WHITE RUST. 471 
cause of rust and how to prevent it. It usually occurs just 
before, or after, topping, and if the plants are ripe enough to 
harvest, they should be cut before the rust spreads to any 
great extent. It makes its appearance very suddenly, and if 
the weather be favorable (damp), spreads rapidly, often in a 
few days injuring the plants to a great extent. There are 
two varieties of rust or “firing,” brown and white; and 
while the former is dreaded by the grower, as it injures the 
quality of the plant, the other is regarded with special favor, 
as it gives value to the leaf. 
The white rust,* as it is termed, is a small white speck 
(often noticed on cigars), making its appearance on the leaves 
of ‘the plant towards the latter part of its growth, and usually 
found on the top and middle leaves. It is usually found on 
the best, and more frequently on light than dark tobacco. 
Unlike the brown rust, the white does not fall out, but is as 
firm in its place as any part of the leaf; sometimes the spots 
are as white as chalk, and again they will be of a yellowish 
shade, though lighter in color than brown rust. The lighter 
- the color the better their effect on the leaf upon which they 
are found. Leaves thus “spotted” make the finest of wrap- 
pers, and light-colored leaf thus affected brings the very 
highest price. It is well known to manufacturers of cigars 
that such leaves burn well, and almost invariably make a 
light ash. Good judges of cigars always pick for those thus 
affected, and watch with interest the ash of the cigar, noting 
the color as well as the flavor. , 
Some seasons this kind of rust is quite common, and it is 
supposed to be caused in the same way as the brown, although 
there are some growers who think that it is produced by 
altogether different causes. There is, however, a marked 
difference in the appearance of the leaves thus spotted; the 
white rust is not usually as thick upon the leaf, and is more 
generally found along the sides of the leaf, while the brown 
rust is found more in the center than along the sides. Tobacco 
of a light cinnamon color thus “marked” is considered 
*Florida tobacco is noted for the white rust found on the leaves. 
