transplant, are made in various ways +and at different times, according to the method of tilling adopted and +the climate. In California the tobacco bed is made in January, in the +Southern States, Syria, Turkey, and Holland, in March. In New England +in April. In Mexico and Java in June, and in Persia in December. In +the Connecticut valley the manner of making the + + +PLANT BED, + +as given by a Massachusetts tobacco-grower, is as follows:-- + + "No rigid rules can be given for any process in tobacco + culture, which depends much upon weather and season, but + certain advantages may be obtained by skillful adaptation of + general principles to circumstances. This is especially true + of raising tobacco plants, which occupy an extremely slight + depth of ground for weeks after sowing, making it necessary + to prepare the whole soil with reference to the state of + this thin surface. Any slight mistake of treatment may make + in the end a difference of several days; consequently each + item is of importance. While every tobacco-raiser wants + early plants, and appreciates the value of a good location + for growing them, many naturally sheltered spots of ground, + protected from northerly winds by buildings, trees, or + hills, remain unappreciated. Tight board fences are no + protection worth mentioning. + + "A heavily manured crop of tobacco would fit such places for + tobacco beds, and leave them freer from weeds than any other + cultivation; and a subsequent use of some commercial + fertilizer would avoid the introduction of weed seed. With + these precautions, and a careful destruction of all + neighboring weeds, a tolerably clean bed may be expected. To + prepare the ground, plow or loosen deeply with a large + cultivator; harrow in two-thirds of the fertilizer to be + used; rake the bed perfectly level, then rake in the other + third; roll once, and another slight raking will fit the bed + for sowing, after which it should be rolled down hard. If + the soil is handled in drying weather, it should be done + quickly, because damp ground, if prepared and rolled down + before drying, will 'set' like mortar, and remain damp on + the surface. Moisture and darkness are essential to the + germination of the seed, and these conditions can be secured + only by making the surface compact while damp. The + disintegration of the deeper lumps, and the decomposition of + fertilizers, will cause the surface to grow gradually + softer. The effect of plowing is to break the ground into + lumps, which lie upon each other, giving free admission to + the air between them. Harrowing makes finer the lumps near + the surface, and mixes the fertilizer deeper than a rake can + be used. The first raking is to pulverize and level, so that + rains will neither collect in ponds, nor run off, but + penetrate the soil evenly. The second raking is to mix the + fertilizer equally through the soil, to the depth of an inch + or less, and reduce the lumps to the size of peas, which is + as fine as a medium loam can be made without danger of a + tough crust. Too much working destroys the healthy grain of + the soil, and reduces it to a paste, which the roots of the + tobacco plants can penetrate but slowly. + +[Illustration: Making the plant bed in Connecticut.] + + "The bed should not be watered before nor after the plants + come up. The ground will be cold enough without any extra + evaporation, and if the place is suitable for tobacco + plants, and rightly fitted, the surface will be damp in the + morning, even in very dry weather. If the plants need + stimulating, sow on them a coat of Peruvian guano or + super-phosphate at the commencement of a rain, regulating + the quantity used by the amount of the water likely to fall. + Superphosphate makes dark-colored, thick-leaved, stocky + plants. Fish guano has about the same effect, but gives a + lighter color and thinner leaf. Peruvian guano is more + stimulating than either, and makes a light-colored, thin + leaf. Great caution is necessary in the use of these + powerful medicines to avoid an over-dose. A quantity that + would be safe in a heavy rain, would in a light rain kill + many or nearly all the plants. + + "Old seed will sprout sooner than new. The seed should be + measured while dry, and the same spoon used every year, so + the effect of a given amount may be noted and the quantity + regulated by experience. Level the seed in the spoon with a + knife-blade, like measuring grain in a half-bushel. After + sprouting again, allowing for the seed, increase in bulk for + each rod separately. The amount of seed needed to the square + rod varies with different seasons, soils, and seeds, but can + be loosely a tablespoonful. There are many breeds of + tablespoons. Too thick sowing will nearly spoil a bed by + causing it to produce weak, yellow, spindling plants, while + thin sowing will give good square ones. A bed should appear + about half stocked till the plants are nearly ready to set, + when they will suddenly spread and seem to multiply. + + "Some growers sprout and some prefer dry seed. In favorable + circumstances sprouting will give a gain of four to six + days, but in many cases dry seed will be fully as early. A + long sprout is liable to be broken off in sowing, or killed + by cold, after it is in the ground. A sprout just showing + will endure several nights' freezing if there is some warm + sun in the day-time. One way to sprout is to spread the seed + thinly on cotton cloth, and roll it up inside of woolen + cloth, keep it in a warm place, and dip in warm water every + day. In about four days the white spots will show. Sprouted + no more than this, it will stand unfavorable weather as well + as dry seed. A pint of meal and a pint of plaster to each + rod, is a good mixture to sow in. Pouring from one dish to + another many times will mix the plaster, meal, and seed + perfectly if dry. If sprouted, it should be rubbed through + the hands a few times with the mixture, to dry it and + prevent any bunches of plants coming from seed stuck + together. The plaster will show on the ground whether the + sowing is being done evenly. + + "Weeding should of course be done early and thoroughly. + Weeds are stronger than the plants, and a little neglect + will check them, making practically, perhaps, a difference + of several days. A good way to prepare for weeding and + taking up plants, is to make the bed about fifteen feet + wide, and place round, straight poles across it about eleven + feet apart. The poles should be three inches in diameter at + the smallest end. They cost nothing and save moving blocks + around with the weeding planks." + +If the plants are tardy of growth, or the season is backward, wooden +frames covered with cloth soaked in linseed oil may be placed over the +beds, which is far better than to cover with pine boughs or glass +even. The cloth soaked in oil draws the rays of the sun and keeps the +earth dry and warm, causing a rapid growth of the plants, which at +this stage need forcing in order to be forward enough for early +transplanting. A Virginia planter gives the following description of +making the + + +PLANT PATCH. + + "Cut wood in September or October, so that it may season, to + burn patches (beds) in winter or spring. For ten acres, or + fifty thousand hills, burn and sow three patches each of + seventy-five square yards. Say one (if the land be in good + condition) the latter part of December, and if it be not in + condition then, burn one hundred and fifty square yards the + first good weather in January or February, and the other the + first of March. Select a place on some small constant + running stream, not liable to overflow, with a moist, sandy + soil; cut down all trees close to the ground; get off all + shrubbery, leaves, etc. The patch will then be ready for + wooding. Commence by laying on skids ten or twelve feet + long, four in diameter, three and a half feet apart; cover + thickly with brush, then put on wood regular all over, and + thick enough to burn dry an inch in depth. Commence your + fires on the side, and continue to move after it has burnt + hard enough. After it has burned, sweep off all coals, but + not the ashes: then it will be ready for hoeing up, which + can be done with good grub hoes; hoe deep, but do not turn + over the soil; get off all large and small roots; chop over + with hill hoes, and rake until the earth is thoroughly + pulverized; then put on twenty-five bushels of good, fine, + stable manure, without weed and grass seed, and twenty-five + pounds of Peruvian guano, which should be put on regularly, + hoed and raked in. + + "For sowing, lay off beds four feet wide, so that the water + from rains may run or drain off. For every bed four feet + wide and twelve yards long, sow one chalk pipe bowl full of + seed, after being mixed with ashes; tread with the feet or + pat it over with weeding hoes, that it may be close and + smooth; cover it with dog-wood, maple, or any fine brush, to + the depth of twenty or twenty-four inches, to protect the + young plants from cold or a drouth. After the plants have + commenced coming up, re-sow the patches with half the + quantity of seed first sown, which will not interfere with + the plants first up, but make good re-planting plants. When + the plants, or some of them, have grown to the size of a + Spanish mill dollar, take off the brush, pick off all + sticks, weeds, and grass, and keep them well picked until + you have finished setting out. + + "Should the plants not grow fast enough to suit, manure with + Peruvian guano; have it fine, and sow over in the middle of + the day when they are dry, or if it be raining briskly, it + may then be sown over. Should the patches be suffering for + rain, put five pounds of Peruvian guano in twenty gallons of + water, and sprinkle it over with a watering-pot. To destroy + the flea, bug, or fly, put dry leaves around the patch, and + set fire to them at night, which will attract and destroy + them if they are disturbed with a broom or leafy brush." + +The old Virginia planters selected and made the plant patch as +follows:-- + + "The quality of earth, and places which are universally + chosen for this purpose, are newly cleared lands of the best + possible light black soil, situated as near to a small + stream of water as they can be conveniently found, due + attention being paid to the dryness of the place. + + "The beds, or patches, as they are called, differ in size, + from the bigness of a small salad bed to a quarter of an + acre, according to the magnitude of the crop proposed; and + they are prepared for receiving the seed in March and the + early part of April, as the season suits, first by burning + upon them large heaps of brush wood, the stalks of the maize + or Indian corn, straw, or other rubbish; and afterwards, by + digging and raking them in the same manner of preparing + ground for lettuce seed; which is generally sown mixed with + the tobacco seed (the same process being suitable to both + plants); and which answers the double purpose of feeding the + laborer, and of protecting the young tobacco plant from the + fly; for which intent a border of mustard seed round the + plant patch is found to be an effectual remedy, as the fly + prefers mustard, especially white mustard, to any other + young plant; and will continue to feed upon that until the + tobacco plant waxes strong, and becomes mature enough for + transplantation." + +A Tennessee planter gives the following description of making the +plant bed as practised in his State. In some respects, especially in +preventing the growth of weeds, it is the best process of making the +"plant patch" that we have ever seen described. He says:-- + + "To make a good plant bed it requires good management and + pretty hard work. It will hardly be done well without the + presence of the farmer to attend to it. The time to make a + bed is from the 15th of October to the first of April. The + best beds are made in the Fall, for the reason that the + ground is then very dry and therefore more easily burned, + and besides there is more time for the ashes to rot before + the hot weather. A bed turned in the Fall will hold moisture + better than burned later. It takes less wood to burn well. + The plants are more vigorous and tougher. The soil should be + rich and light and never tilled before. The location should + be as much exposed to the sun as possible. It is best for a + bed to be surrounded by timber. The bugs are not so apt to + find it. Low rich valleys will generally do better than + ridges, though any good rich new ground will make good + plants if well burned and prepared. The ground should be + raked very clean of leaves before packing on the brush and + wood. The fire must have a fair chance at the ground. The + brush should be packed on straight and close, at least + enough wood mixed with it to make it lie close. If the brush + is green, endeavor to mix what dry stuff there is thorough, + so the fire will burn through without trouble. It is very + important that the fire should be as hot as possible while + it is burning. The bed should not be rained upon after it is + set before it is burned, as it will be doubtful whether the + ground beneath the brush will get dry well. + + "The ground should always be as dry as possible when it is + burned. The bed should be set on fire in several places at + once so as to have a very great heat on it at once. If the + ground is well burned it will be a little crusty and + whitish, and will pulverize beautifully. As soon as the + ground is cool enough it may be loosened up and pulverized. + This should be done well, and may be done with a good sharp + harrow and then followed with hoes and grubbing hoes. Aim to + keep the ashes and rich soil on the surface, and for this + reason a bed is sometimes damaged by a too deep working. + Rake carefully, getting off all the roots and trash. The bed + should be drained by a little ditch around it on the upper + side. If it is very early in the Fall, the seed should not + be sown until the danger of very warm days has passed. After + the last of November the sowing should be as soon as the bed + is prepared. A little less than a heaping tablespoonful to + ten steps square is about the quantity of seed. Cover the + seed very lightly with the rake or tramping the ground with + the feet. Cover the bed with a good layer of straight brush, + not enough to keep the light rains from the bed, but at the + same time enough to keep the ground in a moist condition + even in hot weather. Make a low close brush fence around the + bed to keep the leaves from being blown upon it. Re-sow + whenever the plants are well up, so as to have two chances. + Take off the brush cover when the plants are big enough to + shade the ground themselves. If the plants are rather thin + on the bed, do not uncover until you go there to draw the + plants. If there is any danger of a scarcity of plants, + always put the trash back after drawing." + +In Cuba the + + +"SEMILLEROS" + +or planting beds as a rule, lie higher than the rest of the farm. On +the large _vegas_ or tobacco plantations, numbers of planting beds are +made under the supervision of the mayoral. Siecke gives the following +account of making the beds or _semilleros_: + + "On the island of Cuba any field selected for the + cultivation of tobacco is divided into long beds + (_Canteras_) twenty-five to twenty-eight feet long, and + nineteen to twenty inches wide. The soil is then manured + with a mixture of two parts of well rotten dung and one part + of either sand or fine sandy earth. During the months of + August, September, and even October, the beds are watered, + and the seeds mingled with the nine-fold quantity of fine + sand, are sown broad cast or through a fine sieve, and + immediately after covered with a mixture of dung and + triturated or molaxated earth, in such a manner that this + mixture forms a covering layer of about 1-32 inches. + + "The utmost care is taken to protect the seeds against the + stifling heat of sunrays as well as heavy showers. To this + end forked sticks about three inches high, are placed + around the tobacco beds, opposite one another, and into + these forks thin twigs are laid, which are covered with + palm-leaves in such a way as to form a slight roof." + +[Illustration: Covering plant bed.] + +In Syria the tobacco seed is sown in ground free from stones, well +manured with goats dung, and strewn over with prickly bushes to +protect the young plants from birds. The plants are watered daily till +they reach the height of eight or ten inches, when they are +transplanted. In Persia where the celebrated Shiraz tobacco is +cultivated, the seed is planted in a dark soil slightly manured; the +ground is covered with light thorny bushes to keep it warm, and these +are removed when the plants are a few inches high. The ground is +regularly watered if required, and when the plants are six to eight +inches high are transplanted. In Turkey + "the tobacco seed is sown + early in the spring, in small beds carefully prepared for + the early growth of the young plants. In a few weeks the + plants appear thick; then begins the occupation of the + farmer's wife, and their numerous children, whose little + fingers are engaged day by day in thinning the beds, care + being taken to leave the most healthy looking plants. The + husband is engaged either in carrying water from the nearest + well by the aid of his mule, or in preparing the land for + the reception of the plants. The beds are well watered + before sunrise and after