THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY 187 



the collection of the leaves undergoing the process of curing 

 at the proper moment, the delicate aroma considered to be 

 peculiar to the best Cuban growths is secured in greater 

 perfection than could be attained under the old method of 

 leaving the gathering until the whole field had ripened. It 

 is reported from the district that the longer time expended 

 in the somewhat tedious operation of collecting each leaf 

 separately as it becomes ripe, is more than compensated 

 by the lessened labour of indoor work. Then there is the 

 superior texture, colour, weight and richness over those 

 which the old plan yielded. There still remains, however, 

 for consideration, the all-important factors of soil and 

 climate, and whatever else in nature may go towards 

 determining the ultimate fate of the plant. It is thought 

 that all the favouring conditions are in Florida harmonized 

 more perfectly than in any other part of the United States. 

 Housing and curing operations completed, the leaves being 

 quite dry and crisp, they are loosely tied in bundles (a leaf 

 being used for the purpose) of about a dozen, called ' hands,' 

 and lightly packed together for the Home market. The to- 

 bacco intended for exportation receives much more care in the 

 packing. Each bundle is placed carefully in a hogshead or 

 other large receptacle in such a manner as not to injure the 

 leaf in any way. In some cases the midrib — the fibre which 

 runs through the leaf — is removed before exportation, an 

 operation which has given rise in commerce to the designa" 

 tion ' stripes,' a term by which large quantities of tobacco is 

 known in the market. When a hogshead is about one 

 quarter filled a powerful lever-press is employed to compress 

 and consolidate the tobacco. This pressing is repeated at 

 each successive stage of the packing till the whole is a dense 

 and compact mass, weighing from a thousand to twelve hun- 

 dred pounds. On arrival at the London Docks, where im- 



