"The tobacco of the Rio de Pomba, especially the 'Fumo crespo,' is a dark strong leaf, well fitted for making 'Cavendish' or 'Honey-dew;' the weed flourishes throughout Minos Gerals. The soil will be much improved by compost; and the produce by being treated in Virginia style delicately dried in closed barns with fires."
VENEZUELAN TOBACCO.
Orinoco Tobacco, (Venezuela).
The Orinoco tobacco grows from four to five feet high, bearing large ovate leaves, and is in all respects a fine quality of tobacco. The plant is grown during all seasons of the year. It is used chiefly for cigars, and is shipped to Northern Europe. It is packed in carrottes, and then baled. In color it is dark mahogany, and of good body and texture. The leaf is about eighteen inches long, and about ten inches wide. The planters cure by air-drying in sheds, and afterwards it is tied up in hands and baled for export. For their own use, they have adopted the method of the Brazilians, sprinkling the leaf with water containing the juice of the poppy.
The flavor is rich and mellow; a little more oily than Havana leaf. It is used for the manufacture of cigars. Orinoco tobacco makes very fine flavored cigars, burning freely, and leaving a pearl-colored ash; it is considered by the Venezuelans to be much better than any variety grown in South America. In cultivating it the planters use no fertilizers whatever, taking up new land as the old wears out. The crop is gathered first in May, and then in September.
PERSIAN TOBACCO.