sundown." + + "The Hungarian peasantry always make their tobacco beds + against the south ends of their houses. These beds are + enclosed by hurdles two feet high, at the bottom of which + stones are laid, and on the outside of these, thorns are + thickly placed, to exclude the moles. They fill this + enclosure to the height of eighteen inches with fresh, + coarse manure, which they press closely by beating as they + throw it on; covering with finely pulverized earth mixed + with dung of the preceding year that had become soil. They + do not regulate their time of sowing either by the moon, + month, the season, but by the holy week of the passing year; + it is on Good Friday that all of their beds are sown, and + although this day may vary nearly one month in different + years, they are faithful to their thermometer--their piety + not permitting them to know any other. To the mysterious + influence of the day, without regard to the season, they + ascribe their success and they generally succeed." Bickinson +gives an account of the manner of making the plant bed in the East +Indian Archipelago. He says: + "Not far from us is a hut inhabited by + two natives, who are engaged in cultivating tobacco. Their + _ladangs_, or gardens, are merely places of an acre or less, + where the thick forest has been partially destroyed by fire, + and the seed is sown in the regular spaces between the + stumps." + +After making the plant bed and tending through the weeding season, the +next step to be taken is the + + +CHOICE OF GROUND + +for the tobacco fields. Tobacco, unlike any other plant, readily +adapts itself to soil and climate. The effect produced upon the plant +may be seen in comparing the tobacco of Holland and France, the one +raised upon low, damp ground, the other on a sandy loam. The early +growers of the plant in Virginia, were very particular in the +selection of soil for the plant. The lands which they found best +adapted were the light red, or chocolate-colored mountain lands, the +light black mountain soil in the coves of the mountains, and the +richest low grounds. + + Tatham says: "The condition of soil of which the planters + make choice, is that in which nature presents it when it is + first disrobed of the woods with which it is naturally + clothed throughout every part of the country; hence in the + parts where this culture prevails, this is termed new + ground, which may be there considered as synonymous with + tobacco ground. Thus the planter is continually cutting down + new ground, and every successive spring presents an + additional field, or opening of tobacco (for it is not + necessary to put much fence round that kind of crop); and to + procure this new ground you will observe him clearing the + woods from the sides of the steepest hills, which afford a + suitable soil; for a Virginian never thinks of reinstating + or manuring his land with economy until he can find no more + new land to exhaust, or wear out as he calls it; and, + besides, the tobacco which is produced from manured or + cow-penned land, is only considered, in ordinary, to be a + crop of second quality. It will hence be perceived, (and + more particularly when it is known that the earth must be + continually worked to make a good crop of tobacco, without + even regarding the heat of the sun, or the torrent of sudden + showers,) that, however lucrative this kind of culture may + be in respect to the intermediate profits, there is a + considerable drawback in the waste of soil."[72] + + [Footnote 72: Liancourt in his Travels in North America, + says of tobacco culture in Virginia: "The nature of the + country beyond the James River is much more variegated + than on this side. At present they are preparing the + lands for the planting of tobacco. After having worked + the land it is thrown into small hillocks. * * * The + cultivation of tobacco, which has been very much + neglected during several years, is more followed this + year on account of the high price it bears in Europe; + but the soil has been so long worked with this + exhausting produce, and is so badly manured (for manure + is absolutely necessary for tobacco when the soil is not + newly broken up), that it is not capable of producing + good crops."] + +In the Connecticut valley where tobacco is grown for wrapping +purposes, the selection of soil will depend upon the color of leaf in +demand (as the soil as well as the fertilizers determine in a measure +the color and texture of the tobacco). If the grower wishes to obtain +dark colored tobacco then the soil selected should be a dark loam; on +the other hand, if a light colored wrapper is desired he selects a +light loam, and with the application of proper fertilizers the proper +color will be obtained. + +The tobacco plant flourishes well either on high or low ground, +providing the soil be dry and free from stones, which are a source of +annoyance during the cultivation of the plants and especially in +harvesting. When grown on very low ground the plants should be "set" +early, so as to harvest before early frosts. The plant may be +cultivated on such soil in almost any part of the valley excepting +only near the sound, or other body of salt water, the effect produced +by planting tobacco too near the sea, more especially in Connecticut, +being injurious to the leaf, which is apt to be thick and unfit for a +cigar wrapper. In some countries, however, the leaf grown near salt +water is equal in color and texture to any grown in the interior. But +generally the plant obtains its finest form and quality of +leaf--whether in the islands of the ocean, on the great prairies of +the west, amid the sands of Arabia, on the mountains of Syria, or +along the dykes of Holland--on lands bordering the largest rivers. +This is true of the tobacco lands of Connecticut, Kentucky, Virginia, +Florida, Brazil, Venezuela, and Paraguay, as well as of those in the +islands of Cuba and St. Domingo, where the rivers flow to the southern +coast from the mountains which lie to the north. It must not be +imagined from this that tobacco can not be successfully cultivated at +a distance from valleys enriched by large and overflowing rivers. Some +of the finest tobacco grown in Connecticut is grown in counties some +distance from the river that gives name to our state. + +When possible, select that kind of soil for the tobacco field that +will produce the color and texture of leaf desired. For Connecticut +seed leaf a light moist loam is the proper soil. The same field can be +used a number of seasons in succession; the result will be a much +finer leaf than will come from selecting a new field each year. The +early planters of tobacco in Virginia soon ruined their fields by +failing to manure them. In Maryland the soil best adapted for the +growth of tobacco is a light, friable soil, or what is commonly called +a sandy loam, not too flat, but of a rolling, undulating surface, and +not liable to overflow in excessive rains. New land is far better than +old. + +A Missouri tobacco grower gives the following account of the selection +of soil for tobacco in that State:-- + + "Select upland, or black oak ridges and slopes, which + comprise a large area of the tobacco lands of our county, + and carefully clear off all the timber, and take out all the + roots we can conveniently, and break up the ground as + thoroughly as can be done by ploughing and harrowing until + all the tufts and dirt are perfectly pulverized." + +In Cuba the planters select the red soil as the best for fine tobacco. +Some planters, however, prefer a soil mixed of 1/4 sand and 1/2 to +3/4 of decayed vegetable matter. In St. Domingo the soil is not +uniform. The planters select a deep black loam or tenacious clay, or +even loams mixed with sand. The most fertile places are on the banks +of the Yuna, from Laxay to Jaigua, in the vicinity of Mocha, on the +banks of the Camoo, and around La Vega. Around Santiago, clay and sand +predominate, and the soil can not be highly praised. Most of the +tobacco grown in the island is raised in the valley of the Vega. + +Cussree, in treating of this subject, says:-- + + "The quality of tobacco depends as much upon the nature of + the soil as of the climate. The plant requires peculiarities + of soil to develop certain of its qualities. And these + peculiarities are such that art cannot furnish the + conditions to produce them where they are naturally wanting. + The sugar-cane grows chiefly on soils derived from + calcareous formations; but few or none of these are fitted + for tobacco, which is cultivated only on sandy loams. Both + the Cuban and American planters concur in asserting that a + large quantity of silicious matters in soils is essential + for the growth of good tobacco. + + "As already noticed, the rich clay loams on the banks of the + James River, in Virginia, do not grow good tobacco; while + the less fertile silicious soils in the county of Louisa + produce it much superior in quality. Small patches of + tobacco are everywhere seen growing over the sugar producing + districts of Cuba; but I saw no tobacco plantations in the + calcareous regions over which I traveled. The soils rest + upon the primary formation. Even in the tobacco districts + the planters know the spots in the different fields that + produce the various qualities of leaf." + +In + + +PREPARING THE SOIL + +for the reception and growth of the plants, the fertilizing as well as +the plowing of the fields should be performed in the most thorough +manner. The first is essential for a large and vigorous growth, while +the latter renders the cultivation of the plants much easier. The +careful preparation of soil is so intimately connected with all that +pertains to the plant, that it should be done well in order that the +best results may follow. Tobacco of good body, color, and texture, +cannot be grown on land devoid of fertility. The field selected for +tobacco, if heavy sward, should be plowed early in the spring or the +fall before, and later in the season if the turf is well rotted. After +spreading on the manure, the field may be plowed again and harrowed +frequently until all the lumps are made fine, and the surface mellow. + +In the use of fertilizers select, if a light colored leaf is desired, +either horse manure or tobacco stems. In the Connecticut valley nearly +all kinds of Domestic, Commercial, and Special fertilizers are used. +Of domestic fertilizers, horse manure is considered the best, as it +produces the finest and lightest colored leaf of any known fertilizer. +Of commercial fertilizers, Peruvian guano is doubtless one of the +best--imparting both color and fineness to the leaf. Of special +manures, tobacco stems are perhaps the best, at least the most +frequently used. Of the other special fertilizers, such as cotton seed +meal, castor pomace, ground bone, damaged grain, tobacco waste and +saltpetre waste, much may be said both in praise and dispraise. Cotton +seed meal, when used with domestic manure is an excellent and powerful +manure. + +If domestic manures are applied, use about twelve cords to the acre, +composting before plowing under. As soon as spread, plow the field and +see that all of the manure is covered. If tobacco stems are used, plow +in from three to five tons to the acre, all of them at once, or a part +in the fall and the remainder in the spring. If Peruvian guano is +applied, sow on about three hundred pounds to the acre in connection +with the domestic manure. Fish guano should be composted before +sowing, either with loam or manure, and when used on light soil is a +very good fertilizer, producing a light, thin leaf. After the tobacco +field is harrowed it is ready for the ridger, which makes the hills +and gathers together all of the loose manure on the surface, and +collects it in the ridges. Where a ridger is not used, work off the +rows from three and one half to four feet apart, or even wider than +this. In the Connecticut valley the field is marked and hilled so as +to give about 6000 hills to the acre. This will be a sufficient number +if the growth is likely to be large. Where a ridger is used, manure +can not be dropped in the hill and in many respects it is well not to +do so, as the plants are liable to be blown over during a storm--not +standing as firmly in the hills as plants when no manure is used in +the hills. If the hills are to be made with the hoe, avoid all stones, +bits of turf and grass in making them, and select only the fresh +earth--gently patting the top of the hill with the hoe. New made hills +are better than old, but it will make but little difference unless the +soil is very dry at the time of transplanting. + +[Illustration: A tobacco ridger.] + +The following description of the manner of preparing the tobacco field +in Virginia by the old planters is quite interesting, and gives some +idea of the amount of labor to be performed on the tobacco +plantation:-- + + "There are two distinct and separate methods of preparing + the tobacco ground: the one is applicable to the preparation + of new and uncultivated lands, such as are in a state of + nature, and require to be cleared of the heavy timber and + other productions with which Providence has stocked them; + and the other method is designed to meliorate and revive + lands of good foundation, which have been heretofore + cultivated, and, in some measure, exhausted by the calls of + agriculture and evaporation. + + "The process of preparing new lands begins as early in the + winter as the housing and managing the antecedent crop will + permit, by grabbing the undergrowth with a mattock; felling + the timber with a poll-axe;[73] lopping off the tops, and + cutting the bodies into lengths of about eleven feet, which + is about the customary length of an American fence rail, in + what is called a worm or panel fence.[74] During this part + of the process the negro women, boys, and weaker laborers, + are employed in piling or throwing the brush-wood, roots, + and small wood, into heaps to be burned; and after such logs + or stocks are selected as are suitable to be malled into + rails, make clapboards, or answer for other more particular + occasions of the planter, the remaining logs are rolled into + heaps by means of hand-spikes and skids; but the + Pennsylvania and German farmers, who are more conversant + with animal powers than the Virginians, save much of this + labor by the use of a pair of horses with a half sledge, or + a pair of truck wheels. + + [Footnote 73: This is a short, thick, heavy-headed axe, + of a somewhat oblong shape, with which the Americans + make great dispatch. They treat the English poll-axe + with great contempt, and always work it over again as + old iron before they deem it fit for their use.] + + [Footnote 74: The worm or panel fence, originally of + Virginia, consists of logs or malled rails from about + four to six or eight inches thick and eleven feet in + length. A good fence consists of ten rails and a rider. + It is called a worm fence from the zigzag manner of its + construction.] + + "The burning of this brush-wood, and the log piles, is a + business for all hands after working hours; and as nightly + revels are peculiar to the African constitution, this part + of the labor proves often a very late employment, which + affords many scenes of rustic mirth. When this process has + cleared the land of its various natural incumbrances (to + attain which end is very expensive and laborious), the next + part of the process is that of the hoe; for the plough is an + implement which is rarely used in new lands when they are + either designed for tobacco or meadow. There are three kinds + of the hoe which are applied to this tillage: the first is + what is termed the sprouting hoe, which is a smaller species + of mattock that serves to break up any particular hard part + of the ground, to grub up any smaller sized grubs which the + mattock or grubbing hoe may have omitted, to remove small + stones and other partial impediments to the next process. + The narrow or hilling hoe follows the operation of the + sprouting hoe. It is generally from six to eight inches + wide, and ten or twelve in the length of the blade, + according to the strength of the person who is to use it; + the blade is thin, and by means of a movable wedge which is + driven into the eye of the hoe, it can be set more or less + digging (as it is termed), that is, on a greater or less + angle with the helve, at pleasure. In this respect there + are few instances where the American blacksmith is not + employed to alter the eye of an English-made hoe before it + is fit for use; the industrious and truly useful merchants + of Glasgow have paid more minute attention to this + circumstance. + +[Illustration: Drawing the dirt around the foot.] + + "The use of this hoe is to break up the ground and throw it + into shape; which is done by chopping the clods until they + are sufficiently fine, and then drawing the earth round the + foot until it forms a heap round the projected leg of the + laborer like a mole hill, and nearly as high as the knee; he + then draws out his foot, flattens the top of the hill by a + dab with the flat part of the hoe, and advances forward to + the next hill in the same manner, until the whole piece of + ground is prepared. The center of these hills are in this + manner guessed by the eye; and in most instances they + approach near to lines of four feet one way, and three feet + the other. The planter always endeavors to time this + operation so as to tally with the growth of his plants, so + that he may be certain by this means to pitch his crop + within season. + + "The third kind of hoe is the broad or weeding hoe. This is + made use of during the cultivation of the crop, to keep it + clean from the weeds. It is wide upon the edge, say from ten + inches to a foot, or more; of thinner substance than the + hilling hoe, not near so deep in the blade, and the eye is + formed more bent and shelving than the latter, so that it + can be set upon a more acute angle upon the helve at + pleasure, by removing the wedge." + +The manner of preparing the soil in Virginia at the present time is +thus described by a Virginia planter:-- + + "The crop usually, grown in Virginia is divided into three + classes, viz.:--Shipping, Sun-cured Fillers, and Bright + Coal-cured Wrappers and Smokers. The first may be grown on + any good soil, upland or alluvial: the latter two on dry, + well-drained upland only. All require thorough preparation + of the soil to insure good crops. The work first necessary + for this crop is to burn a sufficiency of plant land. To + prepare the land for transplanting, put the land in full + tilth, then mark off with a shovel, plow furrows three feet + to three feet four inches apart, and into these furrows sow + the fertilizers; then with turning plows, bed the land on + these furrows, and to facilitate the hilling, cross these + beds three feet apart with furrows by a shovel plow, and the + hills are made, except to pat them with hoes. Hilly lands + will seldom admit of this cross-plowing, and the beds must + be chopped into hills. On new ground apply the fertilizers + broadcast. It acts well, and for fine yellow pays better on + new grounds than any other lands. The culture is essentially + the same for all classes of tobacco. Stir the land up as + often as necessary to promote a rapid growth of the plants, + and to keep down grass and weeds. 