Historic, Archive Document
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: Bulletin No. 8. ie
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Rtas Syl: VAN’ ‘LEENHOEF, Trey
Tobacco Expert, Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, =
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WASHINGTON:
- GOVERNMENT ‘PRIN TING OFFICE.
i 1905.
FRONTISPIECE.
Bul. 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station, Dept. Agr.
"NOILOATISS AO ALISSAOAN GNV LNV1d dO SAdAL NI
NOILVIUV A SNIMOHS ‘SGVHS H.LOI19
748
PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
D. W. MAY, Special Agent in Charge.
Mayaguez, December, 1904.
Bulletin No. 8.
TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO
DURING 1903-4.
BY
J. VAN LEENHOFF, Jr.,
Tobacco Expert, Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station.
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS,
U. S. 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.
D. W. May, Special Agent in Charge and Animal Husbandman.
J. W. VAN LEENHOFF, Coffee Expert.
O. W. Barrett, Entomologist and Botanist.
J. van LEENHOFF, Jr.,¢ Tobacco Expert.
H. C. HenrIcKSEN, Horticulturist.
E. F. Curt, Farm Superintendent.
Jessie F. SPRINGER, Clerk and Stenographer.
a Appointed tobacco expert in Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department July, 1904.
2
/
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
Mayaguez, P. R., December 5, 1904.
Str: 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 fiscal year 1905-4, 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 eon-
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. d
of this station.
Respectfully, D. W. May,
Special Agent in Charge.
Dr: A. Cy TRUE,
Director Office of Hxperiment Stations,
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
Recommended for publication.
A. C. TRUE, Director.
Publication authorized.
JAMES WILSON,
Secretary of Agriculture.
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Methods of preparing seed beds ._...-.__.-_-.--_----- Pert onda Dace
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Experiments in growing, curing, and fermenting tobacco _____.____._____-
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Experiments in curing tobacco
Fermentation
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Suggestions for the improvement of Porto Rican tobacco ______...._____-_-
Choice of land
Time of transplanting for wrapper and filler
Method of transplanting
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TIL AL AUS TORR TODAS:
PLATES. 4
Page.
MobAccomromine under Clofm shades 2 55 eee ep eee een Bea Frontispiece.
PuatTeE 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
COMET EMESEE OWE Gop were) Saye Fer nate Syt Teateh WLI Ne WD 18
II. Fig. 1.—Shade-grown tobacco at Aibonito soon after planting.
Fig. 2.—Irregular size due toreplanting. Fig.3.—Badly formed
leaves for wrappers. Fig. 4.—Good, uniform shade-grown
Tobacco Sixtiyaday Ss akbera plan tins oil 2 a es eyo og 20
III. 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
SLOG heneils e Loan, aN ate ee Bs ARC base) Si wie rc, yess eMart ekg eI ee aT OG eae 24
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
1 AON i 0 gee ech sa Nbs SEU Pt] AUS UN ee os mR elie ap a SO 24
V. Fig. 1.—Type of Florida Sumatra leaf. Fig. 2.—Good type of
leaf for wrappers. Fig. 3.—Type of Connecticut Habana leaf.
Big. 4.—Poor typeof leaf for wrappersi2- - = 222 2 30
TEXT FIGURE.
Fic. 1. Types of plants used in transplanting: a, poor type; 0b, good type _- 34
15479—No. 5—05——2 ; 7
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
tobaceo. 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
—-
,
a@See Porto Rico Sta. Bul. 2.
9
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 with a 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 eases 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, etc. 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 call
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 eare 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
ereen, 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
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
‘*poliches ”—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 in
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 tobaeco 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 ‘‘ eapas,” ‘‘ 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 tobacco is light, heavy weights are placed on
it 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 14
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,
middie, 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 tobacco 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 leaves—Boliches.
