A treatise on the culture of the tobacco plant; with the manner in which it is usually cured

GSFT OF
Professor W.A.Setchell

TREATISE

ON THE

CULTURE

OF THE

TOBACCO PLANT.

Price Two Shillings and Sixpence.

.

ti/i-,t /'<?</ ty £trfi,{n

A

TREATISE

ON THE

CULTURE

OF THE

TOBAGGO PLANT;

WITH THE

MANNER in which it is ulually CURED.

ADAPTED TO

NORTHERN CLIMATES,

AND

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF THE

LANDHOLDERS OF GREAT-BRITAIN.

TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED,

Two PLATES OF THE PLANT AND ITS FLOWERS,

BY JONATHAN CARVER, ESQ.

Author of TRAVELS through the interior Parts of

NORTH-AMERICA.

LONDON:

Printed for the AUTHOR,

And fold by J. JOHNSON, in St. Paul's Churchyard.

1779.

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE PRESIDENT,
VICE-PRESIDENTS,

AND

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY

FOR THE

ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS,

MANUFACTURES AND

COMMERCE.

THE Extenfion of every Branch
of ufeful Knowledge being the great
Objeft of the SOCIETY for the Encou-
ragement of ARTS, MANUFACTURES
and COMMERCE, the Author begs
Leave to commit the following
Treatife to their Patronage.

London, March 26th, 1779.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Of the Difcovery and Ufes of Tobacco P. r

CHAPTER II.

A Defcription of the Plant and its Flowers 9

CHAPTER HI.

Of the Soil and Situation mojl proper for
raijing the Plant 13

CHAPTER IV.

Of its Culture, -with a Defcription of the
Worm that annoys it 1 5

C H A P T E R V.

Of the Manner in "which it is ufually cured 28

APPENDIX 35

I

I

<y SL&imn •/'&*««££&„.«( M^/

A TREATISE,

T

CHAPTER I.

Of the Difcovery and Ufes of Tobacco.
OB AC CO, or Tabacco, is a me-

dicinal plant, which remained un-
known to Europeans till the difcovery tff *
America by the Spaniards ; being firft im-
ported from thence about the year 1560.
The Americans of the continent called it
Petun; thofe of the iflands, Yoli. Her-
nandez de Toledo fent it into Spain from
Tabaco, a province of Yucatan, where he

B firft

firft found and learned its ufe j and from
which place he gave it the denomination it
ftill bears.

Sir Walter Raleigh firft introduced the ufe
of it into England, in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, about the year 1585- The
plant was probably known in this kingdom
before that time, by means of the Spaniards
or Portuguefe ; it is however certain, that
he firft taught the English to fmoke it.

The French, on its firft introduction
among them, gave it various names, as Ni-
cotiana, or the Embaflador's Herb, from
John Nicot, who came foon after it was dif-
covered, as embafiador to that court, from
^Francis the Second of Portugal, and brought
fome of it with him ; which he prefente cf to
a grand Prior of the houfe of Lorrain, and
to Queen Catherine de Medicis : on this ac-
count it was fometimes called the Grand
Prior's Herb, and fometimes the Queen's
Herb.

When,

( 3 )

When, or in what manner this plant was
introduced into the oriental nations is uncer-
tain, although it is at prefent in general ufe
among them. Conliderable quantities of it
are likewife cultivated in the Levant, the
coafts of Greece and the Archipelago, in
the ifland of Malta and in Italy.

Tobacco is termed, by botanifts, Nicoti-

•

ana ; and is arranged by them as a genus of
the Pentandria Monogynia clafs of plants.
It is fometimes ufed medicinally; but being
very powerful in its operations, this rnuft
be done with great caution. The moft com-
mon ufes of it are, either as a fternutatory
when taken by way of fhuff, as a mafticatory
by chewing it in the mouth, or as an efflu-
via by fmoking it; and when ufed with
moderation is not an unhealthy amufement,
whether it replenifhes the humble pouch of
the ruftic, or the golden box of the cour-
tier.

Before pipes were invented, it was ufually

fmoked in fegars, and they are ftill in ufe

B ^ among

( 4 )

among fome of the fouthern nations. The
method of preparing thefe is at once fimplc
and expeditious : a leaf of tobacco being
formed into a fmall twifted roll fomewhat
larger than the ftem of a pipe, and about eight
inches long, the fmoke is conveyed through
the winding folds, which prevent it from
expanding, as through a tube ; fo that one
end of it being lighted, and the other ap-
plied to the mouth, it is in this form ufed
without much inconvenience : but in procefs
of time, pipes being invented, they were
found more commodious vehicles for the
fmoke, and are now in general ufe.

Among all the productions of foreign
climes introduced into thefe kingdoms,
fcarcely any has been held in higher eftima-
tion by perfons of every rank than tobacco.
In the countries of which it is a native, it is
confidered by the Indians as the moft valua-
ble offering that can be made to the Beings
they worfhip : they ufe it in all their civil
and religious ceremonies. When once its

fpiraj

( 5 )

fpiral wreaths afcend from the feathered pipe
of peace, the compaft that has juft been
made, is confidered as facred and inviolable.
Likewife, when they addrefs their great Fa-
ther, or his guardian Spirits, refiding as they
believe in every extraordinary production of
nature *, they make liberal offerings of
this valuable plant to them, doubting not
but that they fecure thereby the protection
they requeft.

