REHANDLING AND FERMENTATION 
OF TOBACCO LEAF PRIOR TO 
MANUFACTURE 
We have seen how the tobacco passes from 
the grower to the manufacturer or leaf dealer. 
Before it is fitted, however, for manufacture 
into cigars or other finished products the leaf 
must go through many processes, the most im- 
portant of which is fermentation. These pro- 
cesses, which are usually known as rehandling, 
are carried out in special buildings which are 
called leaf houses and stemmeries. The pro- 
cedures in different leaf houses may vary some- 
what, but the general principles and objects in 
view are the same in all. Moreover, the treat- 
ment is different, according to the ulterior dis- 
position of the leaf, i. e. whether intended for 
cigars, pipe smoking or other product. 
The general treatment as carried out in large 
establishments is about as follows: 
The leaf as soon as it is received whether in 
casks, cases, bales, or otherwise is opened up 
and inspected in the casing room. Large con- 
cerns which manufacture or deal in cigar and 
other kinds of leaf, sort out the different kinds 
suitable for each class of product, i. e. wrap- 
pers, fillers, binders, cigarette leaf, plug leaf, 
77 