In another locality a pile was seen about 2 meters in height and 3
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
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
eut 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. =
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"ea | Se Sean
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Pick.) Pic |-P che teace
12.64 | 10.04 | 31.72 | 31.98
4.94 | 7.20 37.28 | 33.70
10.18 | 7.96 | 25.82 | 26.68
7.80 | 9.88 | 31.84 | 29.54
15.14 | 18.02 | 33.36 | 26.18
15.22 | 17.80 | 32.38 | 25.14
11.18 | 8.94 | 38.50 | 31.20
11.46 | 8.36 | 32.96 | 27.66
11.10 | 11.32 | 32.40 | 25.80
10.12 | 10.40 | 33.54 | 28.96
| 21.92 | 17.50 | 15.36 | 14.34
8.02 | 10.76 | 42.64 | 26.7
8.62 | 8.46 41.62 | 25.98
10.28 | 9.80 43.24 | 25.74
7.76 | 8.96 | 44.90 | 24.68
53.32 | 22.94 | 11.72} 6.98
7.46 | 9.52 | 45.82 | 25.56
17.60 | 11.14 | 15.10 | 23.58
17
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 largely 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 strue-
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
increase 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
ylelding 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 increase 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. J, 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. A few days
before transplanting to the fields the shade was removed and the
plants exposed throughout the day in order to toughen them and
PLATE |.
Bul. 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station, Dept. Agr.
Fi@. 1.—CONSTRUCTING STRAW SHADE FOR SEED BEDS.
FIG. 2.—TOBACCO SEED
BEDS PROTECTED WITH STRAW
SHADE.
Fic. 3.—TOBACCO SEED BEDS PROTECTED BY CLOTH
COVERING.
Fig. 4.—CLOTH AND STRAW COVERED SEED BEDS.
oe
yo
aes
Ihy)
better enable them to stand the sun when transplanted. It was
observed that while the plants in the shaded portion of the beds
came up earlier and. looked healthier during the first three weeks,
after that time those without shade looked the better and were
finally more vigorous and larger.
The advantage of the shade is in reducing evaporation and thus
enabling the seeds to germinate quicker and more perfectly, and also
that it protects the beds from washing by heavy rains. It often hap-
pens, as it did in 1905, that many seed beds are entirely destroyed by
heavy rains, either by washing away the seeds before they germi-
nated or by washing out the plants when quite small.
Cloth shade was also tried, and seemed to serve better than the
straw (PI. I, figs. 3 and 4). The cloth shade was less dense than
that of straw, and, while it allowed most of the rain to pass through,
it served as a regulator by breaking the fall of the rain and thus
preventing washing.
It is believed that straw shading offers sufficient protection against
washing of the seed beds alone to justify its construction, and that
in practice it would be well to dispense with it as soon as the plants
are well established and all danger from washing is past.
Another seed bed was divided into five plats and each covered with
a different colored cloth, the colors being white, green, blue, yellow,
and red. Experiments in France on lettuce and other plants, when
growing under different colored glass, have shown that plants develop
very differently as a result of such treatment, and it was thought that
this experiment might indicate something of value in relation to the
growing of wrapper leaf under cloth. Unfortunately the seed used
on these plats was poor, being imported Cuban seed, which seems to
be very unreliable if bought in the open market, and only a few
_ plants were secured, so that no data of any importance were obtained.
Soon after the tobacco plants in the seed beds had come up numer-
ous burrows were noticed, which indicated the presence of ‘‘ changas.”
These galleries or burrows were treated with a solution consisting of
1 part of kerosene to 14 parts of water. Openings were made in the
burrows at frequent intervals and a small amount of the solution put
in. This treatment was repeated two days later, after which no
plants were destroyed.
The plants also appeared to be suffering Pe some disease and
were therefore sprayed with a dilute solution of Bordeaux mixture.
This treatment seemed to be very beneficial, and after a few days no
more diseased plants appeared. Bordeaux mixture is especially valu-
able as a seed-bed spray because it is a remedy for many diseases that
occur on young tobacco plants. When the plants turn yellow in
aA description of the flea beetle, tobacco worm, leaf miner, cutworm, and other
insects affecting tobacco, together with remedies for their extermination, is given
in Farmers’ Bulletin No. 120, U. S. Department of Agriculture. See also, Porto
Rico Sta. Bul. 2 on the Changa or Mole Cricket.
