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 TOBACC