wilting the leaves are gathered in piles and 

 exposed to the action of the sunlight; or they 

 are stuck by the stalks on poles or framework 

 and so exposed that the sun and air have free 

 access to all parts. This is the best and most 

 approved practice. "Yellowing" of the leaf is 

 very rapid after the plant is cut; it is the 

 natural effect due to cutting off the food supply 

 of the leaf and the consequent slow death of the 

 vitality of the cells. It must be remembered 

 that the leaves are large, varying in size (ac- 

 cording to species) from 12 inches to over .2 

 feet in length. Such a leaf needs a large quan- 

 tity of food and the sudden cutting off of the 

 supply effects a rapid change in appearance. 

 The leaves are allowed to hang on the scaffolds 

 3 to 5 days until they are fully yellowed. They 

 are then ready for the process of "curing," 

 which is the most important operation con- 

 nected with cultivation. The "curing" and 

 "fermentation" which the leaf undergoes are 

 chemical actions and their success depends on 

 the proper method of "yellowing." The leaves 

 must not be exposed to the sun too long, be- 

 cause the cells would lose their vitality too 

 rapidly and be unfitted for the new part they 

 have to play in the curing process. The chemi- 

 cal changes will be explained in subsequent 

 chapters. It is desired that the reader should 



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