(S #8
~ / “PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
1 ( Ve D. W. MAY, Special Agent in Charge.
Mayaguez, December, 1904.
Bulletin No.5.
TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO
DURING 1903-4.
BY
J. VAN: LEENHOEFF, Jr.,
© Lobacco Experi, Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station.
: * ; UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS,
. U.§. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
WASHINGTON: » i
GOVERNMENT PRINTING’ OFFICE. ts eta
1905.5.
heh eds 73E2
.
a=s
ot Ss
: Pa
i 7 :
4 ©&
o Agr. Expt. Station, Dept. Agr.
TosBacco GROWING UNDER CLOTH SHADE, SHOWING VARIATION IN TYPES OF PLANT AND NECESSITY OF SELECTION.
PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
D. W. MAY, Special Agent in Charge.
Mayaguez, December, 1904.
Bulletin No. 5.
TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO
DURING 1903-4.
y BY
J$ VAN LEENHOFF, Jr.,
Tobacco Expert, Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station.
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS, .
U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,
1905,
PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.
[Under the supervision of A. C. True, Director of the Office of Experiment Stations, —
United States Department of Agriculture. | :
STATION STAFF.
0 Barrett, Entomologist and Botanist.
vAN Leennorr, Jr.,“ Tobacco Expert.
H. C. Henricksen, Horticulturist.
E. F. Curt, Farm Superintendent.
JESSIE F. SPRINGER, Clerk and Stenographer.
D. W. May, Special Agent in Charge and Animal Husbandman.
J. W. vAN LEEnHOFF, Coffee Expert. :
. W.
J.
a Appointed tobacco expert in Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department Ji uly, 1904, j
2 (9
JUN 27 1907
. of D,
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Porto Rico AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
Mayaguez, P. R., December 5, 1904.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript by J. van
Leenhoff, jr., on the results of tobacco investigations in Porto Rico
during the fiseal year 1903-4, conducted under the direction of F. D.
Gardner, former special agent in charge.
These results show that there is great need of improving the methods
of growing and curing tobacco, and point out a number of changes
which may be found advisable to adopt. By the introduction of up-
to-date methods of growing and curing tobacco in Porto Rico it is
believed that the business will be commercially successful where con-
fined to suitable soil and climatic conditions. The area suitable for
the enterprise is somewhat limited, but capable of considerable exten-
sion beyond that now cultivated to this crop.
Last year about 200 acres of tobacco was grown under cloth shade.
The crop contained a high percentage of fine-appearing wrapper
leaves, and the fact that the area will be extended to 300 or 350
acres during the next year indicates a belief that the enterprise will
prove a financial success.
I respectfully recommend that this manuscript be translated into
Spanish and published in both English and Spanish as Bulletin No. 5
of this station.
Respectfully, D. W. May,
Special Agent in Charge.
Dr. A. C. TRUE,
Director Office of Experiment Stations,
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
Recommended for publication.
A. C. TRUE, Director.
Publication authorized.
JAMES WILSON,
Secretary of Agriculture.
ONTENTS
Tira gaye ho (ON es SB eee © eee Ee Ee See oe aa Sree
Methodsimow,prachicedtimniPortvo)RiCObs= esse ase eae ae
Methods of preparing seed beds -------. ------------------ Lg ere
Hield preparaniontand planting sees ece. seeees =e ee nae aan = See
PROD DUNS Re as ne ea ne ee ere et ee ey ae se
BEV eps Os LT Oe ee oe eae he ee eet SS
Diseases and insects
Gunns sheds epee: tee Soe ea een ro eee een eases
Curing and fermentation
Seed production
Trrigation
TDWRENRS CEE) os a he ee eats eo eee eee eee
MoxtUrelOLstODACCOISOIIS = ae 2 oe ee es ee oe eee ein
Experiments in growing, curing, and fermenting tobacco -____.-----------
Seed pediexperiments) == so.) <9 20 ee ee nee ees ase ee
Free Lan DIN eee ee ee en Ser ee ep a nd
Value of shade for producing wrappers - ------------------------------
FESperiments with tertilizensieese- == ae nee eee oe ane
Experiments in curing tobacco
Fermentation
Slava selene oso A ee es RR ie 9 SS eae eee
Suggestions for the improvement Be Porto Rican! tobacco, =--— 2-2. -- -=-22---
(CVA CS: ONE, WAG VEE eet RO OT ee an en Se eo ne
mecdran CrsecdmedSumeme soe se hee be 2 eden cot wone aom es sca
Time of transplanting for wrapper and filler
Method of transplanting
Cultivation
SOD PLN ae eee ee eee ek te St ee anes
(Pan Ves GIN Ceo 2 Se eee eee eee ee a Pe eae aan Sat Soe
urine shed aS as. eee SS eee ee eins ce hee 5
(Cpr bivigt se ee We seers Sree le i DeSean ee eee a ae ee
nee
2 2 2
=
eo 2
mo
co
co
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Page.
Mobacco crowing under, cloth shade=s-22----- 2-2 2222 ee eee Frontispiece.
PuateE I. Fig. 1.—Constructing straw shade for seed beds. Fig. 2.—Tobacco
seed beds protected with straw shade. Fig. 3.—Tobacco seed
beds protected by cloth covering. Fig. 4.—Cloth and straw
covered seedibeds 3. >-- = == ee ee eee eee eae 18
Il. Fig. 1.—Shade-grown tobacco at Aibonito soon after planting.
Fig. 2.—Irregular size due to replanting. Fig. 3.—Badly formed
leaves for wrappers. Fig. 4.—Good, uniform shade-grown
tobacco'sixty days after planting --==----"--=.2=. -......-...._- 20
Ill. Fig. 1.—Plat 1, no fertilizer. Fig. 2.—Plat 2, sulphate of potash
and acid phosphate. Fig. 3.—Plat 3, sulphate of potash and
nitrate of soda. Fig. 4.—Plat 4, acid phosphate and nitrate of
IV. Fig. 1.—Plat 5, acid phosphate, sulphate of potash, and nitrate
of soda. Fig. 2.—Plat 6, acid phosphate, sulphate of potash,
nitrate of soda,and lime. Fig. 3.—A good field of tobacco near
Aguas Buenas. Fig. 4.—Destructive work of tobacco split
TRUER = Oe en Se Gee Sea Sea eee as are ee 24
V. Fig. 1.—Type of Florida Sumatra leaf. Fig. 2.—Good type of
leaf for wrappers. Fig. 3.—Type of Connecticut Habana leaf.
Fig. 4.—Poor type of leaf for wrappers -....--.--------------- 30
TEXT FIGURE.
Fic. 1. Types of plants used in transplanting: a, poor type; b, good type _- 34
15479—No, 5—05——2 tf
TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO,
SEASON OF 1903-4.
INTRODUCTION.
Before undertaking any tobacco investigations the writer made a
a reconnaisance of the principal tobacco-growing districts of Porto
Rico and gathered from planters and manufacturers information
relative to the methods employed in growing, curing, and fermenting
tobacco. He visited the districts of Aibonito, Cayey, Cidra, Caguas,
Aguas Buenas, Comerio, Arecibo, Utuado, Jayuya, and Yauco, spend-
ing several days in each. In each of these places careful inquiry was
made as to the local methods used in growing tobacco. At the time
of these visits most of the tobacco had been sold to the manufacturers,
but wherever possible samples of it were examined with reference to
its several classes and the quality of each. Typical samples were
also secured from each district for further study, and most of them
were made into cigars and tested with reference to their appearance,
flavor, aroma, and burning qualities. Samples of typical soil and sub-
soil were also taken from each district for chemical and physical
examination. ~The climatological conditions were also inquired into
and a study made of the local weather records in order to better judge
as to the best season for planting and especially for the curing of the
tobacco. A brief report of these preliminary investigations follows.
METHODS NOW PRACTICED IN PORTO RICO.
METHODS OF PREPARING SEED BEDS.
In Porto Rico the tobacco seed bed is most frequently made on high
inclined land, although it is sometimes made on level lands, called
“‘vegas.” The high lands are more exempt from the depredations of
insects and especially from the ‘‘ changa,” or mole cricket, which bur-
rows along beneath the surface of the ground and cuts off the plants.“
On the hilly lands the preparation usually consists of burning over
the ground and digging it up with a hoe. Some planters prefer stony
lands for the seed beds, believing that they retain moisture best,
although this is probably not the true cause of their value, as the
stones would improve the drainage. If the land is not stony it is
necessary to have good drainage, and this is affected by cutting small
ditches at a distance of about 1 meter from each other and running
directly down the hill. The tobacco seed is sown on the elevations
between the ditches. If level land is chosen for the seed bed it is
@See Porto Rico Sta, Bul. 2.
10
first plowed and the grass allowed to rot, after which the surface is
leveled and the weeds removed with a hoe preparatory to sowing
seeds somewhat later. The time of preparing the seed beds ranges
from August 1 in some districts to September 1 in others. Asa rule
the seeds are sown about the close of August, and a second sowing of
seeds is made from eight to fifteen days later, in order to have later
plants for replacing those that may die after the first planting in the
field. The seed is simply scattered over the surface of the bed. The
quantity of seed used varies in different districts, but is always very
large. In from eight to twelve days after sowing the plants begin to
show above ground and at this time the beds are carefully weeded.
The work of weeding is generally done by women and children, who
also go over the beds every day and search carefully for worms and
insects, which they destroy. It requires from forty-five to sixty days
for the plants to acquire size suitable to be transplanted to the fields,
at which time they have about eight leaves.
FIELD PREPARATION AND PLANTING.
