will usually contain about 117,000 leaves. There are 

 normally 6,500 plants to an acre, each plant having 

 about 18 leaves. 



During the summer, when the tobacco flowers begin 

 to blossom, and just before harvest, the flower and a 

 few of the top leaves are removed to redirect the energy 

 of the plant from seed production back to vegetative 

 or leaf growth. This process, known as topping, pro- 

 duces the maximum percentage of bright leaf which 

 furnish the cigarette grades. 



When the tobacco begins to ripen, a gradual yellow- 

 ish color develops, followed by flecks in the color of the 



MARYLAND BROADLEAF TOBACCO PLANT 



>TIPS 



DULL- or 



HEAVY-CROP 



pVGROUND- 

 :/ LEAVES 



