Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1884 — American Tobacco. [ARTICLE]

American Tobacco.

The cultivation of the tobacco plant has become a national industry. It is now raised in larger or smaller quantities in every State in the Union. North as far as Vermont, south to the Gulf of Mexico, west to the Pacific, and along the Atlantic coast, with possibly tiie exception of Maine, we find the planting, the cultivating and care of the crop occupying a portion of the time, energy and means of the farmers of all grades where the cnlti vation of soil suitable to the undertaking with prospects of success. What was almost experimental north of Virginia, scarcely half a century ago, so far as raising tobacco is concerned, is now, in very many States, reduced to actual practice and with beneficial and profitable results. If not raised for market at first there has been a desire to see how the crop would thrive in the more Northern States, and with that satisfactorily attained, a portion of farms have been set apart to the purpose, until we may be said to be growing tobacco everywhere. Com, wheat, oats and potatoes are sure to find their place in the soil as well as in the granaries and bins. These necessaries give place to no luxuries, however great the demand or profitable the investment. State after State has fallen into line on the tobacco question, and while each is noted for certain productions, as leading, we find that about all include tobacco in their reports of crops to the Agricultural bureau. It is entirely proper,—the grain crops receiving full attention—that we should be known in addition to our other great and varied productions, through the staple of tobacco; that we should be behind no country in quantity, and approach every other country as closely as conditions of climate and soil will admit in quality. While tobacco plants are natives of warm climates, and while they thrive best and reach their greatest perfection there, it is admitted that very many of the species attain to fine proportions and flavor in our Northern States where the soil is suitable and they are properly treated and perfectly cured. Th many of the Northern States the crop is yet a new one, and inexperience has a great deal to learn in regard to its proper treatment. All the plants possess the narcotic properties on account of which they are so extensively cultivated, but some to a greater extent than others. The Virginia tobacco had been cultivated far north of that State before Columbus discovered this country, and it is questionable whether the use of tobacco as a narcotic was known in the East before that period. While it is claimed that the use of tobacco is of great antiquity among the Chinese, it is received with doubt in many well-informed quarters, for the reason that its use did not extend to neighboring nations. On the other hand, when its soothing properties became known to Europeans, the use of tobacco spread with great rapidity. 'lts use was common in the West Indies as well as with the Indians in this country when Columbus made his voyage of disoovery. In fact, smoking tobacco has been prevalent from unknown antiquity among the American Indians, not only in the Middle States, but as far north as the Canadas. With them, it is well known, it assumed a religious character, and entered into all their important transactions. Smoking the calumet, or pipe of peade, was regarded by them as indispensable to the ratification of a treaty, while it also had an important bearing in their councils upon the question of their going to war or remaining at peace>witb other tribes. It was regarded as a friendly act, drawing them closer together in bonds of harmony and friendship far more so than the well-spread and well-served table is amongst other nations at the present time. Wilson’s “Prehistoric Man” has this paragraph in regard to the ieligious rite of smoking, as setting forth its religions character:

“In the belief of the ancient ■worshippers, the Great Spirit smelled a sweet savor as the smoke of the ancient _ plant ascended to the heavens, and the homely implement of modern luxury was, in their hands, a sacred censer, from which the hallowed vapor rose with fitting propitiatory odors, as that which perfumes the awful precincts of the cathedral altar, amid the mysteries of the church’s high and holv days. ” What is now so common and in such general use among all classes, especially in this country, it is difficult to conceive as having been, when introduced in Europe, so expensive that only the wealthy could indulge in its use. Then, as now, it was regarded as an article of luxury, but theprice was so high that its use almost amounted to prohibition. Besids that, when it became cheaper, certain of the Popes launched the power of the church against its use. In certain parts as much power was used to prevent the use of tobacco as has been in later years to prevent the use of alcohol. It has been declared a crime to use tobacco by both priests and sultans. King James I. of England thundered against its use, saying that “it was loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and, in the black, stinking fnmes thereof, nearest resembled the horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless. ” All opposition to its use, however, was vain, whether the price was high or whether it was low. The use of tobacqci, i»efeased, and has continued to increase to' the present time, when it is more prevalent than at any other period. It is alike the luxury of rich and poor, of civilized nations and of savage tribes. It‘ is a luxury bo- generally indulged in by all classes that it is generally one of the first industries to be called upon to help the revenues of the Government; A light tax in this country yields an immense income, and a medium tax brings out a magnificent revenue to. aid Government in time of need. Meetings of those growing and handling the tobacco leal, like the one held at Janesville, Wis., noticed in last week’s issue, at which an organization was effected for mutual benefit and protection, are significant as showing the importance the crop is attaining in that State, while

it is admitted that tobacco enters largely into the great aggregate agricultural industries of the country. —Cigar and Tobacco World, {Chicago.