Smoking was at firft fuppofed to be the
only means by which its virtues could be
attained j but at length it was found out
that the juices of it extracted by chewing
were of a cordial nature, alleviating, in la*
borious employments, the cravings of hun-
ger, or the depreffion of fatigue ; and alfo,
that the powder of it received into the head
through the noftrils, in moderate quantities,
was a falubrious and refrefhing fternutatory.
For thefe purpofes, the Americans inhabit-

* Vide Travels into the interior parts of North-
America, chap. 13, page 382.

ing

( 6 )

ing the interior fettlements manufacture it
in the following eafy manner. Being pof-
feffed of a tobacco-wheel, which is a very
fimple machine, they fpin the leaves, after
they are properly cured, into a twift of any
Cze they think fit, and having folded it into
rolls of about twenty pounds weight each,
they lay it by for ufe. In this flate it will
keep for feveral years, and be continually
improving, as it every hour grows milder.
When they have occafion to ufe it, they
take off fuch a length as they think necef-
fary, which, if defigned for fmoking, they
cut into fmall pieces, for chewing into
longer, as choice direds j if they intend to
make fnuff of it they take a quantity from
the roll, and laying it in a room where a fire
is kept, in a day or two it will become dry,
and being rubbed on a grater will produce a
genuine fnuff. Thofe, in more improved
regions, who like their fnuff fcented, may
apply to it fuch odoriferous waters as they
can procure, or think moft pleafing.

The

( 7 )

The Illinois ufually form it into carots,
which is done by laying a number of leaves,
when cured, on each other, after the ribs
have been taken out, and rolling them round
with packthread, till they become cemented
together. Thefe rolls commonly meafure
about eighteen or twenty inches long, and
nine round in the middle part. But as many
other methods are at prefent well known in
England, that probably anfwer the purpofe
full as well as thefe, it is almoft unneceffary
to defcribe them.

Thefe directions are here given for the
benefit of thofe who raife tobacco for their
own ufe, and chufe to make their fnuff with-
out applying to the manufa&urer for it.

Among the articles of commerce tobacco
holds a diftinguifhed rank, and affords no
inconfiderable addition to the revenues of
the ftate. Before the prefent unhappy dif-
fentions broke out between Great-Britain
and America, about ninety-fix thoufand
hogfheads were annually imported from

Maryland

( 8 )

Maryland and Virginia. Thirteen thoufand
five hundred of which were confumed at
home; the duty of which, at the rate of
267. ij-. per hogfhead, amounted to 351,7657.
The remaining eighty-two thoufand, five
hundred hogfheads were exported to various
parts of Europe, and their value received in
fpecie, or the produce of thofe countries.

To the ufes already enumerated, I fhall
add another to which tobacco might be ap-
plied, that I believe has never been made
known to Europeans, and which will render
it much more eftimable than any of the fore-
going. It has been found by the Americans
to anfwer the purpofe of tanning leather, as
well, if not better, than bark ; and was not
the latter fo plentiful in their country would
be generally ufed by them inftead of it. I
have been witnefs to many experiments
wherein it has proved fuccefsful, efpecially
on the thinner forts of hides, and can fafely
pronounce it to be, in countries where bark
is fcarce, a valuable fubflitute for that article.

CHAP.

( 9 )

CHAPTER II.

A Defer iption of the Plant and its F lower s*

H E R E are feveral fpecies of the To-
bacco Plant, and thefe are chiefly dif-
tinguifhable by their flowers, and the junc-
tion of the leaves to the ftalks ; but as this
is not intended for a Botanical Treatife, I
fhall confine my defcription to thofe forts
which are cultivated in the colonies for ex-
portation : thefe are two ; the Oronokoe and
the fweet-fcented -y which differ from each
other in no refpecS but in the fhape of their
leaves, thofe of the former being longer and
narrower than the latter. Both are tall,
herbaceous plants, of an ereft growth and
noble foliage, rifing each with a ftrong ftem
(in their native foil) to the height of from
fix to nine feet. The ftalk is upwards of
an inch diameter near the root, and fnr-
rounded with a kind of hairy or velvet,
C clammy

clammy fubftance, of a yellowifh green co-
lour. The leaves, which are rather of a
deeper green, grow to the ftalk alternately,
at the diftance of about two or three inches
from each other. They are oblong, of a
fpear-ihaped-oval, and fimple 5 without pe-
dicles embracing the ftalk by an auriculated
bafe. The largeft are about twenty inches
long, decreafing in fize as they afcend, till
they are not longer than ten inches, and
nearly half as broad. The face of the leaves
is much undulated, or corrugated, not un-
like thofe of fpinnage when full ripe. In
their firft ftate, at the time they do not ex-
ceed five or fix inches, the leaves are ufu-
allyof a full green, and rather fmooth, but
as they increafe in fize they acquire a yel-
lowifh caft and become rougher.

The ftem and branches are terminated by
large bunches of flowers, collefted intoclufters
of a delicate red, the edges, when quite blown,
inclining to a pale purple. The flowers

con-

( II )

continue in fucceffion until the end of fum-
mer, when they make room for the feed.
Thefe are of a brown colour, kidney-fhaped,
and very fmall, each capfule generally con-
taining about a thoufand, and the whole
produce of a fingle plant is eftimated at three
hundred and fifty thoufand. The feeds are
ufually ripe in the month of September,
and when perfectly dry may be rubbed out
and preferved in bags till the following fea-
fon.

The Oronokoe, or, as it is termed by the
feedfmen, the long Virginia, appears to me
to be the fort beft fuited to bear the rigour of
a northern climate, the ftrength of the plant,
as well as the fcent and efficacy of the leaves
being greater than the other. The fweeN
fcented flourifhes moft in a fandy foil and
warm countries, where it greatly exceeds
the former in the celerity of its growth ;
and although, as I have before obferved, it
differs from the Oronokoe only in the fhape
C 2 Qf

of its leaves, being fhorter and rounder, yet
it is unlike in its ftrength and flavour, being,
agreeable to its name, much milder and
pleafanter.

As a fpecies of garden plants, the Nicoti-
ana is an ornamental annual for the pleafure
ground, as it attains a majeftic ftature, and
being adorned with fine luxuriant leaves,
and large clufters of pleafing flowers which
terminate all the fhoots, during the autumn
it exhibits an elegant appearance.

