cerned in the growing of the plant. The heavier 
tobaccos which are intended for the export 
trade are usually harvested late. The most im- 
portant operations connectéd with the culture 
of the tobacco leaf are the “yellowing” and 
“curing” processes, and, as these commence 
with the cutting of the plant, this latter must 
be done under strictly favorable conditions in 
order to insure proper results. The cutting 
must not be done while the sun is very hot, or 
while there is rain, or before the plant is fully | 
matured. On the other hand, after the plant | 
has reached its maturity, it must not be allowed . 
to continue its growth, which along with other- 
things would be likely to increase > its: nicotine, 
tobacco grower “knows well fori the appear- 
ance of the plant when it is best fitted for cut-_ 
ting. The leaves become thick and heavy and — 
assume a drooping appearance. They become _ 
crisp with a tendency to break easily, and a 
mottled, spotty look is noticeable on them. The 
surface becomes gummy and oily; the oily sub- 
stances increases and exudates as the days pass. 
When these signs appear the tobacco is cut on 
the first day when the weather favors. It is 
usual in most cases to split the stalks down the 
middle and allow the leaves to wilt, before the 
stalk is entirely cut through. After sufficient 
26 
