Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-06-30
TOBACCO

Tobacco consists of the leaves oi
several species of a plant termed mi
cotsna," variously prepared for use
IS 8snarcotic.
While 10 Is principally manufactured
for smoking, large quantity Is also
prepared for chewing, and to q more
limited extent IL is taken in the form
OF snuH. Under one or other of these
forms, the use OF tobacco is more wide
spread than Is that of any other
narcotic or stimulant. Although the
fact has been controverted, there can
nOt be doubt that the knowledge 81
tobacco and its uses came to the rest
Of the world from America.
In November 1892 party sent out
by Columbus from the vessels OF his
FIRST expedition TO explore the island
Of Cuba brought back information that
lhey had seen people who carried q
lighted firebrand TO kindle fire, and
perfumed themselves with certain herbs
which they carried along with them.
The habit of snuff taking was OBJ
sarvsA and dS~crtsSa NY Ramon p~aS
Q Franciscan, who accompanied Colum-
-A~ -On hfs SECOND voyage IN I4Y4, and
the practice OF tobacco chewing was
FIRST seen by tho Spaniards on the coast
OF South America in 1902
As tho continent of America was
opened up and explored, IL became
evident that the consumption OF To-
bacco, especially by smoking, was q
universal and immemorial usage, in
many cases bound up with the most
significant and solemn tribal cere-
monies.
The term ~ obacco" appears not TO
have been commonly used original
name for the plant, and 1t has come TO
US from o peculiar instrument used
for inhaling its smoke by the inhabi-
santS OF San Domingo. The instru-
ment described by Oviedo in 1885 con-
sisted OF small hollow wooden tube
shaped like syn, the two points of
which being inserted in the nose of the
smoker, the other end was held into
the smoke of burning tobacco, and
Anus the fumes were inhaled. This an
paretuS tho natives termed "Tabacon:
but 10 must be said that the smoking
pipe OF the continental tribes was en-
tirely different from the imperfect Ia
Daco or smoking apparatus of the
Carribbees.
BeDzoni. G noted traveller. ON the
other hand Whose Travels in Ameri-
ca" was published in 1851 saws that
We Mexican name of the herb was
''Tabecco".
The Tobacco plant, itself, was first
brought 10 Europe in 1853 by Francis
co FeraandeS. physician who had
been sent by Phillig II of Spain 10 in
veStigate the products of Mexico.
Jean Nicot, the French Ambassador
70 Portugal, sent seeds from Mexico
90 the Queen, Catherine do Medici.
The services rendered by Moot in
spreading knowledge OF the plant
have been commemorated in the scien-
tinc name OF the plant "Nicotina"
very often referred to as Nicotinel.
AZ nrst the plant was supposed 70
possess almost miraculous healing
powers and was called by Spenser
Swine tobacco. and ''our holy herb /
Nicotine" by William Lilly.
while the plant came To Europe
snrougn spain. the habit of smoking
was Initiated and spread through
English example. Ralph Lane. the
nrst Governor of Virginia, and Sir
Francis Drake brought with them in
1885 from that first American posses
sion OF the English crown, the imple-
menss and materials of Tobacco smok-
Ing, which they handed over TO Sir
walter Raleigh. Lane Is credited
Win having been the first English
smoker through the influence and ex-
amplNof tho Illustrious Raleigh who
SOCK pipe of tobacco a little before
hs went 20 the Scaffold."
John Role began the culture of To-
oseco at jamestown in 1912 from seed
brought from South America or the |
west Indies, and in 1919 twenty thou
SAND pounds were shipped TO England.
~ appears that the growers learned |
- very early date the inflnence of |
me SOIL, OF the cultural and the curing
methods on the character of leaf Ia.
bacco produced.