226 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Oct. 1, 1903. 
heat and regulate the fermentation. No 
statement can be made as to how often the 
piles should be turned ever, or when this 
should be done, as it depends upon the con- 
dition of the tobacco, especially as to how 
moist it was when placed in the pile. The 
leaves from the upper part of the stalk must 
be fermented more slowly than the lower 
leaves ; consequently, the piles must be torn 
down and rebuilt more often. The principal 
fermentation is one before the sorting as, 
after the sorting, there are so many grades 
which have to be kept separate. Often these 
different grades are refermented to improve 
the quality of the leaf. 
In the Cagayan Valley the tobacco is placed 
into packs of four bundles of from 20 to 40 
leaves, These bundles are then placed 
iuto bales of 80 packs. Fi'om 1 hectare an 
average yield for a number of years is 612 kilos 
of dry leaves. The tobacco is frequently as- 
sorted with the following results : From 1 
hectare, 10 packs of superior tobacco, 30 packs 
of first-class, 40 packs of second-class, 80 packs 
of third-class, lOO packs of fourth-class, and a 
number of packs of fifth-class tobacco. The 
sorting is generally carried on with reference 
to the colours, absence or presence of spots, 
length and soundness of leaf. Many divisions 
and subdivisions are made, according to market 
demands and the intended use of the tobacco. 
After the work of sorting and grading has 
been completed, it is baled into compact bales, 
when it is ready for shipment. 
GROWING TOBACCO UNDER SHADE, 
The growing of crops under shade is not a 
new idea, but was practiced perhaps hundreds 
of years ago ; but the cultivation of fields of 
tobacco under a light cloth shelter of some 
character is comparatively recent. The idea 
of using shade started in the United States in 
Florida, where in the last few years tobacco 
cultivation has made enormous advance. It 
was noticed that in new land, only partially 
cleared of the forest growth, the plants grown 
under the scattered trees were far superior 
to plants not so shaded. From this the idea of 
artilical shade had its birth and now large 
fields, nearly 5 hectares in size, are grown 
under shade with great success. 
In addition to the experiments in Florida, 
many trials have been made in the State of 
Connecticut, with equal success. The charac- 
ter and quality of the tobacco was consider- 
ably modified and profits greatly increased. 
It was determined that tobacco fully eqiial to 
the finest Sumatra leaf could be grown in the 
Connecticut Valley on aconimercial scale, and 
the experiments received widespread attention 
and large companies have been formed to 
grow tobacco exclusively under shade. By 
using the shade, the damage from insect pests 
is reduced to a minimvim, the moisture con- 
tent of the soils is increased, while the eva- 
poration from the leaves is largely retained, 
favouring a more rapid and luxurious growth. 
The shelter temperti to some extent the intense 
heat of the sun and at the same time readily 
allows the free passage of even the slightest 
showers through it. 
In figure 2 is shown the genei'al appearance 
of a tobacco field covered with a cheese cloth 
shelter. The field contains about 4^ hectares 
and is one of a number of large fields of shaded 
tobacco grown in Florida in 1899. In figure 3 
is shown the details of the outside structure 
of the framework, before the covering was put 
on. In figure 4 is shown the details of the 
fiamework of a shade that was used in the 
Connecticut Valley in 1901. A strong frame- 
work is constructed of posts and stringers, 
that is further strengthened by strong wires 
secured at each end of the field by strong 
stakes driven well into the ground. This is 
covered with some light cloth, such as cheese 
cloth. By special request, an extra wide 
(about 5 metres) quality of cloth was made 
for the season of 1902. The cloth completely 
covers the framework and reaches to the 
ground, where it is secured. Gates are pro- 
vided, covered with cloth, and, in the fields of 
large dimensions, it is advisable to leave a 
road lengthwise through the field. Usually, 
the cloth must be renewed each season, but 
the framework is built sufficiently strong to 
last four or five years. The height of the 
framework is about 3 meters and the average 
total cost of the shade in the United States is 
about $350, United States currency, for 1 acre 
0.4 hectare. In the Philippines such a shelter 
could be constructed much more cheaply, on 
account of the cheapness of the framework, 
for bamboo and bejuco could be substituted 
largely for hard wood posts and wire. 
The covering completely incloses the field, 
and should be made so close that few, if any, 
insects can enter. The protection from strong 
winds is very beneficial, as the leaves are 
often torn and lashed when the crop is not 
protected, Much protection is also afforded 
from heavy, dashing rains, Avhich would 
otherwise damage the leaves. The force of 
the heavy rainfall is broken and frequently 
the crop is saved when, without protection 
it would be badly torn and damaged. So 
much better results have been accomplished 
in the United States with the shade-grown 
tobac CO that an earnest plea is made for its 
introduction into the tobacco districts in the 
Philippines. Kumors have stated that the 
attempt is to be made in the Cagayan Valley, 
but the author can not state how far these 
experiments have been conducted, or what 
success has been attained. It will, of course, 
be advisallc to experiment on a small scale, 
rather than expend any ccnsiderable amount 
of money on materials for shading large fields. 
A shade of sufficient size should be constructed 
to determine to what extent the crop will be 
benefited, and then plans can be made for 
the erection of larger coverings. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
From the above, it is at once apparent that 
the successful cultivation of tobacco requires 