'Shipping' tobacco may be + plowed later and worked longer than 'fine yellow.' For + 'coal-curing' sacrifice pounds for color." + +The next operation to be performed on the tobacco farm or plantation +is + + +TRANSPLANTING. + +[Illustration: Transplanting.] + +As soon as four or five leaves on a plant about the size of a dollar +have appeared, they are large enough to transplant. Take the plants up +with care, sprinkling with water and keeping covered. In taking them +up, the earth may be allowed to remain on the roots, or shaken off, +at the option of the grower. As a general rule, however, the earth +should remain rather than be shaken off. Remove to the field and drop +one at each hill, and where the plants are small, two. A common custom +is to "set" every tenth or twelfth hill with two plants. This is a +good plan, as they are frequently needed during hoeing time to "fill +in." If holes have not been made, insert the first two fingers, making +a hole large enough for the roots to remain in an easy and natural +position. Press the earth gently around the plant if the soil is +moist, but if dry, more firmly. See that the plant stands in an +upright position. If dry after "setting" the plants, water them, and +if a protracted drought follows, cover them up with grass or hay +dipped in water; remove, however, in a day or two.[75] Plaster may +also be used to advantage, as it keeps the hill moist, besides +fertilizing the plant; put a little just around the plants. In taking +up from the bed select large ones, leaving the smaller ones to grow. +Transplanting should commence as early as possible that this result +may follow. + + [Footnote 75: Walker says of tobacco culture in Colombia + (South America):--"It is advisable to cover the plant + with a banana leaf, or something similar: by this means + the tobacco is protected from the heat of the sun, and + from the heavy rains, which would not prove less + prejudicial."] + +[Illustration: Transplanting.] + +Plants with large broad leaves are considered the best, those that +grow tall and "spindling" or "long shank" plants, as they are called +at the South, are rejected and should not be set out when others that +are more "stocky" can be obtained. Avoid, however, setting too large +plants, as they are not as apt to live as smaller ones. Transplanting +should be done as fast as possible, that the tobacco field may present +an even appearance and be ready to harvest at one time. If the plants +are to grow and ripen evenly, the transplanting should be finished in +a week or two from the time of the first setting. This can generally +be done unless plants are very scarce, when circumstances, beyond the +growers' control, often make the field give apparent evidence of want +of care, although the real trouble is a want of plants. + + "It may be necessary to water the plants once or twice after + transplanting; this in a measure will depend upon the + season." + +Tatham in his Essay on the Culture and Commerce of Tobacco, (London +1800,) gives an account of the manner of transplanting in Virginia at +that period. Under the head of + + +"THE SEASON FOR PLANTING," + +he says: + + "The term, 'season for planting,' signifies a shower of + rain, of sufficient quantity to wet the earth to a degree of + moisture which may render it safe to draw the young plants + from the plant bed, and transplant them into the hills which + are prepared for them in the field, as described under the + last head; and these seasons generally commence in April, + and terminate with what is termed the long season in May; + which (to make use of an Irishism), very frequently happens + in June; and is the opportunity which the planter finds + himself necessitated to seize with eagerness for the + pitching of his crop: a term which comprehends the ultimate + opportunity which the spring will afford him, for planting a + quantity equal to the capacity of the collective power of + his laborers when applied in cultivation. By the time which + these seasons approach, nature has so ordered vegetation, + that the weather has generally enabled the plants, (if duly + sheltered from the spring frosts, a circumstance to which a + planter should always be attentive in selecting his plant + patch,) to shoot forward in sufficient strength to bear the + vicissitude of transplantation. + + "They are supposed to be equal to meet the imposition of + this task, when the leaves are about the size of a dollar; + but this is more generally the minor magnitude of the + leaves; and some will be of course about three or four times + that medium dimension. Thus, when a good shower or season + happens at this period of the year, and the field and plants + are equally ready for the intended union, the planter + hurries to the plant bed, disregarding the teeming element, + which is doomed to wet his skin, from the view of a + bountiful harvest, and having carefully drawn the largest + sizable plants, he proceeds to the next operation, (that) of + planting. + + "The office of planting the tobacco, is performed by two or + more persons, in the following manner: The first person + bears, suspended upon one arm, a large basket full of the + plants, which have just been drawn and brought from the + plant bed to the field, without waiting for an intermission + of the shower, although it should rain ever so heavily; such + an opportunity indeed, instead of being shunned, is eagerly + sought after, and is considered to be the sure and certain + means of laying a good foundation, which cherishes the hope + of a bounteous return. The person who bears the basket, + proceeds thus by rows from hill to hill; and upon each hill + he takes care to drop one of his plants. Those who follow + make a hole in the center of each hill with their fingers, + and having adjusted the tobacco plant in its natural + position, they knead the earth round the root with their + hands, until it is of a sufficient consistency to sustain + the plant against wind and weather. In this condition they + leave the field for a few days, until the plants shall have + formed their radifications; and where any of them shall have + casually perished, the ground is followed over again by + successive replantings, until the crop is rendered + complete." + +In tropical regions, the plants are transplanted as well in summer and +fall as in the spring, but more frequently in the early autumn. In +Mexico, transplanting is performed from August till November. In +Persia, the tobacco plants are "transplanted on the tops of ridges in +a ground trenched so as to retain water. When the plants are thirty to +forty inches high, the leaves vary from three to fifteen inches in +length, when the buds are ready to be pinched off; the leaves +increase in size until August and September, when they have attained +their growth." In Turkey "when the young plants are about six inches +in height they are removed from the small beds and planted in fields +like cabbages in this country, and are then left to nature to develop +them to a height of from three to four feet; three leaves, however, +are removed from each plant to assist its growth." + +[Illustration: American transplanter.] + +A year or two since, a machine was invented and offered to the growers +of the Connecticut valley, called a transplanter, of which we here +give an engraving. The inventor claimed that the "American +Transplanter" could do the work of several men and do it equally well. +It rolls along the ridge something like a wheelbarrow, marking the +hills with a sharp joint in the wheel and setting the plants as they +are dropped into the receptacles at the top. + +The tobacco plant, like most of the vegetable products, has many and +varied foes. Not only is it most easily affected and damaged by wind +and hail, but it seems to be the especial favorite of the insect +world, who, like man, love the taste of the plant. The first of them +"puts in an appearance" immediately after transplanting, which +necessitates the performance of what is known to all growers of the +plant as + + +WORMING. + +[Illustration: The worm.] + +There are two kinds of worms that prey upon the plants; viz: the "cut +worm"[76] and the green or "horn worm." The first commences its work +of destruction in a few hours after transplanting in the field. During +the night it begins by eating off the small or central leaves called +by the grower the "chit," and often so effectually as to destroy the +plant. The time chosen by the planter to find these pests of the +tobacco field is early in the morning, when they can be found nearer +the surface than later in the day. Remove the earth around the roots +of the plants, where the worm will generally be found. Occasionally +they are found farther from the hill. If they are numerous, the field +should be "wormed" every morning, or at least every other day, which +labor will be rewarded with a choice collection of primitive tobacco +chewers. Sometimes the worms are very small and difficult to find, +while at other times more are found than are required for the growth +and development of the plants. As soon as they disappear they make way +for the "horn worm" who now takes his turn at a "chaw." By some the +cut worm is considered the most dangerous foe; as it often destroys +the plant, while the other injures the leaf without endangering the +plant. A little plaster sprinkled around the hill sometimes checks +their progress, yet we have never found any remedy that would hinder +their depredations very much. The plants should be kept growing as +soon as transplanted, which will be found the better method, as they +will soon be too large for the cut worm to injure them much, if at +all. + + [Footnote 76: Hughes, in his History of Barbadoes, says + that the common people call the worm kitifonia.] + +[Illustration: Worming tobacco.] + +The "horn worm" feeds upon the finest and largest leaves. They are not +found as often on the top leaves--especially those growing on the very +highest part of the stalk, as they prefer the ripe leaves and those +lower on the plant. The horn worm, if large, eats the leaves in the +finest part of them, frequently destroying half of a leaf. They leave +large holes which renders the leaf worthless for a cigar wrapper, +leaving it fit only for fillers or seconds. In Cuba the tobacco plant +is assailed by three different kinds of insects--one attacks the foot +of the leaves; a second the under side; a third devours the heart of +the plant. In Colombia the following are the great enemies of the +tobacco plant: A grub, named _canne_, which devours the young buds; +the _rosca-worm_, which commits its depredations in the night only, +burrowing in the ground during the day; the grub of a butterfly, +called by the Creoles _palometa_; a species of scarabaeus called +_arader_, which feeds on the root of the plant; and a species of +caterpillar[77] which is called in the country the _horned-worm_, so +voracious as to require one night only to devour an entire leaf of +tobacco. At the South, and especially in Virginia, the housewife's +flock of turkeys are allowed to range in the tobacco fields and devour +many of these pests. + + [Footnote 77: Wallace says of worming tobacco in Brazil: + "The plants are much attacked by the caterpillar of a + sphinx moth, which grows to a large size, and would + completely devour the crop unless carefully picked off. + Old men, and women, and children are therefore + constantly employed going over a part of the field every + day, and carefully examining the plants leaf by leaf + till the insects are completely exterminated."] + +Almost as soon as the plants have been transplanted, the work of + + +CULTIVATING + +should commence. As the tobacco plant grows and ripens in a few weeks +from the time it is transplanted in the field, it is of the utmost +importance that the plants get "a good start" as soon as possible. In +a favorable season, and with ordinary culture, the plants will do to +harvest or "cut" in from eight to ten weeks after transplanting. From +the rapidity of its growth it will readily be seen that the plant +should come forward at once, if large, fine leaves are desired. In a +week from the time of transplanting a light cultivator should be run +between the rows, stirring the soil lightly, after which the plants +should be hoed carefully, drawing away from the hill and plant the old +and "baked" earth and replacing it with fresh. If the hill is hard +around the plant it should be loosened by striking the hoe carefully +into the hill and gently lifting the earth, thus making the hill +mellow. This is apt to be the case with stiff, clayey soil, which, if +possible, should be avoided in selecting the tobacco field. + +It is doubtless as true a saying as it is a common one with +Connecticut tobacco-growers, that the plants will not "start much +until they have been hoed." Where the first hoeing is delayed two or +three weeks, the plants will to a certain extent become stunted and +dwarfed, and will hardly make up for the delay in growing. In from two +to three weeks, the field should be hoed again, and this time the +cultivator should mellow the soil a little deeper than the first time, +while the hoeing should be done in the most thorough manner. Draw the +earth around the plant and cut up with the hoe all grass and weeds, +and remove all stone and lumps of manure and any rubbish that will +hinder easy cultivation, or retard the growth of the plants. At this +period the most careful attention must be given to the plants, as they +are (or ought to be) growing rapidly, and upon their early maturity +will depend the color and texture of the leaf. + +In a short time the plants may be hoed for the third and last time (as +a fourth hoeing is but rarely necessary). At this time they have +attained considerable size, (say two or three feet high) and are +rapidly maturing, and ere long will be ready to harvest. At the last +hoeing the plants should be "hilled up," that is, the earth should be +drawn around the plant under the leaves, causing it to stand firmly in +the hill, and keeping the roots well protected and covered. The +tobacco plant requires constant cultivation, and the cultivator may be +run through the rows after loosening the earth and turning up the +manure towards the plants. + +Some growers of tobacco in the early stages of its growth apply some +kind of fertilizers to the backward plants; this will be found to be +of advantage, and should be done just before a rain, when the plants +will start in a manner almost surprising. A little phosphate or +Peruvian guano may be used, but should be applied with care or the +plants may be retarded instead of quickened in their growth. + +There is much to be done in the tobacco field besides cultivating and +hoeing the plants. In many hills there will be found two plants, which +should be re-set at the second hoeing if needed, and if not, pulled up +and destroyed, as it is better to have one large plant in the hill +than two small ones. Again, after the last hoeing, the tobacco should +be kept free from worms. If any have been overlooked they will have +attained to a good size by this time, and will devour in a short time +enough tobacco to make a "short six." + +From this account of the cultivation of tobacco as practiced in the +Connecticut valley, one will readily see that the labor performed +during the growing of the plants should not be superficial. On their +rapid growth depends the color and texture of the leaf. Plants that +are slow in maturing never make fine wrapping leaves or show a good +color. Where the growth is rapid the plants will be more brittle than +if of slower growth, and must therefore be handled with care in +passing through the