by the descendants of the old French Colonists. 

 The properties which it possesses are essential- 

 ly due to the peculiar method of curing and 

 fermentation and not to any peculiarity in the 

 leaf itself. It is the only tobacco in the United 

 States that is grown and put in its final condi- 

 tion for the consumer by the farmer. It is 

 said that the output of genuine Perique is small, 

 being well under 50,000 Ibs. annually. But 

 there is a good deal of substitute Perique sold 

 in lieu of the genuine kind. 



The tobacco is raised on a black, deep, ex- 

 ceedingly rich soil. The leaf is medium in size, 

 about 18" long, and a rapid grower. The stein 

 is small, the fiber tough and gummy. 



In curing no artificial heat is used. The 

 leaf is hung in sheds for about 10 days. It is 

 then stripped into half leaves. These are taken 

 in bundles of about 20 each and converted into 

 rough "twists." A dozen or so "twists" are 

 packed in a box II" square the weight being 

 about 50 Ibs. The contents of the box are then 

 submitted to a pressure of about 7000 Ibs. for 

 at least 24 hours. The tobacco is then taken 

 out and the twists again opened up. The leaves 

 are exposed to the air and sunlight until an 

 exudate appears on them and is reabsorbed. 

 This is done over and over again for at least 

 10 days or until in appearance the tobacco 



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