Plowing is commenced, if on level or very slightly rolling land,
generally in August; but some planters begin to plow in July, using
the American moldboard plow, if they possess such, which is very sel-
dom the case. Often two or three neighbors combine to purchase
one, thus saving a great deal in the cost to each. About a month
after the date of the first plowing the land is gone over with the
native wooden plow, which is much easier to handle. In October
the land is plowed again, or gone over witha hoe. Some planters are
now using the harrow (rastrillo).
As a rule the planting is begun early in November, although in ~
some localities the plants are set out any time from the end of Octo-
ber until the end of February, as may best suit the convenience of
the planter.
It is said that the early plantings produce a larger percentage of
wrappers, on account of the plants not being troubled by insects
biting holes, and the filler is milder. At Cayey the planters prefer
to set their plants out late in November and early in December, as
they claim that tobacco planted at this time has more aroma. As to
the number of plants per acre in a field there is a wide divergence of
opinion. Some of the planters in the Plata district set the plants 16
inches apart, with 24 to 26 inches between the rows. Others set them
12 inches apart, with 36 inches between the rows. Setting 18 inches
from plant to plant and 36 inches between the rows is also practiced.
Others again plant very irregularly, having no stated distance between
the plants, in some cases filling the spaces between the plants with
corn and beans. No instances are known where tobacco is planted
with the special object of producing wrapper or filler. The usual
method is to wait until the time of harvesting to classify the tobacco,
11
whether wrapper or filler, ete. If the soil is soft the transplanting is
done by hand; but if it is hard, the work is generally done with a
hoe or a big knife called a ‘“‘machete.” No care is taken to set the
roots quite straight in the ground, and it has been observed that the
tap root has been placed in the hole in such a way that it was com-
pletely doubled upon itself. The young plants are pulled out of the
seed bed by hand, often without any rootlets and frequently with
the tap roots broken off. In setting the seed plant they generally
take it in the left hand, place the root in a horizontal position in a
hole prepared by one stroke of a hoe, and then press a piece of hard
earth on the roots, covering the hole with earth and leaving only a
few of the leaves above the ground. Other planters set the plants
too shallow, leaving the greater part of the stem of the plant exposed.
Some planters make rows with a native wooden plow and set the
young plants out in the ridges thus formed, while others, on the con-
trary, place them in the furrow made by the plow. Within fifteen
or twenty days after transplanting the first cultivation or hoeing is
undertaken, and from ten to fifteen days later a second hoeing is
given, at each hoeing a little earth being thrown around each plant.
' If necessary the fields are hoed and weeded again, but usually
this hoeing and weeding is done only twice. Cultivation and hoeing
is generally done too deeply and too near the plant, no fear being
felt of damaging the roots. It is believed that considerable damage
results from the practice, owing to disturbing the plants’ connection
with the soil and destroying or injuring the feeding roots.
TOPPING.
Topping consists in pinching off the terminal bud and leaving the
requisite number of leaves. This takes place from forty to sixty days
after transplanting, and opinions differ greatly as to the number of
leaves to remain on the plant. Some planters at Cayey leave from
8 to 20; at Caguas, from 15 to 20; at Utuado, from 12 to 16; at
Jayuya, from 12 to 14; but a majority of the planters in all districts
leave from 10 to 12 leaves and do their topping as soon as it is possible
to pinch off the button flower. The object of low and early topping is
to obtain larger and heavier leaves. The practice of low topping and
late harvesting is attributable to the fact that during the Spanish
régime, prior to 1898, the market demands were for a dark, heavy
leaf containing a large amount of nicotin. The American market,
which now uses most of Porto Rico’s tobacco, demands a light, thin,
mild leaf, and the system of topping and harvesting should be changed
in order to meet the new demand. After topping, a great number of
suckers appear on the plant, which are taken off usually at intervals
of from four to eight days, until harvesting begins, which takes
place from three to three and a half months after planting. After
topping, many planters weed and cultivate again.
12
HARVESTING.
About thirty to forty days after topping the leaves begin to ripen,
which is shown by their turning yellow. When this is observed the
plants are cut close to the ground. This cutting is done almost
everywhere when the plant is overripe. If the stalk is of a yellowish-
brown or brownish-yellow color at the point of the cut the planter
is assured that the crop is ready for harvest. Sunny or hot days
are chosen for harvesting, as it is believed that the plants retain
the gum better than on cloudy or cool days. After cutting, the plants
are laid on the ground until wilted before being taken to the curing
shed. They are transported from the field by taking a bunch in each
hand (about five plants or more to each handful) or by binding a
larger quantity on a pole, which is carried on the shoulder. Unless
great care is taken in the cutting and carrying many leaves are torn,
which diminishes the yield of wrappers. The plants are hung together
the first day and then separated, each plant being hung singly. How-
ever, most planters hang them too close together, which is especially
damaging when damp weather follows.
A few planters follow the Cuban system of harvesting, as they eall
it, which is as follows: When the yield of the so-called wrappers is
large the leaves are cut from the top down in pairs and are hung
across a man’s arm. When ten or more pairs have been so placed
they are slipped off on a pole of about 4 yards in length, which, as
soon as filled, is taken to the curing shed.
After the tobacco is cut earth is thrown over the stubble in prepa-
ration for the second crop. Sometimes this process is repeated for a
third crop, which is of a very inferior quality. For the second and
third crop less care is taken than for the first.
DISEASES AND INSECTS.
Almost nothing is done in the way of protecting the young plants
from insects and diseases peculiar to them, which are much the same
as those which attack tobacco plants in the United States. The only
method followed is to have women and children go over the plants in
search of insects. To protect the young plants against the mole
cricket (changa), which is especially destructive in loose soils, it is a
common practice to wrap a leaf of the mamey or mango around the
stem of the plant when it is set in the field, allowing the upper edge
of the leaf to project a little above the ground. The use of Paris
green, Bordeaux mixture, and other poisonous sprays in this connec-
tion is unknown.
CURING SHED.
After harvesting, the tobacco plants are taken to the curing shed to
be cured and dried. The tobacco sheds in Porto Rico consist of
wooden frames, with roofs of dried grass and sides covered with palm
Z
13
leaves to shelter the tobacco from the elements. Many of them are
from 36 to 120 feet in length. In general, no thought is given to ven-
tilation or to the situation of the curing shed with reference to the
sun, wind, and rain. Openings with shutters for regulating the inside
conditions were not seen except in a single instance, which was on
the plantation of a large American company. It may be said that
the results of tobacco curing in Porto Rico depend exclusively upon
the weather conditions. Nothing is done to prevent pole rot and
drying out of the leaves before the color changes, so that good
tobacco often loses its quality (elasticity, color, ete.) through bad
treatment. Tobacco was seen hanging in stables, kitchens of houses,
dwelling rooms, and sheds of which the sides were entirely open.
CURING AND FERMENTATION.
Many planters follow the practice of allowing twenty-one days for
the curing of the tobacco. The plants are then placed in piles
between green plantain leaves, without removing the leaves from the
stalk, and allowed to remain from one to seven days, according to
the locality and circumstances, with the object of producing the first
fermentation and making the tobacco moist enough to strip. The
leaves, after stripping or removal from the stalks, are separated into
different classes, termed ‘‘capas,” ‘‘tripas y capas,” ‘‘tripas,” and
“holiches ”—i. e., wrappers, fillers and wrappers, fillers, and the bot-
tom or sand leaves. Sometimes these are again divided into first
and second grades. They are then tied into bundles.
To ferment the tobacco some planters place it in this form im
wooden cases, under heavy weights, for a period of about three
months, after which a further classification is made, the leaves tied
into hands, and baled. If the tobacco has been placed in the boxes
in too moist a condition it very often rots; on the other hand, if it is
too dry, it does not sweat enough, and consequently is of inferior
quality. However, manufacturers work this unfermented stuff into
their product, causing many of the cigars to have a green or acrid
taste. Some planters make it a practice to open the cases and venti-
late their tobacco once a month for a period of three months or even
longer, in order, it is claimed, to obtain a better quality of leaf.
Other planters place the tobacco in sheds, hanging the plants from
4 to 5 inches apart, and allowing them to remain from twenty-two
to forty days. The heavier plants are allowed to hang longer than
those of a lighter weight. The leaves are then taken from the stalks
without separating them into different grades, such as top, middle,
and bottom leaves, excepting the ‘‘ boliches,” (the inferior damaged
bottom leaves, which are kept separate). The leaves are then made
into ‘‘hands” of about 80 to 100 leaves, and placed in round piles
from 14 to 2 yards in height and 2 yards in diameter. Green plan-
tain leaves are placed under each pile and the whole covered with
14
them. The temperature is only ascertained by inserting the hand
into the pile; if the pile becomes too heated it is taken apart, and
after the tobacco has cooled off is remade. The pile generally
remains in this condition from ten to twelve days, after which the
tobacco is placed in wooden boxes for from fifteen to twenty days.
When taken from the boxes it is graded into ‘‘ capas,” ‘‘ tripas,” and
““capas y tripas,” i. e., wrappers, fillers, and wrappers and fillers.
After classification it is wrapped in green plantain leaves and again
placed in boxes. If the tobaceo is light, heavy weights are placed on
if to help the process of fermentation. In from thirty to sixty days
(about April or May, as the case may be) the tobacco is ready for use.
Other planters use about the same method, except that the heavier
tobacco is placed in piles 5 meters long by 3 meters wide and 1}
meters in height, while with the lighter grade tobacco the height of
the piles is increased to 2 meters. In building the pile a hole for
ventilation is left in the middle of it. The piles containing the heay-
ier leaf necessarily contain much tobacco of lighter quality, and the
reverse is true of the piles of lighter quality on account of the top,
middle, and bottom leaves not having been kept separate. After
from six to eight days these piles are torn apart and remade; this is
repeated in about twenty days, the latter piles being allowed to stand
until June or July. The tobaceo is then classified as follows:
Classification of Porto Rican tobacco,
Light wrapper—Capa fina clara.
