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historic marker tobacco plant crops Virginia crop farming nicotiana farm flower attraction display education historical marker Historical Site information landmark marker Place of Interest sign Tourist Destination Travel Destination agriculture plant attractive destination educating historic markers historic site info signage tobacco plants tourist attraction VA appealing history nicotianas no people text tourism travel South attract farms flowers historic nobody word daytime displays historical markers landmarks markers signs appeal color image educate historical outdoor plants vertical day destinations historic sites tourist attractions US colour image outside Jason O. Watson / historical-markers.org day time USA day-time U.S. words color images daylight outdoors U.S.A. verticals colour images natural light outsides United States United States of America Henrico County sign with text |
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FIRST SUCCESSFUL COLONIAL TOBACCO CROP
In 1611 John Rolfe became the first Englishman to cultivate tobacco nearby at Varina Farm, on the James River. Rolfe planted seeds bred in Varinas, Spain, and experimented with curing methods to produce a tobacco milder than the native variety. The success of tobacco as a cash crop encouraged the Virginia Company of London and renewed the spirit of confidence among the colonists. It supported a wealthy planter class and enriched shippers and merchants. Tobacco thereby contributed to the economic security and survival of the Virginia colony, and thus the nation.
Department of Historic Resources, 1992. |