The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-31
L,sRARx OF TOBACCO LORE.
History Of Weed Traced from
Earliest Days to tho Present.

History OF '"eeo 'essN
Earliest Days to tho Present.
New York Times: In the of1ces OF
the Tobacco Merchants, Association
of the United States at Beekman
street is what is said to be the
largest and most complete library
devoted to tobacco in the world. 1t
deals with the history Of the plant
and the industry, the philosophy OF
smoking as dealt with by such writ
- as Henry Fielding and Charles
lamb. and the customs and revenue
laws which have been passed to tax
tho use of tobacco in all countries
and at all times.
The stock Of books Is Increased
constantly, for all the book dealers
Of the country have a standing order
to look out for publications that bear
an the tobacco trade; and It includes
volumes in German, French, Spanish
Latin and Russian. Walter J. swift
librarian In charge, who has built up
the collection, says that 1t is con-
stantly in use as a reference library
not only by men engaged IN the TO-
haoco industry. but by university stu
dents, sociologists and magazine
writer's.
The oldest book known to tobacco
literature is '.rabaca Logia." thesis
In Latin printed in London IN 1926,
at the time when the Virginia plan
tations were pouring their tobacco
into England. The general eject OF
the use of tobacco from the stand
noint of materia medica is treated at
extreme length by the writer. This
.rr;ous volume is often consulted by
students.
Another rare volume is that en-
titled Historical and Practical Essay
On the Culture and Commerce OF
Tobacco," by William latham, Lon
don. 1900" wherein the origin OF the
term nicotine is set forth. According
to this authority, 1t had Its origin IN
the name of Jean Nicot, who was
ambassador of Francis II to the
Court of Sebastian, king of Portugal,
and who frts introduced tobacco In
France. The book traces entertain
inely and with fidelity to facts, the
history Of tobacco from its source
and presents an exhaustive review OF
the culture of the plant and the world
commerce therein from 1884 to 1888,
and In addition thereto gives valu-
able information regarding the cult
walton of tobacco, warehousing. leg1s'
lation and other allied matters.
An exceedingly rare document is
COPY of President Van Buren's report
to congress on April IA, 1910, relative
to the subject of the tobacco trade
of the United States with foreign
countries of that period. This is the
flrst Official document bearing exclu,
sively upon this topic ever presented
to congress by any president.
In addition to these. the library
possesses a copy of the original re-
mort of the Smithsonian institution OF
1873, as we'll as numerous other
books, pamphlets and publications
issued by foreign governments, all Of
which relate to customs regulating
import and export duties on tobacco
and other subjects kindrsd thereto.
Another valuable reference work
contained in the library is a complete
set of decisions Of the United States
treasury in the matter of the Gus
toms and internal revenue taxes upor
| tobacco.
A valuable cyclopedia Of curren
events of interest to tobacco men has
been collated by the Hing of news