118 TOBACCO. 



tobacco that yeast has on bread. It is the agent employed 

 to produce a strong and quick fermentation, from which 

 results that strong and agreeable aroma that may be ob- 

 served in old tobacco which has been well hetumeado 

 (sponged with tobacco infusion). This infusion, made 

 with fresh tobacco, is not bad if made carefully, but we 

 consider that made with old tobacco is the best, because 

 it instantly imparts an agreeable odour to the leaves on 

 which it is used ; and, instead of the infusion which is 

 generally used, it would be cleaner and better, if a strong 

 decoction was made from picadura — the small pieces of 

 leaves of good tobacco — and used after it had become 

 cold, or on the day after the boiling is made. 



" If the wash is made by infusion, at least two jugs 

 should be used to make it in, and it should be only used 

 on the third or fourth day, renewing it as often as it 

 appears to pass into a state of putrid fermentation, in 

 which state it is of no use, and on which account two 

 deposits are necessary, so that one at least may always be 

 in a fit state to use, whilst the other is acquiring the 

 necessary strength and a transparent golden colour, in 

 which state it is fit for use. 



" Each tobacco leaf should be dyed separately, and not, 

 as some do, after it has been made up into gavillas — small 

 bundles tied at one end of the leaf. It is very important 

 that all the leaves should equally receive the benefit, and 

 this is impossible when several are tied together. The 

 good system of dyeing is used by all practical vegueros ; to 

 save labour some do it otherwise, to the great injury of the 

 aroma and quality, and no small risk of the tobacco be- 

 coming spotted, and full of holes ; for tobacco invariably 



