TOBACCO. 203 



The time required for sun-curing varies from four to six weeks, 

 depending on climatic conditions and the size of the leaf being 

 cured. 



Growers who practise sun-curing should time their plant- 

 ings so that the tobacco will be ready for harvesting about the 

 time that the rains normally cease. This will save consider- 

 able trouble and expense, besides aiding in the production of 

 better quality tobacco. 



Sun-cured tobacco of the Virginia type possesses certain 

 desirable qualities as compared with air-cured leaf. Leaf 

 cured by this method is usually lighter and more uniform in 

 colour, as well as sweeter and more aromatic. Sun-cured 

 tobacco is desirable for chewing and for pipe mixtures. 



This method of curing can be recommended for certain 

 areas where only heavy tobacco can be produced, and is 

 especially useful in connection with flue-curing. Unless 

 tobacco yellows in the field it is extremely difficult to obtain 

 a satisfactory cure in the flue-barn. The leaf, which is heavy, 

 oily, and unsuitable for flue-curing, can be sun-cured until the 

 web of the leaf is dry, and the midrib can then be killed in 

 the flue-barn. The combination of the methods reduces the 

 time required for curing and produces a more desirable product. 



Fire-Curing. — In this method artificial heat is used to 

 hasten curing as well as to develop the characteristic flavour 

 and aroma of fire-cured tobacco. As the name implies, heat is 

 applied by means of open fires directly beneath the tobacco. 

 The smoke from the burning wood imparts a creosotic flavour 

 and a particular aroma, and at the same time improves the 

 keeping quality of the cured product. Tobacco cured by means 

 of open fires is greatly in "favour in Europe, where it is used 

 for various manufacturing purposes. There is also a consider- 

 able demand for this type of leaf on the West Coast of Africa, 

 but there is no local demand. 



For fire-curing, tobacco should be heavy in body, smooth 

 in texture, with large oily leaf, and rich in nitrogenous con- 

 stituents. The soil for the production of tobacco suitable for 

 fire-curing should be well drained, naturally fertile, and the 

 growth of the plants further increased by heavy applications 

 of manure or fertilisers. The plants are topped low, so that 

 only large leaf is produced, and the tobacco should be alloK\'ed 

 to become fully ripe before harvesting. 



The whole plant is harvested and placed on sticks in the 

 field. After the tobacco has slightly wilted it is carried to the 



