TOBACCO. 211 



Light canvas or hessian must be used to protect the 

 tobacco while on the racks, from dew or Ught showers. 



Treatment after Curing. — In the method employed in 

 South Africa the next procedure is to place the leaf in bulks 

 or stacks of convenient size. The thoroughly cured tobacco 

 is removed from the racks early in the morning, when the 

 leaf is phable, and bulked while still on the laths. The bulks 

 should be examined daily to ascertain the condition of the 

 tobacco. Should the leaf become hot the stacks should be 

 opened, the leaf exposed to the air for a short time, and then 

 re-bulked. Tobacco should be bulked on plank floors, having 

 plenty of ventilation underneath, or on platforms raised about 

 one foot, to allow a free circulation of air under the stacks. 

 Usually the tobacco should be re-bulked once a fortnight, and 

 if properly handled the leaf will improve in colour and develop 

 the aroma and flavour characteristic of Turkish tobacco. 



Grading and Baling. — In the Western Province Turkish 

 tobacco is placed into four grades, known as bottoms, middle- 

 seconds, middles and tops. 



The strings of graded leaf are pressed into bales of 80 

 pounds or more, having the butts of the leaves outward 

 and the tips towards the centre ; it is then covered with 

 hessian, secured in place with strong cord. 



Treatment after Baling. — In the warehouses, Turkish 

 tobacco must undergo a process of natural fermentation be- 

 fore it is ready for manufacturing purposes. In these the 

 bales are placed in rows, two deep, and covered with heavy 

 canvas to maintain the condition of the leaf. At regular 

 intervals the bales are turned and examined. 



When fermentation begins the bales are placed on the 

 floor singly, where they can be easily examined each day. 

 During the fermentation process the warehouse is so managed 

 that the temperature and moisture conditions are kept con- 

 stant, as sudden changes produce poor results. When the 

 temperature of the baled tobacco begins to decrease the bales 

 are placed on end, and when the temperature becomes normal 

 the bales are again stacked. The tobacco should be turned 

 and examined weekly thereafter for a" couple of months, 

 when it is ready for sale. 



As the fermentation of Turkish tobacco is not forced, the 

 process depends largely on climatic conditions. Should the 

 weather be uniformly warm, fermentation will be completed 

 in about 21 to 28 days, but should cool weather occur at 

 intervals the process may continue for an additional fortnight. 