rows to worm, top, and sucker the plants. + +[Illustration: Topping.] + +A century ago the Virginia planters cultivated their tobacco fields in +the following manner:-- + + "Hoeing commences with the first growth of the tobacco after + transplantation, and never ceases until the plant is nearly + ripe, and ready to be laid by, as they term the last weeding + with the hoe; for he who would have a good crop of tobacco, + or of maize, must not be sparing of his labor, but must keep + the ground constantly stirring during the whole growth of + the crop. And it is a rare instance to see the plough + introduced as an assistant, unless it be the slook plough, + for the purpose of introducing a sowing of wheat for the + following year, even while the present crop is growing; and + this is frequently practiced in fields of maize, and + sometimes in fields of tobacco, which may be ranked amongst + the best fallow crops, as it leaves the ground perfectly + clean and naked, permitting neither grass, weed, nor + vegetable to remain standing in the space which it has + occupied." + +The next operation to be performed in the tobacco field is known by +the name of + + +TOPPING, + +and is simply breaking or cutting off the top of the stalk, preventing +the plant from running up to flower and seed. By so doing the growth +of the leaves is secured, and they at once develop to the largest +possible size. The leaves ripen sooner if the plant is topped, while +the quality is much better. There are various methods of topping as +well as different periods. Some growers top the plant as soon as the +capsules appear, while others wait until the plants are in full +blossom. If topped before the plants have come into blossom, the +operation should be performed as soon as possible, as a longer time +will be required for the leaves to grow and ripen than when topping is +delayed until the plants are in blossom. In the Connecticut valley +most growers wait until the blossoms appear before breaking off the +top. Topping must not be delayed after the blossoming, in order that +all danger from an untimely frost may be avoided. The top may be +broken off with the hand or cut with a knife, the latter being the +better as well as the safer way. Sometimes the rain soaks into the +stalk, rotting it so that the leaves fall off, injuring them for +wrappers. Top the plants at a regular height, leaving from nine to +twelve leaves, so that the field will look even, and also make the +number of leaves to a plant uniform. Late plants may be topped with +the rest or not, at the option of the grower. This mode of topping +refers more particularly to cigar rather than cutting leaf. Those +varieties of tobacco adapted for cutting leaf should be topped as soon +as the button appears; top low, thereby throwing the strength of the +stalk into a few leaves, making them large and heavy. The number of +leaves should not exceed fourteen. Let it stand from five to six weeks +after it is topped. The object in letting it stand so long after +topping is to have it thoroughly ripe. This gives it the bright, rich, +golden color, entirely different from cigar leaf, but very desirable +for chewing leaf. On account of the length of time it must stand after +topping, it is desirable to take that which has been topped early, in +order to have it ripen, and get it in before a freeze, although ripe +tobacco is not injured by cold nights, and will sometimes stand even +an ordinary frost. + +The manner of topping in Virginia by the first planters in the colony, +is thus described:-- + + "This operation, simply, is that of pinching off with the + thumb nail[78] the leading stem or sprout of the plant, + which would, if left alone, run up to flower and seed; but + which, from the more substantial formation of the leaf by + the help of the nutritive juices, which are thereby afforded + to the lower parts of the plant, and thus absorbed through + the ducts and fibres of the leaf, is rendered more weighty, + thick, and fit for market." + + [Footnote 78: Many of the Virginians let the thumb nail + grow long, and harden it in the candle, for this + purpose: not for the use of gouging out people's eyes, + as some have thought fit to insinuate.] + +Now the custom is to top for shipping from eight to ten leaves, for +coal-curing from ten to twelve, according in both cases to strength of +soil and time of doing the work. + +In Mexico "as soon as the buds begin to show themselves the top is +broken off. Not more than from eight to ten leaves are left on the +plant, without counting the sand-leaf, which is thrown away," and +destroyed in the same manner as the Dutch are said to do of spies. In +some countries the plants are not topped at all, and the leaves are +left upon the stalk until fully ripe, when they are picked. + +The next labor following the topping of the plants is called + + +SUCKERING. + +Immediately after topping the plants, shoots or sprouts make their +appearance at the base of the leaves where they join the parent stalk. +They are known by the name of suckers and the removal of them by +breaking them off is called suckering. At first the suckers make their +appearance at the top of the plants at the base of the upper leaves, +and then gradually appear farther down on the stalk until they are +found at the very root of the plant. The plants should be suckered +before the shoots are tough, when they will be removed with +difficulty, frequently clinging to both stalk and leaf, thereby +injuring the latter, as the leaf very often comes off with the sucker +if the latter is left growing too long. The plants should be kept +clean of them and especially at the time of harvesting. + +An old writer on tobacco says of Suckers and Suckering:-- + + "The sucker is a superfluous sprout which is wont to make + its appearance and shoot forth from the stem or stalk, near + to the junction of the leaves with the stem, and about the + root of the plant and if these suckers are permitted to + grow, they injure the marketable quality of the tobacco by + compelling a division of its nutriment during the act of + maturation. The planter is therefore careful to destroy + these intruders with the thumb-nail as in the act of + topping, and this process is termed suckering." + +[Illustration: Suckering.] + +After this operation is performed the planter ascertains in regard to +the + + +RIPENING OF THE PLANTS. + +As soon as the plants are fully ripe they not only take on a different +hue but give evidence of decay. The leaves as they ripen become +rougher and thicker, assume a tint of yellowish green and are +frequently mottled with yellow spots. The tobacco grower has two signs +which he regards as "infallible" in this matter. One is that on +pinching the under part of the leaf together, if ripe it will crack or +break; the other is the growth of suckers to be found (if ripe) around +the base of the stalk. + +Tatham says:-- + + "Much practice is requisite to form a judicious discernment + concerning the state and progress of the ripening leaf; yet + care must be used to cut up the plant as soon as it is + sufficiently ripe to promise a good curable condition, lest + the approach of frost should tread upon the heels of the + crop-master; for in this case, tobacco will be among the + first plants that feel its influence, and the loss to be + apprehended in this instance, is not a mere partial damage + by nipping, but a total consumption by the destruction of + every plant. I find it difficult to give to strangers a full + idea of the ripening of the leaf: it is a point on which I + would not trust my own experience without consulting some + able crop-master in the neighborhood; and I believe this is + not an uncustomary precaution among those who plant it. So + far as I am able to convey an idea, which I find it easier + to understand than to express, I should judge of the + ripening of the leaf by its thickening sufficiently; by the + change of its color to a more yellowish green; by a certain + mellow appearance, and protrusion of the web of the leaf, + which I suppose to be occasioned by a contraction of the + fibres; and other appearances as I might conceive to + indicate an ultimate suspension of the vegetative + functions." + +[Illustration: Cutting the plants.] + +After the plants have ripened the operation of cutting or + + +HARVESTING + +begins. The cutter passes from plant to plant cutting only those +plants that are ripe. In harvesting a light hatchet or saw may be +used or a tobacco cutter which is the better and not as liable to +injure the leaves. The plants may be cut either in the morning (after +the dew is off) or just at night, providing there are no indications +of frost. Lay the plants carefully on the sides to avoid breaking the +leaves. If the plants are cut during a very warm day they should be +examined from time to time as they are liable to "sun-burn," an injury +much dreaded by the planter, as sun-burnt leaves are useless for cigar +wrappers. + +[Illustration: Putting on lath.] + +After the plants are wilted on one side they are turned so that the +entire plant will be in good condition to handle without breaking. +Harvesting should be performed in the most careful manner. At this +time the leaves are very brittle and unless the cutter is an +experienced hand much injury may be done to the leaves. The stem of +each plant is severed as near as possible to the ground and afterwards +if hung on lath they are divided longitudinally to admit the air and +dry them sooner. When the plants are to be hung on lath they may be +wilted before "stringing" or not, at the option of the grower. Most +growers are of the opinion now that the plants should be harvested +without wilting at all, stringing on the lath as soon as cut and +carrying them immediately to the shed. + +When wilted in the field there is often much damage done to the leaves +whether they are sun-burnt or not. Oftentimes the ground is hot and +the plants in a few hours both on the under and upper sides become +very warm and almost burnt by the rays of the sun. For this reason the +manner of hanging on lath is the better way and in New England is fast +displacing the old method of hanging with twine. When hung in this +manner five or six plants to the lath are the usual number unless they +are very large. When placed or strung on the lath the plants are not +as liable to sweat or pole rot, owing in part to the splitting of the +stalk, which causes the rapid curing of the leaves as well as the +stalk itself. A new method of hanging tobacco has been introduced of +late in the Connecticut valley by means of tobacco hooks attached to +the lath. This mode is considered by many growers the safest way, and +by others as no better than the more common way of hanging simply on +the lath. + +[Illustration: Carrying to the shed.] + +In Virginia in "ye olden time," the following method of harvesting was +adopted:-- + + "When the plant has remained long enough exposed to the sun, + or open air, after cutting, to become sufficiently pliant to + bear handling and removal with conveniency, it must be + removed to the tobacco house, which is generally done by + manual labor, unless the distance and quantity requires the + assistance of a cart. If this part of the process were + managed with horses carrying frames upon their backs for + the conveniency of stowage, in a way similar to that in + which grain is conveyed in Spain, it would be found a + considerable saving of labor. It becomes necessary, in the + next place, to see that suitable ladders and stages are + provided, and that there be a sufficient quantity of tobacco + sticks, such as have been described to answer the full + demand of the tobacco house, whatsoever may be its size; + time will be otherwise lost in make-shifts, or sending for a + second supply. + + "When everything is thus brought to a point at the tobacco + house, the next stage of the process is that termed hanging + the tobacco. This is done by hanging the plants in rows upon + the tobacco sticks with the points down, letting them rest + upon the stick by the stem of the lowest leaf, or by the + split which is made in the stem when that happens to be + divided. In this operation care must be taken to allow a + sufficient space between each of the successive plants for + the due circulation of air between: perhaps four or five + inches apart, in proportion to the bulk of the plant. When + they are thus threaded upon the sticks (either in the + tobacco houses, or, sometimes, suspended upon a temporary + scaffold near the door), they must be carefully handed up by + means of ladders and planks to answer as stages or + platforms, first to the upper tier or collar beams of the + house, where the sticks are to be placed with their points + renting upon the beams transversely, and the plants hanging + down between them. This process must be repeated tier after + tier of the beams, downwards, until the house is filled; + taking care to hang the sticks as close to each other as the + consideration of admitting air will allow, and without + crowding. In this position the plants remain until they are + in condition to be taken down for the next process." + +In Cuba about the beginning of January the tobacco is ready for +cutting. If the harvest is good, all the leaves are taken from the +plants at once. Tobacco consisting of those leaves is called Temprano, +or "Early Pipe." If, on the contrary, the harvest is not good, the +immature leaves are left to grow. Tobacco formed of these leaves has +the name of Tardio, or "Late Pipe." In every respect, appearance +included, the Temprano is much superior to the Tardio. In the purchase +of tobacco, it is a principal thing to ascertain how much or how +little Temprano a parcel contains. Moreover, there are what may be +called bastard leaves, which grow after the leaves proper have been +gathered.[79] Tobacco made from these bastard leaves is easily +recognizable, the leaves being long and narrow, of a reddish color, +and a bitter taste. + + [Footnote 79: Second crop, or Volunteer tobacco.] + +The mode of harvesting tobacco in Virginia at present is thus +described by a Virginia planter:-- + + "In bringing to the barn place the tobacco on scaffolds near + the barn-door, so that it can be readily housed in case of + rain. As Bright Wrappers and Smokers pay so much better than + dark tobaccos, it is advisable, whenever practicable, to + coal-cure all that ripens of a uniform yellow color. The + quality of the leaf will determine the hanging: 'Shipping' + should be hung seven to nine plants to the stick four and a + half feet long. To cure the plants properly requires some + experience, great care, and much attention. The plants + should not be 'cut' until fully ripe. Be careful in cutting + to select plants of a uniform size, color, and quality, + putting six or seven to the stick. Let the plants go from + the cutter's hands on to sticks held in the hands of women + or boys; and as soon as the sticks are full, place them + carefully on wagons and carry them to the barn. Place the + sticks on tiers about ten inches apart, and regulate the + plants on the sticks. + + "It is impossible to lay down any uniform system or give + specific instructions. General principles will be suggested + to guide the planter amid the changeableness of seasons and + variableness of material to be operated upon." + +In Turkey-- + + "The planters calculate always fifty-five days from May + 12th, for their crops to be ready for gathering. When the + leaves show the necessary yellow tips, they are carried to + the house, and there threaded into long bunches by a large, + flat needle, about a foot long, passed through the stalk of + each." + +In Ohio the process of harvesting tobacco for cutting is thus +described by a grower:-- + + "When thoroughly ripe, having stood two or three weeks + longer than is necessary for cigar leaf, it is ready to cut. + This is done with a knife made for the purpose. It resembles + a wide chisel, except that the handle and chisel are at + right angles. Before cutting, the stalk is split down + through the center. Being ripe, it splits before the knife, + and following the grain the leaves escape unharmed. This + splitting is done in as little time as is necessary to cut + the stalk off in the ordinary way. Split it to within about + three or four inches of the ground, and cut it off in the + ordinary way with the same knife. Cut it off and hang it + over one of your sticks that you have driven slanting into + the ground near you. Cut and put six stalks on the stick, + and then lay it down on the ground to wilt, taking the usual + care to prevent sun-burn. When it is sufficiently wilted, + haul to the shed and hang it up." + +In the East Indian Archipelago, + "as soon as the leaves are fully grown + they are plucked off, and the petiole and a midrib are cut + away. Each leaf is then cut transversely into strips about a + sixteenth of an inch wide, and these are dried in the sun + until a mass of them looks like a bunch of oakum." + +In Persia, when the plants are ripe they are cut off close to the +root, and again stuck firmly in the ground. By exposure to the night +dews the leaves change from green to yellow. When of the proper tint, +they are gathered in the early morning while wet with dew, and heaped +up in a shed, the sides of which are closed in with light thorny +bushes, so as to be freely exposed to the wind. + +In Japan, the leaves are gathered in the height of summer. When the +flowers are of a light tint, two or three of the leaves nearest the +root