Tobacco, a genus of plants belonging to the pentandria class, and in the natural method ranking under the 28th order, Lurida. See Botany Index.—There are seven species, of which the most remarkable is the tabacum, or common tobacco plant. This was first discovered in America by the Spaniards about the year 1560, and by them imported into Europe. It had been used by the inhabitants of America long before; and was called by those of the islands yohi, and paten by the inhabitants of the continent. It was sent into Spain from Tabaco, a province of Yucatan, where it was first discovered, and from whence it takes its common name. Sir Walter Raleigh, it is generally said, first introduced it into England about the year 1585, and taught his countrymen how to use it. Dr Cotton Mather, however, (in his Christian Philosopher) says, that in the above year one Mr Lane carried over some of it from Virginia, which was the first time it had ever been seen in Europe. Tobacco is commonly used among the oriental nations, though it is uncertain by whom it was introduced among them. Considerable quantities of it are cultivated in the Levant, on the coasts of Greece and the Archipelago, in Italy, and in the island of Malta.

There are two varieties of that species of nicotiana which is cultivated for common use, and which are distinguished by the names of Oronokoe, and sweet-scented tobacco. They differ from each other only in the figure of their leaves; those of the former being longer and narrower than the latter. They are tall herbaceous plants, growing erect with fine foliage, and rising with a strong stem from six to nine feet high. The stalk near the root is upward of an inch diameter, and surrounded with a kind of hairy or velvet clammy substance, of a yellowish green colour. The leaves are rather of a deeper green, and grow alternately at the distance of two or three inches from each other. They are oblong, of a spear-shaped oval, and simple; the largest about 20 inches long, but decreasing in size as they ascend, till they come to be only 10 inches long, and about half as broad. The face of the leaves is much corrugated, like those of spinach when full ripe. Before they come to maturity, when they are about five or six inches long, the leaves are generally of a full green, and rather smooth; but as they increase in size, they become rougher, and acquire a yellowish cast. The stem and branches are terminated by large bunches of flowers collected into clusters, of a delicate red; the edges, when full blown, inclining to a pale purple. They continue in succession till the end of the summer; when they are succeeded by seeds of a brown colour, and kidney-shaped. These are very small, each capsule containing about 1000; and the whole produce of a single plant is reckoned at about 350,000. The seeds ripen in the month of September.

Mr Carver informs us, that the Oronokoe, or, as it is called, the long Virginian tobacco, is the kind best suited for bearing the rigour of a northern climate, the strength as well as the scent of the leaves being greater than that of the other. The sweet-scented sort flourishes most in a sandy soil, and in a warm climate, Nicotiana where it greatly exceeds the former in the celerity of its growth; and is likewise, as its name intimates, much more mild and pleasant.

Culture.—Tobacco thrives best in a warm, kindly, rich soil, that is not subject to be overrun by weeds. In Virginia, the soil in which it thrives best is warm, light, and inclining to be sandy; and therefore, if the plant is to be cultivated in Britain, it ought to be planted in a soil as nearly of the same kind as possible. Other kinds of soil might probably be brought to suit it, by a mixture of proper manure; but we must remember, that whatever manure is made use of, must be thoroughly incorporated with the soil. The best situation for a tobacco plantation is the southern declivity of a hill, rather gradual than abrupt, or a spot that is sheltered from the north winds: but at the same time it is necessary that the plants enjoy a free air; for without that they will not prosper.

As tobacco is an annual plant, those who intend to cultivate it ought to be as careful as possible in the choice of the seeds; in which, however, with all their care, they may be sometimes deceived. The seeds are to be sown about the middle of April, or rather sooner in a forward season, in a bed prepared for this purpose of such soil as has been already described, mixed with some warm rich manure. In a cold spring, hot beds are most eligible for this purpose, and gardeners imagine that they are always necessary: but Mr Carver tells us, that he is convinced, when the weather is not very severe, the tobacco seeds may be raised without doors; and for this purpose gives us the following directions.

