REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 79 



mow of green hay and if allowed to continue for any extended 

 time would result in the natural decomposition of the interior 

 of the mass. When the temperature of the center of the pile 

 reaches 150 degrees F., another truck is rolled alongside and 

 the whole lot is rearranged so that the increase of temperature 

 is stopped to gain gradually in the new position. This sweating 

 process is allowed to continue with frequent re-piling of the 

 crop for about three months. At the end of that time the leaves 

 have a soft, pliable feeling like that of a fine kid leather and in 

 appearance resemble a light brown leather of a thickness less 

 tlian heavy grade writing paper. 



The tobacco may be made into cigars at once, but it is the 

 more common practice to box it up and allow it to remain for 

 about six months or a year, when it may be given its second 

 sweat similar to the first, after which it is considered properly 

 cured. 



Before it can be handled by the cigar maker it must be 

 moistened and the liquid used for this purpose is prepared by 

 allowing tobacco stems to soak in water at the temperature of 

 the sweat room. These barrels of stems and water generate 

 considerable ammonia and the liquid itself becomes a dark 

 colored fluid which seems to keep the tobacco in better condition 

 to work than will water alone. 



The hands of tobacco are soaked in this liquid and allowed 

 to drain on an especially constructed table which allows the 

 surplus to drain off into a tub. When well drained the hands 

 are imstrung, the tobacco is placed in three grades, and pre- 

 sented to the girls and men who make the cigars. All of the 

 whole leaves are placed by themselves and classed as wrappers. 

 This is the most valued grade and it is the purpose of the 

 grower to get as much of this grade as is possible for here lies 

 the size of his financial return. The second grade is called 

 prime and the poorer one is called stock. 



Mr. Smith states that his crop yielded about one ton of com^- 

 mercial product per acre, which he values at $600 per ton. The 

 market pried for the different grades is as follows : ^^'■rap- 

 pers, 50 cents, prime, 14 cents, and stock, 10 cents, per pound. 

 The fact that he is manufacturing the finished product and 

 placing the cigars on the market adds considerable to his total 

 profits. 