are gathered. These are called first leaves, but produce tobacco +of second quality. After the lapse of a fortnight, the leaves are +gathered by twos, and from these the best tobaccos are produced. Any +remaining leaves are afterwards broken off along with the stem and +dried. These form the lowest quality of tobacco. After gathering, the +leaves are arranged in regular layers and covered with straw matting, +which is removed in a couple of days. The leaves are now of a light +yellow color. They are then fastened by the stem in twos and threes to +a rope slung in a smoke room, and after being so left for fourteen or +fifteen days, they are dried for two or three days in the sun, after +which they are exposed for a couple of nights in order that they may +be moistened with dew. They are then smoothed out and arranged in +layers, the stems being fastened together, pressed down with boards, +and packed away in a dark room. D'Almirda says that in Java, the +leaves are gathered and tied up in bundles of fifteen, twenty or +thirty, and suspended from bamboo poles running across the interior of +the shed, where they are left to dry for twenty days or more, +according to the state of the atmosphere. + +As soon as the plants have been hung in the shed the process of + + +CURING + +begins. If fully ripe at the time of harvesting, the plants will "cure +down" very fast and take on a better hue than when they cure less +rapidly. During cool weather the doors and ventilators should be left +open that the plants may have a free circulation of air and cure the +faster. When, however, the weather is damp, they should be closed, to +avoid sweating and pole rot. When a light leaf is desired, the tobacco +shed should be provided with windows to let in plenty of sunlight, +which has much to do with the color of the leaf. When a dark leaf is +desired, all light should be excluded. + +The time necessary for the curing of the plants will depend upon the +ripeness of the plants as well as the weather during curing. There are +three kinds or methods of curing, viz: air curing, sun curing and +firing, or curing by flues. Air curing is the curing of the plants in +sheds or barns. Sun curing is the process of curing in the open air, +while "firing" is the process of curing by "smoke," the common method +employed at the South and to some extent at the West. This is the +common way of curing cutting leaf, while air curing is the manner of +curing cigar leaf. Tatham, already quoted, gives the following account +of the process as performed in Virginia of + + +"SMOKING THE CROP." + + "From what has been said under the head of hanging the + plant, it will be perceived that the air is the principal + agent in curing it, but it must be also considered that a + want of uniform temperature in the atmosphere calls for the + constant care of the crop-master, who generally indeed + becomes habitually weather-wise, from the sowing of his + plants, until the delivery of his crop to the inspector. To + regulate this effect upon the plants he must take care to be + often among them, and when too much moisture is discovered, + it is tempered by the help of smoke, which is generated by + means of small smothered fires made of old bark, and of + rotten wood, kindled about upon various parts of the floor + where they may seem to be most needed. + + "In this operation it is necessary that a careful hand + should be always near: for the fires must not be permitted + to blaze, and burn furiously; which might not only endanger + the house, but which, by occasioning a sudden over-heat + while the leaf is in a moist condition, might add to the + malady of 'firing' which often occurs in the field." + +In Virginia the manner of curing tobacco at the present time, is thus +described by a planter. + "For curing tobacco the simplest method is + sun-curing or air curing and the one most likely to prove + successful. The tobacco barn should be so constructed as to + contain four, five or six rooms four feet wide, so that four + and a half feet sticks may fit, all alike. Log barns are + best for coal curing. All should be built high enough to + contain four firing tiers under joists covered with shingles + or boards and daubed close. Fire with hickory all rich, + heavy, shipping tobacco. + + "As soon as the barn is filled kindle small fires of coals + or hickory wood, about twenty fires to a barn twenty feet + square, four under each room. Coal is best, but hickory + saplings, chopped about two feet long, make a good steaming + heat. The successful coal-curer is an artist, and all + engaged in the business are experimenters in nature's great + laboratory." A North Carolina planter gives an interesting + account of curing tobacco yellow. "Curing tobacco yellow, + for which this section is so famous, is a very nice process + and requires some experience, observation, and a thorough + knowledge of the character and quality of the tobacco with + which you have to deal, in order to insure uniform success. + Much depends upon the character of the crop when taken from + the hill. If it is of good size, well matured and of good + yellowish color, there is necessarily but little difficulty + in the operation. As soon as the tobacco is taken from the + hill and housed, we commence with a low degree of heat, say + 95 deg. to 100 deg. Fahr., 'the yellowing' or 'steaming' process. + This is the first and simplest part of the whole process, + and requires from fifteen to thirty-six hours, according to + the size and quality of the tobacco, and this degree of + heat should be continued until the leaf opens a lemon color, + and is nearly free from any green hue. When this point is + reached, the heat should be gradually raised to 105 deg. in + order to commence drying the leaf, and here lies the whole + difficulty in curing (I mean in drying the leaf). The last + degree of heat indicated, should be continued five or six + hours, when it should again be gradually raised to 110 deg., + when it should be maintained at this point, until the tail + or points of the leaves begin to curl and dry. Indeed it + will probably be safest for beginners to continue this + degree of heat until one-third of the leaf is dried. + + "The temperature may then be gradually increased to 115 deg., + and kept for several hours at that point, until the leaf + begins to rattle when shaken, then again raise the heat to + 120 deg., at which point it should be continued until the leaf + is dried, after which the temperature may be increased to + 150 deg. or 160 deg. to dry the stem and stalks; the latter should + be blackened by the heat before the curing is complete. + Ordinarily it requires from two and a half to five days to + cure a barn of tobacco, dependent entirely upon the size and + quality. Put seven or eight plants on each stick and place + them eight inches apart on tier poles. In the yellowing + process the door of the barn should be kept closed to + exclude the air. When this point is reached for drying the + leaf, the door may be opened occasionally, and kept open for + twenty or thirty minutes at a time, especially if the + tobacco gets into a "sweat," as it is called, or becomes + damp and clammy. + + "The temperature is raised in the barn by cautiously adding + coal from time to time to the fires, which should be placed + in small piles on the floor, in rows, allowing about five + feet between each pile, which should at first contain a + double handful of coal. In adding coal, you will soon learn + the quantity necessary to be applied by the effect produced. + Avoid raising the heat hastily after the drying is + commenced, lest the leaf should be scalded and reddened; on + the other hand, it should not be raised too slowly for fear + of 'raising the grain,' or the leaf becoming spongy and + dingy. Both extremes are to be avoided, and the skill + required is attained only by experience and observation. We + usually cut tobacco the latter part of the week, house it + and suffer it to remain until the first of next week, that + we may not violate the fourth commandment." + +In California tobacco is cured by the method known as the "Culp +process" from the name of its patentee. When the plant lies in the +field, Mr. Culp's peculiar process begins which is described as +follows: + + "Tobacco had long been grown in California, even before + Americans came. He had raised it as a crop for fifteen + years; and before he perfected his new process, he was able + usually to select the best of his crop for smoking tobacco, + and sold the remainder for sheep wash. One year, two + millions of pounds were raised in the State, and as it was + mostly sold for sheep wash, it lasted several years, and + discouraged the growers. Tobacco always grew readily, but it + was too rank and strong. They used Eastern methods, topping + and suckering, and as the plant had here a very long season + to grow and mature, the leaf was thick and very strong. The + main features of the Culp process are, he said, to let the + tobacco, when cut, wilt on the field; then take it at once + to the tobacco house and pile it down, letting it heat on + the piles to 100 deg. for Havana. It must, he thinks, come to + 100 deg., but if it rises to 102 deg. it is ruined. Piling, + therefore, requires great judgment. The tobacco houses are + kept at a temperature of about 70 deg.; and late in the fall, to + cure a late second or third crop they sometimes use a stove + to maintain a proper heat in the house, for the tobacco must + not lie in the pile without heating. When it has had its + first sweat, it is hung up on racks; and here Mr. Culp's + process is peculiar. + + "He places the stalk between two battens, so that it sticks + out horizontally from the frame; thus each leaf hangs + independently from the stalk; and the racks or frames are so + arranged that all the leaves on all the stalks have a + separate access to the air. The tobacco houses are frame + buildings, 100x60 feet, with usually four rows of racks, and + two gangways for working. On the rack the surface moisture + dries from the leaf; and at the proper time it is again + piled, racked, and so on for three or even four times. The + racks are of rough boards, and the floor of the houses is of + earth. After piling and racking for three weeks, the leaves + are stripped from the stalk and put into 'hands,' and they + are then 'bulked' and lie thus about three months, when the + tobacco is boxed. From the time of cutting, from four to six + months are required to make the leaf ready for the + manufacturer. "Piling" appears to be the most delicate part + of the cure, and they have often to work all night to save + tobacco that threatens to overheat." + +In Mexico the leaves are hung up on bast[80] strings, dried in the +shade and then sent to the chief depots, where, when they have +undergone fermentation, they are sorted, and tied up in bundles. In +Persia, the plants are carried to the shed and heaped, and in four or +five days the desired pale yellow color is further developed. The +stalks and center stem of each leaf are now removed and thrown away, +while the leaves are heaped together in the drying house for another +three or four days, when they are fit for packing. + + [Footnote 80: The inner bark of the lime-tree.] + +[Illustration: Stripping.] + +In Turkey the bunches of leaves are exposed to the sun to dry, and +some months' exposure is necessary before they are sufficiently +matured for baling. Rain sets in at a later period, and the tobacco +becoming moist and fit for handling, is then removed from the +threads, and made into bundles or "hands" of about sixty leaves each +and tied around the stems. + +After the leaves are thoroughly cured they are in condition for + + +STRIPPING. + +The leaves of the tobacco are easily affected by the humidity of the +atmosphere and during damp weather every opportunity is improved by +the grower for taking down the tobacco preparatory to stripping. After +taking down from the poles the plants should be packed in order to +keep moist until stripped. The tobacco should not be removed from the +poles when it drips or the juice exudes from either the stalk or the +leaves. If stripped in this condition the leaves are apt to stain and +thus become unfit for wrappers. The operation of stripping consists in +taking the leaves from the stalk and tying them in bundles or hands +with a leaf around the base of the hand. Each "hand" or bunch should +contain at least eight leaves and from that number to twelve. If the +plants are large the leaves of one stalk will form a hand; a poor leaf +is used for binding as it can not be used for the same purpose as the +leaves around which it is bound. + +[Illustration: Hands.] + +The old planters of tobacco in Virginia called this operation of +taking off the leaves and tying them up "stripping and bundling" which +is here described. + + "When the plants of tobacco which are thus hanging upon the + sticks in the house have gone through the several stages of + process before the time of stripping, and are deemed to be + in case for the next operation, a rainy day (which is the + most suitable) is an opportunity which is generally taken + advantage of when the hands cannot be so well employed out + of doors. The sticks containing the tobacco which may be + sufficiently cured, are then taken down and drawn out of the + plants. They are then taken one by one respectively, and the + leaves being stripped from the stalk of the plant are rolled + round the butts or thick ends of the leaves with one of the + smallest leaves as a bandage, and thus made up into little + bundles fit for laying into the cask for final packing." + +Hazard gives the following method of assorting and stripping tobacco +in Cuba:-- + + "Among the Cubans, the leaves are divided into four classes: + first, _desecho_, _desecho limpio_, which are those + immediately at the top of the plant, and which constitute + the best quality, from the fact that they get more equally + the benefit of the sun's rays by day and the dew by night; + second, _desechito_, which are the next to the above; third, + the _libra_, the inferior or small leaves about the top of + the plant; and fourth, the _injuriado_, or those nearest the + root. Of the _injuriado_ there are three qualities; the best + is called _injuriado de reposo_, or 'the picked over,' and + the other two, firsts and seconds (_primeros_, _sequndos_). + + "Tobacco of the classes _desechito_ and _libra_, of which + the leaves are not perfect, is called _injuriado bueno_, + while all the rest, of whatever quality, that is broken in + such a manner as to be unfit for wrappers are called + _injuriado malo_. Amongst the trade in place of the above + names, the different qualities are simply designated by + numbers." + +Meyer, a German writer who resided several years in Cuba, gives +another classification, making ten classes altogether, while Hazard +mentions only four general classes. + +After the leaves are stripped from the stalk the process known as + + +ASSORTING + +commences. Assorting tobacco is doing up in hands the various +qualities and keeping them separate. In the Connecticut valley the +growers make usually but two kinds or qualities excepting only when +the crop is poor when three qualities are made, viz: Wrappers, +Seconds, and Fillers. The Wrappers are the largest and finest leaves +on the plant and should be free from holes and sweat as well as green +and white veins. The leaves selected for this quality come from the +middle and even the top leaves of the plant. The Seconds are made up +of leaves not good enough for Wrappers and too good for Fillers. Such +leaves sometimes are worm-eaten and of various colors on the same +leaf--one part dark and another light. The fillers are the poorest +quality of leaves to be found on the plants, and consist of the "sand" +or ground leaves, one or two to each plant. Some of our largest +growers in assorting the leaves keep each color by itself, an +operation known as + + +SHADING. + +This is a very delicate operation and requires a good eye for colors +as well as a correct judgment in regard to the quality of the leaf. +This mode of assorting colors in stripping is similar to that of +shading cigars, in which the utmost care is taken to keep the various +colors and shades by themselves. In shading the wrappers only are so +assorted, and may be "run into" two or three shades depending on the +number of shades or colors of the leaf. The better way is to make only +two qualities of the wrappers in shading--viz., light and dark +cinnamon "selections." Shading tobacco does not imply that it is +carried to its fullest extent in point of color as in shading cigars, +but simply keeping those general colors by themselves like light and +dark brown leaves. Cutting tobaccos before being used are subjected to +a process known as + + +STEMMING. + +Tatham gives the following account of the process of stemming in +Virginia a century ago:-- + + "Stemming tobacco is the act of separating the largest stems + or fibres from the web of the leaf with adroitness and + facility, so that the plant may be nevertheless capable of + package, and fit for a foreign market. It is practised in + cases where the malady termed the fire, or other casual + misfortune during the growth of the plant, may have rendered + it doubtful in the opinion of the planter whether something + or other which he may have observed during the growth of his + crop, or in the unfavorable temperature of the seasons by + which it hath been matured does not hazard too much in + packing the