Dark wrapper—Capa oscura.
Light wrapper and filler—Tripa y capa clara.
Dark wrapper and filler—Tripa y capa oscura.
Heavy filler, first length—Tripa primera calidad.
Heavy filler, second length—Tripa segunda calidad.
Fine filler, first length—Tripa primera fina.
Fine filler, second length—Tripa segunda fina.
Ordinary—Tripa ordinaria.
Sand leayes—Boliches.
In another locality a pile was seen about 2 meters in height and 5
by 4 meters in diameter. This pile was allowed to remain until July.
The tobacco was then moistened and classified. The outside leaves
were quite ‘‘green” and the inside oversweated. Some parts of the
pile were, more by accident than good management, cured just right.
Another method used by very few planters consists of making piles
of from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. After standing from six to eight days
they are torn down and rebuilt. . After another period of eight days
these are again torn down and remade into piles of from 4,000 to 6,000
pounds each, which are allowed to stand one or two months. When
the piles show signs of becoming too heated they are torn down and
rebuilt. The tobacco is then baled, the bales containing all classes of _
F
‘
15
leaves. The classification is made by merchants after a further
period of sweating extending over about a month, and is as follows:
Wrappers—First, second, and third sizes— light and dark.
Fillers—First, second, and third sizes—light and dark.
Some planters, endeavoring to secure light colors, make their fer-
menting piles long and very narrow—the width of only two hands—
thus preventing as much as possible a rise in temperature. This
method retains the light colors, but results in little or no fermenta-
tion, thus rendering the tobacco unsuitable for market on account of
its green and bitter taste. Neither can it be safely put in the ware-
house, because of its being unfermented.
SEED PRODUCTION.
In all cases tobacco seed is grown from the so-called sucker or
second crop. No care whatever is taken of the seed plants, and all
plants which flower, good as well as degenerated, are permitted to
produce seed. When the seed capsules become dark brown they are
cut from the plant and exposed for a day or more to the hot sun in
order that they may become thoroughly dried. Such an irrational
method of producing seed, with no attempt whatever at selection, is
sufficient to explain why such large amounts of seed are required to
produce a few good plants. A considerable part of such seed will not
germinate, and of that capable of germination much is from degen-
erated plants and gives rise to seed plants having many undesirable
qualities. It furthermore gives rise to many plants which lack in
vigor and which may in part explain the fact that planters have to
repeatedly reset plants in the field. As a result of this method of
seed production one will find, upon inspection of the tobacco fields,
leaves of all kinds, sizes, and shapes, many of which are undesirable
for anything but filler purposes. (See frontispiece. )
IRRIGATION.
Irrigation is not practiced in tobacco culture in Porto Rico.
Droughts frequently occur in Porto Rico which cut short the tobacco
crop, and there is no doubt that where sufficient water can be secured
irrigation of tobacco would prove profitable.
DRAINAGE.
Drainage is practiced in some localities by making ditches on the
hilly lands above the tobacco, thus diverting the water and prevent-
ing an overflow of the fields. In the level lands the drainage methods
as now practiced could be very much improved. In many parts of
the island tobacco fields suffered severe losses during the season
1903-4 from standing water in the fields. Last year and the preced-
ing one were quite dry, and tobacco crops suffered from drou ght. This
15479—No,. 5—05——3
16
shows the necessity of providing both drainage and irrigation in order
to fortify
TEXTURE OF TOBACCO SOILS.
against unfavorable climatie conditions.
Samples of soils and subsoils were taken from nearly every district
visited, and a portion of these were transmitted to the Bureau of Soils,
United States Department of Agriculture, for mechanical analyses.
The following table gives the results of the analyses, and indebtedness
to the Bureau of Soils is hereby acknowledged for its assistance in this
matter:
Mechanical analyses of soils and. subsoils from typical tobacco fields in several of
the principal tobacco-growing districts of Porto Rico.
[Fine earth. }
No. |
1a ° = ro) 5 =
, 1S 9] Salles (So aia
F q ° a ° 3 fs| =
a g ee) WS + Sy} S
| 2 | 37,2. |e) 4. 28.) Sole
Locality. | Description. Sen laass Aa | | ares $4 = iad
| SOR ray 3 | | Br) a a he) + = 5
| ti i) et Se ones a= 209 | FS
| # |e |@je°| 2 || Sale
| Blaig ts |¢ 2 ae
u AK re] a As! oO oS a
Salisciiey Neely || 2 > a |5
|
Pct,| P.ct.|) Pict. | Poet. | P.ct. | P. ct.) Pech. iver
(1)_8 kilometers | Valley ‘La Plata,” | 5.97 | 3.24 | 6.02 | 4.20 | 12.64 | 10,04 | 31.72 | 31.98
NW. of Aibon- soil, 0-10 inches. |
ito. |
(2) 8 kilometers | Valley “La Plata,” | 3.75 | 6.68 | 7.28 | 2.72] 4.94] 7.20 | 37.28 | 33.70
ae of Aibon- soil, 0-12 inches.
(3) 34 kilome- | Gravell sandy | 4.35 /10.86 | 12.82 | 5.68 | 10.18 | 7.96 | 25.82 | 26.68
ters SE. of loam, 0-10 inches.
Cayey.
(4) 3-4 kilome- | Brown stony loam, | 2.37 | 6.06 | 10.24 | 4.50] 7.80) 9.88 | 31.84 | 29.54
ters SE. of | 10-20 inches. |
EOP |
(5) = kilome- | Brown sandy soil, | 1.33! .52| 3.16 | 3.62 | 15.14 | 18.02 | 33.36 | 26.18
ae SE. of | | 0-12 inches.
layey
(6) pad ‘kilome- Subsoil of 9376, 12-20 78 | .84| 4.30 | 4.32 | 15.22 | 17.80 | 32.88 | 25.14
ters SE. of | inches.
Cayey.
(7) 3 kilometers | Dark sandy loam, | 1.85 | 1.72 | 4.70 3.60} 11.18 | 8.94 | 38.50 | 31.20
SW. of Cidra. | 0-12 inches.
OR 3 kilometers’ Dark sandy loam, | 2.53 | 4.98! 9.10 | 5.20! 11.46 | 8.36 | 32.96 | 27.66
le of Come- 0-12 inches
(9) 4 miles SE. of | | oe eanigy, loam, | 1.44 | 5.30 | 8.26 | 5.22 | 11.10 | 11.32 | 32.40
Jaguas. 0 inches |
ao). rf miles SE. | Subsoil of 9380, 10-20 | 1.36 | 5,80, 6.54 | 4.28 | 10.12 | 10.40 | 33.54
of Caguas. inches. |
(11) Caguas - . Brown sandy loam, | 1.29 | 6.22 | 14.98 | 9.50 | 21.92 | 17.50 | 15.36
| 0-10 inches,
(12) Caguas ---.-. Sato of 9383, 10-20 | .82 | 2.42 | 5.96 | 3.50 | 8.02 | 10.76 | 42.64
inches.
(18) 23 SHOES | Dark loam, 0-10 | 2.11 | 3.68) 7.16 | 4.42 | 8.62] 8.46) 41.62
ters E inches.
Aiea ae eens
(14) 23 kilome- Yellow loam, 10-20 | 1.07 | 1.80 | 4.90 4.24 | 10.28 9.80 | 43.24
ters E. of, inches.
Aguas Buenas. |
| (15) 2-3 kilome-. Yellow loam, 10-20 | 1.25 | 3.20 6.36) 4.06) 7.76) 8.96 | 44.90
ters E. of inches.
Aguas Buenas.
(16) 45 kilome-| Fine sand, 0-12) .59| .04 -50 | 4.32 | 538.32 | 22.94 | 11.72
io of Are- | inches. |
cib
(17) ea er | Sandy loam, 0-10 | 3.19| 3.16 5.30 | 3.04) 7.46) 9.52 | 45.82
inches.
(18) 1 kilometer | Sandy loam, 0-10 | 2.08 | 7.22 | 16.60 | 8.48 | 17.60 | 11.14 | 15.10
from Jayuya. inches.
IY
An inspection of the samples at the time they were taken showed
that, as a rule, the texture was too heavy, as compared with the
standard of typical tobacco soils in the United States, for the produc-
tion of high-grade cigar tobacco and cigar wrappers. A study of the
above table brings out this fact even more strongly than did the mere
inspection. It will be seen that, with but two exceptions, the per-
centages of clay and silt are quite high.
Under the old régime of tobacco production in Porto Rico, the fact
that the tobaccos produced were as a rule rather coarse, dark in color,
and too heavy to meet the market demands in the United States, is
attributable largély to the heavy texture of the soil.
The sample of soil from Caguas shows about half as much silt and
clay combined as those from most of the other districts, and it was
observed that in this district as a rule the tobacco is lighter in struc-
ture, texture, and color than in the other districts. This tobacco,
however, is inferior in flavor and aroma to that from Cayey and
Comerio, and it is therefore thought that the district might be largely
devoted to the production of a wrapper and binder leaf. By improved
methods of topping, harvesting, curing, and fermenting it is believed
that this could be accomplished in the Caguas district, even without
the use of shade.
The Arecibo soil, which contains a comparatively low percentage
of silt and clay, has a texture which would designate it as an excellent
tobacco soil, especially for the production of a wrapper leaf. Asa
matter of fact, the tobacco from this district has no aroma, a poor
taste, and does not burn so well. This poor quality is probably
attributable to the fact that the district is located near the seacoast
and swept during the greater part of the time by the trade winds,
and also that the soil contains very little organic matter, which it
would be important to increase by the use of green manures.
The trade winds coming from across the ocean are laden with mois-
ture containing traces of chlorin, which in time possibly causes an
inerease in the chlorin content of the soil. It is well known that the
presence of very small amounts of this element has a detrimental
effect on the burning qualities of the tobacco.