20
color it indicates that the soil is too wet or that there is a lack of plant
food. In the former case better drainage should be provided. By
elevating the seed beds, as above described, there is no troublé from
excess of water. When there isa lack of plant food it is well to apply
an extract of barnyard manure or cotton-seed meal. This may be
applied as a spray, using care to not get the solution sufficiently con-
centrated to burn the plants.
TRANSPLANTING.
Experiments in methods of transplanting were made both outside
and under cover. A comparison was made outside between plants
partially shaded during the first ten days after planting and those
with no shade. For shading, mamey and mango leaves, both every-
where common in Porto Rico, were used. A leaf was placed 1 to 2
inches south of each tobacco plant, and by inserting the petiole in
the ground and inclining the top of the leaf toward the plant, this
shielded it from the direct rays of the sun during the hottest part of
the day. Five rows of 89 plants each, or 445 plants, were protected
with shade, and an equal number of rows and plants adjacent were
planted at the same time without shade. Of the protected plants 125
died and were replanted, and of the unprotected 300 died and were
replanted. At the time of harvesting the protected plants showed
much greater uniformity in growth than the unprotected ones.
In Deli, Sumatra, it is a common practice to shade the plants by the
use of small, thin, paddle-shaped boards, the small end being stuck
into the ground to keep them in proper position. Such small boards
will last for a long time and may be repeatedly used year after year.
By reducing the numbers of plants necessary to reset, the crop is made
more uniform, easier to harvest, and of greater value. It is believed,
therefore, that this simple method of shading the young plants is
practicable in Porto Rico, especially so if planting is to be done
during periods when dry weather and sunshine prevail.
A trial was also made to ascertain the effect of mamey leaves as a
protection against cutworms and mole erickets. Of 300 plants
wrapped in mamey leaves 200 died and had to be replanted, and of the
same number unprotected 220 died. The mamey leaves were formed
into eylinders, with the edges slightly overlapping, and placed in the
ground with the roots and stem of the plants inside. Care should
be taken to place the leaf no deeper in the soil than is negessary to
prevent the crickets from burrowing beneath. While the mamey
leaves make successful barriers against the crickets they are prob-
ably somewhat detrimental to the early growth of the plants, because
they confine the upper roots of the plant, and also because water from
rains collects within the leaf and escapes very slowly, thus sometimes
injuring the plants. In both of the above experiments the planting
PLATE II.
Fia. 1.—SHADE-GROWN TOBACCO AT AIBONITO SOON AFTER
PLANTING.
, Dept. Agr.
lon
Bul. 5, Porto Rico Agr, Expt. Stat
Fic. 2.—IRREGULAR SIZE, DUE TO REPLANTING.
Fia. 3.—BADLY FORMED LEAVES FOR WRAPPERS.
Fig. 4.—Goobd, UNIFORM SHADE-GROWN TOBACCO SIxTy DAYS
. AFTER PLANTING.
21
was done by native workmen and in their usual manner. The plants
were from unselected native seed and showed considerable variation
in size and vigor. It is due chiefly to these two factors that so large
a number of the plants in all cases failed to survive the process of
transplanting.
Under the cheese cloth another experiment was tried to ascertain
the effect of better planting. On one plat 1,700 plants were care-
fully set out, the roots being placed straight in the holes, and moist
earth in all cases pressed firmly around them. The following day
each plant was watered. Another plat of 800 plants was planted in
the usual native way. The results of careful planting were very
marked, only about 5 per cent of the plants being lost, while with
those planted in the usual manner the loss was much greater. The
natural conditions, however, were more favorable to those which were
earefully planted, so that a fair comparison could not be made.
There is no doubt that by a careful selection of seed from hardy
plants, and by using only that portion of it which has good vitality,
plants will be produced that will stand the process of transplanting
with much less loss, and that this loss ean be still further reduced by
better methods of transplanting, such as shading the young plants
from the sun, protecting them from cutworms and mole crickets, and
by carefully placing the roots in the soil and watering when dry. By
avoiding as much as possible the replanting of the fields the crop is
made more uniform, easier to harvest, and more valuable. (Pl. II.)
VALUE OF SHADE FOR PRODUCING WRAPPERS.
It was planned to make a careful comparison of the cost of pro-
duction and value of shade-grown tobacco with that grown outside,
but under otherwise similar conditions.