web with a stem which threatens to decay. To + avoid the same species of risk, stemming is also practised + in cases where the season when it becomes necessary to + finish packing for a market is too unfavorable to put up the + plant in leaf in the usual method; or when the crop may be + partially out of case. Besides the operation of stemming in + the hands of the crop-master, there are instances where this + partial process is repeated in the public warehouses; of + which I shall treat under a subsequent head. + +[Illustration: Stemming.] + + "The operation of stemming is performed by taking the leaf + in one hand, and the end of the stem in the other, in such a + way as to cleave it with the grain; and there is an + expertness to be acquired by practice, which renders it as + easy as to separate the bark of a willow, although those + unaccustomed to it find it difficult to stem a single plant. + When the web is thus separated from the stem, it is made up + into bundles in the same way as in the leaf, and is laid in + bulk for farther process. The stems have been generally + thrown away, or burnt with refuse tobacco for the purpose of + soap-ashes; but the introduction of snuff-mills has, within + a few years back, found a more economical use for them." + +As soon as the tobacco has been stripped it is ready for + + +PACKING. + +[Illustration: Packing.] + +It is necessary to pack the "hands" after stripping in order to keep +it moist, or in nearly the same condition as when stripped. Select a +cool place, not too dry or too damp, but one where if properly +protected, the tobacco will remain moist. It should be packed loosely +or compact, according as the hands are moist or dry. It may be packed +in the center of the floor so that it may be examined from either +side, or against the sides of the packing house, as may be thought +best. Hand the tobacco to the packer, who presses the hands firmly +with his knees and hands, laying the tobacco in two tiers and keeping +the pile at about the same height until all is packed. If possible +pack all together, that is, each kind by itself, as it is better to +have the wrappers or fillers all together rather than in several +places, as the moisture is retained better than when it is packed in +small piles or heaps. Use in packing a plank or board, placing it +against the front of the tier and bring the ends of the hands up +against it. This will make the tobacco look much better and also +render the process of packing firmer. + +The tobacco may be packed any height or length desired, according to +the quantity, but usually from three to four feet high will be found +to be convenient while the length may be proportioned to the height or +not. Tobacco may be packed by the cord or half cord so as to be able +to judge of the quantity--good large wrappers averaging a ton to the +cord. Seconds and Fillers will not contain as many pounds to the cord +as wrappers. After the tobacco is packed, cover first with +boards--planed ones are preferable,--or even shingles--and press +firmly, especially if the tobacco is dry, then cover with blankets or +any kind of covering, adding plank or pieces of timber if additional +pressure is needed. It can now remain packed until sold or cased, and +will hardly need to be examined unless packed while very damp or kept +packed until warm weather. + +Wailes says of planting by the early planters of tobacco in +Mississippi:-- + + "The larger planters packed it in the usual way in + hogsheads. Much of it, however, was put up in carrets, as + they were called, resembling in size and form two small + sugar-loafs united at the larger ends. The stemmed tobacco + was laid smoothly together in that form coated with wrappers + of the extended leaf, enveloped in a cloth, and then firmly + compressed by a cord wrapped around the parcel, and which + was suffered to remain until the carret acquired the + necessary dryness and solidity, when together with the + surrounding cloth, it was removed, and strips of lime-bark + were bound around it at proper distances, in such a manner + as to secure it from unwrapping and losing its proportions." + +In Turkey, after the tobacco is made into bundles or hands, it is +piled against the walls inside the dwelling rooms and a carefully +graduated pressure put upon it until ready for baling. In Java, when +the tobacco is ready to pack the leaf is examined, and if found quite +brown, it is tightly pressed and packed up either in boxes or matting +for exportation, or in the bark of the tree plantain, for immediate +sale. + +The next process on the tobacco plantation is that of + + +PRIZING, CASING, AND BALING. + +The term prizing originated in Virginia, and as performed by the early +planters, is thus described by an old writer on tobacco culture:-- + + "Prizing, in the sense in which it is to be taken here is, + perhaps, a local word, which the Virginians may claim the + credit of creating, or at least of adopting; it is at best + technical, and must be defined to be the act of pressing or + squeezing the article which is to be packed into any + package, by means of certain levers, screws, or other + mechanical powers; so that the size of the article may be + reduced in stowage, and the air expressed so as to render it + less pregnable by outward accident, or exterior injury, than + it would be in its natural condition. + + "The operation of prizing, however, requires the combination + of judgment and experience; for the commodity may otherwise + become bruised by the mechanic action, and this will have an + effect similar to that of prizing in too high case, which + signifies that degree of moisture which produces all the + risks of fermentation, and subjects the plant to be + shattered into rags. The ordinary apparatus for prizing + consists of the prize beam, the platform, the blocks, and + the cover. The prize beam is a lever formed of a young tree + or sapling, of about ten inches diameter at the butt or + thicker end, and about twenty or twenty-five feet in length; + but in crops where many hands are employed, and a sufficient + force always near for the occasional assistance of managing + a more weighty leverage, this beam is often made of a larger + tree, hewn on two of its sides to about six inches thick, + and of the natural width, averaging twelve or fourteen + inches. The thick end of this beam is so squared as to form + a tenon, which is fitted into a mortise that is dug through + some growing tree, or other, of those which generally abound + convenient to the tobacco house, something more than five + feet above the platform. Close to the root of this tree, and + immediately under the most powerful point of the lever, a + platform or floor of plank is constructed for the hogshead + to stand upon during the operation of prizing. This must be + laid upon a solid foundation, levelled, upon hewn pieces of + wood as sleepers; and so grooved and perforated that any wet + or rain which may happen to fall upon the platform may run + off without injuring the tobacco. Blocks of wood are + prepared about two feet in length, and about three or four + inches in diameter, with a few blocks of greater dimensions, + for the purpose of raising the beam to a suitable purchase; + and a movable roof constructed of clap-boards nailed upon + pairs of light rafters, of sufficient size to shelter the + platform and hogshead, is made ready to place astride of the + beam, as a saddle is put upon a horse's back, in order to + secure the tobacco from the weather while it is subjected to + this tedious part of the process. + +[Illustration: Prizing in olden times.] + + "That part of the apparatus which is designed to manage and + give power to the lever is variously constructed: in some + instances two beams of timber about six feet long, and + squared to four by six inches, are prepared; through these, + by means of an auger hole, a sapling of hickory or other + tough wood, is respectively passed; and the root thereof + being formed like the head of a pin to prevent its slipping + through the hole, the sapling is bent like a bow, and the + other end is passed through the same piece of wood in a + reversed direction, in which position it is wedged. These + two bows are in this manner hung by the sapling loops upon + the end of the prize beam or lever; and loose planks or + slabs of about five or six feet long being laid upon these + suspended pieces of timber, a kind of hanging floor or + platform is constructed, upon which weights are designed to + act as in a scale. A pile of large stones are then carted to + the place, and a sufficient number of these are occasionally + placed upon this hanging platform, until the lever has + obtained precisely the power which the crop master wishes to + give it by this regulating medium. + + "The prizing or packing by the old planters must have been a + tedious affair, and far different from the quick work made + by the screw-press now owned by all well to-do planters. The + size of the hogsheads containing the tobacco was regulated + by law to the standard of four feet six inches in length, + but the shape of the cask varied according to the fancy of + the cooper, or roughness of his work. At this period (a + century ago), the tobacco hogshead was made most generally + of white oak; but Spanish oak, and red oak, were sometimes + used, when the usual kind could not be so readily commanded. + Now the hogsheads are made of pine, but are nearly as rough + as those made by the colonial growers. + + "Tobacco, if well packed, and prized duly, will resist the + water for a surprising length of time. An instance is + recorded in strong proof of this, which occurred at + Kingsland upon James river in Virginia, where tobacco, which + had been carried off by the great land floods in 1771, was + found in a large raft of drift wood in which it had lodged + when the warehouses at Richmond were swept away by the + overflowing of the freshets; an inundation which had + happened about twenty years before this cask was found." + +Tatham gives the following account of a similar instance:-- + + "On the sixth of October, 1782, I myself was one of a party + who were shipwrecked upon the coast of New Jersey, in + America, on board the brigantine Maria, Captain McAulay, + from Richmond in Virginia, and laden with tobacco. Several + hogsheads, which were saved from the wreck were brought + round to Stillwill's landing upon Great Egg harbor; and + amongst them some which had lost the headings of the cask, + and the hoops and staves, were so much shattered by the + beating of the surf, that it was not thought worth while to + land them, and they were just tumbled out of the lighter + upon the beach, and left to remain where the tide constantly + flowed over them for several weeks, so that the outside was + completely rotten, and they had the appearance of heaps of + manure. In this very bad condition, I still persisted in + trying to save what I supposed might remain entire in the + interior of the lump, and at last prevailed so far over the + ignorance and prejudice by which I had been ridiculed, as to + effect an overhauling and repacking of this damaged + commodity and to save a proportion thereof very far beyond + what I myself had expected. Some of the heart of this was so + highly improved, that I have seldom seen tobacco equal to it + for chewing, or for immediate manufacture; and what was + repacked was sold to a tobacconist in Water Street, + Philadelphia, at a price so little reduced below the + ordinary market, that the man very frankly told me, that if + he could have had the whole drowned tobacco in a short time + after it was saved from the wreck, he would have made no + difference in the price but would rather have preferred it + for immediate manufacture, as it would have spared him, some + little labor in a part of the process." + +Prizing tobacco applies to the packing of tobacco in hogsheads all +such leaf being used for cutting purposes, cigar leaf being either +cased or baled. In some sections about 800 pounds net is packed in one +parcel, while in others 1000 pounds and sometimes even 1500 and 1800 +pounds. "Seed leaf" tobacco in this country is all packed in cases +instead of hogsheads, each case containing from 375 to 400 pounds net. +It is necessary that all kinds of tobacco should be pressed in some +kind of package before it is ready to be manufactured. There are +exceptions, however, as in the case of Latakia tobacco, which is +simply hung in the peasant's huts through the winter to be fumigated +and to acquire the peculiar flavor this tobacco has. Tobacco in good +condition to case must be damp enough to bear the pressure in casing +without breaking and crumbling, while it must not be too moist or it +will rot in the case. The number of pounds to the case will vary +according to the size of the leaf, as well as the condition of the +tobacco. + +When ready to case the "hands" are packed in the case, laying them in +two tiers. The case being nearly full the contents are then subjected +to a strong pressure until it is reduced to one half its bulk, then +another layer is placed in the case and again pressed, and succeeded +by as many as are required to fill the case. The tobacco should be +packed evenly in layers with the ends of the leaves touching one +another or even crossing, and the whole mass presenting a smooth and +even appearance. The "wrappers" should be cased by themselves and "the +seconds" and "fillers" together or separate at the option of the +packer. The tobacco should be cased hard so that the mass will rise +but little when the pressure is removed. As the fillers are usually +dry they must be moistened before casing or subjected to a very strong +pressure. After packing the cases should be turned on their sides, and +the grower's name marked on each case, also the kind of tobacco, +whether wrappers or fillers, together with the number of pounds and +the weight of the case. This is necessary to ascertain the quality of +leaf produced by each grower, as well as to protect the buyer against +all fraud in packing and casing. + +[Illustration: Tobacco press.] + +The cases may be piled one upon another, but should be kept from the +rays of the sun and in a dry room, so that the sweating of the leaf +may be sufficient to fit it for use. It is necessary that the season +during sweating should be warm, in order to secure a good sweat. It +will commence to "warm up" sometime in April or May, and will be ready +to sample or uncase about the first of September. After "going through +a sweat," the leaf takes on a darker color, and loses the rank flavor +which it had before. It is better to let the tobacco dry off before +being used or taken from the case. "Baling" is packing tobacco in +small bundles or packages containing from one hundred to two hundred +pounds, and is the manner of putting up tobacco for export in Cuba, +Paraguay, Algiers, Hungary, Mexico, Syria, the Philippines, China, +Sumatra, Japan, Java, Turkey, and in some other tobacco-growing +countries. In Cuba after being formed into hands or "_gavillos_" and +four of these tied together with strips of palm-leaf so as to +constitute a "_manoja_," fifty or eighty of them are packed together, +making what is called a "_tercio_" or bale, the average weight of +which is two hundred pounds. Hazard says of the number of pounds +produced on the _vegas_: + + "A _caballeria_ of thirty-three acres of ground produces + about nine thousand pounds of tobacco, made up in about the + following proportions: four hundred and fifty of _desecho_, + or best; one thousand eight hundred pounds _desechito_, or + seconds; two thousand two hundred and fifty pounds of + _libra_, or thirds; and four thousand five hundred pounds of + _injuriado_. From these figures, taking the bale at one + hundred pounds, and the average price of the tobacco at + twenty dollars per bale, (though this is a low estimate, for + the crops of some of the vegas are sold as high, sometimes, + as four hundred dollars per bale,) an approximate idea may + be formed of the profit of a large plantation in a good + year, when the crops are satisfactory." + +In Mexico, after being baled, the tobacco is sent to the government +factories, where it is not weighed until two months afterwards. The +price is high, varying from twelve to twenty-eight dollars per crate; +and is paid in ten monthly installments. In Persia, when the tobacco +is fit for packing, the leaves are carefully spread on each other, and +formed into cakes four or five feet round, and three to four inches +thick, care being taken not to break or injure the leaves. Bags of +strong cloth, thin and open at the sides, are provided, into which the +cakes are pressed strongly down on each other. When the bags are +filled they are placed in a separate drying house, and are turned +every day. Water is then sprinkled on the cakes, if required, to +prevent them from breaking. The leaf is valued for being thick, tough, +of a uniform light yellow color, and of an agreeable aromatic smell. + +In Turkey, the tobacco after remaining in the dwelling-room of the +house a sufficient time, is ready for baling. The bales average in +weight about forty _oques_ (110 English pounds). The covering of the +bales is a sort of netting made by the peasants from goat's hair; it +is elastic and of great strength. Vamberry says of packing tobacco in +European Turkey: + + "The tobacco is packed in small packets (_bog tche_), and + only after it has lain for years in the warehouses of the + tobacco merchants, is it honored by the connoisseurs of + Stamboul with the title of 'Aala Gobeck.' This sort of + finely-cut tobacco resembling the finest silk, is held in + equally high estimation in the palaces of the Grand + Seignior, in the seraglio, and in the divan of the sublime + Porte, where the privy council debate the most important + affairs of the empire, under the soothing influence of its + aromatic vapors." + +In St. Domingo and the United States of Colombia, South America, the +bales are called _Serous_, and in Holland and Germany, Packages. +Tobacco is sent to market in bales of various sizes and made of +various materials. In Cuba, the tobacco is bound with palm leaves. In +South America it is packed in ox hides. From the East it comes in +camel's hair sacks or "netting made from goat's hair," while from +Persia, tobacco is exported in sacks of strong cloth. Manilla tobacco +is shipped in bales containing four hundred pounds net. It is covered +first with bass and then with sacking, made of Indian grass tied +around with ratan. Each bale contains a printed statement, of which +the following is a copy: + + PROVINCIA DE CAGAYAN, + + PARTIDO DE CITA. _Cosecha de 186._ + + Clas de conteine 40 manos de tabaco + aforado por la junta de aforo y enfardelado + por el que subscribe. Tuguegarao de + de 186. + + _El Gobernadorcillo caudillo._ V.