In Mexico the use of tobacco is universal, and its consumption large, with the result that large quantities are raised of which no esti mates are given. Being of universal use, it is grown everywhere. Experts credit the district of San Andres Tuxla, in the state of Vera Cruz, with the leaf of the choicest quality. The soil here is similar to that of the Vuelta Abajo in Cuba. In the Tuxla section, how ever, the same care has not been shown in the cultivation and handling of the leaf, for which reason it has failed of general commercial demand. Despite the fact of cheap and un scientific labor and methods, Mexican tobacco for years has been an article of export in the markets of the United States and Europe. Until the war in Europe and domestic politi cal dissensions, the chief European markets were Hamburg and Havre, with a growing de mand in England. At Hamburg, the Valle Nacional leaf, selected, grown by government convict labor, sold for $0.18 per pound, at which figure it was in great demand.
Recent figures as to the yield and export are not obtainable. In 1906, the estimated crop of the chief tobacco districts amounted to 26,180, 000 pounds, divided among the following dis tricts: San Andres Tuxla, 3,300,000 pounds; Acayucan Talixpam, 759,000 pounds: Cordoba, 7,700,000 pounds; Tlapacoyan, 3,795,000 pounds; Tepec, 3,795,000 pounds; Ojitlan, Valle Nacional, 3,530,000 pounds; Playa Vicente, 3, 530,000 pounds; other districts of Oaxaca and Chiapas, 1,265,000 'ounds, and districts of San Luis Potosi, 506,111 pounds.• The foregoing was but a small part of the crop for the year, as figures are not given for the remainder of the republic. Luring the fiscal year ending 1911, the exports of tobacco (leaf and manu factured) to the United States amounted to $14,011; 1912, $31,039; 1913, $43,331; 1914, $58; 941; 1915, $77,003, and 1916, $142,383.
The tobacco industry in Peru is a government monopoly, the special department having charge of same being known as the Estanco del Tobaco, founded in 1904. Since 1909 it has been administered by the Compaflia Recaudadora de Impuestos (National Tax Col lecting Company) under contract for a term of years. The territory devoted to the cultivation of tobacco is designated by law, and the importation, manufacture and sale of all forms of tobacco are in the hands of this company.
In addition to .this control, the government is otherwise encouraging the tobacco industry. In the latter part of 1916, the government is sued an order through the Department of Fomento (National Industry) commissioning two Peruvian graduate students to spend a year in Cuba to study the practical cultivation and handling of tobacco, to the end of intro ducing the approved scientific methods of carry ing on industry in Peru.
The prices for tobaccos of all kinds are fixed by the government. The greatest and best quality of leaf is grown in the provinces of Hnancavelica and Tumbes, the former supply ing the government in 1915 with 619,490 pounds, and the latter with 421,600 pounds. In addi tion there was imported from Ecuador 596,445 pounds and 82,895 pounds from Honduras. In 1914, the quantity of domestic leaf used was 798,659 pounds, there being imported in addi tion 65,714 pounds from Ecuador and 101,707 pounds from Honduras. Of cigarettes, the domestic manufacture in 1914 amounted to 404,429,700; cigars, 175,400. In 1915 the re spective numbers were 369,299,052 and 152,100. The average cost of the domestic cigarettes was $0.74 per thousand. During 1914, there were imported 38,825,232 cigarettes; 1915 (esti mated), 8,800,000; cigars, 1914, 245,814; 1915, 31,099, the great bulk of each coming from Cuba, most of the remainder from England.
The production of tobacco for domestic consumption is carried on throughout Venezuela, in addition to which an export of more than 200,000 pounds is made annually, the greater part, until the European War, to Ger many. The tobacco of Capadare, a special dis trict, is noted for its strength and aroma, and by some is preferred to Habana tobacco. Besides Capadare, tobaccos of excellent quality are raised in the districts of Yaritagua, Merida, Cumanacoa, Guanape, Maturin, Upata, Aragua, Carabobo, Barinas, Rio Negro, Caripe and the Federal district. The greater part used in the country is of domestic manufacture, Cuban and Virginia leaf being imported for blending. The Imports of leaf and manufactured tobacco in 1914 amounted to $10,912; 1915, $3,643.