For a more compleat idea of the Oronokoe
plant and its flowers, the reader is referred to
the plate prefixed to this Work. But it muft
be obferved, that the number of leaves re-
prefented on the ftalk is not defigned to fervc
as a rule for topping the tobacco, as directed
in the fourth chapter. Only a few of them
are annexed to the ftalk, that the reprefen-
tation of the leaf might be the more com-
pkat.

CHAP.

CHAPTER III.

Of the Soil and Situation mojt proper for
raljing the Plant.

rP H E beft ground for raifing the plant is.
a warm, kindly, rich foil, that is not
fubjedl to be over-run with weeds ; for from
thefe it muft be totally cleared. The foil in
which it grows in its native climate, Virgi-
nia, is inclining to fandy, confequently
warm and light ; the nearer therefore the
nature of the land in which it is planted in
England approaches to that, the greater pro-
bability there is of its flourifhing here.
Other kinds of foils may probably be brought
to fuit it, by a mixture with fome attenu-
ating fpecies of manure, but a knowledge of
this muft be the refult of repeated trials.
It muft however be remembered, that what-
ever manure is added to the foil muft be

thoroughly incorporated with it.

The

( 14 )

The fituation moft preferable for a plan-
Cation is the fouthern declivity of a hill,
rather gradual than abrupt ; or a fpot that
is flickered by a wall, a bank, or any other
means, from the blighting north winds
which fo frequently blow, during the fpring
months, in this ifland : but at the fame
time it is neceflary to obferve, that the
plants muft enjoy a free current of air; for
if that be obftrudted thfcy will not profper.

CHAP.

CHAPTER

Of its Culture, with a Defcription of tht
Worm that annoys it.

S the tobacco plant, being an annual,
is only to be raifed from feed, I would
particularly recommend to fuch as mean to
cultivate it, the greateft care in purchafing
thefe, left by fowing fuch as is not good,
they lofe, with their expedted crop, the fea-
fon. The different forts of the feeds not
being diftinguilhable, like the plants, from
each other, nor the goodnefs to be
afcertained by their appearance, the pur-
chafer, till he has raifed a fupply from
his own cultivation, muft depend on the ve-
racity of the feedfman j who may be alfo
fometimes deceived, having nothing to rely
on but the honour of the perfon who raifed
it : prudence therefore requires that he

fliould

( 16 )

fhould apply to a perfon of character in
that profeffion.

In defcribing the manner in which the
plant ought to be raifed from the feed, as
well as in the fucceeding procefs, I fhall
confine myfelf (without regarding the me-
thods ufually purfued in Virginia or Mary-
land, which, from the difference of the cli-
mate, can be of little fervice here) to the
practice of the northern colonies of America;
as thefe are more parallel in their latitude
to England. And there being even a differ-
ence between the climate of thefe and that
of Great-Britain, to the difadvantage of the
latter (I mean with regard to the cultivation
of the tobacco plant) I fhall minutely attend
to this variation, and in the directions I give
endeavour to guard againfl the inconveni-
ences of it. Thefe inftruftions fhall like-
wife be given in plain and familiar terms,
and not in a language that can be only un-
derftood by the Botanift or Gardener, that
this Treatife may be of general ufe.

About

( 17 )

About the middle of April, or rather
fooner in a forward fpring, (for the feafon
muft be attended to, as this plant will not
bear forcing) fow the feed in beds firft pre-
pared for the purpofe, compofed of fuch
foil as before defcribed, mixed with fome
warm, rich manure. In a cold fpring, re-
gular hot beds would be moil eligible for
this purpofe ; and indeed the Gardeners of
this country are perfuaded, that the Nico-
tania cannot be raifed in any other way ; but
as thefe are feldom to be found in the gar-
den of the farmer, and as I am convinced
that if the weather is not remarkably fevere,
they might be reared without doors, for his
benefit I mall give the following inftrucftions
relative to their treatment.

Having fown the feed in the manner di-
refted, on the leaft apprehenfion of a froft
after the plants appear, it will be neceffary
to fpread mats over the beds, a little elevated
from the ground by poles laid acrofs, that
they may not be crufhed. Thefe how-

D ever

( 18 )

ever muft be removed in the morning foon
after the fun appears, that they may receive
as much benefit as poffible from its warmth,
and from the air. In this manner proceed
till the leaves have attained the fize of about
two inches in length, and one in breadth,
which they will do in about a month after
they are fown, or near the middle of May,
when the frofts ufually are at an end. One
invariable rule for their being able to bear
removal is, when the fourth leaf is fprouted,
and the fifth juft appears.

Then take the opportunity of the firft
rains, or gentle ihowers, to tranfplant them
into fuch a foil and fituation as before de-
fcribed. This muft be done in the follow-
ing manner : The land muft be plowed, or
dug up with fpades, and made as mellow
and light as poffible. Where the plants are
to be placed, raife with the hoe fmall hil-
locks at the diftance of two feet, or a little
more, from each other, taking care that no
hard fods or lumps are in it, and then juft

indent

( '9 )

indent the middle of each, without drilling
holes as for fome other plants.

When your ground is thus prepared, dig
in a gentle manner from their native bed,
fuch plants as are arrived at the ftate before-
mentioned, and drop, as you pafs, one on
every hillock, Infert a plant gently into
each center, preffing the foil around it with
your fingers, and taking the greateft care,
during the operation, that you do not break
off any of the leaves, which are at this time
exquifitely tender. If the weather proves
dry, after they are thus tranfplanted, they
muft be watered with foft water, in the fame
manner as is ufually done to coleworts or
plants of a fimilar kind.

