The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-12-31
Perique Tobacco.
Method of Growing and Process of
Manufacture.

George E. Brovee, in New Orleans Times.
WHERE GROWN.
Fifty miles above the city of New
Orleans, in the parish Of St. James, is
a point which can be reached in few
hours by one OF the excellent steam
boats, known as the coast packets.
In the neighborhood of the landing,
which is situated on the eastern bank
of the river, will be found series of
small farms or plantations fronting
upon the river and running back to a
considerable distance, mainly devoted
to the culture Of tobacco. The own.
ers of these small farms are of French
extraction, and that language is gen.
orally used by them in their inter-
course with one another, although
nearly all OF them understand English.
The tobacco grown in this locality,
although Of good quality, is not con-
sidered equal in flavor and texture to
that produced on tie interior lands,
owing, in all probability, to the soil
being somewhat of a sitter nature and
what is known to the denizens CT the
river parishes as buckshot lands.
VACHERIE ROAD.
Running due east from the landing
is road called the Vacherie road,
probably from the fact that in ancient
times the cattle of the early settlers
were driven back to the ridges in the
swamps, then covered with a dense
growth OF cane, and where they
found ample subsistence in the
the winter and early spring. In due
course of time, as the front lands be-
came more valuable and beyond the
means OF purchase by the Creole
youth, their attention was called to
these high ridges, situated above the
overflow OF the river, where the soil,
and especially the abundance of
game, promised the early settler an
easy means of support. Who this
adventurer was, who boldly braved
the terrors of this wilderness, history
gives no record. But this was, doubt
less, the history of the settlement OF
GRANDE PoINTE.
In the midst ola dense swamp, at
the end Of this road, arises an island
elevated few feet above the sur
rounding quagmire, of an area to
make a respectable farm Of some
three or four hundred acres. These
lands are divided up into small hold
ings, and are occupied by eighteen
families, none OF whom own over
fourteen acres of land. The soil of
this Grande Pointe settlement is
necessarily very fertile, and being
composed almost entirely of vegeta.
BILE mold is especially adapted to the
growth Of tobacco.
PER1QUE.
Most persons suppose that this is
the name of a peculiar species Of to-
bacco, when, in TACT, any kind will
make perique true, these people pre-
fer growing plants from seed raised
by themselves, but, doubtless, this is
owing 10 the fact that on this strong
soil heavy, coarse leaf can be pro-
duced, Astounding in juices and gum
which is so necessary to its success
full manufacture. At any rate, they
grow only the tobacco raised from
seed produced by themselves, and
will probably continue to do so from
one generation to another, like their
fathers did before them.
PLANTING THE SEED.
The seed is generally sown during
the month of January, in beds, and a
sufficient quantity OF plants grown to
guard against any possible contln'
gency; the land is well prepared, but
no especial care taken. AS early in
April as the weather will permit the
plants are set out; the after cultiva-
tion is pretty much the same as else
where, leaving out all new improved
implements and methods of culture.
The topping, suckering and worming
is principally done by the women and
children in the usual manner. The