TOBACCO 



501 



with small branches or fern-fronds (and watered if the weather 

 be dry) until well established, after which no shade is required. 

 In live to six weeks from planting, the flower buds will appear at 

 the top of the plants ; these as well as any side-buds must be nipped 

 off, the operation being known as suckcring or disbudding. Such 

 buds must be repeatedly removed as they appear, so as to divert 

 the vigour of the plant to the leaves. 



Harvesting. About six weeks later, or three months from 

 the germination of the seed, the leaves should be ripe for 



TOBACCO FIELD IX JAFFXA, CEYLOX. 



cutting, this being indicated by their turning a yellowish green, 

 with the appearance of brown spots and the edges and tips curling 

 downwards. Cutting should not be done when rain is on the plant, 

 nor when the sun is at its hottest. There are several methods of 

 harvesting. In some cases the whole plant is cut within 3 or 4 

 inches of the ground, in others the leaves are cut separately as 

 they ripen, from the bottom upwards, which is obviously the 

 more rational method. 



Withering. The leaves being carried to the drying shed, they 

 are first spread on the floor to wilt, then tied in bundles of 