Four-elevenths of an acre was planted under shade November 21,
1903, and at about the same date 2 acres were planted outside. Very
heavy rains occurred just after planting that outside, and a large
part of the first planting was washed out. The delay in replanting
and other uncontrollable factors interfered to such an extent with
the outside crop that it was not worth while to carry out the com-
parison. The shade-grown tobacco was carried through to the finish
and a careful record kept of it. Owing to delay in getting a curing
shed ready for this tobacco it was harvested in an overripe condition,
and for this reason many of the bottom leaves were lost. RD cs S
125 Gin Jee Cle (ERA Cn | lee OE Wee Ge, ley Glo | den Guo Ven Glo\ | 1e5 Cus || Jen Cue
Vuelta Abajo district ------ 0.74 | 3.80] 4.06] 4.62} 8.28 | 21.67 | 43.09 | 6.53 | 1.82 5. 69
Hilly district of Remedios.-| 5.17 | 10.01 | 1.31 36 .52 | 4.51 | 14.97 | 21.24 | 9.37 | 32.32
The influence of dew and rainfall upon the taste and aroma of
tobaceo 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
b4
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 33 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-
Fic. 1.—Types of plants used in transplanting: phyll and consequently weak-
AL Book tye ds Seegy ve: 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
30
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.
|
dq © ! s 5 Pe a
eae ens eau eke Wee
Stations ill aa ci mom argesal S| cel. 2: Be | 2) Be | as
eee ecue en ee lee be aoe
cS (2) (od)
aio IS lelelale els (Sa le ic |e ie ie
Feet. |Years.| Ins. | Ins. | Ins. | Ins. | Ins: | Ins.| Ins.| Ins. | Ins.| Ins.| Ins. | Ins. | Ins
Isabella ....-..-- 243 5| 4.74) 1.51) 2.12) 5.58) 7.75) 6.11) 8.49) 6.41) 4.52) 5.68) 8.74! 6.37) 63.02
Wittadojseees see 427)\2 and 3/04. 62) . 48] 2.80) 5.50)11.39) 8.44! 5.16) 6.29/11. 48/11. 54/11. 07) 4.93) 83.65
Caguas._-.--___- 246|3 and 4\66. 02) 1.18) 3.11/05. 82) 5. 49/10. 41) 9. 83/68. 36) 5. 8710.63) 7.11/03. 85) 77. 68
Wavieyo os. esse 1,247 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
San Lorenzo-..-- 203 4| 3.96) 1.38) 3.64] 5.34) 8.38)17.49) 8.04) 9.49) 9.07) 8.39) 7.11) 5.58) 87.82
WaUCOn esos 98\8 and 4| 3.37) .55/62.56| 3.31) 5.28) 7.53) 7.95) 3.61] 5.17) 4.67) 4.68] 2.07) 50.75
aor two years only. b 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 killthe 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
eapillarity, 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 aceumu-
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 hilling 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
unripe 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 eross 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 + by 13 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 recognized—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 coneluded 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 less smoke. 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 80 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. 4
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
circulation 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 toa 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
@The 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 ease 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 piles are 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 tobacco 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. A convenient size for the ferment-
ing piles is 5 to 6 feet wide, 10 to 12 feet long, and 4 to 8 feet high.
In building the pile it is advisable to start the bottom with trash or
some noncommercial stuff, because the bottom usually ferments very
slowly. Excessive pressure should be avoided in the early stages, and
the hands be simply laid on the pile from the outsideand gently pressed.
Piles built in this way settle considerably, so that after twenty-four
hours more tobacco may be put on if thought desirable. When com-
pleted it is advisable to cover the piles with burlap in order to pro-
tect them from drying out. As regards the further care of the piles
the following directions are taken from Farmers’ Bulletin No. 60,
United States Department of Agriculture:
The bulk is watched very closely, and as the temperature rises it is torn down,
each hand of tobacco is taken up and shaken thoroughly to dry it a little, to cool it
slightly, and to open the leaves so that they will not stick together. Before the
sweat is completed the bulk is pulled down and built up eight or ten times, accord-
ing to the condition of the tobacco. It is impossible, even for an expert curer, to
give explicit directions as to when the bulk should be turned, as it depends entirely
upon the condition of the tobacco and the temperature it attains, and these must
be determined by the operator.
