20 



and Syrian tobacco, which have a much smaller, but harder 

 stalk. The stalk must be hard and strong to support the- 

 long, palm-like leaf, which, in some varieties, grows to a 

 length of two and half to three feet. 



The Leaoes. — The [plant bears from eight to twenty 

 leaves, according to the species of the plant. 



FlGDIlK 4. 



They have, as represented in figure 4, various forms; 

 ovate, lanceolate, and pointed. Leaves of a lanceolate 

 form are the largest, and the shape found on most varie- 

 ties of the American plant. 



The color of the leaves when growing, as well as after 

 curing and sweating, varies, and is frequently caused by 

 the condition of the soil. The color, while growing, may 

 be either a light or dark green, which usually changes to 

 a yellowish cast as the plant ripens. The ground leaves 

 generally ripen first, turning yellow and during wet 

 weather will rot and drop from the stalk if not gathered. 

 The color of the leaf, after curing, may be determined by 

 the color of the leaf while growing; if dark green while 

 maturing in the field, the color will be dark after curing 

 and sweating, and the reverse if of a lighter shade of 

 green. If the soil be dark, the color of the leaf will be 

 darker than if grown upon light soil. The kind of fertil- 

 izers applied to the soil, as well as the soil itself, has much 

 to do with the texture of the leaf, and should be duly con- 

 sidered by all growers of the plant. 



