Priming, or picking tlie leaves of sliadc-grotvn tobacco 

 Photograph by Hunton. Courtesy U.S. Dept. of Agriculture 



tation is induced by this building of leaf bulks. Four to 

 six times, every eight or ten days, the bulks are rebuilt 

 so that the outside leaves become the center of the piles. 

 Thermometers placed in the middle of the bulks are reg- 

 ularly read to determine the degree of "sweat." 



The burning quality of the leaf, the delicacy of its 

 taste, and its color are improved by this fermentation. 

 Leaves of very light color— the current preference— will 

 command the highest prices. Nature works in her own 

 patient time in fermenting the sensitive leaf. Efforts are 

 being made, however, to accelerate the process without 

 upsetting the harmonious balance of aroma, texture and 



lO 



