SB 
 
 278 
 
 PORTO Rico AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 
 
 D. W. MAY, Special Agent in Charge. 
 
 Mayaguez, D«cember, 1904. 
 
 Bulletin No. 8. 
 
 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO 
 DURING 1903-4. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. VAN LEENHOFF, .!i;., 
 Tobacco Expert, Porta liko A ffriouMural Experiment Station. 
 
 UNDER THE SCPERVTSIOS OF 
 
 OFFICT 0¥ KXl'KTSIMKNT' STATIONS, 
 
 U. S. DEPABTA! 1 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVERNMENT PHINTTXC OFFT'R 
 
 1 ;»(».", . 
 
Qass ^_2,ll_ 
 
Bui. 5, Porto Rico Agr Expt. Station, Dcpl. Agr. 
 
 Frontispiece. 
 
PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 
 
 D. W. MAY, Special Agent in Charge. 
 
 Mayaguez, December, 1904. 
 
 Bulletin No. 3. 
 
 TOBACCO mVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO 
 DURING 1903-4 
 
 /. 
 
 BY 
 
 J<'VAN LEENHOFF, Jr., 
 
 Tobacco Expert, Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station. 
 
 UNDER THE SITERVISION OF 
 
 OPFICE OF EXl'FRIMENT STATIONS, 
 
 U. S. DEPARTMENT OK AUKICULTURE. 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVEKNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 19 5. 
 
 Tl' 
 
Sb2rg 
 
 PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
 
 [Under the supervision of A. C. True, Director of the Office of Experiment Stations. 
 United States Department of Agriculture.] 
 
 STATION STAFF. 
 
 D. W. May, Special Agent in Charge and Animal Husbandman. 
 J. W. VAN Leenhoff, Coffee Expert. 
 
 O. W. Barrett, Entomologist and Botanist. 
 J. VAN Leenhoff, Jr.." Tohavco Expert. 
 H. C. Henricksen, Horticnlturist. 
 
 E. F. Curt, Farm Superintendent. 
 
 Jessie F. Sprinoek, Clerk and Stenographer. 
 
 a Appointed tobacco expert in Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department July, 1904. 
 2 
 
 JUN S^igoz 
 D. ofD. 
 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
 
 Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, 
 
 Mayaguez, P. R., December 5, 1901^. 
 Sir: I have the houor to transmit herewith a manuscript by J. van 
 Leenlioif, jr., on the results of tobacco investigations in Porto Rico 
 during the fiscal year 1903-4, conducted under the direction of F. I). 
 Gardner, former special agent in charge. 
 
 These results show that there is great need of improving the methods 
 of growing and curing tobacco, and point out a number of changes 
 which may be found advisable to adopt. By the introduction of up- 
 to-date methods of growing and curing tobacco in Porto Rico it is 
 believed that the business will be commercially successful where con- 
 fined to suitable soil and climatic conditions. The area suitable for 
 the enterprise is .somewhat limited, but capable of considerable exten- 
 sion beyond that now cultivated to this crop. 
 
 Last year about 20f) acres of tobacco was grown under cloth shade. 
 The crop contained a high percentage of fine-appearing wrapper 
 leaves, and the fact that the area will be extended to .300 or 350 
 acres during the next year indicates a belief that the enterprise will 
 prove a financial success. 
 
 I respectfully recommend that this manuscript be translated into 
 Spanish and published in both English and Spanish as Bulletin No. 5 
 of this station. 
 
 Respectfully, D. W. May, 
 
 Special Agent in Cliarge. 
 Dr. A. C. True, 
 
 Director Office of Experiment Stations, 
 
 U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Recommended for publication. 
 A. C. True, Director. 
 
