The Washington herald., 1908-08-09

either sold 10 the government at an ap-
praised price, or exported within three
years.
The tobacco produced in Italy was. IN
1894 SIS tons. valued at S75o00. and in
1875, 6.7S9 tons. valued at S963.25s.
italy is not Yet, and viii not fo- years.
if ar all. be in condition TO produce the
tobaccos required for the monopoly. and
must depend upon the United States for
the larger part OF its supplies entering
into the manufacture of its most popular
brands Of cigars Even though the price
OF American tobaccOs may Increase. IL
could not materially affect the revenue of
this monopoly. there being no competition
10 meet
During the year 1855 the government
imported 17.06952 tons Of tobacco valued
az S421ao0o. OF which IA6Sl5o tons. valued
at g. .00l. We're imported from the United
States 1.4l5-24 tons. valued AT $50 0lo,
froEl the Levant. and the balance. e7279
tons. valued at Slg7o1o. from all other
countries
The tobacco imported from the United
States was composed as follows Ken
lucky Leaf for cigars. 1883 tons. and Ken
tucly lugs. 20 tons Virginia leaf. for Gig
ars. 2155 tons and Virginia bright 2f2
tons Maryland. 1850 tons, total I46Sl-50
;oas-
The government paid an average OF SI}3
per ton for leaf grown IN italy. while the
average cost Of American tobacco was as
follows. per ton: Kentucky Leaf. SITS IN
1919 and S2Z7 in 1865: Virginia leaf. $3.50
in 1s-4-5 and 500 iu 125-6-
The acquisitions OF tobaccos for the
italian monopoly are made IN the United
States directly by the government agents
stationed at New York The monopoly
exports an especially cheap and strong
cigar called ''TOscalo.T made wholly OUT
OF Kentucky leaf. the exports of which
amounted in 1904 10 81 tons. valued az
S35i 0l3. and in 1s15 TO 4l9 tons. valued at
$50 .elo. FoUr-ffths Of these exports 90
10 the Argentine Republic
Experiments in SvvitzerIa ad.
Owing to altitude. soil. and climate. the
attempt 10 grow tobacco in Switzerland
has been largely experimental. confined
10 a few OF the most suitable districts,
and not important as affecting the to-
bacco industry as a whole. About ten
years ago original experiments began in
the cantons Of WaaCt. Thurgau- and
Valais- Since then. Notwithstanding the
value OF the land for othAr purposes.
there has been some progress. but the
best results have produced only a small
leafed plant. suitable for the cheap grades
Of smoking tobacco in common use, and
il no wise affecting cigar manufacture.
Switzerland is and must continue 20 be,
an importer OF both raw and manufac-
tured tobacco. the consumption increasing
from year 10 year Switzerland imports
from the United States nearly S90o %
worth OF tobacco annually
Experts declare that each succeeding
year viii develop an Increasing C0mpeti-
ton with American tobacco. especially in
tobaccos from the Dutch colonies OF the
East from Brazil and South America
generally, Mexico, Turkey. and possibly
from the Philippines. This competition
would be emphasized by any material in
crease in the price OF African leaf
While American leaf IS largely used
both by Swiss manufacturers and those
Of Germany and surrounding countries.
cigars made IN the United States, ex-
cepting Key West. are not IN favor. due
both to price and favor. Cuban-ma6e
cigars are the standard, and although re-
tailed cheaper than il the United States.
are sold only 20 the high-class trade.
Cost also figures against Mexican and
Brazilian cigars, although there is an in
creaslng import Of both The average
smoke in Switzerland is q 1e-centiTne or
a 2-Cent cigar. manufactured. il may be.
in Switzerland. in Germany or Austria or
in Holland OF Belgium. but largely OF
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