Notwithftanding you now appear to have a
fufficient quantity of plants for thelpace you
intend to cultivate, yet it is neceffary that you
continue to attend to your bed of feedlings,
that you may have enough to fupply any de-
ficiences which, through accident, might;
^rife. From this time great care muft be
D 2 takep

( 20 )

taken to keep the ground foft, and free from
weeds, by often ftirring with your hoe the
mould round the roots ; and to prune off
the dead leaves that fometimes are found near
the bottom of the ftalk;

The difference of this climate from that
in which I have been accuftomed to obferve
the progrefs of this plant, will not permit
me to dired: with certainty the time which
is moft proper to take off the top of it, to
prevent it from running to feed. This
knowledge can only be perfectly acquired
by experience. When it has rifen to up-
wards of two feet, it commonly begins to
put forth the branches on which the flowers
and feeds are produced ; but as this expan-
fion, if fuffered to take place, would drain
the nutriment from the leaves, which are
the moft valuable part, and thereby leffen
their fize arid efficacy, it becomes needful
at this ftage to nip off the extremity of the
ftalk, to, prevent its growing higher. In
fome other climates the top is commonly

cut

( 21 )

cut off when the plant has fifteen leaves,
If the tobacco is intended to be a little
ftronger than ufual, this is done when it has
only thirteen; and fometimes, when it is
chofen to be remarkably powerful, eleven
or twelve leaves only are allowed to expand.
On the contrary, if the planter is defirous
to have his crop very mild, he fuffers it to
put forth eighteen or twenty : but in this
calculation the three or four lower leaves
next the ground, which do not grow fo large
and fine as the others, are not to be reck-
oned.

This is denominated " topping the to-
bacco," and is much better done by the fin-
ger and thumb, than with any inftrument,
becaufe the former clofe, at the fame time,
the pores of the plant; whereas, when it is
done with the latter, the juices are in fome
degree exhaufted. And though this might
appear unimportant, yet every method that
tends to give vigour to the leaves fhould be
carefully purfued.

For

For the fame reafons care muft be taken
to nip off the fprouts that will be continu-
ally fpringing up at the jundlion of the leaves
with theftalks. '" This is termed fuccouring
or fuckering the tobacco," and ought to be
repeated as often as occafion requires.

The laft, and not the leaft concern in the
cultivation of this plant, is the deftrudtion
of the worm that nature has given it for an
enemy, and which, like many other reptiles,
preys on its benefadtor. To deftroy thefe,
which are the only infedls that moleft this
plant, or at leaft to keep them under, for
it is impoffible totally to exterminate them,
every leaf muft be carefully fearched. As
foon as a wound is difcovered, and it will
not be long before it is perceptible, care
muft be taken to deftroy the caufe of it, who
will be found near it, and from his unfub-
ftantial texture, which I fhall defcribe at
the conclufion of this chapter, be eafily
crufhed : but the beft method is to pluck it
away by the horn, and then crufh it. With-
out

( 23 )

out a conftant attention to thefe noxious
infedls, a whole field of plants may be foon
deftroyed ; and even if any of them are left
in the leaves, during the cure, they prove
equally deflrudlive. This is termed " worm-
ing the tobacco;" and as thefe worms are
found moft predominant the latter end of
July, and the beginning of Auguft, they
muft be particularly attended to at that
feafon.

As I have jufh obferved, that it is impof-
fible, without experience, to point put the
due time for topping the plant, fo it is
equally as impoffible to afcertain the time
it will take to ripen in this climate. That
can only be known by future obfervations ;
for as it is at prefent only cultivated in
England as an ornament for the garden, no
attention has, I believe, been hitherto be-
ftowed on the prefer vation of its leaves.
The apparent figns, however, of its matu-
rity are thefe : The leaves, as they approach
a ftate of ripenefs, become more corrugated

or

or rough j ancF -Mien fully ripe, appear
mottled with yellowifh fpots on the raifed
parts, whilft the cavities retain their ufual
green colour. They are, at this time, alfo
thicker than they have before been, and are
covered with a kind of downy velvet, in
the fame manner as the ftalks are defcribed
to be, in the preceding chapter.

If heavy rains happen at this critical pe-
riod, they will wafh this excrefcent fubftance
off, and thereby damage the plants. In
this cafe, if the frofty nights are not begun,
it is proper to let them ftand a few davs
longer -, when, if the weather be more mo-
derate, they will recover this fubftance
again. But if a froft unexpectedly happens
during the night, they muft be carefully
examined in the morning before the fun has
any influence on them ; and thofe which are
found to be covered with frofty particles,
whether thoroughly ripe or not, muft be
cut up : for though they may not all appear
to be arrived at a ftate of maturity, yet they

cannot

cannot be far from it, and will differ but
little in goodnefs from thofe that are per-
fectly fo.

Having now given every inftrudion that
occurs to my memory relative to the cul-
ture of the plant, I fhall proceed, as pro-
pofed, fco defcribe the worm that infefts
it. It is of the horned fpecies, and appears
to be peculiar to this plant -, fo that in many
parts of America it is diftinguiflied by the
name of the Tobacco-Worm. In what
manner it is firft produced, or how propa-
gated, is uncertain ; but doubtlefs by the
fame inexplicable means that nature makes
ufe of to continue the exiftence of many
other claifes of this minute part of the cre-
ation. The firft time it is difcernible, is
when the plants have gained about half their
height : it then appears to be nearly as large
as a gnat $ foon after which it lengthens
into a worm, and by degrees increafes in
magnitude to the fize of a man's finger. In
fhape it is regular from its head to its tail,

E without

( 26 )

without any diminution at either extremity <
indented or ribbed round at equal diftances,
nearly a quarter of an inch from each other,
and having at every one of thefe divifions, a
pair of feet or claws, by which it fattens itfelf
to the plant. Its mouth, like that of the ca-
terpillar, is placed under the fore-part of
the head. On the top of the head, between
the eyes, grows a horn about half an inch
in length, and greatly refembling a thorn ;
the extreme part of which is in colour
brown, of a firm texture, and fharp pointed.
By this horn, as before obferved, it is ufually
plucked from the leaf. It is eafily crufhed,
being only, to appearance, a compofition of
green juice inclofed by a membranous co-
vering, without the internal parts of an ani-
mated being. The colour of its fkin is in
general green, interfperfed with fpots of a
yellowifh white ; and the whole covered
with a fhort hair fcarcely to be difcerned.
To preferve the planter from the ravages of
an infect fo deftrudive to his plantation, as

he

{ 27 )

he will thereby be able to diftinguifh it
with a greater degree of precilion, I have
given in the frontifpiece as exa<5l a repre-
fe$tation of it as can be done from me-
mory.

