22 



with a heavy cloth so that moisture from the ground will not penetrate 

 the mandala. The niandala may be built either circular or square, and 

 the outer row of tobacco should be laid down first, placing the tips 

 toward the center. Another row should then be laid down, allo^ving 

 the second row to overlap about two-thirds of tlie first. A third row 

 should be laid on this in the same way with the tips pointing toward 

 the center. The second layer should be made in the same manner 

 and the process continued until the mandala is 1.5 or 2 meters high. 

 The diameter of the base of the mandala should be about 2 meters. 

 After the mandala is completed it should be covered with blankets. 



If the tobacco contains a sufficient amount of moisture when put down 

 it will generate sufficient heat to have a daily rise in temperature of from 

 5° to 8° F. If the temperature rises too rapidly the mandala should 

 be torn down and rebuilt. During the process of rebuilding, the tobacco 

 that was in the center of the old mandala should be placed in the 

 outer edges, top, and bottom of the new one. 



If the tol)acco leaves are exceedingly moist when first put down it 

 may be necessary to tear down and rebuild the mandala five or six times. 

 In fermenting tobacco a thermometer should be used for measuring the 

 temperature. In building the mandala a bamboo tube should be laid down 

 in the center with one end extending to the edge. The thermometer 

 may be tied to a stick and inserted through this bamboo tube to the 

 center of the mandala. The outer end of the tube should be kept stuffed 

 with rags so the temperature will not be affected; when it is desired 

 to take the teutperature the rags may be removed, the thennometer drawn 

 out and read and again inserted. 



After the tobacco is fermented it should be graded. At present the 

 leaves are graded according to length and soundness, instead of quality 

 and color as tliey should be. As a result one bale may contain leaves 

 suited for filler, binder, and -wi-apper, whereas, if it was graded as 

 stated, a bale marked first class would be No. 1 wrapper; second class, 

 No. 2 wrapper; third class, binders; fourth class, fillers, etc. 



CONCLUSION. V 



The quality of the tobacco produced in any locality is determined in 

 part by climatic and soil conditions, an.d in part by the methods of 

 cultivation and handling. 



The tobacco gi'own in these Islands can be greatly improved by adopt- 

 ing proper methods of seed selection, cultivation, harvesting, curing and 

 fermenting. It costs no more to produce a good variety of tobacco, 

 which gives a better yield and quality, than it does to grow an unimproved 

 irregular variety. 



The planters living in those districts where the cultivation of tobacco 



