CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| Introduction | [7] |
| [Chapter I] | [11] |
| Historical, Botanical. | |
| [Chapter II] | [19] |
| The Cultivation of the Tobacco Plant. | |
| Climatic and soil conditions—Treatment of the growing plant—Shade grown tobacco—Harvesting. | |
| [Chapter III] | [29] |
| Production of Tobacco. | |
| Countries which produce tobacco and amount—Production in the New World other than in the United States—Varieties. | |
| [Chapter IV] | [39] |
| Production of Tobacco in the United States. | |
| Total production—Amount produced by the different States—Varieties raised—Description of the different varieties. | |
| [Chapter V] | [53] |
| The Chemical Composition of the Tobacco Plant. | |
| Organic and inorganic matters contained in tobacco and the part they play—Analysis of various tobaccos—Nicotine. | |
| [Chapter VI] | [61] |
| The Curing of Tobacco Leaf. | |
| Objects of curing—Methods. | |
| [Chapter VII] | [67] |
| The Marketing and Sale of Tobacco Leaf. | |
| Methods of disposal by the grower—The warehouse system—Direct purchase—Principal markets in the United States—Prices. | |
| [Chapter VIII] | [75] |
| Rehandling and Fermentation of Tobacco Leaf Prior to Manufacture. | |
| Selection of leaf—Treatment and blending—Objects and methods of manufacturers fermentation—Action of microbes. | |
| [Chapter IX] | [88] |
| Manufactured Products of Tobacco in the United States. | |
| Statistics of production and consumption—Amount of capital invested—Number of plants, etc. | |
| [Chapter X] | [93] |
| Cigars: Historical and General Facts. | |
| History—Statistical information regarding the cigar business in the United States. | |
| [Chapter XI] | [99] |
| Cigars and Their Qualities. | |
| Qualities of cigars and cigar leaf—Imported cigars—Havanas—Domestic cigars. | |
| [Chapter XII] | [111] |
| Cigar Making. | |
| Hand-made cigars—Machine-made cigars—Classification of cigars—Terms used in the cigar trade. | |
| [Chapter XIII] | [121] |
| Pipe Smoking and Chewing Tobacco. | |
| Qualities required—Description of kinds—Perique tobacco—Statistics. | |
| [Chapter XIV] | [131] |
| Cigarettes. | |
| Statistics—Kinds and where made—Imported cigarettes—Domestic cigarettes—Cigarette papers. | |
| [Chapter XV] | [143] |
| Snuff. | |
| How made—Qualities—Description of kinds. | |
| [Chapter XVI] | [149] |
| Tobacco Smoking Pipes. | |
| History—How made and materials used in making—Meerschaum—Briar root—Amber—Special kinds of pipes—Care of pipes. | |
| [Chapter XVII] | [171] |
| Effects of Tobacco Smoking on the Human System. | |
| Physical and other effects—Opinions of medical men quoted and discussed. | |
| [Chapter XVIII] | [195] |
| The Beneficial Effects of Tobacco. | |
| Its disinfecting action—A protection against infectious disease—Psychological effects of smoking. | |
| [Chapter XIX] | [207] |
| Miscellaneous. | |
| Revenue, taxation, etc., in connection with tobacco—Free imports—The insect pests which attack tobacco—Tobaccoflavoring fluids, etc.—Formulae. |
INTRODUCTION
This little book is intended for the man who uses tobacco. While there is a very extensive literature concerning tobacco, yet it is surprising how few books there are written expressly for the smoker. Much has been written concerning culture, production and manufacture; the historical and anecdotal aspects have been catered for; pamphlets and books abusing and denouncing the use of tobacco are plentiful; but the smoker will find it difficult to get a book just giving him the facts concerning tobacco and smoking, which he ought to know, and omitting matters, which, although interesting, are not necessary. This little book is an attempt to fulfil that purpose; and it is felt that no apology is needed for its appearance. If the average user of tobacco is questioned concerning the matters treated in the following pages, he will be found ignorant of them. This ought not be so. The custom of tobacco smoking is so general and so intimate a part of the daily life of the great majority of men, that a better acquaintance with the plant, its qualities, uses and effects, should be cultivated and welcomed.
No claim is made for originality. The facts here stated have been gathered from various sources and the only credit claimed is for putting them together in a concise and consecutive form. The object aimed at is to give information. Whether the custom of tobacco smoking is desirable, whether in any individual case it would be beneficial or otherwise to smoke—these and similar questions are left to the reader’s own judgment from the facts and opinions presented, as well as from his own observations. The man who uses tobacco daily should know what he is doing. If statements are made either verbally or in print concerning the custom he should be able to verify them or show that they are incorrect. It is trusted that the information given in these pages will enable him to form a clear judgment whatever the judgment may be.
It may be felt that many aspects of the use of tobacco and matters connected with it have either not been touched on, or only referred to very briefly. The reader who may desire further information will find it in the bibliographical references given throughout the book. These references have generally been consulted by the author and his indebtedness is acknowledged here.