 Publication authorized. 
 James Wilson, 
 
 Secretary of Agriculture. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Introduction _ _ - '^ 
 
 Methods now practiced in Porto Eico ^ 
 
 Methods of preparing seed beds 9 
 
 Field preparation and planting 1" 
 
 Topiaing --- - --■ H 
 
 Harvesting - 12 
 
 Diseases and insects - -- 13 
 
 Curing shed _ -. 13 
 
 Curing and fermentation — !•' 
 
 Seed jiroduction 1"' 
 
 Irrigation - -- I''' 
 
 Drainage -- 15 
 
 Texture of tobacco soils Ifi 
 
 Experiments in growing, curing, and fermenting tobacco . _ - - 18 
 
 Seed-bed experiments 18 
 
 Transplanting - - - 30 
 
 Value of shade for producing wrappers ....._ 31 
 
 Experiments with fertilizers - - - - - 24 
 
 Experiments in curing tobacco - - . 27 
 
 Fermentation _ 28 
 
 Seed selection 39 
 
 Suggestions for the improvement of Porto Rican tobacco 31 
 
 Choice of land -- 32 
 
 Seed and seed beds - 33 
 
 Time of transplanting for wrapper and filler 35 
 
 Method of transplanting --- 36 
 
 Cultivation _ _ 36 
 
 Topping 37 
 
 Harvesting 37 
 
 Curing shed 38 
 
 Curing . - - - - 39 
 
 Suggestions regarding fermentation .__ -- 41 
 
 5 
 
LLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PLATES. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Toliacoo grtiwing muler cloth shade Frontispiece. 
 
 Plate I. Fig. 1. — Constrm-ting straw shade for seed beds. Fig. '3. — Tobacco 
 seed beds protected with straw shade. Fig. 3.— Tobacco seed 
 beds protected by cloth covering. Fig. 4. — Cloth and straw 
 
 covered seed beds _ 18 
 
 II. Pig. 1. — Shade-grown tobacco at Aibonito soon after planting. 
 Fig. 3. — Irregiilnr size due to replanting. Fig. 3. — Badly formed 
 leaves for wrappers. Fig. 4. — Good, nuiform shade -grown 
 tobacco sixty days after planting 20 
 
 III. Fig. 1.— Plat 1, no fertilizer. Fig. 2.— Plat 3, sulphate of potash 
 
 and acid phosphate. Fig. 3. — Plat 3, sulphate of potash and 
 nitrate of soda. Fig. 4. — Plat 4, acid phosphate and nitrate of 
 soda 34 
 
 IV. Fig. 1. — Plats, acid phosphate, sulphate of potash, and nitrate 
 
 of soda. Fig. 2. — Plat 6, acid phosphate, sulphate of potash, 
 nitrate of soda, and lime. Fig. 3. — A good field of tobacco near 
 Aguas Buenas. Fig. 4. — Destructive work of tobacco split 
 
 worm _ _ 34 
 
 V. Fig. 1.— Type of Florida Sumatra leaf. Fig, 2.— Good type of 
 leaf for wrappers. Fig. 3. — Type of Connecticut Habana leaf. 
 Fig. 4. — Poor type of leaf for wrappers 30 
 
 TEXT FIGURE. 
 Fig. 1. Types of plants used in transplanting: a, poor type; b, good type -_ 34 
 
 15479— No. 5—05^ 3 7 
 
TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN PORTO RICO, 
 SEASON OF llH)3-4. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Before undertaking any tobacco investigations the writer made a 
 a reconnaisance of the princij)al tobacco-growing districts of Porto 
 Rico and gathered from phinters and manufacturers information 
 relative to the methods employed in growing, curing, and fermenting 
 tobacco. He visited the districts of Aibonito, Caycy, 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 metliods 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 cliniatological conditions were also inquired into 
 and a study made of tlie local weather records in order to better judge 
 as to the best season for planting and especially for tlie cui'ing of tlie 
 tobacco. A brief report of these prelinunary inxcstigations 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 cricliet, wliich Ijur- 
 rows along beneath the surface of the ground and cuts off the plants." 
 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 moistui-e 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 
 
 « See Porto Rico Sta. Bui. 2. 
 
