sprinkled on the leaves, act as lenses and con- 
centrate the rays of the sun, thus causing 
a burning of the leaf in such spots. Some 
think the spots are caused by a worm. On 
account of the prejudice of smokers for 
speckled cigars dealers have been known to 
produce this appearance in the leaf artificially. 
There are different methods although resort is 
not often had at the present time to this prac- 
tice as the belief in this sign is no longer as 
prevalent as formerly. The following are ex- 
amples of such cigar speckling preparation, 
the chief ingredient being some active oxidiz- 
ing agent: 
Cigar speckling fluid: 
(Method 1.) Powdered Ammonium Carbon- 
ate and a concentrated solution of (Hz O:). 
Dissolve one part of the Ammonium Carbon- 
ate in 25 parts of the (H. O.). Touch the 
cigar with this in spots with the end of a 
pointed stick. This gives the appearance of 
speckled Sumatran leaf. 
(Method 2.) The following method is said 
to be used by a large firm: 
Sodium Carbonate—3% parts. 
Chlorinated Lime—1 part. 
Mot Water—S8 parts. 
Dissolve the washing soda in the hot water, 
add the chlorinated lime, and heat to the boiling 
218 