\,--

1

£2 CHAP.

CHAPTER V.

Of the Manner in which it is ufually cured.

the plant is found, agreeable to
the preceding directions, to be fit for
gathering, on the firft morning that pro-
mifes a fair day, before the fun is rifen,
take an axe or a long knife, and holding the
ftalk near the top with one hand, fever it
from its root with the other, as low as
poffible. Having done this, lay it gently on
the ground, fo as not to break off the leaves,
and there let it remain expofed to the rays of
the fun throughout the day, or until the
leaves are entirely wilted, as it is termed in
America ; that is, till they become limber,
and will bend any way without breaking.

But if, on the contrary, the rain fhould
continue without any intervals, and the
plants appear to be full ripe, they muft be
cut down and houfed immediately. This

muft

muft be done, however, with great care,
that the leaves, which are in this ftate very
brittle, may not be broken. Being placed
under proper fhelter, either in a barn or a
covered hovel, where they cannot be affed:-
ed by the rain or too much air, they muft
be thinly fcattered on the floor, and if the
fun does not appear for feveral days, fo that
they can be laid out again, they muft remain
to wilt in that manner ; which is not indeed
fo defirable as in the fun, nor will the
tobacco prove quite fo good.

When the leaves have acquired the flexi-
bility before defcribed, the plants muft be
laid in heaps, or rather in one heap, if the
quantity be not too great, and in about
twenty-four hours they will be found to
fweat. But during this time, when they
have lain for a little while, and begin to
ferment, it is neceflary to turn them ; bring-
ing thofe which are in the middle to the
furface, and placing thofe which were at the
furface, in the middle, that by this means the
whole quantity may be equally fermented.

The

( 30 )

The longer they lie in this iituation the
darker coloured the tobacco becomes. This
is termed " fweating the tobacco."

After they have lain in this manner for
three or four days, for in a longer time they
may heat fo much as to grow mouldy, the
plants may be fattened together in pairs,
with cords or wooden pegs, near the bottom
of the ftalk, and hung acrofs a pole, with
the leaves fufpended, in the fame covered
place, a proper interval being left between
each pair. In about a month the leaves
will be thoroughly dried, and of a proper
temperature to be taken down. This ftate
may be afcertained by their appearing of
the fame colour as thofe imported from
America, with which few are unacquainted.
But this can be done at no other feafon
than during wet weather j for the tobacco
being a plant greatly abounding with falts,
it is always affeded if there is the leaft hu-
midity in the atmolphere, even though it
be hung in a dry place. If this rule be

not

( 3' )

not obferved, but they are removed in dry
weather, the external parts of the leaves
will crumble into duft, and a confiderable
wafle will attend its removal.

As foon as the plants are taken down,
they muft once more be laid in a heap, and
preffed with heavy logs of wood for about a
week. This climate, however, may require
a longer time. While they remain in
this ftate, it will be neceflary to introduce
your hand frequently into the heap, to dif-
cover whether the heat be not too intenfe ;
for in large quantities this will fometimes be
the cafe, and confiderable damage will ac-
crue from it.

When they are found to heat too much,
that is, when the heat exceeds a moderate
glowing warmth, part of the weight by
which they are comprefled mufl be taken
away; and the caufe being removed, the
effed: will ceafe. This is called "' the fe-
cond or laft fweating," and when compleat-
ed, which it generally will be in about the

time

( 32 )

time juft mentioned, the leaves may be
ftripped from the ftalks for ufe. Many
omit this laft operation, but I think it takes
away any remaining harfhnefs, and renders
the tobacco more mellow. The ftrength
of the ftalk alfo is diffufed by it through the
leaves, and the whole mafs becomes equally
meliorated.

When the leaves are ftripped from the
ftalks, they are to be tied up in bunches or
hands, and kept in a cellar, or any other
place that is damp ; though if not handled
in dry weather, but only during a rainy
feafon, it is of little confequence in what
part of the houfe or barn they are laid up.
At this period the tobacco is thoroughly
cured, and equally as proper for manufac-
turing as that imported from the colonies.

Having gone through the whole procefs,
if it has been properly managed, that raw
fiery tafte fo frequently found in the com-
mon fale tobacco will be totally eradicated,
and though it retains all its ftrength, will

be

( 33 )

be foft and pleafing in its flavour. Thofe
who are curious in their tobacco in the
northern colonies of America fprinkle it,
when made up into the roles for keeping,
defcribed in the firft chapter, with fmall
common white wines or cyder, inftead of
fait water, which gives it an inexpreffibly
fine flavour.

7

..-•

APPENDIX

( 35 )

APPENDIX.

