Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-26

stead of importing them IN was reflected
that the province of Leted lay in approx
mately the same ansl iaaiJaae| as Greece and
drawn for the requirements Of the depart
ment as to- cigarette making BY observa-
ton it was found that the elements were
snare yds say Od climate domnae
ical composition of the soil was all that
could be desired for ,fhe culture in view.
But the difficulty WASH persuade the hus-
| his system of treating the new plant as
cess n
With the ordinary american plant the
farmer had been accustomed to treat grow
ing tobacco much as he would have done any
other crop On the first Introduction of the
oriental quality farmers accustomed from
generation to generatf6n slice the first in
PRODUCTION of the cultivation Of the plant
in 1745 (abouO to a certain style Of cultiva-
ton rebeIled against what they termed the
severity of the conditions imposed re-
garding the cultivation Of the new quality.
One point Of which they complained bitterly
as great hardship was the requirement
sine qua non that only manure should be
used. It was demonstrated to them that
the bovine manure they had been accus-
toned to could not be tolerated in conse-
quence OF the strong rank flavor and taste.
As q result Of continuous experiment q
code Of regulations was drawn up by the
department., In which was given every pos
stble Information az to how tbs oriental
plants were to be reared and the landown-
ers were invited to take note OF the condt-
tons the government offered. tho culttva-
ton OF the American leaf being restricted
SO that the farmer had no longer the op-
ton Of continuing cultfvating the qualities
he had raised in former years. The offers
were that the department would supply all
seeds, which were to be sown in specially
prepared and ovine manured beds in Octo-
Der. During the infancy Of the seeding
plants q most careful treatment was re-
quired. such as covering with mating at
certain hours Of the day and night. precau-
tfOnary measures against noxious insects,
and constant wedding out Of parasitic and
other growths: in May the young plants
were to be transplanted with all due care
to the open fields, which had been plowed
to the depth of IS centimeters and care
fully MANFRED with ovine matter; the young
plants were to be set In rows not less than
two feet apart. the plants being eight or
nine inches one from the other, and due at
tention paid to irrigation when water was
obtainable, the department paying higher
price for irrigated than for plants which
had grown without any but natural irriga-
tfon.- During the whole time Of the rearing
OF the plant. from the sowing until the
leaves were finally delivered at the govern
ment establishments. the producer was ex-
posed to surprise visits at all times The
inspectors removed any, defective or worth
less leaves. burning them immedia tely
The farmer was prohibited from removing
a leaf from plant for any reason what
ever.
Between September Is and 20 the whole
crop was to be carried and the leaves col
lected in bundles OF 200 and dried in sheds
on the property and then conveyed to
Lecce for delivery at the government
classifying floors. when the producer was
paid the price Of the leaves; and later.
when these had been thoroughly examined,
classified and refunded, he was paid a fur
Their premium on the results. A plant prop
eriy cultivated should give as many as
fourteen leaves, but of these, approximate
ly. one-haf would be of second quality and
the remainder would be classified in at least
two or three grades Of hneness, only posi-
bly,. two or three leaves of a plant giving
the whole of the characteristics required to
be classified as super excellent" one of the
conditions being a perfeotly sdniform lemon
gold color. The necessity foe this discrimf-
nation In the classification, Of the leaves
arises from the fact that leaves which
nave grown near the GROUND level are far
more rank and do not possess the pure
aroma required for ydrstselass tobacco,
While those closest to the fewer are found
to be too rich in nicotine, the best esteemed
leaves, being consequently some of those
from the middle growth of,sta,e plant For
the 1918 crop. now under uoAltivation.. the
total requests to be permitted to cultivate
amounted in all to 400OD.OO6 of plants of
the oriental qualities a}one; swfhle the ad-
ministration was unable to- sentertain pro-
posals for more than 16, JOOO
The reason why the Gef1artment could not
permit more than the qilantity stated to be
cultivated Is that the premises atELecce al
though vast and sairy.axe not sufficiently
extensive to handle more than that qssan-
. tty of tobacco The cBslsul states that
having had an opportunity ofstrying some
of the cigarettes he. found that they were
most satisfactory as to aroma and favor
By public notice dated Rome, September
Ia last, the department announced that 1t
would, accept. offers to grow a total of &c.,
200 plants of "Cattare', qualities for snuff
6,21o,OO0 plants: of sr"'Burley'' for ordinary
tobacco. 100000 plants Of American
Bright and i6, 5000. 900 plants of various
qualities of oriental types; the product of
the, latter to be used. mixed with imported
tobacco, In the manufacture of cigarettes
OF various kinds as sold by the monopoly
at prices varying between and II cents
each the weight Of the cigarette being a
81 amme-loOO cigarettes to the kilo. In
this manner ii Is anticipated that the 1903
crop should give 125 to 40 tons of oriental
tobacco. This would not be sufficient for
one months requirement Of the country;
consequently 1t has not been possible so
Tar to issue cigarette made exclusively
OF natlve-grown tobacco In view of the i'm
possibility of maintaining the supply of the
type should IT meet with approval and be
much asked for.