Experiments at Aibonito on soils that contained 31.98 and 33.70
per cent of clay have shown that it is possible, through the shading
of the tobacco with cheese cloth and by the application of improved
methods of harvesting, curing, and fermenting, to produce tobacco
yielding a high percentage of excellent wrapper leaves, possessing
the qualities of fair combustibility, good elasticity, uniform color, ete.
It was noticed in the first experiments, however, that some of the
leaves of this tobacco were too thin and would not keep long in the
warehouse without more or less deterioration. The veins of the leaf
in this case were rather too heavy, especially in those leaves with
18
very thin body, and consequently were too prominent when wrapped
in cigars.
It thus becomes very desirable to breed a special type of wrapper
leaf for shade growing and outside growing, and also a special type
of filler tobacco. Such types would undoubtedly greatly inerease the
value of the Porto Rico tobacco crop.
EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING, CURING, AND FERMENTING
TOBACCO.
As a result of the above-described preliminary investigations it
was concluded that Porto Rico presents very favorable conditions
for the production of considerable high-grade tobacco, but that the
extension of such a business would necessarily be confined to suit-
able soil areas and favorable climatic environments. The investiga-
tions also show that for the most part the methods employed by the
planters are primitive, and that there is great need of their adopting
more up-to-date methods. It was decided, therefore, to undertake
experiments with growing, curing, and fermenting tobacco.
Owing to the limited funds available for this work it was necessary
to arrange for cooperation with an interested tobacco grower. Such
an arrangement was entered into with a planter near Aguas Buenas,
the latter giving the use of land, labor, buildings, and material, in so
far as it did not interfere with his regular business. The facilities
offered by the equipment of the ordinary planters are, at the best, in
many ways unsatisfactory for experimental purposes, and because
the funds available would not permit the necessary modification of
these conditions some of the experiments undertaken failed. A
report of such of the work as is of value follows:
SEED-BED EXPERIMENTS.
Several seed beds were made, each 3.5 feet wide by 18 feet long.
The earth was raised a few inches above the general level in bed
form, and the sides of the beds supported by old boards or poles.
One half of the beds was shaded by a removable straw shade and
the other half remained without shade. The shade was supported
on poles about 4 feet above the beds. (PI. I, figs. 1 and 2.) .
Imported Habana, Connecticut Habana, Florida Sumatra, imported
Sumatra, and Porto Rico seed were sown, each in a separate bed,
half with shade and half without. The records show that the seeds
in the shaded portion of the beds came up from two to four days
earlier than those in the unshaded portion.
After the plants were all well up the straw shades were removed
for a short time each day early in the morning and late in the after-
noon. The time of exposure was gradually increased, and eventually
the plants were shaded only from 10 a. m. to 3 p.m. Leaves most of which can be used for binder and filler,
¢Includes all expenses on the established tobacco farm,
Pounds.
Trip Capa, Clata< os ae eee ee =e Sem ee Se 14
Tripa ‘caparnegra, 202 case sgae Le es ee ee ee ee 22
Total e222: os pee a ~ st Bess25.43 22s 36
Trips ..25. 5222225 sas. See ss Ea Pat
Wield ‘of two-thirteenths of antacres 2222 2. ae eee aN 228
Yield per acres. 2s. 4 Re ee AS ee eee 1, 482
Samples of the light and medium wrappers were valued by cigar
factories in San Juan at $2.50 and $2, respectively, and one large fac-
tory offered $1.50 a pound average.
As aresult of these experiments and observations in regard to larger
areas that have been grown under shade in Porto Rico it may safely
be said that shading increases the yield, quality, and percentage of
wrappers sufficiently to make shading a profitable business, provid-
ing it is practiced only on soils suitable for growing wrappers and the
crop is given the best of care throughout its growth and further treat-
ment in curing and fermentation.
EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS.
It was planned to try the eect of fertilizers at both Aguas Buenas
and Aibonito, but uncontrollable circumstances prevented the work at
the first-named place. At Aibonito, however, seven ;-acre plats
were laid out and treated as follows:
Plan of fertilizer experiments.
Plat No. 1.—No fertilizers.
Plat No. 2.—20 pounds sulphate of potash, 60 pounds acid phosphate.
Plat No. 3.—20 pounds sulphate of potash, 20 pounds nitrate of soda.
Plat No. 4.—60 pounds acid phosphate, 20 pounds nitrate of soda.
Plat No. 5.—60 pounds acid phosphate, 20 pounds sulphate of potash, and
20 pounds nitrate of soda.
Plat No. 6.—60 pounds acid phosphate, 20 pounds sulphate of potash, 20
pounds nitrate of soda, and 200 pounds lime.
Plat No. 7.—No fertilizers.
The plats were all planted on the same day, and at a later date each
plat was photographed for the purpose of recording the differences
in growth, which in some cases was very marked. Even the least
affected of the treated plats showed a small increase in growth over
the untreated. By comparison, plats 2 and 4 were found to be equally
good, but much superior to No. 1, which had no fertilizer. No. 5 was
much inferior to Nos. 2 and 4, but slightly better than No. 1. This
showed that the sulphate of potash and nitrate of soda combined had
very little effect, and that acid phosphate when combined with either
of the others separately gave a marked effect. It seems, therefore,
that for growing tobacco on this soil acid phosphate as a manure is
PLATE III.
Dept. Agr.
Bul. 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station,
Fia. 1.—PLAT 1, NO FERTILIZER.
Fic. 2.—PLAT 2, SULPHATE OF POTASH AND ACID PHOSPHATE.
Fic. 3.—PLAT 3, SULPHATE OF POTASH AND NITRATE OF SODA.
Fig. 4,—PLAT 4, AciID PHOSPHATE AND NITRATE OF SODA,
PLATE IV.
“46
Dept
gr. Expt. Station,
Porto Rico A
5,
Bul,
Fia. 1.—PLAT 5, AcID PHOSPHATE, SULPHATE OF POTASH,
AND NITRATE OF SODA.
Fic. 2.—PLAT 6, AcID PHOSPHATE, SULPHATE OF POTASH,
NITATE OF SODA, AND LIME.
OF TOBACCO SPLIT WorRM.
25
far more efficient than sulphate of potash and nitrate of soda com-
bined. This conelusion is further emphasized by comparing plats 3
and 4, the latter having acid phosphate in addition to the sulphate of
potash and nitrate of soda, which No. 5 has, and showing a very
marked increase in growth over No. 3. Since plat No. 4 is very little
better than Nos. 2 and 4, it further emphasizes the conclusion arrived
at by comparing Nos. 1 and 3—i. e., that nitrate of soda and sulphate
of potash have had very little effect on the growth of tobacco on this
soil. Plat No. 6, to which 200 pounds of lime was added, showed no
improvement over No. 5, which was otherwise treated the same.
(Pl. III, figs. 1 to 4; Pl. IV, figs. 1 and 2.) It was hoped that further
valuable results would be obtained by keeping each plant separate
through the harvesting, curing, and fermenting, thus obtaining the
effect of the different fertilizers upon the actual yield and quality
of tobacco. It was not possible, however, to carry out the last part
of the experiment.
So far as the experiment was carried it indicates that the appro-
priate fertilizer for tobacco on this field is one containing a large
amount of acid phosphate and smaller amounts of nitr ogen and potash.
The experiment is an example of what any planter can easily try
for himself, and as the question is put to the soil of his own estate
and the answer given in the effect upon the crop he is growing, the
result can not fail to be far more satisfactory than any chemical exam-
ination that could be made. It should also be recognized that what,
may give excellent results on one soil may fail altogether on another.
The writer had under observation another field, part of which was
treated with cotton-seed meal at the rate of 2,000 pounds per acre,
and another part given a liberal dressing of compost containing horse
manure, vegetable matter, and tobacco stems. The compost was
applied about three weeks before planting and the cotton-seed meal
the day before planting. The plants given cotton-seed meal grew
more rapidly, especially during their early life. It is probable that
the ingredients of the cotton-seed meal were immediately available,
and in case of the compost, which was not well decomposed, they
were not.
The application of fertilizers is a question which has received very
little consideration in Porto Rico, but it is an important one, espe-
cially in relation to tobacco growing. It may be pardonable, there-
fore, to quote briefly from other sources.
According to analyses reported by R. J. Davidson, of the Virginia
Agricultural Experiment Station, the entire plants of a tobacco crop
yielding 1,000 pounds of leaves per acre contain 66.85 pounds of nitro-
gen, 8.68 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 85.41 pounds of potash.
The leaves of such a crop contain 44 pounds of nitrogen, 5.89 pounds
of phosphoric acid, and 58.19 pounds of potash. The parts usually
bo
6
removed from the soil, the leaves and stalks, contain 58.9 pounds of
nitrogen, 7.72 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 77.86 pounds of potash.¢
This shows that the larger part of the fertilizing constituents is
found in the leaves and stalks, and emphasizes the exacting charac-
ter of the demands of the tobacco plant on the soil and the importance
of returning to the soil all of the stalks and roots.
In several places it was noticed that planters in preparing tobacco
ground for a future crop had thrown out of the field all of the roots
and stalks of the tobacco, a practice that would not have been per-
mitted had the planters appreciated their value. It was also noticed
that beans were harvested by cutting and removing the whole plants
from the field. As this crop belongs to the leguminous family, and
through the agency of the tubercles on its roots has the power to utilize
free nitrogen from the air, thus becoming itself rich in this element,
the vines and all unused parts of the plants should be returned to the
soil.
