88 TOBACCO. 



them, and prevent the injurious development of ammonia 

 and other combinations that give rise to bad flavour in 

 the tobacco. How to attain this, exercises the judgment 

 of the cultivator, who, by frequent examination of the 

 plants, and by careful observation of the changes going on 

 in the leaves, will soon find out the right way. 



The rods should be placed closer together (a) when the 

 plants are much wilted on reaching the shed ; (6) when 

 the air is very dry, and the temperature is high ; (c) when 

 the leaves of the plant are very thin and contain little 

 water. Plants which have the leaves closely arranged on 

 the stems must be hung farther apart. When the air is 

 very dry, and there is a strong breeze, the windows must 

 be closed. If this is not sufficient, water may be poured 

 on some heaps of sand, to create a moist atmosphere in the 

 shed. When the stems of the plant are very thick, and 

 consequently contain much sap, it is beneficial to open the 

 windows, especially at morning and evening, for some 

 hours, that the wind may pass over the butt-ends. As the 

 windows are situated above the lowest tier, the leaves will 

 not be much affected by it. 



The leaves must be examined carefully every day ; one 

 plant may progress very well, whereas another close by 

 may decompose too rapidly, and another too slowly. 

 Although no change of weather occur, it may yet be 

 necessary to alter the position of the rods, in order that 

 each plant and leaf may receive air in such a degree as is 

 most conducive to its proper decomposition. Any change 

 in the weather necessitates different arrangements. The 

 plant should remain on the lower tier until the leaves 

 have turned yellow, which will take place within 6-10 