THAT eftrangement which at prefent
fubfifts between Great-Britain and the
American colonies, renders a fupply of
the article of which I treat, and which is
become fo effentially neceffary to the happi-
nefs of a great number of his Majefty's fub-
jedls, very uncertain ; it depends, in a great
meafure, on the prizes, freighted with this
commodity, that happen to be taken, and
on the quantities which are imported from
other commercial ftates at a high price. It
is therefore to be hoped that the legiflature
will take into consideration fo important a
concern, and purfue fuch meafures as will
F 2 conduce

( 36 )

conduce to remove this uncertainty. A re-
medy is at hand ; that of cultivating it in
thefe kingdoms ; but this appears to be pro-
hibited by the following ancient adls. of
parliament :

In an a& of Charles the Second, entitled,
" An aft for prohibiting the planting, fet-
" ting, or fowing tobacco in England and
" Ireland," the prohibition is thus expref-
fed : " Your Majefty's loyal and obedient
" fubje&s, the Lords and Commons in this
" prefent parliament aflembled, confidering
" of how great concern and importance it
" is, that the colonies and plantations of
" this kingdom in America, be defended,
" protected, maintained, and kept up, and
" that all due and poffible encouragement
" be given unto them ; and that not only
" in regard great and confiderable domi-
S( nions and countries have been thereby
" gained, and added to the imperial crown
" of this realm, but for that the ftrength
" and welfare of this kingdom, do very much

66 depend

( 37 )

depend upon them, in regard of the em-
ployment of a very coniiderable part of
its (hipping and feamen, and of the vent
of very gre'at quantities of its native com-
" modifies and manufactures, as alfo of its
" fupply with feveral confiderable commo-
" dities which it was wont formerly to have
" only from foreigners, and at far dearer
" rates : And forafmuch as tobacco is one
" of the main produces of feveral of thofe
" plantations, and upon which their wel-
" fare and fubfiftence, and the navigation
" of this kingdom, and vent of its commo-
" dities thither, do much depend ; and in
" regard it is found by experience, That by
" the planting of tobacco in thefe parts
".your Majefty is deprived of a confiderable
" part of your revenue arifmg by cufloms
" upon imported tobacco ; Do moft humbly
" pray, That it may be enacted by your
" Majeily : And it is hereby enacted by the
" King's Moft Excellent Majefty, and the
" Lords and Commons in this prefent pat-

" liament

( 38 )

" liament affembled, and by authority of
** the fame, That no perfon or perfons
" whatfoever, fhall or do from and after
" the firft day of January, in the year of
" our Lord One Thoufand Six Hundred
'* and Sixty, fet, plant, improve to grow,
" make or cure any tobacco either in feed,
€t plant, or otherwife, in or upon any
" ground, earth, field, or place within the
" kingdom of England, dominion of Wales,
" iflands of Guernfey or Jerfey, or town of
" Berwick upon Tweed, or in the king-
" dom of Ireland, under the penalty of the
" forfeiture of all fuch tobacco, or the
" value thereof, or of the fum of forty fhil-
" lings for every rod or pole of ground fo
« planted, fet or fown as aforefaid, and fo
" proportionably for a greater or leffcr
" quantity of ground ; one moiety thereof
" to his Majefly, his heirs and fucceflbrs 5
'* and the other moiety to him or them that
** fliall fue for the fame, td be recovered
" by bill, plaint, or information in any

" court

*«

ct

( 39 )

ff court of record, wherein no effoign, pro-
' f teftiqn or wager in law fhall be allowed.

^ Provided always and it is hereby enac-
«* ted, That this aft, nor any thing therein
" contained, fhall extend to the hindering
•*f of the planting of tobacco in any phyfic
garden of either univerfity, or in any
other private garden for phyfic or chy-
rurgery, only fo as the quantity fo plant-
*' ed exceed not half of one pole in any one
** place or garden."

In this aft all fheriffs, juflices of the
peace, or other officers, upon information
or complaint made unto them, are empow-
ered to caufe to be burnt, plucked up, con-
fumed or utterly deftroyed all fuch tobacco,
fet, fown, planted or growing within their
jurifdiftion. But it not proving forcible
enough to prevent the cultivation of tobacco ;
in the fifteenth year of the reign of the faid
K.ing, a claufe was inferted in an aft, en-
titled, '< An aft for the encouragement of
trade," to the following purport, claufe 18.

'• And

( 4° )

ft And forafmuch as planting and making
*' tobacco within the kingdom of England
** doth continue and encreafe, to the appa-
(f rent lofs of his faid Majefty in his cuftoms,
" the difcouragement of the Englifh plan-
" tations in the parts beyond the feas, and
<* prejudice of this kingdom in general,
" notwithftanding an aft of parliament
" made in the twelfth year of his faid Ma-
" jefty's reign for prevention thereof, en-
«< tituled, An aft for prohibiting the plant-
" ing, fetting or fowing of tobacco in Eng-
" land and Ireland *9 and forafinuch as it is
" found by experience, that the reafon why
«c the faid planting and making of tobacco
" doth continue, is, That the penalties
" prefcribed and appointed by that law are
" fo little, as to have neither power or effect
<e over the tranfgreflbrs thereof 3 For remedy
" therefore of fo great an evil, Be itenafted
" by the authority aforefaid, That all and
" every the perfon or perfons whatfoever,
<c that do, or ihall at any time hereafter

« fet,

(t

<c

fet, plant or fovv any tobacco in feed,
plant or otherwife, in or upon any ground,
field, earth, or place within the kingdom
of England, &c. fhall, over and above
the penalty of the faid aft for that pur*
pofe ordained, for every fuch offence for-
feit and pay the fum of ten pounds for
every rod or pole of ground that he or
they fhall fo plant, fet, or fow with to-
<e bacco, and fo proportionably for a greater
" or lefler quantity of ground ; one third
" part thereof to the King, one other third
" part to the poor of fuch refpeftive parifh or
" parishes wherein fuch tobacco fhall be fo
" planted, and the other third thereof to
" him or them that fhall fue for the fame/'
" Phyfic gardens excepted as before/'

This penalty alfo proving infufficient to
put a flop to the cultivation, it was found
neceffary in the twcnty-fecond year of the
reign of the faid Charles the Second to en-
force it by the following aft, entitled,
" An aft to prevent the planting of tobacco
G " in

Cf

t(

( 42 )

" in England, and regulating the plantation
" trade."