The temperature must rise gradually, and if it is found to be rising too rapidly
the bulk is torn down and a fresh one builtup. Sometimes the bulk is not up over
twenty-four hours before it is torn down again and built up afresh. If the tobacco
is in high case, that is, quite moist, the bulks have to be turned over frequently in
order to prevent too rapid action and to shake out the leaves which would other-
wise stick together. If abulk,as seldom happens, should dry out. it is turned over
and mixed with a bulk which is in high case. The tobacco should never be
sprinkied in this stage of the process to bring it into case.
The temperature of the pile is allowed to rise gradually until it occasionally
reaches 180° F. The fermentation is then at its highest. From this point the
temperature subsides until the fermentation is complete and the bulk attains the
normal temperature of the room. This maximum temperature must not be
reached too quickly, and it must be managed differently with the different tobaccos.
43
The fermentation must be carefully controlled and not allowed to go too far with
the wrapper leaf. With the filler, the further it goes and the more intense the
action the stronger and finer will the tobacco be for its purpose, if the work is
judiciously done. Asa matter of fact, it is not unusual to resweat the filler leaf
to bring out the strong, rich properties which it is desired to develop. As the
fermentation does not extend to the bottom of the pile, it is customary to put 8 or
10 inches of trash, which has already been sweated, on the bottom; and where
bins are used a layer of trash is also put around the sides.
The above maximum temperature of 180° F., which equals 82° C.,
should be reduced to a temperature of about 50° to 55° C. for tobacco
in Porto Rico. .
Bottom, middle, and top leaves should be fermented in separate
piles.
Bottom leaves require a lower maximum temperature than middle
and top leaves. When the top leaves are to be used for filler pur-
poses the maximum temperature may be increased from 5° to 10° C.
The moisture content of the tobacco may be easily ascertained by
taking a few representative hands from the pile, weighing them, then
drying them in a hot-air bath at 212° F. for about two hours, and
again weighing them. The loss in weight divided by the dry weight
equals the percentage of moisture in the leaves.
The optimum amount of moisture for fermenting either wrapper
or filler has not yet been determined for Porto Rico. In Florida cer-
tain experiments have shown that 23 to 24 per cent was favorable.
If the temperature rises 14° to 18° F. in the first day it indicates that
the tobacco is too moist and contains approximately 27 per cent.
With 20 per cent of moisture the temperature rises much slower, and
the slow rise in temperature indicates too small a percentage of mois-
ture. With only 20 per cent of moisture it was found difficult to han-
dle and ferment the tobacco.
The fermenting house should not be so high as the curing shed and
should have windows sufficient only for lighting the interior. Air
currents should be avoided and the floors should be dry. Floors of
wood are therefore preferable, and it is often desirable to use mats
beneath the fermenting piles.
The tobacco piles may be rectangular or elliptical in shape, and the
height of them will depend upon the quality of the tobacco. That of
superior quality should at first be fermented in piles about 2 feet in
height; medium quality in piles 3 to 4 feet in height, while large
piles of inferior quality and trash may be 6 feet or more in height.
The good and medium piles should be covered with burlaps or mats
to prevent loss of moisture from the outside and thereby facilitate a
more even temperature throughout the pile. By degrees, as the
tobacco becomes drier, larger piles are made by putting two or more
small piles together, in order to obtain higher temperatures. In
rebuilding the piles care should be taken to avoid returning tobacco
44
to the same position in the new pile that it occupied in the former
one. It is necessary that all the hands be placed at least once in the
center of the pile. In making the successive piles larger and more
compact the maximum temperature is gradually increased from about
35° C. in the first piles to about 55° C. in the last ones. The increase
in temperature must be very gradual, otherwise the quality of the
tobacco is depreciated. In case of molds, which result from the
tobacco being too moist, it is necessary to thoroughly ventilate the
tobacco and brush the leaves. Where the sweating is done slowly to
keep the color light, it is well to allow the tobacco to stand some time
in the bulk or bale to age. This: aging is especially desirable with
filler leaf, so as to develop the aroma.
O