48 TOBACCO GROWING IN GREAT BRITAIN. 



they assume a yellow tinge and look knotchy 

 and brittle they are fit for gathering. 



In tropical climates the whole plant is cut 

 down ; but in more northern plantations the 

 ripening does not take place altogether, so each 

 leaf, as it ripens, is picked ; thus the picking 

 may last over several weeks. 



On the Continent the leaves are divided into 

 three classes : the lower leaves or sandgut, which 

 ripen earliest, are first picked, then the middle 

 leaves or erdgut, and lastly the topmost leaves, 

 or bestgut. 



After the picking comes the curing process, 

 and this is the most important pari; of the 

 operations. 



Herr Mandis says, about this part of the 

 business : — " The plant may have prospered per- 

 fectly, and still, by a faulty method of drying, 

 it may become practically worthless." 



This fact is illustrated by the tobacco of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, where the curing is done in 

 an antiquated or slovenly manner, the tobacco, 

 in consequence, being so nauseous, that the 

 effects on a newcomer are disastrous. The 

 habitues, however, of this prepai-ation prefer it 

 to any other, and declai-e it to be perfectly 

 wholesome. Such is the force of habit ! 



