Curing of Turkish Tobacco. 



413 



the conditions are often considerably modified with different types of 

 tobacco, in order to turn out an article which will suit the different 

 uses for which it is intended. 



When the leaves are harvested they continue to live for some 

 considerable time, under favourable conditions, from the accumulated 

 starch and nitrogenous substances present in the cells. By drying' 

 the tobacco rapidly, in a hot oven for instance, the leaves are killed 

 almost at once, and the life activities of the cells stop. Consequently 

 such tobacco will never develop the properties for which the article 

 is valued, no matter what treatment it is subjected to afterwards. In 

 order, therefore, to get the desired characteristics, it is not only 

 necessary that the tobacco be harvested at the proper stage of ripeness, 

 but it is also essential tliat it be wilted and yellowed under certain 

 required conditions. 



[Photo htj P. Koch. 



Fig. 2. — Reeds of Turkish Toliacco showing- method of 

 stringing and tying. 



First Stage of Curing. — A definite ratio as regards temperature 

 and humidity must be maintained during the yellowing of tobacco. 

 Accordingly the reeds with their load of leaves are taken into and 

 placed in tiers in a fairly air-tight, dark, moderately cool room or 

 shed, called the wilting-room (see fig. 3), in which the ratio between 

 temperature and humidity can be readily controlled by suitable 

 ventilators. In this room the tobacco is left for three to four days, 

 never longer, unless it rains continuously which is a very rare 

 occurrence in summer in the Western Province. 



If the leaves have been strung too tightly, there is danger of 

 mould setting in; if on the other hand they are strung too loosely, 



