Different Methods of Cuki.nc; Toii.vcco. 



135 



the other hand, if tlie rate of drying is too slow, the curing will be 

 carried too far, which will affect the colour, and may even cause 

 *' house-burn." It is during- this stage that most of the starches are 

 converted into sugars by diastase. The most favourable temperatures 

 for the first stage of curing, that is the gradual starvation of the leaf, 

 are between 80° and 100° F., with a relative humidity of about 

 85 per cent. 



The most important and noticeable change during the second 

 stage of curing is in the colour of the leaf. In most cases the leaf 

 will lose its yellow colour, and a red or even dark colour will take 

 its place, caused by certain enzymes called oxidases. If the atmos- 

 phere is very moist, as is very often experienced during a continuous 

 rainy spell, the leaf will lose its red colour and the tobacco will cure 

 out dark, which will reduce the value of tlie leaf. If the moisture 



Field of South. 



[Photo Inj ./. dii r 0. 



is excessive, house-burn will follow, further reducing the value of 

 the crop. In order to get the best results, the moisture should be 

 reduced during the second stage of curing and the rate of drying 

 hastened. A careful study of the underlying principles of curing 

 tobacco, as outlined above, explains the varying results obtained in 

 different seasons. 



If the season is a very wet one, only a very small percentage of 

 leaf suitalde for the numufacture of cigarettes is produced, and if 

 the rains continue for any length of time, the crop is seriously 

 damaged. On the other hand, if the season is very dry, the tobacco 

 just dries out, retaining its original green colour, and is more like 

 hay than tobacco. The grower is at the mercy of the elements. In 

 a good season, a fairly high percentage of bright and light red tobacco 

 is produced in the Transvaal by means of this method, but. 

 unfortunately, ideal seasons for curing do not come very often. The 

 result is that every year the grower suffers serious damage and great 



