38 



With the cut system of harvesting it is advisable to cut the plants 

 when the middle leaves show maturity — for wrapper purposes early 

 in this stage and for filler a little later. The plants should be allowed 

 to lie on the ground for a few hours until wilted, after which they are 

 transported to the curing shed. It is sometimes advisable to string 

 the plants on poles before transporting, and upon arrival at the shed 

 the poles with plants on them are put in place without further handling 

 of the plants. These short poles or laths should be of proper length 

 to fit the compartments of the shed, the plants being fastened by 

 means of a cord looped around the plant stems and passing from 

 side to side, so that the plants alternate on opposite sides of the pole. 

 The poles with plants attached may be transported to the sheds sus- 

 pended on two long poles carried by two men or on a wagon prepared 

 for the purpose. 



CURING SHED. 



For a good curing shed five points should be considered : 

 (1) Orientation or direction, (2) situation, (3) dimensions, (4) con- 

 struction, and (5) aeration or ventilation. 



The orientation of shed should usually be northeast by southwest, 

 because in Porto Rico the prevailing wind is from the northeast. 

 Where the direction of prevailing wind is different the orientation 

 should conform. The shed should be so built that when the venti- 

 lators are open the wind will not blow directly in at the openings. 

 When wind blows directly in at ventilators the near-by tobacco dries 

 too rapidly and the leaves remain green instead of changing to 

 desirable colors. 



The situation of the curing shed depends upon the requirements of 

 the farm, but, other things being equal, should be convenient to the 

 tobacco field, and should be as much as possible sheltered by other 

 buildings or trees on the side from whence the wind comes. Close 

 proximity to marshes, streams, or wet land should be avoided, 

 because the dampness from such sources is conducive to molds and 

 pole-sweat. 



The dimensions of the curing shed will depend upon the size of 

 the crop, but the width should never be too great for good ventila- 

 tion of all parts of the interior when filled with tobacco. The width 

 should not exceed 30 feet, and the height should be nearly equal 

 to the width, while the length may be as great as desired. 



The construction of the curing shed will depend to a certain 

 extent upon the available and most economical material for the 

 structure. In Porto Rico, as a rule, the framework ma} 7 be made of 

 poles cut from native trees. Inch boards of either native or imported 

 lumber will probably be most desirable and economical for the sides, 

 while thatched roofs, either of palm leaves or grass, are suitable. 

 Thatched roofs favor a more equable temperature than either board 



