THE " CULP PROCESS." 455 



the " Gulp process " from the name of its patentee. When 

 the plant lies in the field, Mr. Gulp's peculiar process begins 

 which is described as follows: 



" Tobacco had long been grown in California, even before 

 Americans came. He had raised it as a crop for fifteen years ; 

 and before he perfected his new process, he was able usually to 

 select the best of his crop for smoking tobacco, and sold the 

 remainder for sheep wash. One year, two millions of pounds 

 were raised in the State, and as it was mostly sold for sheep 

 wash, it lasted several years, and discouraged the growers. 

 Tobacco always grew readily, but it was too rank and strong. 

 They used Eastern methods, topping and suckering, and as the 

 plant had here a very long season to grow and mature, the 

 leaf was thick and very strong. The main features of the 

 Gulp process are, he said, to let the tobacco, when cut, wilt 

 on the field ; then take it at once to the tobacco house and 

 pile it down, letting it heat on the piles to 100 for Havana. 

 It must, he thinks, come to 100 e , but if it rises to 102 Q it is 

 ruined. Piling, therefore, requires great judgment. The 

 tobacco houses are kept at a temperature of about TO C ; and late 

 in the fall, to cure a late second or third crop they sometimes use 

 a stove to maintain a proper heat in the house, for the tobacco 

 must not lie in the pile without heating. When it has had 

 its first sweat, it is hung up on racks; and here Mr. 

 Gulp's process is peculiar. 



" He places the stalk between two battens, so that it sticks 

 out horizontally from the frame; thus each leaf hangs 

 independently from the stalk ; and the racks or frames are 

 so arranged that all the leaves on all the stalks have a separate 

 access to the air. The tobacco houses are frame buildings, 

 100x60 feet, with usually four rows of racks, and two gang- 

 ways for working. On the rack the surface moisture dries 

 from the leaf ; and at the proper time it is again piled, racked, 

 and so on for three or even four times. The racks are of 

 tough boards, and the floor of the houses is of earth. After 

 piling and racking for three weeks, the leaves are stripped 

 from the stalk and put into * hands,' and they are then 

 * bulked ' and lie thus about three months, when the tobacco 

 is boxed. From the time of cutting, from four to six months 

 are required to make the leaf ready for the manufacturer. 

 " Piling " appears to be the most delicate part of the cure, 

 and they have often to work all night to save tobacco that 

 threatens to overheat." 