Manure in the form of well decomposed compost is excellent for
tobacco and one which can easily be supplied in considerable quantity
in Porto Rico. Any plant débris, such as banana stalks, weeds, and
grass may be used, and should be supplemented as far as possible
by animal manures and animal débris. Horse manure is the most
valuable and cattle manure ranks next. It is said that goat and pig
mauure gives the tobacco a bad taste, while sheep manure produces a
heavy leaf. These should therefore be avoided. It is important that
the compost be well decomposed; if not, its application may become
harmful. An application may consist of 5 to 20 tons per acre, accord-
ing to the requirements of the soil and the concentration of the
compost.
Green manures, i. e., the plowing under of leguminous crops, such
as cowpeas or velvet beans, often give good results and increase the
thinness and elasticity of the tobacco leaves.
Guano, which occurs in many caves in Porto Rico, is alsoa valuable
manure. Its composition varies greatly, and the requisite amount to
use Gan only be determined by experiment.
Commercial fertilizers should be used with great care. The use of
potash improves the combustibility of tobacco, but it should be used
only in the form of a sulphate, carbonate, or nitrate. Muriate of pot-
ash should never be used, as the chlorin is considered very harmful.
Cotton-seed-hull ashes is also a most valuable source of potash. Phos-
phorie acid should not be used in excess, for, according to Nessler,
the more there is in the soil the more the plant takes up, and too
much affects the color of the ash. Acid phosphate and phosphatic
slag are used in preference to bone phosphate, on account of being
immediately available. Nitrogenous manures should be used with
moderation. According to Schloesing, they increase the vigor of the
«Virginia Sta. Buls. 14 and 50.
27
plant, but have a marked effect upon the nicotin, increasing it to an
extent that is injurious. In France the planters are advised by the
tobacco service not to use nitrate of soda, as it seems to produce
tobacco without quality and causes fizzing. Cotton-seed meal has also
proved in Porto Rico to be a very good source of nitrogen for tobacco
raising, and its cost is rather moderate. Cotton-seed meal not only
contains nitrogen, but also a small amount of phosphoric acid and
potash. On heavy soils or those deficient in organic matter a small
application of lime often gives excellent results.
EXPERIMENTS IN CURING TOBACCO.
The curing experiments were conducted in three curing sheds:
First. A frame building, formerly constructed for a storehouse and
part of which was used in that capacity during the curing experi-
ment. As the large doors were frequently opened in order to enter
the building, it materially interfered with the attempt to control the
condition for the curing of tobacco. The building was modified by
arranging small hinged doors on opposite sides just above the floor
and just below the roof.
Second. A shed was constructed of poles and canvas and covered
by astraw roof. The canvas was treated with linseed oil in order to
keep out the humidity and painted black so as to darken the interior.
The black surface, however, absorbed the sun’s heat and readily trans-
mitted it to the air within, thus causing the temperature to become
too high. This effect was early noticed and rectified by putting a
white canvas over the black one, thus reflecting the sun’s rays and
keeping the interior of the shed cooler.
Third. A large shed was constructed of board sides and a thatched
roof supported by a pole framework. Large hinged doors were made
in the sides for ventilation.
The daily temperature and relative humidity was ascertained in
each shed from March 19 to April 23, with the results given in the
following table:
Temperature and relative humidity in three curing sheds, taken daily at 3 p.m.
Large shed. Cloth-covered shed. | Frame shed.
Date. Tempera-| Relative |Tempera-| Relative |Tempera-| Relative
ture. humidity. ture, humidity. ture. humidity.
1904, CAT Per cent, O15 Per cent. | = n8 Per cent.
ie) 76.5 74.0 80.0 61.0 82.0 65.0,
76.0 76.0 79.0 60.0 81.0 63.0
70.0 90.0 71:5 83.5 74.5 78 0
74.0 82.0 76.0 72.0 78.0 79.0
76.0 82.0 76.0 77.0° 77.0 83.0
74.0 80.0, 74.5 78.0 77.0 77.0
+ 78.0 71.0 78.0 65.5 79.0 69.0
74.0 86.0 74.0 82.0, 74.0 84.0
78.0 75.0 78.0 69.0 79.0 71.0
74.0 86.0 73.5 88.5 74.0 78.0
79.5 64,0 80.5 61.0 85.0 62.5
82.0 51.0 83.5 82.0 84.5 57.5
72.0 91.0 71.0 90.0 74.0 82.0:
28
Temperature and relative humidity in three curing sheds, ete.—Continued.
Large shed. | Cloth-coyered shed. | Frame shed.
Date. Tempera-| Relative | Tempera-| Relative | Tempera-| Relative
ture. humidity.| ture. | humidity. | ture. | humidity.
=H a Per cent. Per cent. | 7% Per cent.
80.0 7.0 | 77.0 | 71.5 70.5
77.5 77.0 78.0 79.0 | 71.0
80.0 72.0 68.0 82.0 | 65.0
$2.0 58.0 64.0 85.0 56.5
76.0 70.0 66.0 78.0 79.0
75.5 80.0 74.0 79.0 68.0
$1.0 75.5 66.0 84.0 62.0
82.0 65.0 62.0 83.0 57.0
81.5 63.0 64.0 82.0 | 58.0
80.0 | 68.0 | 66.0 81.0 63.0
79.0 73.0 69.5 81.0 68.5
80.0 | 70.0 06.5 83.0 72.5
78.5 63.5 62.0 81.0 56.0
79.0 | 71.0 61.0 82.5 60.0
79.0 71.0 07.0. 85.0 56.5
AV OLAGO =o: 3-250 77. 67 73.57 78. 26 70. 01 80, 21 68.3
Briefly, the results show that in the frame building with a mean
temperature of 80,2° F. and relative humidity of 68.3 per cent, the
tobacco dried too quickly and the leaves when cured contained many
green spots. In the cloth shed prior to putting on the white outside
canvas the temperature was very much too high and the tobacco was
badly damaged. After modification the mean temperature was 78.26°
and the relative humidity 70 per cent, and the conditions as shown by
the tobacco were more favorable than in the frame building. In the
large shed the mean temperature was 77.67° and the relative humidity
73.57 per cent. The tobacco in this shed was better cured than in
either of the others, and would indicate that the slightly lower tem-
perature and higher relative humidity were favorable to the best
results.
FERMENTATION.
The experimental crop of shade-grown tobacco was too small in
amount to make it possible to carry on a satisfactory fermenting
experiment with it. It was therefore combined with other tobacco
from the plantation and fermented. The writer gave personal super-
vision to the fermentation of all the tobacco of the plantation and
kept records of the temperature in the several fermenting piles, hay-
ing the piles torn down and rebuilt whenever the temperature reached
an elevation which indicated the necessity of this operation. Below
is given the temperature records of one pile, the tobacco of which
was grown outside and contained a high percentage of wrapper leaves.
The fermentation investigations were carried on in a stone building
of which two sides each had a window and a door that were not pro-
vided with means of being closed. These openings, through which
the wind frequently blew, made it impossible to properly control the
interior humidity, and in this connection it might be said that it is
always desirable to have the fermenting house so that it can be
29
tightly closed, thereby controlling the humidity of the interior. In
case the humidity should become too low it can be increased by
admitting the damp night air. This, however, would rarely be
necessary in Porto Rico, because of the usual high humidity of the
air. In order to keep a desirable amount of humidity in the air it is
advisable to make occasional tests with the hygrometer, and if too
much or too little is found means can be taken to secure the proper
amount.
Record of temperature in fermenting pile of tobacco.
Temper-
Date. | Gee ‘ Remarks. Date. Sindee Remarks.
Hocus Br:
Mar. 24 | 28 | About 2,000 pounds. Apr, 18 44
Mar. 25 | ? | Apr. 19 45
Mar. 26 49 | Taken down and rebuilt: | Apr. 20 46
| temperature too high. Apr. 21 50
Mar. 27 35 Apr. 2 |-.---.--=- Taken down, rebuilt, and
Mar. 28 48 | Taken down, spread out, | about 3,000 pounds added,
| and aired, after which it | thus making a_ pile of
| was rebuilt and 1,000 | about 9,000 pounds.
| pounds of other tobacco
added.
War); 29))|--="=2..-=
Mie ee
Mar. 31 28
Apr. 1 30 28
Apr. 2| 35 Apr. 29
Apr. 3 39 Apr. 30
Apr. 4 43 May 1
Apr. 5 | 46 | May 2
Apr. 6) 48 May 3 5
Apr. 7 51 May 4 5
Apr. 8 48 | Taken down, rebuilt, anda |) May 5 51 Taken down and rebuilt.
| similar pile added, thus May 7 32
| making a pile of about | May 9 37
| 6,000 pounds. | May 10 40
Apr. 9 | 37 | ' | May 11 42
Apr. 10 45 | Taken down, rebuilt. May 12 43
Apr. 11 nee ; May 13 45
Apr. 12 28 May 14 47
Apr. 13 30 May 15 48 |
Apr. 14 32 | May 16 49 |
Apr. 15 86 May 17) 49 | Fermentation completed
Apr. 16 39 | | and sorting begun.
Apr. 17 42 |
SEED SELECTION.
An examination of the tobacco fields of Porto Rico and of the prod-
uct in the factories and warehouses shows a number of tobacco vari-
eties in the same field or in the same lot of tobacco, so that the crop
as a whole can not be spoken of as a distinctive type of Porto Rican
tobacco. Among the several varieties noticed two very distinct ones
may be mentioned, one in which the veins of the leaf grew almost at
right angles to the midrib, and the other (called ‘‘ lengua vaca”) @ in
which the veins made an acute angle with the midrib. These wide
variations, which give rise to what may be called different types or
varieties of tobacco, are no doubt largely the result of defective
methods of seed selection, as pointed out in the report on preliminary
investigations. Indeed, the method of procuring tobacco seed is such
«Literally ‘“‘ cow tongue”’; i. e., a narrow, pointed leaf.
30
that rational seed selection is thought to be a most important prob-
lem for tobacco culture in Porto Rico. Only good seed should be
used. The best seed comes from the best plants, and these alone
should be chosen for seed production.