Having sown the seed in the manner above directed, on the least apprehension of a frost after the plants appear, it will be necessary to spread mats over the beds, a little elevated from the ground by poles laid across, that they may not be crushed. These, however, must be removed in the morning, soon after the sun appears, that they may receive as much benefit as possible from its warmth and from the air. In this manner proceed till the leaves have attained about two inches in length and one in breadth; which they will do in about a month after they are sown, or near the middle of May, when the frosts are usually at an end. One invariable rule for their being able to bear removal is, when the fourth leaf is sprouted, and the fifth just appears. Then take the opportunity of the first rains or gentle showers to transplant them into such a soil and situation as before described; which must be done in the following manner.—The land must be ploughed, or dug up with spades, and made as mellow and light as possible. When the plants are to be placed, raise with the hoe small hillocks at the distance of two feet or a little more from each other, taking care that no hard sods or lumps are in it; and then just indent the middle of each, without drilling holes, as for some other plants.

When your ground is thus prepared, dig in a gentle manner from their native bed such plants as have attained the proper growth for transplanting above mentioned; and drop, as you pass, one on every hillock. Insert a plant gently into each centre, pressing the soil around gently with your fingers; and taking the greatest care, during the operation, that you do not break off any of the leaves, which are at this time exquisitely tender. If the weather proves dry after they are thus transplanted, they must be watered with soft water, in the same manner as is usually done to coleworts, or plants of a similar kind. But though you now seem to have a sufficient quantity of plants for the space you intend to cultivate, it is yet necessary that you continue to attend to your bed of seedlings, that you may have enough to supply any deficiencies which through accident may arise. From this time great care must be taken to keep the ground soft and free from weeds, by often stirring with your hoe the mould round the roots; and to prune off the dead leaves that sometimes are found near the bottom of the stalk.

The difference of this climate from that in which I have been accustomed to observe the progress of this plant, will not permit me to direct with certainty the time which is most proper to take off the top of it, to prevent it from running to seed. This knowledge can only be acquired by experience. When it has risen to the height of more than two feet, it commonly begins to put forth the branches on which the flowers and seeds are produced; but as this expansion, if suffered to take place, would drain the nutriment from the leaves, which are the most valuable part, and thereby lessen their size and efficacy, it becomes needful at this stage to nip off the extremity of the stalk to prevent its growing higher. In some other climates, the top is commonly cut off when the plant has 15 leaves; but if the tobacco is intended to be a little stronger than usual, this is done when it has only 13; and sometimes, when it is designed to be remarkably powerful, 11 or 12 are only allowed to expand. On the contrary, if the planter is desirous of having his crop very mild, he suffers it to put forth 18 or 20: but in this calculation, the three or four lower leaves next the ground, which do not grow so large and fine as the others, are not to be reckoned.

This operation, denominated topping the tobacco, is much better performed by the finger and thumb than with any instrument; because the grasp of the fingers closes the pores of the plant; whereas, when it is done by instruments, the juices are in some degree exhausted. Care must also be taken to nip off the sprouts that will be continually springing up at the junction of the leaves with the stalks. This is termed succouring, or snicking, the tobacco; and ought to be repeated as often as occasion requires.

As it is impossible to ascertain the due time for topping the plant, so it is equally impossible, without experiment, to ascertain the time it will take to ripen in this country. The apparent signs of its maturity are these: The leaves, as they approach a state of ripeness, become more corrugated or rough; and when fully ripe, appear mottled with yellowish spots on the raised parts; whilst the cavities retain their usual green colour. They are at this time also thicker than they have been before; and are covered with a downy velvet, like that formerly mentioned, on the stalks. If heavy rains happen at this critical period, they will wash off this excrement substance, and thereby damage the plants. In this case, if the frosty nights are not begun, it is proper to let them stand a few days longer; when, if the weather be moderate, they will recover this substance again. But if a frost unexpectedly happens during, Nicetiana, ring the night, they must be carefully examined in the morning, before the sun has any influence upon them; and those which are found to be covered with frosty particles, whether thoroughly ripe or not, must be cut up; for though they may not all appear to be arrived at a state of maturity, yet they cannot be far from it, and will differ but little in goodness from those that are perfectly so."

