WordPress Stats: Growing Tobacco Plants: The 50 Year Report

WordPress stats count numbers of visits to the blog. But, on the freeby blogs, they do not identify ‘unique’ visitors. Thus, 100 views could be all from the same person. A useful addition to WordPress in the recent past has been the ‘world distribution’ of visits. But, in order to actually see some evidence of ‘uniqueness’, you have to be lucky enough to look at your stats at just the right moment.

Tonight (or rather, this morning – 2am) has been such a moment. Naturally, at 2am, UK visits are quiet, but it is the time when our US friends are becoming alert. Tonight, however, has been a bit odd. Only 14 visits have been recorded. The interesting thing, however, is the distribution of the visits around the world and the reason for the visits. Here are the facts:

Origin of visits

Belgium………………………………7.

USA……………………………………4.

Canada……………………………….1.

Jamaica………………………………1.

Serbia………………………………..1.

The numbers are small, but the point of interest is the origins. Note especially that there have been none from the UK.

It becomes interesting when you look at the posts which have been accessed. Sometimes, it is difficult to know what people have been looking at, but, just at this moment, it is clear. The posts viewed have been:

Growing, Curing..etc…tobacco for cigs…………11.

Aussie court case (plain packs 15th Aug)……….1.

TobCon desperate? (recent)…………………………1.

Baccy curing 3rd Nov………………………………….1.

Without going into paroxisms of statistical mumbo-jumbo about percentages, it is pretty clear that my essay about’ Growing, Curing….Tobacco’ has worldwide interest (although not much!). One also needs to couple the above little bit of info with the fact that the origin of visits to this blog have come from many, many different countries all over the world over the last several months. Even though we are talking about very, very, very small numbers, patterns can be distinguished. For example, hardly any visits at all have come from Africa (including North Africa – Egypt, Morroco, Lybia, etc) or Russia and the Far East.

Over the past few months, that particular post about growing tobacco has been hit over 4,000 times, world-wide. Compared with the hits on celeb sites, it is nothing – but it is indicative of the world-wide desire for an end to the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of PETS (People who Enjoy Tobacco).

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I am going to refine that ESSAY somewhat. Somehow, I must emphasise the difference between characteristics of home-grown tobacco and commercial stuff. My very limited knowledge, at the moment, is that the difference, for me, as a smoker, is that my home-grown is rather more ‘intense’. I do not know a better word. When smoked on its own, it overwhelms the senses. Mixed with commercial stuff, the effect is mitigated, but it is extremely pleasant. But it smells more. (Heaven help the ‘stinkers!).

The end of the growing season is nigh (should have been already complete had it not been for the adverse weather!). But there are still one or two important questions which need answers regarding FERMENTATION. Fermentation is critical to the taste of tobacco. Fermentation produces the sweetness. Large scale producers can build huge sheds in which to process leaves. We little growers cannot replicate their methods on a small scale. The control of humidity, temperature and ventilation is too difficult. Therefore, the best thing for us to do, is to not expect a standardised product! Our home produce does not have to look like commercial stuff.

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This year, I have managed to produce quite a lot of stuff, But only about a third of what I expected due to the weather and slugs. I am already gearing up for next year.

The funny thing is that I have no financial need to do so! It is the people who are poor that need to do so! And it is these people, who smoke little, who can most benefit financially from growing their own. If a person smokes only ten cigs per week, that person is one who can gain most by growing tobacco plants since VOLUME is not important. Maybe five plants will be sufficient – and these plants can be grown indoors.

Tobacco plants will grow indoors. I have three that prove it. But…they are very weak, small, stunted…. whatever word that you wish to use. Next year, I shall experiment further. My plan is to grow plants indoors and use a fan to blow air over the surface of the leaves. But that is another scientific story….

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Finally, tonight, I have started on the 50 year report by Doll et al on the Doctors Study. My vague, overall impression is of hopelessness. After fifty years of observations, nothing much emerges other than everyone dies sooner or later.

Doll, somehow, created a definition of ‘middle age’ as ‘up to 69 years’. Erm… since, for decades, people have retired at 65, Doll’s definition of ‘middle age’ can only be a fictional construct. The reality, for scientific purposes, is that there is no such thing as ‘middle age’. Nor is there any such thing as ‘old age’. These terms are too vague. It is surprising that a person who described himself as a ‘scientist’ could even think about terms such as ‘middle age’.

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Having started upon the 50 year report, I shall explain it as best I can. Thus, I shall have created a permanent record, as best I can, of the evidence that statistics proves that smoking is harmless UNLESS specific persons have some specific propensity which indicates that they should not smoke; nor should such people drink alcohol; nor should such people eat. But they can become politicians and enjoy not tobacco, not alcohol, not fattening foods – but persecuting others. WOW! How gratifying can it get!