TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO, 

 SEASON OF 1903-4. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Before undertaking any tobacco investigations the writer made a 

 a reconnaisance of the principal tobacco-growing districts of Porto 

 Rico and gathered from planters and manufacturers information 

 relative to the methods employed in growing, curing, and fermenting 

 tobacco. He visited the districts of Aibonito, Cayey, Cidra, Caguas, 

 Aguas Buenas, Comerio, Arecibo, Utuado, Jayuya, and Yauco, spend- 

 ing several days in each. In each of these places careful inquiry was 

 made as to the local methods used in growing tobacco. At the time 

 of these visits most of the tobacco had been sold to the manufacturers, 

 but wherever possible samples of it were examined with reference to 

 its several classes and the quality of each. Typical samples were 

 also secured from each district for further study, and most of them 

 were made into cigars and tested with reference to their appearance, 

 flavor, aroma, and burning qualities. Samples of typical soil and sub- 

 soil were also taken from each district for chemical and physical 

 examination. The climatological conditions were also inquired into 

 and a study made of the local weather records in order to better judge 

 as to the best season for planting and especially for the curing of the 

 tobacco. A brief report of these preliminary investigations follows. 



METHODS NOW PRACTICED IN PORTO RICO. 



METHODS OF PREPARING SEED BEDS. 



In Porto Rico the tobacco seed bed is most frequently made on high 

 inclined land, although it is sometimes made on level lands, called 

 "vegas." The high lands are more exempt from the depredations of 

 insects and especially from the "changa," or mole cricket, which bur- 

 rows along beneath the surface of the ground and cuts off the plants. a 

 On the hilly lands the preparation usually consists of burning over 

 the ground and digging it up with a hoe. Some planters prefer stony 

 lands for the seed beds, believing that they retain moisture best, 

 although this is probably not the true cause of their value, as the 

 stones would improve the drainage. If the land is not stony it is 

 necessary to have good drainage, and this is affected by cutting small 

 ditches at a distance of about 1 meter from each other and running 

 directly down the hill. The tobacco seed is sown on the elevations 

 between the ditches. If level land is chosen for the seed bed it is 



a See Porto Rico Sta. Bui. 2. 



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