274 



not so much of a factor in the trade there, but there is an increase 

 of about 60 per cent, in the yield per acre when the same seed is 

 planted under shade. 



In Cuba there is the greatest increase in the amount of wrapper 

 obtained by the use of cloth, but as the yields are there figured in 

 carrots and bales, the comparison is not readily obtained. Wrapper 

 in the sun is largely dependent upon the freedom of the field from 

 the attacks of insects. The actual weight of tobacco under cloth 

 is there probably twice that obtained in the sun, as the plants of 

 the same seed grow to a height of 16 to 18 good wrapper leaves, 

 where outdoors they are limited to eight or ten. The same holds 

 true of Porto Rico. 



Regarding the acreage of sun-grown tobacco in these districts 

 concerning which, I believe you also made inquiry : The acreage 

 under shade has had no effect upon the acreage of sun-grown in 

 the places named, except that in Florida there is less sun-grown 

 than formerly. The Connecticut Valley has about l6,000 acres of 

 cigar wrapper tobacco in the sun ; Cuba, I am told, 30,000 acres, 

 or more ; and Porto Rico, perhaps 10,000 acres. 



As to the curing of Sumatra tobacco. The practice in the States 

 is to prime the leaves one by one and string them upon lath, about 

 36 leaves to the lath, and the lath placed in the shed about five or 

 six inches apart on each tire. The ventilation of the sheds 

 depends entirely upon the weather, the idea being to get enough 

 alternate dryness and dampening so that the cure will not be too 

 rapid : about four to six weeks is a common period for primed 

 Sumatra tobacco. This primed tobacco does not get the brown 

 colour in the shed that other tobacco, harvested on the stalk, does, 

 but many of the leaves remain a tea green. This colour comes 

 out in the fermentation, which is done in bulks of about 4,000 

 pounds, the pile being built up on a little platform, six feet wide 

 by twelve feet long. The temperature in the middle of the pile is 

 allowed to go up to about 124° Fahrenheit, and the tobacco is then 

 changed around ; and that which was on the top and bottom being 

 placed in the middle, that which was on the outside being 

 placed in the inside of the pile, which is now made up on an 

 adjoining platform. About six to eight weeks, with a turning 

 each week, is usually required. Assorting should be done as soon 

 as possible, so that the tobacco, after it is sweat, will not dry out 

 by standing before assorting ; the application of water being 

 thought not beneficial. 



I should be glad to answer any specific inquiries for you. 



The weights above discussed are of tobacco shed-cured. 



It may interest you to know that information just arriving from 

 Sumatra is to the effect that several plantations are changing from 

 priming to curing on the istalk. This is Sumatra tobacco sun- 

 grown. Yours respectfully, 



(Sgd.) Paul Ackerly, 



for Amory, BROWNE, & CO. 



