BRITISH BORNEO. 39 
After hanging for a fortnight, they are sufficiently dry and, 
being lowered down, are stripped of their leaves, which are 
tied up into small bundles, similar leaves being roughly sorted 
together. 
_ The bundles of leaves are then taken to other sheds, where 
the very important process of fermenting them is carried out. 
For this purpose, they are put into orderly arranged heaps— 
small at first, but increased in size till very little heat is given 
out, the heat being tested by a thermometer, or even an ordin- 
ary piece of stick inserted into them. When the fermenta- 
tion is nearly completed and the leaves have attained a fixed 
colour, they are carefully sorted according to colour, spotti- 
ness and freedom from injury of any kind. The price realized 
in Europe is greatly affected by the care with which the leaves 
have been fermented and sorted. Spottiness is not always 
considered a defect, as it is caused by the sun shining on the 
leaves when they have drops of rain on them, and to this the 
‘best leaves are liable; but spotted leaves, broken leaves and 
in short leaves having the same characteristics should be care- 
fully sorted together. After this sorting is completed as 
regards class and quality, there is a further sorting in regard 
to length, and the leaves are then tied together in bundles of 
thirty-five. These bundles are put into large heaps and, when 
no more heating is apparent, they are ready to be pressed un- 
der a strong screw press and sewn up in bags which are care- 
fully marked and shipped off to Europe—to Amsterdam as 
a rule. . 
As the coolies’ payment is by ‘‘results,” it is their interest 
to take the greatest care of their crops; but for any outside 
work they may be called on to perform, and for their services 
_ - as sorters, etc. in the sheds, they are paid extra. During the 
whole time, also, they receive, for “subsistence” money, $4 
or $3 amonth. At the end of the season their accounts are 
made up, being debited with the amount of the original ad- 
vance, subsistence money and cost of implements, and credited 
with the value of the tobacco brought in and any wages that 
may be due for outside work. Each estate possesses a hospi- 
tal, in which bad cases are treated by a qualified practitioner, 
while in trifling cases the European overseer dispenses drugs, 