 9 
 
10 
 
 first plowed and the grass allowed to rot, after which the surface is 
 leveled and the weeds removed with a hoe preparatory to sowing 
 seeds somewhat later. The time of preparing the seed beds ranges 
 from August 1 in some districts to September 1 in others. As a rule 
 the seeds are sown about the close of August, and a second sowing of 
 seeds is made from eight to fifteen days later, in order to have later 
 plants for replacing those that nuiy die after the first planting in the 
 fleld. The seed is simply scattered over the surface of the bed. The 
 quantity of seed used varies in different districts, but is always very 
 large. In from eight to twelve days after sowing the plants begin to 
 show above ground and at this time the beds are carefullj' weeded. 
 The work of weeding is generally done by women and children, who 
 also go over the beds every day and search carefully' for worms and 
 insects, wliicli they <lestroy. It requires from forty-five to sixty days 
 f(n- the plants to acquire size suitable to be transplanted to the fields, 
 at which time they have about eight leaves. 
 
 FIELD PREPARATION AND PLANTING. 
 
 Plowing is commenced, if on level or very sliglitly rolling land, 
 generally in August ; but some planters begin to plow in .luly, using 
 the American moldboard plow, if they possess such, which is very sel- 
 dom the case. Often two or three neighbors combine to purchase 
 one, thus saving a great deal in the cost to each. About a mouth 
 after the date of the first plowing the land is gone over with the 
 native wooden plow, which is much easier to handle. In October 
 the land is plowed again, or gone over with a hoe. Some planters are 
 now using the harrow (rastrillo). 
 
 As a rule the planting is begun early in November, although in 
 some localities the plants are set out any time from the end of ( )cto- 
 ber until the end of February, as may best suit the convenience of 
 tlie planter. 
 
 It is said that the early plantings produce a larger percentage of 
 wrappers, on account of the plants not being troubled by insects 
 biting holes, and the filler is milder. At Cayey the planters prefer 
 to set their plants out late in November and early in December, as 
 they claim that tobacco jjlanted at this time has more aroma. As to 
 the number of plants per acre iu a field there is a wide divergence of 
 opinion. Some of the planters in the Plata district set the plants 16 
 inches apart, with 24 to '2ij inches between the rows. Others set them 
 12 inches apart, with 3(J inches between the rows. Setting 18 inches 
 from plant to plant and 36 inches between the rows is also practiced. 
 Others again plant very irregularly, having no stated distance between 
 the plants, in some cases filling the spaces between the plants with 
 corn and beans. No instances are known where tobacco is planted 
 with the special object of producing wrapper or filler. The usual 
 method is to wait until the time of harvesting to classify the tobacco, 
 
11 
 
 whether wrapper or filler, etc. If the soil is soft the transplanting is 
 done bj' hand; but if it is hard, the work is generally done with a 
 hoe or a big knife called a "machete." No care is taken to set the 
 roots quite straight in the ground, and it has been observed that the 
 tap root has been placed in the hole in such a way that it was com- 
 pletely doubled upon itself. The young plants are pulled out of the 
 seed bed by hand, often without any rootlets and frequently with 
 the tap roots broken off. In setting the seed plant thej' generally 
 take it in the left hand, place the root in a horizontal position in a 
 hole prepared by one stroke of a hoe, and then press a piece of hard 
 earth on the roots, covering the hole with earth and leaving only a 
 few of the leaves above the ground. Other planters set the plants 
 too shallow, leaving the greater part of the stem of the plant exposed. 
 Some planters make rows with a native wooden plow and set the 
 young plants out in the ridges thus formed, while others, on the con- 
 ti"ary, place them in the furrow made by the plow. Within fifteen 
 or twenty days after ^tramsp Ian ting the first cultivation or hoeing is 
 undertaken, and from ten to fifteen daj's later a second hoeing is 
 given, at each hoeing a little earth being thrown around each plant. 
 If necessary the fields are hoed and weeded again, but usually 
 this hoeing and weeding is done only twice. Cultivation and hoeing 
 is generally done too deeply and too near the plant, no fear being 
 felt of damaging the i-oots. It is believed that considerable damage 
 results from the practice, owing to disturbing the plants' connection 
 with the soil and destroying or injuring the feeding roots. 
 
