tion. He conducted a series of experimental 
investigations in which he searched for and iso- 
lated the specific microbes found in the best 
West Indian tobacco. From these he made 
artificial cultures and introduced them into 
heaps of inferior, coarse German tobacco which 
was undergoing curing. His results were such 
that the smoking quality of the leaf was entirely 
changed. It could scarcely be distinguished 
from the best Cuban tobacco and experts and 
connoisseurs failed to identify the product as 
German tobacco. A company was formed to 
exploit the new ideas commercially, but it does 
not appear to have met with success. Other 
investigations failed to obtain Suchsland’s re- 
sults and extensive investigation in the Agri- 
cultural Experimental Station in the United 
States have not up to now produced any results 
confirmatory of the theory. 
We can now proceed to follow the course of 
the tobacco in its peregrinations through the 
leaf house. 
On their return from the first fermentation 
the bundles go to the picking department. 
Leaves which are damaged or unsuitable in any 
way are here picked out and put aside to be used 
in the cheaper grades. The leaves are then sub- 
jected to a thorough cleaning to remove 
particles of sand, clay, etc., packed tightly in 
82 