The heaviest tobacco seed is usually produced by the largest cap-
sules. In a vitality test made by the United States Department of
Agriculture with heavy, medium, and light weight seeds from the
same tobacco plant, it was found that 95 to 100 per cent of the heavy
ones germinated, 50 to 85 per cent of the medium ones, and 0 to 12
per cent of the light ones. It is important, therefore, to use only the
heavy seeds.
As a general ruleit is a sign of degeneration when the plantsin the
seed bed show a scanty growth and when diseases appear in the field,
resulting in a diminished yield. This degeneracy is also evidenced
in the curing house by variegated colors and spotted leaves and by
the rigidity and contraction of the leaves. If these symptoms are
present a renewal of the seed, or at least a rigorous selection of the
propagating plants, is necessary. Whenever a superior product is
obtained from the seed planted everything possible should be done
to prevent hybridization and to secure the perpetuation of the vari-
ety. It is thus advised, whenever a large number of proper plants
for seed purposes are at hand, to get a large quantity of that seed
from the crop and to use this seed for following years as long as it
keeps its vitality, usually about ten years.
The Connecticut State Agricultural Experiment Station found that
the leaf of both broad leaf and Connecticut Habana of favorite
strains generally show a tendency to become larger from successive
crops of seed; in fact, the leaves are frequently so large that they
cut to waste. The same has also been noticed in regard to Porto
Rico wrappers, and it is a common fault that after all the wrap-
pers possible have been cut from a leaf which cost the cigarmaker
25 to 75 cents per pound, and even $1 to $3 per pound for shade-
grown, there is left too much tobacco which can be used only for
serap, valued at 3 to 6 cents per pound. This, then, is another
instance in favor of using from good seed as long as it will retain its
vitality, rather than use seed from each succeeding crop.
It must be borne in mind that selection should be made for differ-
ent purposes, and that a good wrapper leaf has very different charac-
teristics than one required for a filler.
In case of wrapper, a light-colored, thin, elastic, and somewhat
round leaf, with small veins, is desirable. The most desirable size is
18 to 20 inches long in the field, which gives leaves 16 to 18 inches
long after the shrinkage due to curing, fermenting, and seasoning.
The plants should also be early maturing, vigorous, free from dis-
ease, and possess a uniform type of leaf from top to bottom, the
leaves being close together on the stem.
Bul. 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station, Dept. Agr PLATE V.
Fig. 1.—TYPE OF FLORIDA SUMATRA LEAF. Fig. 3.—TYPE OF CONNECTICUT-HABANA
LEAF.
Fig. 2.—Goobd Tyre OF LEAF FOR Fic. 4.—Poor TYPE oF LEAF FOR
WRAPPERS. WRAPPERS.
31
Plants with the above qualities should not be topped, but left for
seed production. All suckers should be removed and only the crown
flower stalk left. It is also advisable to remove none of the leaves,
as experiments have shown that the greater the number of leaves
left on the seed plant the better the quality of seed. Great care
should be taken to prevent pollen from neighboring varieties being
carried to the selected plants, and consequent crossing of varieties.
In ease of doubt in this regard it is best to reject the seed. The
results of careful seed selection will be very clearly shown on the
field the next year. For types of leaves see Plate V, figures 1 to 4.
The Plant Breeding Laboratory of the United States Department
of Agriculture has begun selecting and cross-breeding tobacco with
reference to improving the leaves, and eighteen selections and crosses
in duplicate were sent to the writer to be planted during the winter
of 1903-4. One set was planted at Aguas Buenas and the other at
Aibonito. At the last-named place the set was destroyed by the
“leaf miner,” or ‘‘ split worm,” after the plants had been set in the
field, so no seeds were secured. (PI. IV, fig. 4.)
At Aguas Buenas the plants did well. (Pl. IV, fig. 3.) Of each
selection the best and most uniform plants were selected and 50 to 40
capsules only left on the main flower stalks. These were covered
with manila paper bags to prevent crossing with other plants. Seeds
of these selections have been saved for further work along this line.
It may be said thatas a result of this selection the plants have shown
great improvement in uniformity of leaf, and the results are very
promising. The most important characteristics of the mother plants
were all transmitted in the seed, as was proved by a comparison of
each plant with the notes which had been carefully made of the
appearance of the mother plant. It is necessary for each tobacco
grower to make his own selections in the field, and upon deciding
which type or types of plants he wishes to perpetuate to bag such
selected plants after the flowering begins.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PORTO RICAN
TOBACCO.
The investigations carried on during the year are not in all respects
conclusive. It is recognized that further work is desirable, and it is
hoped that such may be continued in the near future.
In tobaceo culture, as with any other branch of agriculture, it is
recognized that practice must conform to the conditions with which
the planter has to contend. However, there are certain general prin-
ciples that are in all cases applicable. Endeavoring to keep within
the bounds of these, the following suggestions are made with refer-
ence to improving the methods of growing, curing, and fermenting
tobacco in Porto Rico.
To be appreciated by the majority of smokers in the United States it
is necessary that tobacco should have perfect combustibility (burning
power), an agreeable aroma for the filler, a small quantity of nicotin,
light color, and small veins for the wrapper. For the manufacturer, the
shape of the leaf, its structure, and elasticity are also of great impor-
tance. These qualities are generally not found in thick leaves. It is,
therefore, desirable to produce a tobacco which is not gummy, excepting
for roll or chewing purposes—i. e., which does not contain a superfluous
amount of glutinous juice, or, as it is termed in the local vernacular,
‘“‘miel” or honey. If gummy it has a disagreeable taste and less
combustibility. The smoke of the tobacco must not be acrid or bit-
ing, but should be mild and have an agreeable aroma. ‘To obtain the
above-mentioned qualities the planters generally sacrifice quantity to
quality. This of course can not be advantageously done in countries
where the climate does not allow the production of a leaf of very fine
aroma, but could be very well applied in Porto Rico, because it has
already been proven that Porto Rico has a favorable climate for the
production of very good tobacco of fine flavor and aroma.
CHOICE OF LAND.
Before engaging in the business of tobacco growing the planter
should ascertain whether he has suitable land for the purpose and, if so,
to what class of tobacco it is best adapted. It has already been pointed
out that the texture and strueture of the soil has a marked influence
upon the character of tobacco produced. Soils light in texture—i. e.,
having a relatively large amount of sand and small amount of clay—
are in general best suited to the production of wrapper tobacco, and
give leaves of medium size, fine texture, and good color. The filler
crop may be grown to better advantage on a heavier soil. The influ-
ence of the soil may be partly overcome by climatic conditions and
manipulation, and, as pointed out above, by the use of shade and
proper methods of handling a high percentage of good wrapper leaf
may be produced on a heavy soil. The character of the subsoil is
also important. A sandy soil under low rainfall and without irriga-
tion should be underlaid at a depth of 1.5 to 2 feet by a somewhat
stiff subsoil, otherwise the plants will suffer from drought. On the
contrary, if the rainfall is abundant a very porous subsoil will give
best results, because of the drainage which it affords.
A striking example of the influence of the character of the subsoil
upon the quality of tobacco may be found by comparing the subsoil
of the famous Vuelta Abajo district, in Cuba, with that of the hilly
districts of Remedios. In the first instance the subsoil is very sandy
and the tobacco has an extremely fine texture and superior aroma,
while in the latter case the subsoil is very heavy in texture, contains
much organic matter, and the tobacco is much coarser, darker, and
stronger. The following table gives the mechanical analyses of these
33
two subsoils as made by the Bureau of Soils, U. 8S. Department of
Agriculture:
Mechanical analyses of subsoils from two Cuban tobacco districts.
b H ‘
& o . cs
So $ 3 | a
cS 3 Lc} a S
aap mits Seal ts 5 |
Source of subsoil. oA Ly = , a 3 | eS
=I % = a | o | EI | 3 qe | t= |
aH = > Zz 5 a Sr al 5 i
Se loctee le Serica | erameberetaal «eee Mert sag
= S Sh il RS = i > va Fe ‘S)
Be - _| = ae =
PACE. bails) | Es Chal keel Cu | GUase Oba) |b Ghal| bat Clal WEstOt.)| eee Cl
Vuelta Abajo district __-..- 0.74 | 3.80] 4.06] 4.62] 8. 43.09 | 6.53 | 1.8% 69
Hilly district of Remedios__| 5.17 | 10.01) 1.31 . 86 14.97 | 21.24] 9.3)
The influence of dew and rainfall upon the taste and aroma of
tobacco is very noticeable. The very fine cigarette tobacco produced
in Yenidje Karasou (Turkey), which sometimes brings $4 to $5 a
pound, is grown on a rather poor soil with stony subsoil. Of rainfall
and dew there is but little, and the plants being set out at a distance
of only 6 inches, or even less, and no irrigation being applied, the
leaves remain small and soft, but possess a superior flavor and aroma.
In other parts where the soil is loose and contains more moisture, the
roots spread and the plants grow very high. An ample rainfall pro-
duces large leaves, but the flavor and aroma are impaired by this rapid
growth, and the tobacco produced is light and nearly tasteless. The
same can be said of Sumatra tobacco, which, under the influence of
the tropical rainfall and very abundant moisture of the air, grows
speedily, and being planted very closely and topped high, a cigar
made from Sumatra tobacco alone would possess neither aroma nor
taste. The value of Sumatra tobacco lies only in its unsurpassed
value as wrapper material.
One of the first considerations should be to use care in choosing
lands for tobacco growing, and, as has been seen, one class of land
should be chosen for growing wrapper tobacco, while another is better
suited for growing the filler, keeping always in mind that the treat-
ment given to wrapper and filler must also be quite different from the
beginning to the end.
SEED AND SEED BEDS.
