CUEING TOBACCO. 219 



carbonaceous matter that has a preservative effect. It 

 has long been known that fire and smoke cured tobacco 

 will withstand an ocean voyage, and go through the 

 sweat, or fermentation, much better than tobacco that 

 is air cured. The firmness and solidity of structure of 

 leaf, as well as its strength, are preserved. The porous 

 system is filled with creosotic compounds, and the 

 absorptive capacity of the leaf is greatly diminished from 

 what it would be by air, sun or flue curing. 



In air-cured tobacco, of which there is a consid- 

 erable amount made in heavy shipping districts, the 

 natural flavor of the leaf is better preserved, and its 

 porous system is greatly developed, so as to absorb and 

 retain a large percentage of the artificial flavorings with 

 which it is tested in the process of manufacturing. 



CUEING WHITE BURLEY TOBACCO. 



As a general rule, no artificial heat is employed in 

 curing White Burley tobacco. From six to eight weeks 

 are required to complete the process, by the ordinary 

 methods of air curing in the barns provided with ample 

 facilities for ventilation. If the weather is very dry, to 

 prevent curing too rapidly, all openings should be closed 

 during the day and opened during the night. During 

 wet weather and when house burn has begun, or is 

 feared, all possible ventilation should be given, by 

 throwing open the doors and windows. Passages 

 through the tobacco hanging in the barn should also be 

 made, in order that the air may find free access to every 

 part. Sometimes, when house burn is threatened, 

 small charcoal fires are built in the barn, during very 

 wet weather, though this is an unusual practice, and is 

 rarely resorted to. If the season should be very dry, 

 during the period of curing, the tobacco will be variable 

 in color ; if too wet, the color will be too dark ; but after 

 being housed, if the weather is fair, with occasional 



