184 DEPAETMENTAL REPORTS. 



these Ohio leaves, selected either from different crops or from different methods of 

 handling or from different seasons, have the qiialities possessed by the Cuban 

 leaf; whether they have the same mild flavor and whether there is any approach 

 to the aroma. 



Having considered these questions carefully, you will then consider the possi- 

 bilities of changing this leaf. If any radical change is to be made in the physical 

 character of the leaf, that is, as to its size, shape, texture, or body, you will 

 advise as to how these changes can likely be produced; whether by change of 

 seed, by selection of different soils, or by change in the method of planting and 

 cultivation; and also as to the method of subsequent handling, fermentation, 

 petuning, and aging. 



Having considered this matter of the texture of the leaf, you will then take up 

 the flavor and aroma and ad\ase as to whether it is likely that these qualities can 

 be improved, and what methods we now possess that are likely to influence the 

 flavor and aroma of the leaf. 



If, as a result of your conference, it appears possible to effect desirable changes 

 in the Ohio tobacco, I should like you to consider the commercial aspect of this 

 question, stating the probable cost of production of a more desirable leaf by 

 improved methods of cultivation and handling, and particiilarly to consider the 

 price at which this leaf could be sold on the market with a fair profit to the 

 growers. Also, what grade of cigars this could be used for. 



If you arrive at any favorable conclusion as to the physical possibility of grow- 

 ing a more desirable filler and as to the commercial possibility of producing this 

 filler profitably to the growers. I wish you would then confer as to the methods 

 to be pursued by the Bureau in developing this experimental work. 



You will take the foregoing as an outline of the scope of your discussion in 

 regard to the Texas tobacco, and will examine the samples Mr. Shelter submits 

 and consider the questions that he will bring before you. and will then advise on 

 the several points above outlined in regard to the possibilities of growing the filler 

 leaf in Texas and of the methods for continuing the investigations in that State. 



Milton Whitney, 



Chief of Bureau. 



Pursuant to this call, and after a four days' conference, the com- 

 mittee made the following report, which will be of interest to tobacco 

 men: 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF TOBACCO EXPERTS. 



Sir: Having met together in conference in pursuance to your call, and being 

 guided by the memorandum prepared by you, we have come to the following con- 

 clusions in regard to the subjects mentioned in said memorandum: 



Report on the Ohio work. 



Mr. Massey has siibmitted to us various samples of Zimmer Spanish, Gebhart, 

 and other types of Ohio tobacco, and also leaf from the first year of seed imported 

 from Cuba, grown both on the uplands and the bottoms. He also submitted sam- 

 ples of cured but unfermented leaf raised from imported Cuban seed this season 

 by himself on the uplands in Montgomery County, Ohio. 



"We are of the opinion, after an examination of this material and after listening 

 to the report by Mr. Massey. that the leaf grown from the freshly imported Cuban 

 seed on the upland soil, known as the Miami clay loam, closely resembles, in form 

 and physical characteristics, the imported Cuban leaf. This refers to the size, 

 shape, color, grain, and general style of the leaf. Samples of this leaf were closely 

 compared with samples of good imported Cuban leaf, and it would have been 

 impossible for anyone to have told the differences from the mere handling and 

 inspection of the leaf. So far as flavor and aroma are concerned, the committee 

 found a considerable difference in individual leaves, as there is in the imported 

 Cuban leaf. They were able to select about 3-3 per cent of well-cured, heavy- 

 bodied, rich-grained leaf that was quite comparable in its aroma and flavor to 

 the imported Cuban leaf. The Ohio-grown leaf, however, had a certain rawness 

 and roughness noticeable both in the flavor and in the aroma of the smoke, and it 

 has not the smooth, mellow character of the imported leaf. Your committee 

 believe, however, that w4th leaf of this character, as submitted from Ohio, if the 

 leaves are allowed to ripen thoroughly and the fennentation by the bulk method 

 be carefully and judiciously carried on. taking, if necessary, two or three months 

 for the original fermentation and allowing time for the leaf to age, fia^st in bulk 



