15 



leaves. The classification is made by merchants after a further 

 period of sweating extending over about a month, and is as follows: 



Wrappers— First, second, and third sizes— light and dark. 

 Fillers — First, second, and third sizes — light and dark. 



Some planters, endeavoring to secure light colors, make their fer- 

 menting piles long and very narrow — the width of only two hands — 

 thus preventing as much as possible a rise in temperature. This 

 method retains the light colors, but results in little or no fermenta- 

 tion, thus rendering the tobacco unsuitable for market on account of 

 its green and bitter taste. Neither can it be safely put in the ware- 

 house, because of its being unfermented. 



SEED PRODUCTION. 



In all cases tobacco seed is grown from the so-called sucker or 

 second crop. No care whatever is taken of the seed plants, and all 

 plants which flower, good as well as degenerated, are permitted to 

 produce seed. When the seed capsules become dark brown they are 

 cut from the plant and exposed for a day or more to the hot sun in 

 order that they may become thoroughly dried. Such an irrational 

 method of producing seed, with no attempt whatever at selection, is 

 sufficient to explain why such large amounts of seed are required to 

 produce a few good plants. A considerable part of such seed will not 

 germinate, and of that capable of germination much is from degen- 

 erated plants and gives rise to seed plants having many undesirable 

 qualities. It furthermore gives rise to many plants which lack in 

 vigor and which may in part explain the fact that planters have to 

 repeatedly reset plants in the field. As a result of this method of 

 seed production one will find, upon inspection of the tobacco fields, 

 leaves of all kinds, sizes, and shapes, many of which are undesirable 

 for anything but filler purposes. (See frontispiece.) 



IRRIGATION. 



Irrigation is not practiced in tobacco culture in Porto Rico. 

 Droughts frequently occur in Porto Rico which cut short the tobacco 

 crop, and there is no doubt that where sufficient water can be secured 

 irrigation of tobacco would prove profitable. 



DRAINAGE. 



Drainage is practiced in some localities by making ditches on the 

 hilly lands above the tobacco, thus diverting the water and prevent- 

 ing an overflow of the fields. In the level lands the drainage methods 

 as now practiced could be very much improved. In many parts of 

 the island tobacco fields suffered severe losses during the season 

 1903-4 from standing water in the fields. Last year and the preced- 

 ing one were quite dry, and tobacco crops suffered from drought. This 

 15479— No. 5—05 3 



