156 



the butt of the stalk, so as to prevent their falling down. One must b» 

 very careful to see that the labourers tying do not put more than four 

 small plants or two large ones in each string. 



After being placed on the poles the Tobacco cut in this manner is 

 treated just the same as that cut in pairs of leaves, or "mancuernas." 

 Although we have attempted here to describe one of the most import- 

 ant operations, yet it is a fact that scarcely any one can become efficient 

 in the practical part unless he assists in carrying out the work for some 

 time under the instruction of an Expert. 



Method of Bulking in Press. 



(Empilonar.) 



Method I. — At the beginning of Spring, when the Tobacco becomes 

 soft and pliant on account of the humidity of the weather, the poles are 

 taken down — the time for which must also be regulated by the condi- 

 tion of the leaf — the leaves are stripped off, or removed from the stalks 

 and made into bundles or ''matules," 18 inches in length by 18 inches 

 in depth, the breadth being the length of the leaves. The leaves are 

 placed with all their butt ends together and properly tied to form the 

 "matul." The "matules" are more easily formed by means of two 

 pairs of short stakes driven in the ground in the House, at the proper 

 distance, viz., 18 inches, strings to be used for tying up the bundles are 

 passed between each pair of stakes. The stakes in each pair 

 being driven apart at a distance according to the length of the leaves. 

 After the bundles are made they are put in the pilon or press, tightly 

 packed together, covering them up with thatch or dried plantain leaves,, 

 putting on top of all a few blocks of wood, or anv other weight to press 

 the Tobacco slightly. It should now be allowed to remain iu the press 

 for at least eight days before commencing the sorting of the leaves, 

 hut it is preferable to allow the Tobacco to remain in the press for 

 about thirty days or more, as the Tobacco is benefited b} r the press, and 

 there is no risk in its remaining here for any length of time, provided the 

 leaves as well as their mid ribs be thoroughly dry when put into the press. 

 The weights should be removed after thirty days. 



When about to sort the leaves as many bundles as can be worked 

 up in a day are taken out of the press, opened out, and the tips and the 

 butt ends of the leaves are moistened with a wet sponge. The bundles 

 are again made up and placed into the press, covering them as before. 

 Iwenty-four hours after, when the leaves will have just enough moisture 

 to be handled without breaking, the bundles are taken out as fast as the 

 leaves are sorted. 



Sorting, classification or choosing of the leaves, is done to separate 

 the different kinds of leaves according to their qualities, etc. Each 

 planter may classify or sort his tobacco as he thinks best, but the sim- 

 plest classification is: into first class CAP A. (wrapper); second class capa, 

 first class tri pa (filler); second class tripa and third class tripa the re- 

 mainder being " funk" or inferior Tobacco. The leaves which have 

 been sorted should be immediately, or rather simultaneously, made into 

 hands or " inanillas" A i£ hand"", " gavilla" or " manilla" is made by 

 placing the butt ends of the leaves evenly together until the hand is full 

 of leaves, selecting a leaf which is not very sound, twist it like a rope, 

 and wrap it around the butt ends of the leaves so as to tie them proper- 