Tobacco is subject to be destroyed by a worm; and without proper care to exterminate this enemy, a whole field of plants may soon be lost. This animal is of the horned species, and appears to be peculiar to the tobacco plant; so that in many parts of America it is distinguished by the name of the tobacco worm. In what manner it is first produced, or how propagated, is unknown: but it is not discernible till the plants have attained about half their height; and then appears to be nearly as large as a gnat. Soon after this it lengthens into a worm; and by degrees increases in magnitude to the bigness of a man's finger. In shape it is regular from its head to its tail, without any diminution at either extremity. It is indented or ribbed round at equal distances, nearly a quarter of an inch from each other; and having at every one of these divisions a pair of feet or claws, by which it fastens itself to the plant. Its mouth, like that of the caterpillar, 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 long, and greatly resembling a thorn; the extreme part of which is of a brown colour, a firm texture, and the extremity sharp pointed. It is easily crushed; being only, to appearance, a collection of green juice enclosed in a membranaceous covering, without the internal parts of an animated being. The colour of its skin is in general green, interspersed with several spots of a yellowish white; and the whole covered with a short hair scarcely to be discerned. These worms are found the most predominant during the latter end of July and the beginning of August; at which time the plants must be particularly attended to, and every leaf carefully searched. As soon as a wound is discovered, and it will not be long before it is perceptible, care must be taken to destroy the cause of it, which will be found near it, and from its unsubstantial texture may easily be crushed; but the best method is to pull it away by the horn, and then crush it.

When the tobacco is fit for being gathered, as will appear from an attention to the foregoing directions, on the first morning that promises a fair day, before the sun is risen, take an axe or a long knife, and holding the stalk near the top with one hand, sever it from its root with the other, as low as possible. Lay it gently on the ground, taking care not to break off the leaves, and there let it remain exposed to the rays of the sun throughout the day, or until the leaves, according to the American expression, are entirely wilted: that is, till they become limber, and will bend any way without breaking. But if the weather should prove rainy without any intervals of sunshine, and the plants appear to be fully ripe, they must be housed immediately. This must be done, however, with great care, that the leaves, which are in this state very brittle, may not be broken. They are next to be placed under proper shelter, either in a barn or covered hovel, where they cannot be affected by rain or too much air, thinly scattered on the floor; and if the sun does not Nicetiana appear for several days, they must be left to wilt in that manner; but in this case the quality of the tobacco will not be quite so good.

When the leaves have acquired the above-mentioned flexibility, the plants must be laid in heaps, or rather in one heap if the quantity is not too great, and in about 24 hours they will be found to sweat. But during this time, when they have lain for a little while, and begin to ferment, it will be necessary to turn them; bringing those which are in the middle to the surface, and placing those which are at the surface in the middle. The longer they lie in this situation, the darker coloured is the tobacco; and this is termed sweating the tobacco. After they have lain in this manner for three or four days, (for a longer continuance might make the plants turn mouldy), they may be fastened together in pairs with cords or wooden pegs, near the bottom of the stalk, and hung across a pole, with the leaves suspended in the same 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 state may be ascertained by their appearing of the same colour with those imported from America. But this can be done only in wet weather.—The tobacco is exceedingly apt to attract the humidity of the atmosphere, which gives it a pliability that is absolutely necessary for its preservation; for if the plants are removed in a very dry season, the external parts of the leaves will crumble into dust, and a considerable waste will ensue.

Cure.—As soon as the plants are taken down, they must again be laid in a heap, and pressed with heavy logs of wood for about a week; but this climate may possibly require a longer time. While they remain in this state, it will be necessary to introduce your hand frequently into the heap, to discover whether the heat be not too intense; for in large quantities this will sometimes be the case, and considerable damage will be occasioned by 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 pressed must be taken away; and the cause being removed, the effect will cease. This is called the second or last sweating; and, when completed, which it generally will be about the time just mentioned, the leaves must be stripped from the stalks for use. Many omit this last sweating; but Mr Carver thinks that it takes away any remaining harshness, and renders the tobacco more mellow. The strength of the stalk also is diffused by it through the leaves, and the whole mass becomes equally mellowed.—When the leaves are stripped from the stalks, they are to be tied up in bunches or hands, and kept in a cellar or other damp place; though if not handled in dry weather but only during a rainy season, it is of little consequence in what part of the house or barn they are laid up. At this period the tobacco is thoroughly cured, and as proper for manufacturing as that imported from the colonies.