The tobacco seed should be secured with reference to the kind of
tobacco the land is best suited to grow. The seed should have good
vitality, a condition which can be easily tested by placing 100 seeds
between two moist blotters and keeping them between two plates a
sufficient length of time to allow the seeds to germinate.
The time of preparing the seed beds will depend on when the plants
are to be set in the fields. The seed should be sown forty-five to
34
sixty days earlier, as it requires that time for the young plants to attain
the proper size to be transplanted to the fields. For seed beds a fer-
tile soil of medium texture is desirable, and it should be worked into
the finest possible condition and freed from all coarse organic matter.
The soil should be elevated into beds not more than 34 feet in width
and as long as may be desired. The elevating of the soil prevents
rainwater falling on adjacent land from running onto the beds, and
the narrow width enables the workmen to reach from either side to
the middle of the beds to remove weeds without getting on the soil
and compacting it. To pre-
vent washing by rains remoy-
able straw or cloth covers
should be used until the plants
become well established.
There is a tendency in Porto
Rico to select as much as pos-
sible slender seed plants from
the seed bed to be set out.
These slender young plants
(see fig. 14), however, have a
much weaker root develop-
ment and do not overcome so
well the check of transplant-
ing or diseases.
The stocky plants with well-
developed root system (see fig.
1B) are believed to be more
vigorous, and therefore an at-
tempt should be made, as far
as practicable, to produce this
kind of young plants in the
seed bed.
Lack of light results in a de-
creased action of the chloro-
F1G. 1.—Types of plants used in transplanting: phyll and consequently weak-
A Bory pe: Ee eoeliaEe: ens the assimilation, thus re-
ducing the necessary organic building substances.
In Porto Rico the lack of light and air in the seed bed is largely
due to having the seed plants too close together, and therefore the
amount of seed sown on a certain surface is of the highest importance.
If it is observed that they are rather close together it is always ad-
visable to thin them immediately, thereby giving each plant sufficient
space for normal development.
Great care should also be taken to avoid injury to the roots when
the plants are removed from the seed bed. To facilitate the pulling
35
of the young plants it is best first to sprinkle the beds with water.
It is desirable to have as much of the fine soil as will adhere to the
roots of the plants removed with them.
TIME OF TRANSPLANTING FOR WRAPPER AND FILLER.
In Porto Rico, which is situated between 17° 55’ and 18° 32’ north
latitude, the best season for planting tobacco seems to be in the win-
ter, which is also true of Cuba. The rainfall at that season is less
and the temperature several degrees cooler than in summer. In the
ummer, under the influence of greater warmth and moisture, the
plants grow more rapidly, but the leaves do not acquire that desirable
aroma that they have when grown during the period in which less
humidity and plenty of sunshine prevails. When grown in the sum-
mer there is also more danger from loss by standing water in the
fields and diseases are more prevalent. It is very important to gauge
the time of planting so as to avoid excessive rainfall or extreme
drought during the growing season and also to have the harvesting
and curing period occur in comparatively dry weather.
Generally, the best time for transplanting the wrapper tobacco
seems to be about the end of October or beginning of November.
This brings the harvest time about February 1, and gives that month
and March, which are on the average the driest of the year, for the
curing. This also avoids serious damage by the flea-beetle, which is
most prevalent during the dry season.
The following table, which gives the mean monthly and annual
rainfall for various districts, shows that on the average November is
a month of high rainfall, but during the following months of Decem-
ber, January, and February it rapidly decreases. If, therefore, level,
poorly drained land is to be used for the wrapper crop, there is dan-
ger of the tobacco being damaged and sometimes destroyed by wet
weather. In such cases it is advisable to defer the planting until
December.
Mean monthly and annual rainfall for various districts in Porto Rico.
w he “i &
; (of, = a) 5 H °
|S lag|s| YS heat Bel Bale
i 3 ae em 4 4 Pea ees
Station. | = ws 3 FS S| a s| 3 = Ff 3 2 2 | § 25
Sor Wel coulis eei ine caecial eal ro. NOs [eae lcd
| A |A |S le l/alal/al/sSlRJalalolAalialse
rary | |
Years.| Ins. | Ins. | Ins. | Ins. | Ins. | Ins.| Ins.| Ins. | Ins.| Ins. | Ins. | Ins.| Ins
5) 4.74) 1.51) 2.12) 5.58) 7.75) 6.11) 3.49) 6.41) 4.52 5.68) 8.74) 6.37) 63.02
2and3\4.62 .43) 2.80, 5.5011.39) 8.44 5.16) 6.2911.4811.54 11.07 4.93) 83.65
3 and 4/6, 02) 1.18) 3.11/05. 82) 5.4910. 41 9. 83/68. 36 5. 87/10. 63 7.11/63. 85) 77.68
5| 4.11) 1.63) 2.29) 5.04) 9.45) 9.96 7.56) 8.92) 6.87) 6.63) 7.32) 4.75) 74.53
203 4, 3.96 1.38 3.64) 5.34) 8.3817.49 8.04) 9.49) 9.07) 8.39 7.11) 5.53 87.8
Mi ee | 98\3and 4) 3.37) .55)b2.56) 3.31) 5.28) 7.53) 7.95) 3.61! 5.17 piel 4.68 2.07) 50.75
a¥For two years only. > For three years only.
For the filler crop it is advised to plant about the middle or close
of December, so that the principal growth will be made during the
36
drier weather of February and March, as the resulting slower growth
develops a finer aroma. If two successive crops are to be obtained
in the same field it is advisable to transplant early in October, so
that harvesting can be done in January. The field is then plowed,
fertilized, and harrowed, so as to have the second planting done at
the end of January or beginning of February. In this case irrigation
would be necessary. This second planting is very frequently prac-
ticed in Cuba with very good results.
METHOD OF TRANSPLANTING.
The seed beds should be thoroughly wet before attempting to remove
the plants, in order that they may be removed with the least possible
injury to the roots. The young plants should be covered with
plantain leaves or a wet cloth during their transit to the field, and in
the process of planting the roots should be exposed to the sun as
littleas possible. A few minutes’ exposure of the roots to a bright sun
is often sufficient to kill the plant. The plants should be placed in the
holes with the roots straight and moist soil pressed firmly around
them and hilled up to the leaves, the lower ones having been removed.
It is well, as far as possible, to do the planting on cloudy days or morn-
ings and evenings, thus avoiding the hot sun of the middle of the day,
which is responsible for the death of many plants when the work is
done at thattime. The necessity of resetting many plants makes the
fields uneven and causes inequality in time of maturing. Asa result,
half-ripe, ripe, and overripe leaves are cut at the same time.
CULTIVATION.
Careful and thorough cultivation should be given the tobacco fields
during the early growth of the plants. During dry weather the
surface of the soil should be frequently stirred in order to destroy
capillarity, thereby reducing evaporation directly from the soil and
conserving soil moisture for the use of the plants. Any dry blanket
that can be placed between atmosphere and the damp soil will check
this evaporation. The most practical protection is a covering of finely
pulverized dry soil 2 or 3 inches deep. Surface cultivation not only
reduces the loss of water from the soil, but also prevents an accumu-
lation of the soluble plant food immediately at the surface and where
it is out of reach of the plant roots. Cultivation should not be too
deep, especially near the plants, as it destroys many of the small
roots, thus lessening the feeding power of the plant. It also facili-
tates the formation of nitrates. Cultivation should not be under-
taken when the soil is too wet, because stirring the soil when in such
a condition gives to it a bad physical condition. If wet weather is
continuous, all weeds should be removed with as little cultivation as
possible. During the process of cultivation the soil should gradually
——
37
be worked toward the plants, thus hillmg them up and preventing
their being blown down by winds.
TOPPING.
For wrapper purposes it is advisable to top high. This is especially
true when abundant sunshine and favorable conditions prevail during
the growing season. If, however, the weather is cloudy and rainy,
the topping should be done somewhat lower and a smaller number of
leaves left on the plants. This is especially true in case of shade-
grown tobacco, as the shade has a tendency to still further increase
the humid conditions to which the fields are subjected. Weak plants
ought to be topped lower than strong, well-developed plants, which
will be able to mature a larger number of leaves. Too high topping
makes leaves deficient in elasticity; too low topping, too heavy leaves.
Experience is necessary in order to top the plants just right, taking
into account weather conditions and type of plants and soil.
Suckers immediately appear after the topping, and these should be
removed at frequent intervals. Experience has taught that instead
of breaking off the suckers in the axil it is better to leave a small part
of the stem of the sucker, about 1 inch in length. By so doing less
suckers will reappear. The removal of the suckers throws the strength
of the plant into the leaves, but if there is a tendency, through having
topped the plants too low or through change in weather conditions,
for the leaves of the plant to become too thick, this may be counter-
acted by leaving one or two suckers on the plant.
HARVESTING.
Two methods of harvesting are in use. One consists in removing
each leaf from the plant at the most favorable stage of ripeness and
the other is to cut the whole plant when the largest number of leaves
are in a favorable stage of ripeness. The first method should always
be used for wrapper or high-grade tobacco, as it gives more favorable
results. Great care should be exercised to prime the leaves at the
most favorable stage of ripeness, taking first the bottom leaves, then
successively the middle and top leaves, with a few days between.
The proper time to harvest is determined by the appearance of the
leaves, and an experienced eye is required to detect the minute
differences which mark the leaves when in the most favorable degree
of ripeness.
Overripe leaves become less combustible, are less elastic, give darker
colors, and contain more nicotin, all of which is undesirable. In
mnripe leaves the colors are difficult to change in the curing process,
and often turn from green to black in the fermenting pile. After
priming the leaves should be transported to the curing shed in bas-
kets provided with burlap for covering the tops and sides, so as to
protect the leaves from dust and direct rays of the sun.