 TOPPING. 
 
 Topping consists in pinching off the terminal bud and leaving the 
 requisite number of leaves. This takes place from forty to sixty days 
 after transplanting, and opinions differ greatly as to the number of 
 leaves to remain on the plant. Some planters at (Jaj'ey leave from 
 8 to 20; at Caguas, from 15 to 20; at Utuado, from 12 to 10; at 
 Jayuya, from 12 to 14; but a majority of the planters in all districts 
 leave from 10 to 12 leaves and do their topping as soon as it is possible 
 to pinch off the button flower. The object of low and early topjiing is 
 to obtain larger and heavier leaves. The practice of low topping and 
 late harvesting is attributable to the fact that during the Spanish 
 regime, prior to 1898, the market demands were for a dark, heavy 
 leaf containing a large amount of nicotin. The American market, 
 which now uses most of Porto Rico's tobacco, demands a light, thin, 
 mild leaf, and the sj^stem of topping and harvesting should be changed 
 in order to meet the new demand. After topping, a great number of 
 suckers appear on the plant, which are taken off usuallj^ at intervals 
 of from four to eight daj's, until harvesting begins, which takes 
 place from three to three and a half months after planting. After 
 topping, many planters weed and cultivate again. 
 
12 
 HARVESTING. 
 
 About thirty to forty days after topping the leaves hegin to ripen, 
 which is sliown by their turning yellow. When this is observed the 
 plants are cut close to the ground. This cutting is done almost 
 everywhere wlien tlie plant is overripe. If the stalk is of a j'ellowish- 
 brown or brownish-yellow color at the point of the cut the planter 
 is assured that the crop is ready for harvest. Sunny or hot days 
 are chosen for harve.sting, as it is believed that the plants retain 
 the gum better than on cloudy or cool days. After cutting, the plants 
 are laid on the ground until wilted before being taken to the curing 
 shed. They are transported from the field by taking a bunch in each 
 hand (about five jjlants or more to each handful) or by binding a 
 larger quantity on a pole, which is carried on the shoulder. Unless 
 great care is taken in the cutting and carrying many leaves are torn, 
 which diminishes the yield of wrappers. The plants are hung together 
 the first day and then separated, each plant being hung singlj'. How- 
 ever, most planters hang them too close together, which is especially 
 damaging when damp weather follows. 
 
 A few planters follow the Cuban system of harvesting, as they call 
 it, wliich is as follows: When the yield of the so-called wrappers is 
 large the leaves are cut from the top down in pairs and ai-e hung 
 acro.ss a man's arm. When ten or more pairs have been so placed 
 they are slipped off on a pole of about 4 j'ards in length, which, as 
 soon as filled, is taken to the curing shed. 
 
 After the tobacco is cut earth is thrown over the stubble in prepa- 
 ration for the second crop. Sometimes this process is repeated for a 
 third crop, wliich is of a very inferior (juality. For the second and 
 third crop less care is taken than for the first. 
 
 DISEASES Am) INSECTS. 
 
 Almost nothing is done in the way of protecting the young plants 
 from insects and diseases peculiar to them, which are much the same 
 as those which attack tobacco plants in the United States. The only 
 method followed is to have women and children go over the plants in 
 search of insects. To protect the young plants against the mole 
 cricket (changa), which is especially destructive in loose soils, it is a 
 common practice to wrap a leaf of the mamey or mango around the 
 stem of the plant when it is set in the field, allowing the upper edge 
 of the leaf to project a little above the ground. The use of Paris 
 green, Bordeaux mixture, and other poisonous sjjrays in this connec- 
 tion is unknown. 
 
