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It is important to liave tobacco in right case for packing. 

 If too dry, it is broken and damaged to a great extent ; if 

 too moist, fermentation is so rapid and extensive as to de- 

 stroy the vitality of the tobacco, and induce mould or rot 

 and spoil its flavor. The right condition for packing is, 

 when the large stems are dry enough to break on pressure 

 several inches down from the butt ends, while the lower part 

 of the leaves should be just soft and pliant enough to not 

 break in handling. 



The process of sweating or fermenting perfects it in color, 

 improves the flavor, corrects the acid or pungent taste and 

 increases its burning qualities. 



Where tobacco is fermented for cigar purposes, it takes 

 from three to four months to get it ready for workino- into 

 cigars. In fact, it is believed, that the best cigars can not 

 be made unless the tobacco undergoes a second fermentation 

 the ensuing year, which adds much to its quality. 



Prizing Casing and Baling. — This is shown by figure 20. 



Figure 20. 



