The Place To Grow Tobacco.—
It seems to us that the alkali regions of California would be just the place to grow tobacco. Why?—Because the alkali destroys the nicotine, the deadly poison of the debasing weed. But, strange to say, this very fact is what is disappointing to the growers. This is what a press despatch headed, “Tobacco Ruined by Alkali,” says:— “San Luis Obispo, November 23.—Dr. R. L. Breck, who for the last year has been making extensive experiments in the culture of tobacco at points north and south of this city, has just had experts pass upon the product and has found the tobacco almost entirely devoid of nicotine. The experiment was being watched by agricultural chemists and tobacco factories all over the State, and the result will prove widespread disappointment. The failure of the nicotine to materialize is attributed to the presence of alkali in the soil.” The essential of tobacco then is nicotine, one of the deadliest poisons known, which if not present in tobacco renders it worthless. Men therefore use and love tobacco because of its poison. Would it not be better to quit it forever? It would be a blessed thing for the world if alkali were distributed in all tobacco-growing districts. But then the abnormal appetite of man would substitute opium, hashish, the betel-nut, or some other poisonous product of perverted nature.