The main crop of Spray Plantation is tobacco. It is called a cash crop because it is produced for a profit. Dry tobacco leaves are shipped to England where they are sold. Tobacco is in great demand in England where many people believe smoking it promotes good health.
English people are willing to pay good prices for tobacco grown in Maryland.
Some of the profit from selling tobacco is used to purchase goods for family members. These are goods they need as well as a few comforts that make their life more pleasant. Master Spray puts some of his profit back into his tobacco business. He has to buy tools and equipment that enable him to continue shipping his tobacco crop to England. He has to maintain his tobacco barn and fences.