has been in the barn from 3 to 5 days, slow fires of 

 hardwood are started on the floor and tempera- 

 tures are kept low until the leaf is completely 

 yellowed. Temperatures are then increased and 

 the higher heat maintained until the leaf tissue is 

 well dried. The fires are maintained for 3 to 10 days 

 in some barns or production areas, and 10 to 40 

 days in others. 



The main objective in fire-curing is to give the 

 leaf a special smoky taste and aroma, which is 

 accomplished through contact with the smoke 

 from the open fires. The proper combination of 

 heat, humidity, and ventilation are necessary to 

 prevent injury to the leaf, and to protect it against 

 mold and discoloration. Smoke coming from a 

 barn being fired produces a colorful sight in the 

 fire-cured area but caution is required to keep the 

 fires under control. 



Curing Perique tobacco— the curing process is 

 unique. The entire plant is cut, a nail is driven at an 

 angle through the butt of the stalk, and the plant is 

 hung from wires stretched across the curing barn. 

 After 8 to 14 days, when the leaves have dried and 

 turned brown, they are stripped from the stalks, 

 formed into small twists, and packed in casks 

 under great pressure until they turn black. Every 

 few days during the first month, the tobacco is 

 taken out, loosened, and put back again underthe 

 pressure. It is allowed to ferment for about 9 

 months under this pressure and is then ready for 

 sale. The process gives Perique its characteristic 

 aroma. 



V. PREPARATION FOR MARKET 



When fully cured, the leaf is too dry and brittle to 

 be handled without serious damage. However, 

 tobacco leaves easily absorb moisture from the 

 air under warm, humid conditions. Such weather 

 is often spoken of as a "tobacco season," and 

 when the leaf is soft or pliable enough to be 

 handled without breaking it is said to be "in case" 

 or "in order." 



Cured tobacco must be pliable before leaves are removed 

 from stalks and sorted for market. 



Fire-cured curing barn. 



12 



Flue-cured tobacco is bundled for market with the aid of a 

 packing mold. Bundles of leaves are wrapped in burlap 

 sheets. 



