wilting the leaves are gathered in piles and 
exposed to the action of the sunlight; or they 
are stuck by the stalks on poles or framework 
and so exposed that the sun and air have free 
access to all parts. This is the best and most 
approved practice. “Yellowing” of the leaf is 
very rapid after the plant is cut; it is the 
natural effect due to cutting off the food supply 
of the leaf and the consequent slow death of the 
vitality of the cells. It must be remembered 
that the leaves are large, varying in size (ac- 
cording to species) from 12 inches to over 2 
feet in length. Such a leaf needs a large quan- 
tity of food and the sudden cutting off of the 
supply effects a rapid change in appearance. 
The leaves are allowed to hang on the scaffolds 
8 to 5 days until they are fully yellowed. They 
are then ready for the process. of “curing,” 
which is the most important operation con- 
nected with cultivation. The “curing” and 
“fermentation” which the leaf undergoes are 
chemical actions and their success depends on 
the proper method of “yellowing.” The leaves 
must not be exposed to the sun too long, be- 
cause the cells would lose their vitality too 
rapidly and be unfitted for the new part they 
have to play in the curing process. The chemi- 
cal changes will be explained in subsequent 
chapters. It is desired that the reader should 
27 
