THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO. 85 



Fermentation of Cigar Leaf.— The fermentation, or sweat, is for 

 the purpose of develi>ping the aroma of the tobacco. On the ability of 

 the leaf to properly feiiuent, and on the skill of the man in charge to 

 regulate that fei'mentation, depend the quality of the finished pioduct. 

 This fermentation, as before stated, is due to the action of enzymns, 

 and these enzymns must be subjected to certain heat and moisture 

 conditions before they can begin theii- action. Tobacco should contain 

 23 per cent, to 24 pei' cent, of moisture to insure a proper fermenta- 

 tion ; tobacco with a higher percentage of moisture is more subject 

 to decay, and tobacco with less moisture will not fei-ment, or if 

 fermentation does commence theie will not be moisture enough 

 present for its completion. The proper condition is soon learned by 

 experience, and no test except the feeling to the hand and the 

 pliability of the leaf is required. 



The fer'mentation process is not usually conducted by the grower 

 himself, but is handled b_y dealers who ferment hundreds of 

 thousands of poirnds in a season. The planter is not ordinarily in a 

 position to give his full attention to this work, nor has he buildings 

 where the proper heat and moisture conditions can be maintained. 

 There is no reason, however, why the very large planter- should not 

 combine the functions of a grower and leaf handler. This is done bv 

 the tobacco growing companies in Florida. 



Several different methods of fer'mentation are practised. In the 

 method that has been most largely used, until recently, the tobacco 

 is packed in wooden cases holding about three hirndred pounds of 

 tobacco to a case. The butts of the " hands " are placed to the outside 

 and the tips to the centre of the case. By nreans of a screw or- lever 

 the tobacco is pressed down moderately tight and as rrruch air as 

 possible excluded. The top of the box is then screwed on and the 

 case placed in a room that is kept at an even temperature. The box 

 has moderate sized openirrgs between the boards, so as to allow f(jr- the 

 escape of the moisture and other wa.ste products of fernrentation. 

 The tobacco is left in these cases for' a summer and is then sampled 

 and r-epacked to await sale to the manufacturer. At times the cases 

 may be placed in heated rooms and the fermentation forced. This 

 method of fermentation does not give altogether satisfactory results. 

 The tobacco in the cases cannot be observed and there is no knowledge 

 as to whether the fermentation is proceeding properly or irot. To-day 

 the tendency among progressive tobacco men is towards the adoption 

 of what is known as bulk fermentation. 



Bulk Fermentation. — The best rooms for this purpose are 

 heated with steam and kept at a temperature of from 75 degrees to 

 80 degr'ees, aird the humidity maintained at 80 degrees to 90 degrees, 

 and even as high at times as 100 degrees. 



When the tobacco is received for fermentation it is sorted into 

 three diiferent grades, according to the colour and texture. This is 

 done so that the ditferent grades may be fermented separately and 

 given different treatment according to the nature of the finished pro- 

 duct desired. Just at present the demand is for light shades in the 

 wrappers, and if the wrapper' leaves be given as heavy a fermentation 

 as the filler leaves their colour will become dark. 



When graded the tobaccos are placed in separate bulks. The 

 number of piiunds of the lighter grades allowed to the bulk is from 

 three to five thousand ; of the medium grades from eight to ten 



