The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-03 00:00:00

TEE TOBACCO TRADE.

The following, with regard to the tobacco trade,
is from Messrs. Grant, Hodgson, and Co's. monthly
circular :

A less active demand prevailed during last month for
American descriptions, and with the exception of Kentucky
leaf, business was principally of a retail character, Apart
from the general disinclination of the trade to increase their
stocks at this period—the present high prices, and the state
of American affairs, have influenced buyers, in many in-
stances, to limit their purchases to immediate requirements ,
that circumstances justify the present position of the'
market, and the extreme prospective views of holders
and importers, may, probably, be admitted ; but i
cannot be doubted, that sales have consequently been mate-
rially contracted, and the introduction and use of various
growths of continental tobacco considerably increased;
nevertheless, the business in and consumption of American
will present a very favourable statement when the year's
returns are made up. The deliveries may be estimated at
16,147 hhds. against 18,409 hhds, in. 1861; viz., for ex-
portation 4,373 hhds; home trade, 7,486 hhds. ; and
bonded, 4,288 hhds. Stock has diminished during
the year to the extent of 6,209 hhds., being now'
21,320 hhds. against 27,529 hhds. at the corresponding
period of 1862. Sales during the last month were 872 hhds,,
viz.: 7 hhds. Virginia Leaf, 16 hhds. and tierces of Strips,
524 hds. Kentucky Leaf, 99 hhds. Maryland. In taking a.
retrospective view of the market for the past year, we may
tate that prices in January, for Virginia Lear, were 7d. to
Ild. and Strips, lid, to Is. 2d. Kentucky Leaf, sd. to 10d.,
and Strips, 10d, to Is. Id.; at these prices holders were very
firm, and it was with dome diffculty that purchases could
be made at these quotations. As the year progressed
each successive month presented an advance in
prices, and the great difficulty the trade experienced was,
that holders almost invariably confined their sales to limited
lots or parts of parcels, and would not progress unless at a
further advance. All sorts of "substitutes" have met an
active demand at extreme quotations. The stocks in Hol-
land and Germany are materially diminished, and at pre-
sent no probability of lower prices. Latest advices from
America represent demand less active, but higher quota-
tions are given for heavy Clarksville; ordinary leaf and
lugs are easier to purchase at a reduction of to 1 cent.
per lb.

TOBACCO-GROWING COUNTRIES.—It is a well-
known fact that the light soils of Great Britain and.
Ireland are particularly adapted for the growth of tobacco.,
which was extensively cultivated on the Cotswold Hills in
Gloucestershire, and in Ywkshire, till its growth in
Great Britain was prohibited by an act of the Legislature.
It is cultivated extensively in France, Germany, Hol-
land, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, and the Levant, but it
thrives best, as far as the stronger varieties are concerned,
between the 40th and 47th degree of latitude, though a
somewhat warmer climate is required for the more delicat
sorts. The finest tobacco is undoubtedly that produced at
the Havannah. That known as Manilla is chiefly grown
in the Island of Luzon, one of the Phillippines. Latakia
tobacco comes from Syria, and is grown in the neighbour-
hood of that town, the ancient Laodicea, from whence it
takes its name. Persian tobacco is chiefly cultivated at
Shirza ; and large quantities of the tobacco of commerce are
obtained from India. But our great supply is brought from
the other side of the Atlantic, from Cuba, Tobago, St. Vi-
ncent ; from Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, and Louisiana;
from Columbia, the Brazils, and Porto Rico,—Tobacco;
its Use aid Abuse.