The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-05
TOBACCO MICROBE.
CONTINUED from the Sixth Page.l


quantity of it. Fertilization-the work
or the bacteria-greatly affects the pro-
portion Of nicotine in the leaves; in one
experiment it was found to be seventy
per cent less at the end of the process
than it was before it. 1t may yet prove
that these local bacteria are one of the
greatest safeguards of the monopollsts,
and exercise an entirely conservative in
Huence In any place, though, doubtless.
as experience in bacteria culture pro-
crosses these difficulties will be over
come, and means be found whereby the
varieties to which the peculiarities of
any given tobacco are due may be
transported satisfactorily to new parts
as easily as those bacteria which are re-
sponsible for the general fermentation.
AT the present moment active research
is in progress in several directions with
a view to a better understanding of the
problems involved in this question, and
it is confidently expected that these in
vestigations will greatly further the
comprehension of tobacco fermentation.
Nowadays growers and curers alike
work more or less by rule of thumb; for
the most part they have no idea Of the
fundamental principles underlying their
work; they certainly have no conception
that myriads of infinitesimal living or
ganisms are cooperating with them in
their labors. Hence they are compare
lively in the dark as to why and where
fore of their efforts. But now that the
hint is given in which direction light
may be looked for, and the bacteriolo-
gist has realized that the elucidation of
@ol ,tot with n lie.
province, illumination of the matter is
not far off. Already some localities in
which tobacco growing and curing is an
established industry have awakened to
the importance of scientific investiga-
ton, and are taking vigorous measures
to further it. In the Florida Agricul-
tural College and Experiment station, at
Lake City, a laboratory specially for
this purpose was completed late last
year, and definite work has been begun
under the superintendent of DR.. Stock
bridge. The first crop Of tobacco grown
under the direction of science was har-
vested last autumn, but it is too early
yet for any definite research to have
taken place or for any inference to be
drawn; in fact, probably some three
years must elapse before reliable conclu-
sions can be obtained, as, Of course, the
result of a single years work furnishes
insufficient data for comparison, and
only on a long series of experiments cam
proper theory be based
The whole question is one of very
great Importance to the people of Flori-
ola at this time, and this is, probably,
why they are taking such energetic steps
in the cause of scientific research
Within the last few years some forty
thousand Cubans have settled there,
most of whom are skilled growers and
curers of tobacco, who have been driven
out of Cuba by the unhappy political
condition of their native country. They |
have been specially attracted to Florida
because the hummock lands there pos
sess soil very similar to that of the best |
tobacco-producing districts in Cuba, and
they would be able to continue their old |
occupation in their new home. To their |
delight they now find that tobacco
grown and cured in Florida is little, If at |
all, inferior to that of the best Cuban, so |
we may probably anticipate bright flu
ture for the culture Of tobacco In that
state. Indeed in 1897, no less than one
hundred and sixty million of cigars were
produced in Florida and put upon the
market as Havanas and they apparent
ly gave every satisfaction to the pur-
chasers But, as the Secretary of Agri-
culture points out, both American and
Cuban curers are ignorant of the princi-
pies which underie and govern the pro-
duction of tobacco fiavors, and hence
there is a great element of chance In the
whole industry. To remove this uncef-
tairty, or at any rate to lessen 1t, the
laboratory at Lake City has been
equipped by the department of agricul-
ture, and great hopes are entertained OF
the issue Of the labors of DR.. Stock
bridge and his assistauts.--G. Clark
INITIAL in the Contemporary Review.