The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-04-09
orysatfbe ana Flavoring Tobacco

70 Treating and E1aVor1ng lIoDaCcO.t -
A very common opinion prevailed for "a
long period, that tobacco, was a trophlcal
plant, and could not be cultivated ia rlatl-
rude of moderate ternperature.aa1 Ills TACT,
however, that it will grow and may De
cultivated not only lip all latitpd les where
corn or maize CONES 70 natpElfys DIV Ht ~ re-
gions much further north. Large crops OF
tobacco are now faissdin the valley OF the
Connecticut, ana the ?leaf of the plant is
smooth and held to be well suited for tne
wrappers of cigars. 1t is also cultivated IN
some portions of Albany and Ontario coun'
ties in New York, thus proving tnAe .'se
plant may thrive lin our most notenern
States, And not only may 1T be cultVateo
in such attitudes, but it is we'll known tnas
soon afrer It was introduced from, America
into ENGLAND it was cultivated for Q period
with success in several sections OF that
country, and also in Ireland. In 151Or was
crown in Yorkshire to a considerable extent
but its cultivation was prohibited by an or
der of Government, for the purpose OF derl-
wing a large revenue from that which was
imported. - This occurred during the period
of The Comm onwealth, in 1862, and since
then not leaf of tobacco, except as Gu
riosity, has been grown in England.
| We have been told by those who are es-
teemed connoisseurs Ct tobacco, that al
though this plant grows -luxuriantly. when
properly treated, in the northern states
still it is not equal to the qualities which
are cultivated in warmer latitudes. Thls IS
| perhaps owing to the mode by which 1t Is
| treated after it has matured. In Virginia.
the suu-dried tobacco is held to be the best
I for che wing. but M st of it is finally cured
Inv artificial heat. Tobacco, in leaf, is very
sensitive 10 moisture inythe atmosphere, be-
cause it contains SO much potash, common
salt. and lime. An analysis of this plant
gave, potash, 81 per cont; soda, 2; lime,
I32 2; common salt. 3d.; magnesla, 3. In
Richmond, which has been the headquarters
of the tobacco business, there are very ex-
tensive manufactures where the leaf Is
cured, aud afterwards made into plugs toi
chewing. Great care and attention are nee
essary for the proper curing lit, and II the
weather is moist during the operations 1t Is
very liable to mildew. In clear, dry wealth.
er. II is spread on the tops of sheds, and
hung in every situation where it can be ex.
posed ia, the dry air The sky is watched
with anxiety during such exposure. SO thai
it may not receive drop ofrain. Very ire
Equentiy it receives its final drying in warm
apartm ents, and in many cases these are
heated with open fires, dry cord-cobs being
aboutthe best fuel that can be used. Pine
and some other woods impart their resinou'
taste to the tobacco, if the smoke is permit
ted to permeate through the leaves
After tobacco is perfectly cured, it is pre-
pared for pressing. It is now a common
practice to flavor it with SOME mixture of 8
sweet and aromatic character. 1t was for
m erly- the custom to place the pressed to-
bacco in room called the sweathouse
where it remained for considerable perioc
exposed to warm atmosphere. This treat
ment made the tobacco sweat; globules O
Juice appeared upon its surface and dropped
on the floor, and It's taste was much i'm
proved thereby.
1t is also common with some tobacco
manufacturers to sweeten the dark and rauE
qualities for chewing by dipping the leave
in punches into sugar syrup, before pressing
them. We have only referred to the treat
ment of chewing tobacco; the superior quail
ties being used for this purpose. The terms
honey dew sweet leaf &C., applied tc
different lots Of tobacco, are CT the 'bunkum
order. The best qualities of tobacco are
said to be cultivated on new soil, on the
southern sides of gently sloping hills.-Scf
entitic American.