38
With the cut system of harvesting it is advisable to cut the plants
when the middle leaves show maturity—for wrapper purposes early
in this stage and for filler a little later. The plants should be allowed
to lie on the ground for a few hours until wilted, after which they are
transported to the curing shed. It is sometimes advisable to string
the plants on poles before transporting, and upon arrival at the shed
the poles with plants on them are put in place without further handling
of the plants. These short poles or laths should be of proper length
to fit the compartments of the shed, the plants being fastened by
means of a cord looped around the plant stems and passing from
side to side, so that the plants alternate on opposite sides of the pole.
The poles with plants attached may be transported to the sheds sus-
pended on two long poles carried by two men or on a wagon prepared
for the purpose.
CURING SHED.
For a good curing shed five points should be considered:
(1) Orientation or direction, (2) situation, (3) dimensions, (4) con-
struction, and (5) aeration or ventilation.
The orientation of shed should usually be northeast by southwest,
because in Porto Rico the prevailing wind is from the northeast.
Where the direction of prevailing wind is different the orientation
should conform. The shed should be so built that when the venti-
lators are open the wind will not blow directly in at the openings.
When wind blows directly in at ventilators the near-by tobacco dries
too rapidly and the leaves remain green instead of changing to
desirable colors.
The situation of the curing shed depends upon the requirements of
the farm, but, other things being equal, should be convenient to the
tobacco field, and should be as much as possible sheltered by other
buildings or trees on the side from whence the wind-comes. Close
proximity to marshes, streams, or wet land should be avoided,
because the dampness from such sources is conducive to molds and
pole-sweat.
The dimensions of the curing shed will depend upon the size of
the crop, but the width should never be too great for good ventila-
tion of all parts of the interior when filled with tobacco. The width
should not exceed 30 feet, and the height should be nearly equal
to the width, while the length may be as great as desired.
The construction of the curing shed will depend to a certain
extent upon the available and most economical material for the
structure. In Porto Rico, as a rule, the framework may be made of
poles cut from native trees. Inch boards of either native or imported
lumber will probably be most desirable and economical for the sides,
while thatched roofs, either of palm leaves or grass, are suitable.
Thatched roofs favor a more equable temperature than either board
39
or metal ones. It is most important that the shed should be so con-
structed that the temperature and humidity can be controlled. In
order to accomplish this it should be sufficiently tight to prevent air
currents when closed. The ventilators should be at frequent inter-
vals and sufficiently large to secure any desired amount of ventilation.
They should be so constructed that they open against the wind, can
be fastened to any sized opening, and can be quickly and tightly
closed. The interior framework should be so constructed with poles
and cross poles that the whole space can be utilized for hanging
tobacco. Strong wires may be tightly stretched and take the place
of the smallest poles. Poles sufficiently strong to support movable
planks on which the workmen stand should be placed at intervals
sufficiently close to enable all parts of the space to be easily reached.
The sticks on which the tobacco is strung may consist of ordinary
lath 4 by 14 inches, by 4 feet long, with a saw notch in each end to
hold the cord, or they may consist of small native saplings of any
desired length.
Two kinds of aeration or ventilation are reeognized—one slow and
continuous, the other rapid and periodic. The first is acquired by
opening the small ventilators at the bottom and top of side walls or
by opening the large ventilators only slightly. The rapid ventilation
is effected by opening the large ventilators as wide as possible, always
guarding against the direct entrance of wind or sunshine. Large ven-
tilators may consist of ordinary doors extending from the ground to
the eaves and hinged at the side, or the same form of door may be
hinged at the top and open from the bottom. Another form consists
in having the side boards of the shed horizontal and have every other
one or every third one hinged at the upper edge. These may all be
opened to any desired width and a uniform ventilation of any desired
volume given to all parts of the shed, or the top and bottom one only
may be opened, giving a slow ventilation.
CURING.
The filling of a curing shed should be concluded as rapidly as pos-
sible and the shed closed for the curing process, so that the tobacco
in all parts will require as far as possible the same time and ventila-
tion. For this reason it is advisable to limit the size of curing sheds.
During the early period the curing should be effected by a slow
and continuous ventilation. After the colors are obtained the ven-
tilation may become rapid and periodic. During very hot days the
sheds should be kept closed and opened during the following night.
After excessively damp weather it is also well to give more rapid ven-
tilation on a dry day to drive away the excess of moisture and pre-
vent molding. If damp weather continues for several days it
becomes necessary to build fires in the sheds. Charcoal is preferable
to wood for this purpose, because it produces lesssmoke. Care must
40
be taken that the tobacco does not turn black for lack of sufficient
air, reduction instead of oxidation taking place.
The nature of the processes which take place in the curing of
tobacco have not yet been fully worked out, but in a general way
there is a loss of water—about $0 per cent of the green weight of the
leaves—and a modification of the chlorophyll and other compounds of
the leaf and the resulting change in color from green to yellow, then
to red and brown.
If the leaves are cured in a current of hot air the water is quickly
lost and the color remains green, because sufficient time has not been
allowed for the biological processes which cause the color changes to
take place. If the leaves remain longer in the hot-air current they
may also lose their fermenting power. Even after restoration of the
excessive loss of water only a slight fermentation can be produced.
In order to facilitate the transformation of the matter in the leaves
a slow curing is necessary. If, however, the circulation of air is too
limited or stopped, reduction takes place and the leaves become
spotted and, if no ventilation is given, very soon turn entirely black
and lose their resistance and elasticity and finally become worthless.¢
Specific rules for the curing of tobacco can not be given, for much
depends on the weather conditions and the character of the crop and
shed. In a general way ventilation should be slow, with a constant
cireulation of air around all of the leaves until the parenchyma
changes color. Rapid ventilation should be avoided during the early
stages of curing, except for short periods after very damp spells, which
may be resorted to in order to drive out the excess of moisture. High
temperature and excessive humidity must be avoided.
The time of curing usually ranges from twenty-five to thirty-five days.
The process should cease when suitable color is obtained, bearing in
mind that the colors are modified to a certain extent in the process of
fermenting. When the curing is completed it is well to close the venti-
lators during the day and open them wide at night, in order to bring
the tobacco into a moist condition before removing it from the poles.
None should be removed until the reduction of the midrib is complete.
If the curing has been slow and the conditions favorable, the colors
at the time of removing from the poles should be fairly uniform. It
is advisable, however, upon taking down the tobacco to immediately
put it into small piles, which favors uniform fermentation and also
further increases the uniformity of color. In no case should tobacco
be allowed to remain in the curing shed very long after it has been
completely cured.
The curing of the whole plant is effected with nearly as good results
aThe writer noticed in Porto Rico as well as in Cuba cigars of which the
wrapper was covered with black spots. It is thought that this was caused by
the lack of ventilation at certain periods while tobacco is in the shed.
41
as regards color as in ease of the primed leaves. The chief difficulty
is that the top leaves, the less ripe, are covered by the middle ones,
and these in turn by the bottom ones, so that the ripest leaves are the
ones which, on account of their exposure, receive the greatest venti-
lation while the greenest ones receive the least. This difference is
probably partly overcome by the leaves being connected to the stalk
and through a possible movement of water from the greener to the
riper leaves. The advantage in case of the primed leaves is that those
of equal ripeness may be placed separate from those which may be
greener and, therefore, given a different ventilation.
The system of cutting and curing the whole plant, however, is the
cheaper, and is advised for crops that do not promise a considerable
percentage of wrapper leaves. When the cut plants are removed from
the poles they should not be placed in piles, but the leaves should at
once be removed and the top, middle, and bottom ones kept separate.
Further sorting of the leaves need not be made at this time, but they
should be made into hands and at once put into small piles. These
piles should be frequently inspected to see that the temperature does
not materially rise. If the leaves are too moist and begin to heat, the
piles are separated and after a little exposure are made into piles
again. When this operation has been repeated several times several
small piles may be put together. It is of course understood that
before this work is commenced the plants should be moistened by
leaving the ventilators open during the night preceding the opera-
tions, and in case of a dry day the work should cease before the
plants become too dry to handle.
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING FERMENTATION.
In order that tobacco may properly ferment it is necessary that the
requisite amount of moisture and ferments be present in the leaves.
The process of fermentation develops color, gloss, elasticity, burn,
and aroma. Itis most important that the leaves contain the proper
amount of moisture. If too dry the fermentation progresses very
slowly or not at all; if too wet it progresses very rapidly and there
is danger of molds and putrefaction. The operation requires very
careful watching by one who has had previous experience.
Under the old régime, when dark colors were used, fermentation
was allowed to progress very rapidly, the high temperatures produc-
ing the dark colors. It was then sufficient to carefully watch the
temperatures and to prevent only such high elevations as might burn
the leaves. At the present time, with the demand chiefly for light
colors, it is necessary that fermentation progress slowly. This can be
accomplished by slightly less moisture in the leaves, and by repeatedly
tearing down and rebuilding the fermenting piles whenever the tem-
perature rises to 50° C.
42
In order to ascertain the temperature of the piles bamboo, wooden,
or metal tubes are placed in the piles when they are built, one end
being at the center of the pile and the other reaching to the cireum-
ference. If the pilesare large two or three of these tubes may be used,
one near the bottom, one near the middle, and another near the top.
Ordinary chemical thermometers are inserted into the tubes and
may be quickly removed and read at any time. The outer ends of
the tubes should be closed with corks or cotton to prevent cooling of
the interior.
Before fermenting the tobacco should be roughly graded into wrap-
pers and fillers. The tobacco should then be tied into hands and
built into piles by laying the hands straight and even, with butts to
the outside. The size of the piles may vary according to the amount
of tobaeco in hand. It is difficult, however, to successfully ferment
a small quantity, and the operation should not be undertaken with
amounts less than 1,000 pounds.