{o} B.{o} + _Vicente Lasan_. El Interventor de aforo. + +The tobacco plant while growing is easily affected by a wet season, +while it is also liable to injury by the opposite extreme of heat or +drought. If a drought occurs soon after the plants are transplanted, +their growth and development is greatly hindered. When, however, the +plants are nearly grown, a severe drought affects the plants but +little, the large palm-like leaves forming a kind of canopy and +keeping the earth moist and cool. During a wet season, and sometimes +when the plants have been set in damp soil, they are affected by +"brown rust," or, as it is called at the South. + + +FIRING. + +[Illustration: Firing.] + +It is supposed to be caused by very damp weather, and is much dreaded +by all growers of the weed, as it is sometimes quite common, and on +low soil affects the crop to a considerable extent. It spots the leaf +with hard brown spots that often fall out, producing holes fatal to +the value of the crop. The lower leaves on the plant are more likely +to be injured than those higher on the stalk. The spots vary in size; +sometimes they are as large as a three cent piece, but more frequently +about the size of a small pearl button. At the South, rust or "firing" +is much more common than in the Connecticut valley, and often whole +fields are badly affected by the malady. Some seasons hardly any rust +can be discovered on the leaves, and if any spots are found they are +fixed and do not spread. + +Small plants are more liable to be injured than large ones, and not +unfrequently nearly every leaf is covered with the spots. Many +theories have been advanced in regard to the cause of rust and how to +prevent it. It usually occurs just before, or after, topping, and if +the plants are ripe enough to harvest, they should be cut before the +rust spreads to any great extent. It makes its appearance very +suddenly, and if the weather be favorable (damp), spreads rapidly, +often in a few days injuring the plants to a great extent. There are +two varieties of rust or "firing," brown and white; and while the +former is dreaded by the grower, as it injures the quality of the +plant, the other is regarded with special favor, as it gives value to +the leaf. + +The white rust,[81] as it is termed, is a small white speck (often +noticed on cigars), making its appearance on the leaves of the plant +towards the latter part of its growth, and usually found on the top +and middle leaves. It is usually found on the best, and more +frequently on light than dark tobacco. Unlike the brown rust, the +white does not fall out, but is as firm in its place as any part of +the leaf; sometimes the spots are as white as chalk, and again they +will be of a yellowish shade, though lighter in color than brown rust. +The lighter the color the better their effect on the leaf upon which +they are found. Leaves thus "spotted" make the finest of wrappers, and +light-colored leaf thus affected brings the very highest price. It is +well known to manufacturers of cigars that such leaves burn well, and +almost invariably make a light ash. Good judges of cigars always pick +for those thus affected, and watch with interest the ash of the cigar, +noting the color as well as the flavor. + + [Footnote 81: Florida tobacco is noted for the white + rust found on the leaves.] + +Some seasons this kind of rust is quite common, and it is supposed to +be caused in the same way as the brown, although there are some +growers who think that it is produced by altogether different causes. +There is, however, a marked difference in the appearance of the leaves +thus spotted; the white rust is not usually as thick upon the leaf, +and is more generally found along the sides of the leaf, while the +brown rust is found more in the center than along the sides. Tobacco +of a light cinnamon color thus "marked" is considered the most +valuable, and could the planter obtain such a crop at option, he could +realize the very highest price for it. Large growers who find much of +their tobacco "spotted" in this manner, would do well to keep such +leaves by themselves, and sell direct to the manufacturer. Both kinds +of rust are more commonly seen on the plants during a wet than a dry +season, and particularly if the plants have grown rapidly during the +latter part of the time. + +Formerly buyers of leaf tobacco were more interested in leaf of this +description than now; and some of them, more anxious than others, made +liberal offers to any grower of tobacco who could ascertain how such +tobacco could be obtained. It is hardly probable that any method of +culture could be devised so as to obtain such leaf; it seems to be a +freak of nature, depending somewhat on the soil as well as the +humidity of the atmosphere, and without doubt is beyond the control of +the grower. Various theories propounded and experiments tried have not +met with any success that we are aware of. Some growers are of the +opinion that light manure spread on moist soil will tend to produce +leaf affected with white rust, while others affirm that such leaf is +common on high ground when manured with light fertilizers. It is a +matter of doubt whether such leaf can be obtained by any preparation +of soil, or any system of cultivation whatever. + + +SEED PLANTS. + +The selection of large, well-formed plants for the maturing of the +seeds, is of more importance than most growers are aware of.[82] Not +only should the altitude of the plant be taken into account, but also +the size and texture of the leaf. + + [Footnote 82: Liancourt says of the selection of seed + plants in Virginia:--"The seed for the next year is + obtained from forty to fifty stalks per acre, which the + cultivator lets run up as high as they will grow, + without bruising their heads."] + +If a variety foreign to the soil (on which it is cultivated) is grown, +then particular pains should be taken to select seed plants resembling +those cultivated in its native home. + +In cultivating foreign varieties, even the first season plants may be +seen that do not resemble the majority, but are seemingly trying to +accommodate themselves to the soil and climate, and in consequence +resemble in a measure the variety commonly cultivated. Growers of +Havana tobacco in the Connecticut valley can testify to this, and +especially to the increased size of the plants. There are, however, +growers of Havana tobacco, who claim that it will never deteriorate in +quality, and that seed from Havana is not required in order to secure +the delightful flavor of the _Vuelta de Abajo_ leaf. Our experience is +the reverse of this, and applies more directly to the flavor of the +leaf than the size, color, or texture. In the Connecticut valley +Havana leaf retains in a remarkable degree the texture and color of +leaf, but not the flavor. Fresh or new seed is required from time to +time. Sieckle says on the choice of seed:-- + +[Illustration: Spanish seed tobacco.] + + "The selection of seed is one of the principal conditions + for raising good tobacco, especially when intended for the + manufacture of cigars. In the United States now and then + Havana seeds are planted. The tobacco raised therefrom + generally resembles the real Havana in shape and color of + leaves. But in order to reproduce approximately also the + fine taste and flavor of genuine Havana tobacco, it would be + required to impart to the soil exactly the components which + constitute the famous tobacco-ground, viz.: the soil of the + above-mentioned _Vuelta de Abajo_ in Cuba. We say + approximately, because the climate is a thing that can be + neither transplanted nor fully equaled by artificial means. + Havana seed propagated in the United States usually + degenerates very soon, even in the course of two or three + years. In other countries the experiment has been made to + acclimate foreign seeds, for instance, Havana, by crossing, + respectively changing the sexes and giving the male + influence now to the foreign, then to the home plant." + +In the Connecticut valley the cultivation of Havana tobacco is +increasing year by year, and it promises to become the principal +variety cultivated. All of the leading qualities of Connecticut seed +leaf, such as color, strength, and texture, are preserved, while the +flavor is as fine as that of much that is imported. The plants +selected for seed should be allowed to fully ripen, when the leaves +may be stripped from the stalks, that the capsules may receive all the +strength of the growing and maturing plants. The seed plants should be +left standing some six or eight weeks after the other plants have been +harvested. If the nights are very cold and frosty, the top of the +plants may be covered with a light cloth or paper to protect the seed +buds. + +When the capsules are of full size and brown in color, the top may be +broken off and hung up in a dry, cool place to cure, after which the +seeds should be taken from the capsules. To do this, the end of the +seed buds may be cut, when most of the seeds will fall out if the buds +are fully ripe and dry. A southern planter gives the following account +of the curing and management of seed plants:-- + + "There are four classes of tobacco grown in Virginia and + North Carolina, viz.: Shipping, filling, smoking, and + wrapping; and it is important that planters desiring to + raise either one of these should choose the kind of seed + best adapted to each particular class. The Pryor makes the + heaviest, richest shipping, and can only be grown to + perfection on alluvial or heavily manured lands. The + Frederick or Maryland grows larger, but is not so rich and + waxy. The Oronoko is far preferable for fillers, smokers or + wrappers, being sweeter in flavor, finer in fibre and + texture, and more easily cured yellow. This is the kind best + adapted to our gray soils, giving best returns. The product + is not so large as on black or brown lands, yet with skill + in curing and management, the difference in product is more + than made up in quality. + + "The Oronoko, therefore, is the only kind suited to our gray + lands, and of this there are several varieties, the two + most in favor being the yellow Oronoko, and the Gooch or + Pride of Granville. The first is the kind that gave + character to the Caswell (North Carolina) yellow tobacco + more than twenty years ago, and is still preferred by a very + large number of planters who grow the finest yellow smokers + and wrappers. The latter is preferred in Granville county, + North Carolina, that produces the finest yellow tobacco + grown on this continent, or, perhaps, in the world. This + latter is clearly an Oronoko tobacco, very much resembling + the former, except that the leaf grows rather broader, and + by some is considered sweeter. These two kinds have been + grown with special reference to their adaptation to + producing the finest quality of wrappers, smokers, and + fillers. I am satisfied that the art of curing and + management have not only been very far advanced toward + scientific perfection, but that in perfecting the kinds of + seed grown much improvement has been made. For instance, in + the saving of seed, by adopting the plan of turning out the + forwardest plants growing in the best soil, and afterwards + observing to cut off all the heads of plants that ripen up + coarse, narrow or ill-shaped, or of a green color on the + hill, and saving only those heads that ripen yellow in color + and of a smooth and fine texture, much has been done to + improve the kind. Besides, the most important point in the + saving of tobacco seed is to cut off all the lateral shoots, + leaving only three crown shoots to perfect seed, thereby + securing larger pods and more perfect seed that always ripen + in good time, and are more reliable for seed beds and the + production of early, vigorous plants. + + "By following this mode of saving seed with special + reference to the growth of a particular class of tobacco, in + a few years the seed is not only greatly improved, but as + like begets like in the vegetable as in the animal kingdom, + becomes _sui generis_--the first of its species. The writer + can bear testimony to the above facts and desires that + others may profit thereby. Where any plant attains its + highest perfection, there is the place to secure the best + seed. The home of the tobacco plant is in Virginia and North + Carolina, and the growth and perfection of the kinds here + cultivated have reached a point unattained any where else. + The West and South would do well to procure their seed from + us, and then save and propagate after the instructions above + given." + + +SECOND GROWTH. + +The first account we find of raising a second crop of tobacco on the +original field, is found in the early history of the Virginia colony; +who, not satisfied with the vast amount cultivated in the usual +manner, allowed a second growth to spring up from the parent stalk and +thus obtained two crops from the same field in one year. The inferior +quality of this growth at length caused its prohibition by law, as +described elsewhere in this work. Of late, however, this "new +departure" in tobacco culture seems to have attracted some attention, +particularly in the Southern States, where numerous experiments have +been made, and in some instances with complete success. In Mexico and +also in Louisiana and California, two and even three crops are +gathered, thus adding to the profit of the grower, but hardly to the +fertility of the tobacco fields. Whatever the fertility of the tobacco +field may be, or the care and attention given to the second crop by +the planter, it can not equal the first crop, and must from the nature +of the case be quite inferior in size, texture, and flavor of leaf. + +Doubtless the varieties grown in the tropics will be much finer than +the varieties grown in a more temperate region. There are many reasons +why a second and third crop can not be equal to the first in the +qualities necessary for fine leafy tobacco. In the first place, the +soil will hardly produce a second crop of the size and texture of leaf +that will compare with the first growth: the leaves will be small and +resemble the top leaves of the original plant rather than the large, +well-formed leaves of the center. Again, the season will hardly be +favorable (unless in the tropics), for a second growth, which has much +to do with the quality of the leaf and which alone ensures large, +well-matured plants. + +In the Connecticut valley but one crop can be grown of seed leaf, and +even this when planted late is frequently overtaken by the "frost +king" whose cold breath strikes a chill to the heart of the tobacco +grower who has been so unfortunate as to have but a few plants; +especially if his fields were "set" late in the season, or with +"spindling" or "long shank plants" which come forward slowly and +forbid all thought of a second growth, and sometimes give small hopes +of even the first. + +In Virginia and North Carolina the experiment has been tried of +covering the stumps or trunk of the plants with straw, followed by +plowing on both sides of the rows, thereby covering them to a depth of +several inches, in which condition they are left until spring, when +the covering is removed and the suckers or sprouts shoot forth and +grow with great rapidity. This novel experiment may succeed so far as +the growth and maturing of the plants is concerned, but will hardly +add to the reputation of "Virginia's kingly plant" or to the profit of +the growers, as the product must necessarily be small if the labor of +transplanting is avoided. + +Beyond all question, experiments with the growth and culture of the +tobacco plant are among the most interesting and valuable, and afford +the planter the most pleasure and instruction of all similar trials +with the products of the vegetable kingdom. These experiments at once +develop not only the rare qualities of the plant, but its various +forms and habit of growth. They show as well as its adaptation to all +countries and climes, and the preservation of its qualities when grown +in regions far remote from its native home. The florist finds no more +pleasure in the cultivation of the rarest exotic than the tobacco +planter in testing some new variety