 CTJKING SHED. 
 
 After harvesting, the tobacco plants are taken to the curing shed to 
 be cured and dried. The tobacco sheds in Porto Rico consist of 
 wooden frames, with roofs of dried grass and sides covered with palm 
 
13 
 
 leaves to shelter the tobacco from the elements. Many of them are 
 from 36 to 120 feet iu length. In general, no thought is given to ven- 
 tilation or to the situation of the curing shed with i-eference to the 
 sun, wind, and rain. Openings with shutters for regulating the inside 
 conditions were not seen except in a single instance, which was on 
 the plantation of a large American company. It maj' be said that 
 the results of tobacco curing iu Porto Rico depend exclusively upon 
 the weather conditions. Nothing is done to prevent pole rot and 
 drying out of the leaves before the color changes, so that good 
 tobacco often lose.s its quality (elasticity, color, etc.) through bad 
 treatment. Tobacco was seen hanging in stables, kitchens of houses, 
 dwelling rooms, and sheds of which the .sides were eutirelj' open. 
 
 CURING AND FERMENTATION. 
 
 Many planters follow the practice of allowing twenty-one days for 
 the curing of the tobacco. The plants are then pbw^ed in piles 
 between green plantain leaves, without removing the leaves from the 
 stalk, and allowed to remain from one to seven days,' according to 
 the locality and circumstances, with the object of producing the first 
 fermentation and making the tobacco moist enough to strip. The 
 leaves, after stripping or removal from the stalks, are separated into 
 different classes, termed "capas," "tripas y capas," "tripas," and 
 "boliches" — i. e. , wrappers, fillers and wrajipers, fillers, and the bot- 
 tom or sand leaves. Sometimes these are again divided into first 
 and second grades. They are then tied into bundles. 
 
 To ferment the tobacco some planters place it in this form in 
 wooden cases, under heavy weights, for a period of about three 
 months, after which a further classification is made, the leaves tied 
 into hands, and baled. If the tobacco has been placed in the boxes 
 in too moi.st a condition it very often rots; on the other hand, if it is 
 too dry, it does not sweat enough, and consequently is of inferior 
 quality. However, manufacturers work this uufermented stuff into 
 their product, causing many of the cigars to have a green or acrid 
 taste. Some planters make it a practice to open the cases and venti- 
 late their tobacco once a mouth for a period of three months or even 
 longer, in order, it is claimed, to obtain a better quality of leaf. 
 
 Other planters place the tobacco iu sheds, hanging the plants from 
 4 to 5 inches apart, and allowing them to remain from twentj'-two 
 to forty days. The heavier plants are allowed to hang longer than 
 those of a lighter weight. The leaves are then taken from the stalks 
 without separating them into different grades, such as top, middle, 
 and bottom leaves, excepting the "boliches," (the inferior damaged 
 bottom leaves, which are kept separate). The leaves are then made 
 into "hands" of about SO to 100 leaves, and placed in round piles 
 from 1^ to 2 yards in height and 2 yards in diameter. Green plan- 
 tain leaves are placed under each pile and the whole covered with 
 
14 
 
 them. The temperature is only ascertained by inserting the hand 
 into the pile; if the- pile becomes too heated it is taken apart, and 
 after the tobacco has cooled off is remade. The pile generally 
 remains in this condition from ten to twelve days, after which the 
 tobacco is placed in wooden Ijoxes for from fifteen to twenty days. 
 When taken from the boxes it is graded into "capas," "tripas," and 
 "capas y tripas," i. e., wrappers, fillers, and wrappers and fillei's. 
 After classification it is wrapped in green plantain leaves and again 
 placed in boxes. If the tobacco is light, heavy weights are placed on 
 it to help the process of fermentation. In from thirtj' to sixty days 
 (about April or May, as the case may be) the tobacco is ready for nse. 
 Other planters use about the same method, except that the heavier 
 tobacco is placed in piles 5 meters long by 3 meters wide and 1| 
 meters in height, while with the lighter grade tobacco the height of 
 the piles is increased to 2 meters. In l)uilding the pile a hole for 
 ventilation is left in the middle of it. The piles containing the heav- 
 ier leaf nece.ssaril,v contain much tobacco of lighter quality, and the 
 reverse is true of tlie piles of lighter quality on account of the top, 
 middle, and bottom leaves not having been kept separate. After 
 from six to eight days these piles are torn apart and remade; this is 
 repeated in about twenty days, the latter j^iles being allowed to stand 
 until June or July. The tobacco is then classified as follows: 
 
