CIGAR LEAF AT THE WEST AND SOUTH. 443 



the midrib. Then the leaves are pulled together in the 

 middle of the string, with which they are tied into bun- 

 dles and delivered to the buyer's warehouse, the assort- 

 ing having been done at the time the leaves were strung. 

 The so-called "fermentation house" of the Ow] 

 Cigar Company, at Quincy, Florida, is thus described 

 for this work by Dr. E. H. Jenkins, Ph. D., vice 

 director Connecticut experiment station : "This house 

 is perfectly equipped for its purpose, and in all its 

 arrangements and the conduct of the operations, is a 

 model of absolute neatness, order and good management. 

 The rooms where the tobacco is handled over in any 

 way are steam heated, so that the temperature can be 

 kept at the desired point night and day. Without not- 

 ing the thermometer, I should say that none of them 

 were below 75 F., and the air is kept very moist with 

 escaping steam. Tobacco lies loosely on the tables, with- 

 out drying out at all. The tobacco is 'bulked' imme- 

 diately upon its receipt for fermentation. The aim is 

 to 'cook it in its own juice,' and no blowing or dampen- 

 ing of the leaf is allowed. This is regarded as vital to 

 success. A 'bulk' is made by covering the floor with 

 trash tobacco, fermented cuttings, etc., about six to 

 eight inches deep. Uprights, to which boards can be 

 tacked as the bulk is built up, hold it in place. On 

 this trash tobacco, the leaves are laid, tied in hands. 

 Trash tobacco is also laid next the side boards. The 

 bulks which we saw were from five to six feet, or more, 

 high, and when made are covered with trash tobacco 

 and blankets. The temperature of the pile rises rapidly 

 and sometimes will reach 180 F., in the center. When 

 the expert judges it necessary, in extreme cases, within 

 twenty-four hours after the bulk is built, it is all 

 handled over and built again close by. The leaves 

 which were in the middle of the first bulk are put on 

 the outside of the second. The aim is not only to make 