" Whereas the fowing, fetting, planting
" and curing of tobacco, within divers parts
" of the kingdom of England, doth conti-
nue and increafe, to the apparent lofs of
his Majefty's cuftoms, and the difcou-
ragement of his Majcfty's plantations in
" America, and great prejudice of the trade
" and navigation of this realm, and the vent
" of its commodities thither, notwithftand-
" ing an aft of parliament made in the
" twelfth year of his Majefty's reign that
" now is, for the prevention thereof, enti-
" tied, ' An aft for prohibiting the plant-
' ing, fetting, or fowing of tobacco in
' England and Ireland/ " And alfo one
<c other aft of this prefent parliament, made
" in the fifteenth year of his faid Majefty's
" reign, entitled, 6 An aft for the encou-
* ragement of trade/

" And forafmuch as the remedies and
" provifions by thefe laws are found not

" large

( 43 )

" large enough to obviate and prevent the
" planting thereof, Be it therefore ena&ed
« by the King's Moft Excellent Majefty,
*' by and with the advice and confent of the
" Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com-
" mons in Parliament affembled, and by
" the authority of the fame, That from
*' and after the firft day of May, which fhalj.
" be in the year of our Lord, One Thou-
" fand Six Hundred and Seventy-one, all
*' juftices of the peace, within their feveral
*€ limits and jurifdiftions, fhall and do, a
*' month before every general quarter-fef-
" fions to be holden for their refpective
<f counties, iffue forth their warrants to all
<( high-conftables, petty-conftables, and
(e tythiqg-men, within their feveral limits,
<c thereby requiring the faid high-confta-
" bles, petty-conftables and tything-men,
" and every of them, to make diligent fearch
" and inquifition, what tobacco is then
" fown, fet, planted, growing, curing,
<c cured or made within their feveral and
G 2 <f re-

(C

( 44 )

refpedlive limits and jurifdidlions, and
by whom ; and to make a true and lawful
prefentment in writing upon oath, at the
next general quarter-fefiions to be holden
for fuch county, of the names of all fuch
perfons as have fown, fet, planted, cured
or made any tobacco ; and what the full
quantity of land is, or was fown, fet or
<e planted therewith, and who are the im-
" mediate tenant or tenants, or prefent oc-
" cupiers of the land fo fown, fet or plant-
" ed, who are or {hall be deemed planters
" thereof, to all intents and purpofes.

" Which faid prefentment upon oath,
u fhall be received and filed by the clerk
" of the faid county in open feflions \ and
<f after fuch receipt and filing, fhall be a
" fufficient convi&ion in law to all intents
and purpofes, of all fuch perfons as fhall
be fo prefented for the fowing, fetting,
planting, improving to grow, making or
curing tobacco, either in feed, plant,
leaf, or otherwife, contrary to the faid

" recited

( 45 )

ft recited aft or either of them ; unlefs fuch
f perfon or perfons fo prefented fhall, ac-
" cording to the ufual forms, traverfe fuch
'f prefentment.

f c And it is hereby further enafted, That
!" all conftables, ty thing-men, bailiffs, and
*' other public officers, fhall and do within
fc their refpeftive jurifdiftions, from time to
** time, as often as occafion fhall require,
*' within fourteen days after warrant from
!' two or more of the juftices of the peace
f within fuch county, town, city or place,
?' to them, calling to their affiftance fuch
?* perfon or perfons as they and every of
fc them fhall find convenient and necefTary,
" pluck up, burn, confume, tear to pieces,
V and utterly deftroy, all tobacco feed,
" plant, leaf, planted, fowed, or growing
" in any field, earth or ground."

The other claufes relative to the cultiva-
tion of tobacco in this aft, are, " A penalty
" on the officers of five {hillings for every
'? rod, perch, or pole of ground fo fet,

" planted,

( 46 )

/' planted, or fowed with tobacco,
** fhall be fuffered or permitted to grow or
" be confumed in feed, plant or leaf, with-
" in their jurifdiftion, by the fpace of
*' fourteen days after the receipt of fuch
" warrant or warrants." " A penalty for
*' refufing to aflift the officers, and alfo for
" refitting them." And after making the
fame provifion as before for the phyfic gar-:
dens, and reciting many other articles for
regulating the plantation trade, the aft thus
concludes : " Provided always, and be it
*' enafted. That this aft (hall continue in
«* force for nine years, and from thence to
" the next feffion of parliament, and no
" longer."

By an aft made the fifth of George the
Firft, thefe afts are confirmed and rendered
perpetual.

The repeated inforcement of them feems
to prove, that large quantities of tobacco
were raifed at that period in thefe domi-
nions, and that even the penalty of ten

pounds

( 47 )

pounds per rod was not fuffieient to deter
perfons from the cultivation of it.

As an application hasjuft been made to
parliament for an aft to permit the growth
of it in Ireland, the obfervations made in
this Treatife will not, I flatter myfelf, be
thought unworthy the notice of the legifla-
ture, that fo advantageous a branch of agri-
culture may not be confined to one divifioa
of Great-Britain, but that every part of
thefe united kingdoms may be allowed to
fhare in the emoluments arifing from it.

The advantages which will proceed from
the permiffion, are too many to be enumerated
in fo fhort a Work. Whether a fuffieient
quantity can be raifed in thefe kingdoms to
fupply the demand there was for it before
the American trade became interrupted, (as
a revival of the demand will be the certain
confequence of a reduction of the price)
time alone can difcover : but if enough be
only raifed for home confumption, this

will

( 48 )

will be no inconfiderable faving to the aa-
tion.

