New-York tribune., 1903-07-27
PHILIPPINE TOBACCO.
Opportunity for DeveIopiag the
Business in the Islands.
frno,t - rl.1au,E nrnEAr.l


Washington, July 35.-profes5or Clarence w.
Dorsey. soil physicist. connected with the Philip
pine Bureau Of AricultIre, hes prepared bulletin
the cultivation OF tobacco, which has just been
received by the Insular Bureau Of the War De
psrtznent and contains many tens Of interest rela-
tive TO tobacco growing ia the Philippines. and
also gives Instructors TO growers es 20 the best
methods Of cuitivatng, harvesting ard curing the
crop Philippine tooaeco has long been held in
high esteem in the Orient. and Manila cigars main
tain the same rank IN the eastern countries that
Havana cigars occupy in Europe and America
To-day tobacco stands third among the exports
from the Philippines.
Tobacco was introduced into tho Philippines soon
after the Spaniards took possession seed having
been brought from Mexico b. missionaries. Little
effort made by the government to restrict or
encourage the cultivation Of tobacco until liSl
when II became 4 state monopoly. Whhe de
monopoly was in force each family IN the tobacco
districts Of Luzon compelled to grow 401
plants and deliver the entire crop to the agents OF
the government None the crop reserved
for the of the planter. and fine was imposed
when the crop was short After harvest the
2eaveg selected and bought by government
agents and bundles Of inferior leaves were rejected
and burned. Native houses were searched Tor
concealed tobacco and fines and penalties imposed
those who failed to comply with the law The
profits from the monopoly, finally abolished on De-
cember 81. 1882. annually amounted to several
million pesos
Since that time the cultivation and manufacture
viduaIs and companies At the present time the
greater part Of the tobacco grown in the Islands
comes from Luzon. The products of Isabella and
iCagayan provinces are the most highly esteemed
while considerable quantities produced in Union
and the Iocos provinces, on the west coast OF
Northern Luzon. Nueva Ecija formerly raised
fair grade tobacco. but the cultivation has fallen
years. Tobacco is grown in small qu2nti-
ties the Vsayan and southern islands, the great
amounts probably being produced In Masbate
TabIas Panay. Bohol. Leyte. Siqujor Negros and
Alndanao.
Philippine tobacco is nearly all utilized in the
manufacture OF cigars and cigarettes, and finds
ready sale in Spain (which consumes more than one
half OF tho total production). England. Hong Kong
(where IL is shipped TO Asiatc ports) and British
East India. During the year 1900 these countries
bought than seven -tenths of the entire crop
The agreeable aroma and flavor of the better grades
of tobacco grown in the islands have won for 1t a
high place among the fine cigar tobaccos Of the
world. and for long time ii ranked next to the
celebrated Cuban tobacco. When We consider the
desirable qualities of Philippine tobacco. with the
imperfect cultivation curing and fermentation 1t
receives and the improvements and advances that
have been made in other tobacco countries, 1t be-
comes at evident that every care and attention
should be given the crop to enable it to regain its
former position. if not 10 make il superior to the
finest tobacco grown in the world
The market of the United States offers every
inducement for the improvement and spread OF
the Philippine tobacco industry. This becomes all
the more evident when we consider the VAST Suiis
Of money annually expended by the United States
for foreign tobacco During the year ended June
80 1900. the United States paid for Cuban tobacco
S7.sl59sl and 81 21 for Sumatra tobacco. Dur
ing this same year the Philippines exported to the
United States only few hundreds OF dollars
worth of tobacco, or less than one-hundredth
of per cent of the tobacco importations OF that
country. While it may be true that Philippine to-
hacco may entirely supplant Cuban and Su-
tobacco in the United States, there Is GER
fr6u o improve
the industry until modern cultural 1aethods have
realized to the fullest extent the highest perfec-
ton of the crop
In the manufacture of high grade cigars certain
essentials necessary The tobacco must burn
smoothly and freely, with a pleasant taste, not
rank and strong too mild. When the taste
is pleasant, sharp and bitter the Will
invariably be good. The wraRS4r Of the cigar, as
distinguished from the filler, must be light in
color rich grain. thin IN texture, small IN vein
and stem. very elastic and of good burning quail
ity. It should stretch and cover well, have little
aroma and appear well on the cigar. The most de-
Flrable sizes are 40 and 45 centimetre leaves, for
from such leaves the manufacturer can obtain
four cigar wrappers from each leaf, with hut little
waste After such suitable wrapper leaf is
grown it must be properly cured assorted and
classified The manufacturer can never afford tC
pay a high price for bale of tobacco unless he
San caicnste S THSt how many suitable ,9 leaves il
tobacco commands such high value, for so care
1uy is me sT9aing @ Sn9 as59Ting 1 zone ~ that tRt
age Of tobacco win wrap. and that tie color viii
be uniform
For ciear filters the leaves should be somewhat
shorter OF medium body. have rich brown color
burn smoothly and freely. The quality of the
Tller determines the character of the cigar; hence
the filler must possess the desirable aroma that
distinguishes a good cigar.
Philippine tobacco has some Of the above prop
critics, and has earned its reputation account OF
its agreeable aroma. fine veins and notable elias
ricity This applies only to the better quality Of
tobacco. erown on the alluvial lands Of the Caga-
can River. in Northern LuzOn- The tobacco grown
- the NiSayan Islands IS in color
and IF great ter strength. From the provinces along
the coast Of Northern LuZOn the tobacco is OF
heavy body. and that grown the sea has but
little combustbility. It's ragged. broken character
also lowers It's market value.
Professor Dorsey believes that the islands can
Hud should produce cigar nier tobacco that fully
equal 60 the finest product of the Vuelta Abajc
district Of Cuba. and cigar wrapper equal tc
Surnatra tobacco. With careful attention 10 soil
ard climatic conditions il Is believed districts can
be found that viii raise tobacco similar in flavor
and aroma TO that grown in the best districts OF
Turkey. Philippine tobacco to-day does not occupy
he position i should ana every planter or com
panT engaged in its cultivation should strive to
place il on the high standard it deserves.