WHITE RUST. 



cause of rust and how to prevent it. It usually occurs just 

 before, or after, topping, and if the plants are ripe enough to 

 harvest, they should be cut before the rust spreads to any 

 great extent. It makes its appearance very suddenly, and if 

 the weather be favorable (damp), spreads rapidly, often in a 

 few days injuring the plants to a great extent. There are 

 two varieties of rust or " tiring," brown and white ; and 

 while the former is dreaded by the grower, as it injures the 

 quality of the plant, the other is regarded with special favor, 

 as it gives value to the leaf. 



The white rust,* as it is termed, is a small white speck 

 (often noticed on cigars), making its appearance on the leaves 

 of the plant towards the latter part of its growth, and usually 

 found on the top and middle leaves. It is usually found on 

 the best, and more frequently on light than dark tobacco. 

 Unlike the brown rust, the white does not fall out, but is as 

 firm in its place as any part of the leaf ; sometimes the spots 

 are as white as chalk, and again they will be of a yellowish 

 shade, though lighter in color than brown rust. The lighter 

 the color the better their effect on the leaf upon which they 

 are found. Leaves thus " spotted " make the finest of wrap- 

 pers, and light-colored leaf thus affected brings the very 

 highest price. It is well known to manufacturers of cigars 

 that such leaves burn well, and almost invariably make a 

 light ash. Good judges of cigars always pick for those thus 

 affected, and watch with interest the ash of the cigar, noting 

 the color as well as the flavor. 



Some seasons this kind of rust is quite common, and it is 

 supposed to be caused in the same way as the brown, although 

 there are some growers who think that it is produced by 

 altogether different causes. There is, however, a marked 

 difference in the appearance of the leaves thus spotted ; the 

 white rust is not usually as thick upon the leaf, and is more 

 generally found along the sides of the leaf, while the brown 

 rust is found more in the center than along the sides. Tobacco 

 of a light cinnamon color thus "marked" is considered 



Florida tobacco Is noted for the white rust found on the leares. 