Our author advises the tobacco planter, in his first trials, not to be too avaricious, but to top his plants before they have gained their utmost height; leaving only about the middle quantity of leaves directed before to give it a tolerable degree of strength. For though Nicotiana, this, if excessive, might be abated during the cure by an increase of sweating, or be remedied the next season by suffering more leaves to grow; it can never be added; and, without a certain degree of strength, the tobacco will always be tasteless and of little value. On the contrary, though it be ever so much weakened by sweating, and thereby rendered mild, yet it will never lose the aromatic flavour which accompanied that strength, and which greatly adds to its value. A square yard of land, he tells us, will rear about 500 plants, and allow proper space for their nurture till they are fit for transplanting.

The following extract, which is copied from a manuscript of Dr Barham (A), for directing the raising, cultivating, and curing tobacco in Jamaica, is perhaps worthy of the attention of those who wish to be further acquainted with this subject.

"Let the ground or woodland wherein you intend planting tobacco be well burned, as the greater the quantity of wood ashes the better. The spot you intend raising your plants on must be well strewed with ashes, laid smooth and light: then blow the seed from the palm of your hand gently on the bed, and cover it over with palm or plantain leaves.

"When your plants are about four inches high, draw them and plant them out about three feet asunder; and when they become as high as your knee, cut or pluck off the top; and if there are more than 12 leaves on the plant, take off the overplus, and leave the rest entire.

"The plant should now be daily attended to, in order to destroy the caterpillars that are liable to infest it; as also to take off every sprout or sucker that puts out at the joints, in order to throw the whole vegetable nourishment into the large leaves.

"When the edges and points of the leaves begin to turn a little yellow, cut down the stalks about ten o'clock in the morning, taking the opportunity of a fine day, and be careful the dew is fully off the plant, and do not continue this work after two in the afternoon. As fast as it is cut let it be carried into your tobacco house, which must be so close as to shut out all air, (on this much depends), and hung up on lines tied across, for the purpose of drying.

"When the stalks begin to turn brownish, take them off the lines, and put them in a large bin, and lay on them heavy weights for 12 days; then take them out, and strip off the leaves, and put them again into the bin, and let them be well pressed, and so as no air gains admission for a month. Take them out; tie them in bundles about 60 leaves in each, which are called monosors; and are ready for sale. But observe to let them always be kept close till you have occasion to dispose of them.

"Let your curing house be well built, and very close and warm; if a bearded building, it will not be amiss, in a wet situation, to cover the whole outside with thatch and plantain trash, to keep off the damps; for by this care you preserve the fine volatile oil in the leaves. Observe, no smoke is to be made use of or admitted into your curing house."

For an account of the medical effects of tobacco, see Materia Medica Index.

The most common uses of this plant, are either as a sternutatory when taken by way of snuff, as a masticatory by chewing it in the mouth, or as effluvia by smoking it; and when taken in moderation, it is not an unhealthful amusement. Before pipes were invented, it was usually smoked in segars, and they are still in use among some of the southern nations. The method of preparing these is at once simple and expeditious. A leaf of tobacco being formed into a small twisted roll, somewhat larger than the stem of a pipe, and about eight inches long, the smoke is conveyed through the winding folds which prevent it from expanding, as through a tube; so that one end of it being lighted, and the other applied to the mouth, it is in this form used without much inconvenience. But, in process of time, pipes being invented, they were found more commodious vehicles for the smoke, and are now in general use.

Among all the productions of foreign climes introduced into these kingdoms, scarce any has been held in higher estimation by persons of every rank than tobacco. In the countries of which it is a native, it is considered by the Indians as the most valuable offering that can be made to the beings they worship. They use it in all their civil and religious ceremonies. When once the spiral wreaths of its smoke ascend from the feathered pipe of peace, the compact that has been just made is considered as sacred and inviolable. Likewise, when they address their great Father, or his guardian spirits, residing, as they believe, in every extraordinary production of nature, they make liberal offerings to them of this valuable plant, not doubting but that they are thus secured of protection.

Tobacco is made up into rolls by the inhabitants of the interior parts of America, by means of a machine called a tobacco wheel. With this machine they spin the leaves after they are cured, into a twist of any size they think fit; and having folded it into rolls of about 20 pounds each, they lay it by for use. In this state it will keep for several years, and be continually improving, as it always grows milder. The Illinois usually form it into carrots; 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 pack-thread, till they become cemented together. These rolls commonly measure about 18 or 20 inches in length, and nine round in the middle part.

Tobacco forms a very considerable article in commerce; for an account of which, see the articles Glasgow and Virginia.