of tobacco, and noting its varied +qualities and adaptation to his fields. By trying new varieties, some +of the finest qualities of the plant have been developed, and many +other of its excellences still further advanced. In the United States +numerous trials and experiments are constantly being made to still +further perfect the various kinds already cultivated, as well as to +test other varieties and note their qualities and adaptation to the +soil. Already far advanced, the culture of the plant has not yet +reached its highest point. The adaptation, soil, and fertilizers, are +now attracting much attention, and further study of these elements +promises to "bring out" qualities of leaf hitherto overlooked, or at +least but partially developed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE PRODUCTION, COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO. + + +Few comparatively of the users or even of the growers and +manufacturers of tobacco, are aware of the vast amount cultivated, +manufactured and used. Many suppose that its cultivation is confined +to the United States and a few of the West India Islands, having no +idea of the large quantities grown in Europe, Asia and Africa and the +islands of the East India Archipelago. The Spaniards first began the +cultivation of the plant on the Island of St. Domingo, afterwards +extending it to Trinidad, the coast of South America, Mexico and the +Philippine Islands. In Portugal the cultivation commenced about +1575-80, and continued some years. The Dutch a little later, began the +production of tobacco in the East Indies, and in connection with the +Spaniards and Portuguese were the only cultivators of tobacco until +the English commenced its growth in Virginia in 1616. + +The first production in St. Domingo by the Spaniards was sometime +previous to 1535, and the island has continued to produce the great +staple until now. In Trinidad, however, a finer article was yielded, +and its cultivation became more general here until the Spaniards began +to plant it in Cuba in 1580. From the West Indies, South America and +the East Indies, Europe raised its supply of tobacco until the English +colonists commenced its cultivation in Virginia. The Spaniards and +Portuguese at first controlled the trade in tobacco, and extorted most +fabulous prices for it. As soon, however, as the Dutch and English +began to cultivate it and receive it from their colonies the price +gradually fell while the demand and consumption for it increased in +proportion to the falling off of prices. From the island of Trinidad, +Europe received its finest tobacco, and it continued to maintain its +reputation as such until that variety known as Varinas tobacco from +South America appeared; this variety attracted the attention of +European buyers and consumers, from its superiority in flavor and +appearance which it has maintained for more than two hundred and fifty +years. + +In South America, the cultivation of tobacco took its rise in +Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia. The varieties there produced had +acquired an established reputation as early as 1600, together with St. +Lucia, Philippine and Margarita tobaccos. Early in the Seventeenth +Century, the Dutch became the great producers and importers into +Europe, and the growths of their colonies continued to furnish a large +proportion of the quantity used until English colonial tobacco made +its appearance from Virginia. + +The Plymouth and London companies from its first appearance in their +markets, saw its vast importance as an article of agriculture and +commerce, and in twenty years after the first planting of it, began to +reap rich returns from its sale and production. From this time +forward, not only in America, but in Europe and Asia, its cultivation +spread among other nations until at length it has become one of the +great sources of revenue of almost every country, and a leading +product of nearly every clime. The islands of St. Domingo, Trinidad, +St. Lucia and Martinique, do not produce as large quantities of +tobacco as formerly; its cultivation in the West Indies being now +confined chiefly to the island of Cuba. + +This island produces at the present time the finest cigar leaf of the +West Indies, which is considered by many as the best grown. The value +of the annual product of Cuba is estimated at $20,000,000, nearly as +much as that of the entire United States. Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, +and Paraguay, which are the tobacco-producing countries of South +America, furnish Europe with a large amount of leaf tobacco. In +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[83] 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. + + [Footnote 83: Tobacco is not allowed to pass from one + state into another without paying a certain duty.] + +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.[84] 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 the crop is +usually good, and along the valleys are found some excellent lands for +its culture. + + [Footnote 84: The amount in 1872, was 172,000.] + +As we go South, we reach the great tobacco-growing states, Maryland, +Virginia, Kentucky, and others. Maryland has long been noted for its +tobacco, and annually exports thousands of hogsheads to European +markets. Virginia, as we have seen, is the oldest tobacco-producing +state in the Union, and still continues to raise thousands of acres of +the "weed" for home use and for export. In 1622, six years after its +cultivation began, she produced 60,000 pounds of leaf tobacco. North +Carolina also raises a fine article of smoking tobacco--of fine color +and superior flavor. This state has long been noted for its superior +leaf tobacco, and ever since the first settlement of the state has +produced large quantities of it. In 1753 100 hogsheads were exported, +the number constantly increasing until the present. In Georgia some +tobacco is grown. Havana tobacco was first cultivated in this state by +Col. McIntosh, and succeeded finely in some of the counties along the +coast. + +In Florida, Havana tobacco is cultivated altogether. It differs +somewhat in flavor, however, so that it is called Florida tobacco, not +because it is grown in that state, but because it is a little bitter, +unlike that grown in Cuba. Kentucky is the great tobacco-producing +state of the Union. Two-fifths of the entire amount grown in the +country comes from this state. In 1871 nearly 150,000 acres were +devoted to it in the state--producing 103,500,000 pounds of leaf +tobacco. In Ohio and Missouri large quantities of tobacco are grown, +the former state furnishing both cutting and seed leaf tobaccos. The +other Western states including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, are +engaged largely in its production, and furnish a good article of leaf. + +California for the last few years has given the culture of tobacco +some attention, and promises to become a great tobacco-producing +state. The United States have cultivated in some seasons 350,769 acres +of tobacco, valued at $25,901,769. The average yield per acre is +greater in Connecticut than in any other state, being 1,700 pounds, +while the smallest yield is in Georgia, 350 pounds. The average price +per pound in Connecticut is 25 cts; in Kentucky 7 7-10 cts; in Georgia +21 4-10 cts; in Ohio 9 1-10 cts; and in Pennsylvania 15 2-10 cts. In +1855 there was exported from this country 150,213 hogsheads and 13,366 +cases of tobacco. + +In Europe large quantities of tobacco are grown, excepting in England, +Spain, and Portugal, where its culture is prohibited by law to benefit +the colonial growers of the plant. Austria is the great +tobacco-producing country of Europe, and yields an annual product of +45,000,000 pounds of tobacco; the leaf is of good quality, and is used +for cigars. France also raises about 30,000,000 pounds of tobacco +besides importing large quantities from the United States. In Russia +the annual tobacco crop is about 25,000,000 pounds. In Holland about +as much tobacco is grown as in the state of Connecticut--6,000,000 +pounds and the product is adapted for both cigar and snuff-leaf. Large +quantities of tobacco are also imported, from 30,000,000 to 35,000,000 +pounds. The tobacco factories in the country are stated to give +employment to one million operatives. Belgium produces considerable +tobacco, about 3,000,000 pounds annually. Switzerland also raises from +1,000,000 to 1,200,000 pounds of leaf. In Greece tobacco is an +important product and the quality of leaf is very fine; her product +has been as high as 5,500,000 pounds. + +In Asia tobacco has long been cultivated, and is one of the greatest +products of the country. In both Asiatic and European Turkey the +annual production is about 43,000,000 pounds. In China and Japan large +quantities are grown, as well as in Persia, Thibet, and other portions +of Asia. In the Philippine Islands its cultivation is carried on by +the Spaniards, as it has been for upwards of 250 years. Bowring says +of its culture:-- + + "The money value of the tobacco grown in the Philippines is + estimated at from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 of dollars, say + 1,000,000l. sterling. Of this nearly one half is consumed in + the island, one quarter is exported in the form of cheroots + (which is the Oriental word for cigars), and the remainder + sent to Spain in leaves and cigars, being estimated as an + annual average contribution exceeding 800,000 dollars. The + sale of tobacco is a strict government monopoly, but the + impossibility of keeping up any sufficient machinery for the + protection of that monopoly is obvious even to the least + observant. The cultivator, who is bound to deliver all his + produce to the government, first takes care of himself and + his neighbors, and secures the best of his growth for his + own benefit. From functionaries able to obtain the best + which the government brings to market, a present is often + volunteered, which shows that they avail themselves of + something better than the best. And in discussing the matter + with the most intelligent of the empleados, they agreed that + the emancipation of the producer, the manufacturer and the + seller, and the establishment of a simple duty, would be + more productive to the revenue than the present vexatious + and inefficient system of privileges. + + "In 1810 the deliveries were 50,000 bales (of two arrobas), + of which Gapan furnished 47,000 and Cayayan 2,000. In 1841 + Cayayan furnished 170,000 bales; Gapan, 84,000; and New + Biscay, 34,000. But the produce is enormously increased; and + so large is the native consumption, of which a large + proportion pays no duty, that it would not be easy to make + even an approximative estimate of the extent and value of + the whole tobacco harvest. Where the fiscal authorities are + so scattered and so corrupt;--where communications are so + imperfect and sometimes wholly interrupted; where large + tracts of territory are in the possession of tribes + unsubdued or in a state of imperfect subjection; where even + among the more civilized Indians the rights of property are + rudely defied, and civil authority imperfectly maintained; + where smuggling, though it may be attended with some risk, + is scarcely deemed by any body an offense, and the very + highest functionaries themselves smoke and offer to their + guests contraband cigars on account of their superior + quality,--it may well be supposed that lax laws, lax morals + and lax practices, harmonize with each other, and that such + a state of things as exists in the Philippines must be the + necessary, the inevitable result. + + "I am informed by the alcalde mayor of Cayayan that he sent + in 1858 to Manilla from that province tobacco for no less a + value than 2,000,000 dollars. The quality is the best of the + Philippines; it is all forwarded in leaf to the capital. The + tobacco used by the natives is not subject to the _estanco_, + and on my inquiring as to the cost of a cigar in Cagayan, + the answer was 'Casinada' (Almost nothing). They are not so + well rolled as those of the government, but undoubtedly the + raw material is of the very best." + +In Sumatra some of the finest tobacco in the world is produced which +has an established reputation in European markets. + +In Africa tobacco is grown to some extent in Egypt, Algiers and +Tripoli as well as by the natives of Central and South, Western +Africa. The French have paid particular attention to its culture in +Algiers and have succeeded in producing tobacco of good flavor and +texture. In Australia the plant does remarkably well and promises to +become as celebrated as that of other portions or islands of the East +India Archipelago. + +It readily appears from the extensive cultivation of tobacco that it +can hardly fail of becoming an important article of commerce. The +Spaniards and Portuguese found it to be an important source of +revenue, and from South America and the West Indies exported large +quantities to Europe. As soon as it began to be cultivated in Virginia +its commercial value began to be apparent and attracted many +navigators who came thither to barter for tobacco and furs, and other +articles of inferior value. Most of the tobacco exported from the +United States is shipped to Europe and from there is reshipped to Asia +and Africa. Of foreign tobacco but little finds its way to this +country, the duties[85] preventing many varieties of excellent quality +competing with our domestic tobacco. Cuba, St. Domingo and Manilla +tobacco are the only varieties that are imported from other countries. +West India tobacco, more particularly that of Cuba--is shipped to all +parts of the world, especially to Spain, Great Britain, Russia, France +and the United States. + + [Footnote 85: Thirty-five cents a pound, gold.] + +The tobacco of South America is exported almost entirely to Europe. +England receives a large quantity of South American tobacco as well as +Spain and Portugal. The varieties cultivated in Asia and Africa for +export are shipped mostly to Europe. Great Britain, Spain, France and +Germany are the great tobacco-consuming countries of the world, or +at least of Europe. In Great Britain, Spain and Portugal, no tobacco +is cultivated, and these countries are therefore dependent upon their +colonies for a supply of the great product. The commerce in the plant +is extensive and reaches to every part of the globe. No nation, state, +or empire now ignores the revenue to be derived from its import or +culture, and many a government receives more from this plant alone +than from any other source. + +While some nations prohibit its culture at home, their colonies are +allowed to grow it, and thus the article and the revenue are both +secured. But while the production of the plant and the commerce +depending on it are extensive, they are not more so than the +manufacture of the leaf into the various preparations for use. The +government work-shops of Seville and Manilla, as well as those of +Havana and Paris are of enormous proportions and employ thousands of +operatives in the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes. In this +country and in England, large quantities of cigars are made both from +domestic and foreign tobaccos. + +In South America also many are made, but more for home use than for +export. Cutting leaf is largely manufactured in this country, +especially near the great leaf growing sections. Most of this is used +here, the leaf for manufacture abroad being exported in hogsheads for +cutting in any form desired. Snuff leaf is exported largely from this +country to Great Britain and France, where are the largest +manufacturers of snuff in the world. At the present time the demand +seems greater for cutting than for cigar leaf. The growths of the West +Indies and South America furnish a large quantity of fine tobacco for +cigars, but comparatively little for cutting purposes. European +tobaccos are adapted for both cutting and for cigars, and are used +extensively at home though not considered equal to American varieties, +being of a milder flavor. As an article of production and commerce, +tobacco must be considered as important as any of the great products +or staples, since the demand is constant and continually increasing. +Year by year its cultivation extends into new sections, where it +becomes a permanent production if the soil and climate prove +congenial. From time to time new varieties become known, and are +cultivated in various countries with success varying according to the +soil and climate and the knowledge of the planter. Nowhere is the +plant receiving more attention both in its cultivation and +manufacture, than in this country. The varieties grown in the tropics +have been tested with more or less success, and bid fair ere long to +become the leading kinds in some sections. But not alone in this +country is the plant attracting the attention of the great commercial +nations. In Europe and Asia as well as in Africa, its production is +assuming the large proportions due to its vast importance to +Agriculture and Commerce. + + +[Illustration: End.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, +Culture, Manufacture and Commerce, by E. R. Billings + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOBACCO; ITS HISTORY, VARIETIES *** + +***** This file should be named 24471.txt or 24471.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/4/7/24471/ + +Produced by Ted Garvin, Christine P. 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