When the very great profits, arifing to
the planter from every acre of tobacco,
come to be known, (they will appear chi-
merical if I inform my readers to what they
amount) I doubt not but that tobacco will
be confidered as the moft valuable branch of
agriculture which can be attended to. An
emulation, heightened by the profped: of
gain, being once excited in the breafls of
the landholders of thefe kingdoms, large
tracks of land that now lie unimproved, will
be cultivated, and, after fome years, enough
may probably be raifed to anfwer the ufual
demands for exportation.

By this means the revenue, which has
been fo greatly diminished by the unhappy
diviiions between Great-Britain and the co-
lonies, will be in a great meafure reftored.
The duties to be collected for this purpofe
may either be laid on the plants before they
are gathered, or during the time of cure,

as

( 49 )

as on the article of malt ; the colledion of
which would be attended with very little
additional expence, and probably, at no
diftant period, amount to as much as was
heretofore received on imported tobacco.
When the happy aera arrives that will unite
once more Great-Britain to the American
colonies (an event, I fear, more to be wifti-
ed than expected) and a constant uninter-
rupted fupply of this neceffary exotic pro-
vided, the wonted reftraint might be re~
newed, as far as is confiftent with the fitu-
ation of both countries at that time.

By purfuing the rules laid down in the
preceding chapters, which I have endea-
voured to give in as explicit terms as poffi-
ble, country gentlemen and landholders in
general will be enabled to raife much bet-
ter tobacco than that which is ufually im-
ported from Maryland or Virginia : for not-
withftanding there are not wanting prohi-
bitory laws in thofe countries to prevent the
planters from fending to market any but the
H prin-

( 50 )

principal leaves, yet as moft other commo-
dities are fubjedi to abufe or adulteration,
they Frequently, to increafe their profit,
fuffer the fprouts to grow, and mix the
fmaller leaves of thefe with the others, which
renders them much inferior in goodnefs.

The crops that I have reafon to believe
may be raifed in England, will greatly ex-
ceed in flavour and efficacy any that is im-
ported from the fouthern colonies : for
though northern climates require far more
care and exadlnefs to cultivate and bring
tobacco to a proper ftate of maturity than
warmer latitudes, yet this tardinefs of growth
tends to impregnate the plants with a greater
quantity of falts, and confequently of that
aromatic flavour for which it is prized,
than is to be found in the produce of hotter
climes, where it is brought to a ftate of
perfection, from the feed, in half the time
required in colder regions.

A pound of tobacco raifed in New-Eng-
land or Nova-Scotia is fuppofed to contain

as

( 5' )

as much real ftrength as two pounds of Vir-
ginia; and I doubt not but that near double
the quantity of falts might be extracted from
it by a chymical procefs.

Good tobacco, the produce of the north-
ern colonies, is powerful, aromatic, and
has a moft pleafing flavour. The fumes of
it are invigorating to the head, and leave not
that naufea on the ftomach that the common
fort does. As much time would be required
to fmoke one pipe of it, as three of that
which is generally ufed : before fo great a
quantity of the vapour could be drawn from
it as to prove hurtful, the fmoker, from in-
toxication, would be unable to continue his
amufement. I can truly fay, after a refi-
dence of feveral years in England, that I
never met with any tobacco, though I fre-
quently fmoke, that in ftrength or the deli-
cacy of its flavour, is to be compared with
that which I have been accuftorned to in
New-England.

H 2 Many

( 52 )

Many authors have given accounts of the
bad effeds proceeding from an immoderate
ufe of tobacco. Borrhi mentions a perfon,
who through excefs of fmoking, had dried
his brain to fo great a degree, that after his
death there was nothing found in his fkull
but a fmall black lump confifting of mere
membranes. From the ufe of good tobacco
this could not have happened ; for, as I
have juft obferved, the 'fumes which only
prove noxious from an immoderate continu-
ance, could not have been repeated fo often
as to produce fuch dreadful effects.

To the inilrudions already given I fliall
add, that I would advife the planter, in his
firft trials, not to be too avaricious, but to
top his plants before they have gained their
utmoft height; leaving only about the mid-
dle quantity of leaves direded before, to
give it a tolerable degree of flrength. For
though this, if exceffive, might be abated
during the cure, by an increafe of fweating,
or be remedied the next feafon by more

leaves

( 53 )

leaves being fuffered to grow, it can never
be added ; and without a certain degree,
the tobacco will always be taftelefs and of
little value. On the contrary, though it
be ever fa much weakened by fweating, and
thereby rendered mild, yet it will never
lofe that aromatic flavour which accompa-
nied that ftrength, and which greatly adds
to its value.

In the directions before given for railing
the plants from the feed, I have omitted to
mention the fize of the beds on which
a fpecified number of them may be pro-
duced. I apprehend that a fquare yard
of land, for which a very fmall quantity of
feed is fufficient, they being fo diminutive,
will produce about five hundred plants, and
allow proper fpace for their nurture till they
are fit to tranfplant.

I fliall alfo juft add, though the example
can only be followed in particular parts of
thefe kingdoms, that the Americans ufually
chufe for the place where they intend to

make

( 54 )

make the feedling-bed, part of a copfe, or
a fpot of ground covered with wood, of
which they burn down fuch a portion as
they think neceffary. Having done this,
they rake up the fubjacent mould, and
mixing it with the afhes thus produced, fow
therein the feed, without adding any other
manure, or taking any other fteps. Where
this method cannot be purfued (though it
is much the beft, as it deftroys at the fame
time the weeds) wood afhes, which are moft
proper manure for this purpofe, may be
ftrewed over the mould in which the feed
is defigned to be fown.

The Author prefumes that the preceding
inftruftions will be found fufficient for any
perfon inclined to enter upon the cultivation
of tobacco ; yet if any nobleman or gentle-
man wifhes to confult him upon the fubjedt,
he will give his attendance on receiving a
line at his Publifher's.

FINIS,