THE CULTUBE OF TOBACCO. 



95 



or fermentation. Their presence greatly injures tlie saleabilitv of tlie 

 tobacco. A spray of a four per cent, solution of acetic acid, or a weak 

 vinegar, will remove them, although more appear later. Sometimes 

 these salts ai-e taken off with a light lirush. It is supposed by some 

 that the presence of these salts is due to an excess of their basic 

 elements in the soil, or to the fertilizeis u.sed. This mav be true, for 



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.4 I'EXNSYLVAXIA HAUN (cuPIEIi lUOM "lOxH CEXSUS," U.S.A.). 



it is known that plants will take up mineral salts in excess of their 

 requirements if those salts be abundant in the soil. 



All tobaccos will not go through an equal degree of fermentation. 

 In some the fermentation proceeds very slowly, in others rapidly. In 

 some tobaccos the fermentation may continue a long period, while in 

 others it may be completed in a short time. This difference is due to 

 the presence of oxidizing enzymns in greater or less proportion. 

 Differences in soil, climate a]id cultural treatment will bring about 

 great differences in the enzymns present in the leaf and thus naturally 

 a difference in the fermentation of each tobacco. The methods to be 



