The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-10-17
CUBAN TOBACCO.
Evidences That 1t Has Greatly DetsorI-
ated of Late.


ated of Late.
Consul General Crave in his report to
the Foreign Office on the agriculture of
Cuba, says: Cuban tobacco has lost
itsprestige through forcing and artif-
cial manures, and has to sustain sharp
competition from abroad, where it for
merly commanded the market, and l
believe some years must elapse before
the soil can recover from the excessive
and indiscriminate use of artificial fer
tilzers. A few years ago the leaf har-
vested in the Vuelta AbajO was not suf-
ficient to meet the large demand, and,
in order to increase the yield, growers
made use of guanos of all sorts, and
with such bad results that they find it
now difficult to place on reasonable
terms more than half, and sometimes
less, of their crops at very low prices.
In few localities only the soil has not
been spoiled by spurious manures, and
the leaf grown there commands very
high prices, and is warmly competed
for by local manufacturers and buyers
for the United States. Notwithstanding
the last crop has been of better quality
than heretofore, growers were compel
led to abandon the tobacco cultivation
for certain time and devote the ground
to other purposes. 1t appears that this
change of cultivation is absorbing the
fertilizers and restoring to the soil its
former good qualities, and, if one can
Judge from the splendid appearance of
the leaf and the ready sale it now meets
with, it would seem that the Vuelta
Abajo fields are regaining their former
renown.
The total tobacco production is esti-
mated at between 100000 and 100000
quintals Zone quintal about 00pounds.)
As is we'll known, that grown in the
Vuelta Abajo or district west of Havana
is the best kind, and has given Cuba its
well-earned reputation. About $1,000
acres are cultivated under the denomi-
nation. | have no reliable statis-
tistics to show how much of the
raw product is manufactured in the
island, probably not more than one
fourth. Very large quantities of the
leaf are exported in bales and rolled
abroad. 1t is evident, however, that,
given the total production and corre-
spending result in the manufactured
form, but small portion of the cigars
sold in Europe and elsewhere as Havana
cigars have the slightest claim to con-
nection with Cuba. The chief and only
important manufactures of these cigars
are in Havana. and much care and
money is expended in producing a.
handsome-looking article. AS much as
| $40 in gold are paid to skilled laborers
per 1000 for making up tirst-class
goods. About 1900 operatives are
employed in this manufacture in Ha-
vana alone.
One of the largest establishments here
is that Supplying the Henry Clay brands,
which is stated to turn out from 10000
to 10000 cigars daily, and there are
many others of considerable Importance
with well-earned and old-established
reputation for fine goods. The quality
of tobacco, like other agricultural pro-
duce, depends on seasons, soil, and
many natural causes. which may battle
the most careful cultivator. There has
been no really fne-havored aromatic
leaf harvested since 1881. Much of
| that since garnered has been simply
bad. Great hopes are entertained OF
the coming 1885 crop, aud present indi-
cations are in favor of this assumption.
Intelligent smokers with sensitive pal
ates will find no cheap tobacco here fit
to smoke; Sos per 100 and upw ard is
what must be paid at present for really
fine-havored aromatic cigars; beyond
Cos. or Sos. prices become fancy ones,
and are paid for the smart cases and
envelopes. Even at the rates quote it
is not easyt to find what's wanted. There
is abundance of dark powerful tobacco
of fine quality at much lower rates, but
not light tobacco with flavor or aroma
or without strength, such as the educa-
ted Qallude to taste) Englishman seeks.
l believe that only about ten per cent.
of the tobacco harvested in ordinary
years is of the light color refer to-
, hence the difficulty in supplying the de-
mand, and the articles resorted to to
supply the deficiency. London STAN
J ddrd.