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than those near the sides. In many cases, however, a further change 

 is found necessary, and slightly moistened sponges are placed in the 

 ca^es with the tobacco in order to maintain a certain degree of mois- 

 ture. After-fermentation carried on for too long a time might finally 

 destroy all good (jualities In* further oxidations. 



THE PETUNINCt OF THE TOliACCO. 



The petuning is an operation tlrst i^racticed in Cuba, and consists in 

 sjnaying a liquid on the leaves during or after the sweating i^rocess. 

 The tillers only, and not the wrappers, are petuned. the intention being 

 to give them a darker color, an im^^roved flavor, and the ai:>pearance and 

 character of a strong tobacco. The composition of the petuning. liquid 

 used in Cuba is kept secret, and indeed each planter claims to have 

 something known only to himself. It is generally believed that one 

 method of prei>aring the petuning fluid is by i^ouring organic fluids 

 j'ielding ammonium carbonate over crushed tobacco stems, and letting 

 this mixture digest. This liquid is, of course, very liable to putrefy-, 

 and consequently a most luxuriant growth of bacteria may be exi:)ected 

 within a few days in the warm climate of Cuba. It is no wonder then 

 that on the surtace of Havana tobacco various bacteria are found, 

 although it may be doubted whether they live long on these fermenting 

 leaves. The ammonium carbonate contained in the petuning liquids 

 increases the alkaline reaction already present in the fermenting leaf, 

 and thus supports the energy of the oxidizing process which brings on 

 the dark color frequently desired for the filler leaves. 



One might naturally sui>pose that the ammonium carbonate would 

 dissolve some resinous matter from the stems which would lead to an 

 imijrovement of the aroma of the tillers if the hypothesis is correct 

 that this aroma depends to a great extent upon the resin content of 

 the tobacco plant, but this the writer holds is doubtful. 



Petuning is practiced in some i>arts of the United States also, but 

 the opinion of tobacco manufacturers whom the writer has consulted 

 upon the subject is that the effect of the treatment is overrated. By 

 the most intelligent growers a hot solution of ammonium carbonate is 

 left to act upon the stems of Havana tobacco. This extract is pre 

 pared anew every day for use, which easily accounts for the fact that 

 the tobacco leaves thus treated do not show any bacterial flora on 

 their surface. Tlie petuning liquid often has a different comi)osition. 

 The tobacco stems are extracted with water containing rum, molasses, 

 or sour wine, consequently these liquids may swarm with bacteria after 

 they stand for a while. The molasses is supposed to disguise the bitter 

 taste derived from the stems. 



Eelated to the petuning is the so-called -conditioning'' of the 

 tobacco, consisting in the spraying with a 2 per cent solution of glyc- 

 erin. This operation is carried on only with chewing, plug, and 

 cigarette tobaccos, and is intended to keep these products moist and 

 pliable, as perfectly dry tobacco would easily crumble to a powder. 



