Different Methods gf Curing Tobacco. 



131 



DIFFERENT METHODS OF CURING TOBACCO. 



By J. DU P. OosTHUiZEN, M.Sc. (Agr.), Assistant Chief, Tobacco and 

 Cotton Division, and Manager, Experiment Station, Rustenburg. 



At the present time tobacco growers find themselves confronted with 

 an over production, not only of inferior grades of leaf, but also of 

 certain types, such as tobacco suitable for pipe and roll. For a 

 number of years there existed a good demand and, consequently, a 

 ready market for all these types, and even the inferior grades found 

 a quick sale. This demand stimulated production to such an extent 



i'hoto Inl J. du P. <). 



Variety Plots. 



that last year approximately 18,000,000 lb. of leaf were produced in 

 the Union. This quantity is considerably more than our local 

 consumption, and naturally affected the demand. In addition to an 

 over production, a large percentage, unfortunately, of that year's crop 

 consisted of inferior or low-grade leaf. This poor quality was partly 

 due to the unfavourable weather conditions experienced during the 

 season and partly to the present methods adopted in the growing, 

 curing, and handling of the crop. Thus, with an over production, 

 and the imposition of an excise duty, there has been no demand for 

 inferior grades, and only a fair demand for the darker types of tobacco. 

 It must be emphasized that there has been an over production not 

 alone of inferior leaf, as has been rather frequently stated recently, 

 but also of the better grades of dark tobacco. The best grades of pipe 

 and roll tobacco in their respective classes, and for their particular 

 5a 



