146 THE (JVLrCRK OF TOBACCO. 



calile \virfs, and Ijetween them, are inn wires of lighter weiglit. These 

 wires aie placed at a distance of five and a half ifeet from each othei' 

 and from the cable wires, so that there are two of these light wires 

 between each two cable wires. These wires are stapled wherever jjos- 

 sible and the ends are securely fastened to stakes set from six to ten 

 feet out from the edge of the outer posts. The whole field is then 

 covered with an open mesh cloth that is much heaviei' than cheese 

 cloth. This cloth has a closely woven selvage and also has strongly 

 w(.>ven strips running thiough it evei-y few feet to give it strength. 

 The width of the cloth is five and a half yards, or just the width be- 

 tween the posts. The cloth is tacked on to the stringers and is 

 sup]jorted between them by the wire. It is run the length of the 

 field and down to the ground at both ends, where it is attached to 

 base boaids. The leiuaining two sides of the field aie then closed in. 

 A large gate is left for the passage of wagons, and roads are left here 

 and there throughout the field. The framework will last from five to 

 ten years, but it is safer to i-enew the canvas each season. The old 

 canvas may be used for the ciivering of plant Ijeds. In Florida the 

 cost of the framework is about £40 an acre, and of the renewal of the 

 canvas each year £20. In countries where cigar wrappers bring a 

 large price and where timbei- is expensive and not durable, the frame- 

 woik for the shade could be constructed of light iron. Iron piping 

 would dij nicely for the posts. 



The covering changes the climate of the field and makes the inside 

 air more htmiid, as well as about fifteen degrees warmer than the 

 outside air. The ccjvering retains the heat during the night and per- 

 mits of more rapid chemical changes in the plant. It also protects the 

 plants from winds, fiosts and hail, as well as jjrevents the delicate 

 leaves from being scorched Ijy the sun, and also very largely prevents 

 the i'a\'ages of insects by closing them out of the field. If the insects 

 are once allowed to enter, through carelessness in leaving openings, 

 they will breed and multiplj' untler the shade as rapidly as elsewhere. 



With a tobacco that is valuable enough to glow bv this nietlmd 

 great care is taken in the other steps of the culture. The fertilization 

 is reduced to a science, the soil is kept in perfect tilth, weeds and 

 grass are not seen, and every field in some localities is irrigated. If 

 any caterpillars are known to be in the field the plants aie inspected 

 every day and the pests destroyed. The toljacco grows very tall and 

 would easily break down, so that it is tied to the top of the framework 

 with twine when half grf>wn. The plants are allowed to mature a 

 large number of leaves, for the larger the number of leaves the thinner 

 and finer the texture of the individual leaf. From sixteen to forty 

 leaves are left to a ])lant, and where the plant is very thrifty it is mlt 

 topped at all, but allowed to go to seed so as to jjivvent the leaves 

 froiu becoming too heavy. 



It is difficult to tell when this shade-gr(Avn tobacco is ready for 

 the harvest, because it does not colour up and give the same signs of 

 ripeness as tobacco grown in the open. A light brownish colour around 

 the edges and the tips, and the appearance of small spots, indicate 

 when the leaf is ready for harvesting. The Sumatra tobacco is more 

 elastic and better for wrappers if not left to Ijecome too ripe. All the 

 leaves on the plant do not ripen at one time, so they are pulled off 

 when ready, and the plant is not cut. Four or five leaves are usually 

 ready at once, and the time of harvesting a field may extend over 

 several weeks. The leaves are taken to the barn in baskets and cured 



