There were 2 types of tobacco grown in Virginia. The finest type was  
descended from a type John Rolfe brought up from the Indies. This was  
the type that was in demand in Europe. He was really the father of  
Virginia tobacco. An inferior type was descended from the coarser  
native tobacco. Later in Virginia, after the Revolution, it was  
strictly regulated, because they did not want the reputation of  
Virginia tobacco to suffer from selling the inferior type. Tobacco  
had to be inspected at warehouses in certain towns [Richmond was  
one], by tobacco inspectors. Farmers in some eastern counties who  
grew the coarser type were so squeezed out of the market that at one  
point they rioted and set fire to the local tobacco warehouses.

Nancy

-------
I was never lost, but I was bewildered once for three days.

--Daniel Boone



On Nov 8, 2008, at 4:49 PM, Fern wrote:

> Dear List - This is a great item for discussion as probably 90% or  
> our ancestors during the time period in which we are looking at  
> raised Tobacco not only in VA but all of the Southern states.  They  
> had slaves to work the fields and what ever they made on the sale  
> of the Tobacco was pretty much profit.  I think the quality of the  
> weed solely depended on the soil in which it was grown.  The  
> "Black" bottom or river land was considered the best soil and since  
> not all of the farmers were so privileged to own such valuable land  
> they would have to grow a much larger crop than the farmer with the  
> rich soil to make up for the difference in QUALITY.  So I don't  
> think you can put a real hard answer to this question.  So many  
> things have to be considered before you can put a handle on the  
> exact value of the crop no matter what condition the farmer's crop  
> is viewed.  Yes, they DID absolutely pay bills, taxes, etc.etc.  
> with the actual crops they grew.  I have proof of this in many  
> different sale items.  How many times have you heard of the good  
> Dr. receiving a fat roasting hen after tending to a sick family  
> member?  It made no difference whether it was a chicken - a bale of  
> hay or hemp or any other product grown on the farm.  Can't remember  
> who started this discussion but I thank you who ever you are.
>
> Best wishes, fern
> www.bufordfamilies.com
>
>
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