------ ------
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 t