te 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