 ChtJisiJicatiini of Porto Rican tobacco. 
 
 Light wrapper — Capa fiiia clara. 
 Dai'k WTajjper — Capa t>sonra. 
 Light wrapper and filler — Tripa y capa clara. 
 Dark wrapper and filler — Tripa y capa osciira. 
 Heavy filler, fir.st length — Triiia primera ealidad. 
 Heavy filler, second leiigtli — Tripa segunda calidad. 
 Fine filler, first length — Tripa primera fina. 
 Fine filler, second lengtli— Tripa segnnda fina. 
 Ordinary — Tripa nrdinaria. 
 Sand leaves — Boliches. 
 
 In another locality a pil(> was seen about 2 meters in height and 3 
 by 4 meters in diameter. This pile was allowed to remain until July. 
 The tobacco was then moistened and classified. The outside leaves 
 were quite "green" and the inside oversweated. Some parts of the 
 pile were, more by accident than good management, cured just right. 
 
 Another method used by very few planters consists of making piles 
 of from 3,000 to 5, (KM) pounds. After standing from six to eight days 
 they are torn down and rebuilt. After another period of eight days 
 these are again torn down and remade into piles of from 4,000 to (!,000 
 pounds each, which are allowed to stand one or two months. When 
 the piles show signs of becoming too heated they are torn down and 
 rebuilt. The tobacco is then baled, the bales containing all classes of 
 
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 Jiands — 
 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 safelj' put in the wai'e- 
 house, because of its being unfermented. 
 
 SEED PRODUCTION. 
 
 In all cases tobacco seed is grown from the so-called sucker or 
 second crop. No cai-e 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 Ijecome 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, witli no attempt whatever at selection, is 
 sufficient to explain whj' such large amounts of seed ai'e requii-ed 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- 
 ei'ated plants and gives rise to seed plants having many undesiralile 
 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 pi'acticed in tol^acco culture in Porto Rico. 
 Droughts frequentlj' 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 
 hill}' 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 
 1003-4 from standing water in the fields. Last year and the preced- 
 ing one were ([uite dry, and tobacco crops suffered from drought. This 
 15479— No. T)— 0.5 3 
 
16 
 
 shows the necessity of providing both drainage and irrigation in order 
 to fortify against unfavorable climatic conditions. 
 
 TEXTURE OF TOBACCO SOILS. 
 
 Samples of soils and subsoils were taken fi-om nearly every district 
 visited, and a portion of these were transmitted to the Bureau of Soils, 
 United States Department of Agriculture, for mechanical analyses. 
 The following table gives the results of the anal.yses, and indebtedness 
 to the Bureau of Soils is hereby acknowledged for its assistance in this 
 inatter : 
 
 3Jeclianical aiiaJi/scs of soils and subsoils from typical tobacco fields in severed of 
 the principal fobacco-growine/ districts of Porto Rico. 
 
 [FiiiL' earth.] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 »c 
 
 
 
 r-t 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 d 
 
 4^ 
 
 CJ 
 
 
 a 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 a . 
 
 o 
 
 _0 
 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 d 
 
 1 
 
 d 
 
 No. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Description. 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 '3 
 
 ! 
 
 M 
 
 go 
 
 = a 
 
 sa 
 
 §s 
 
 CO 
 
 d 
 
 1 
 
 s . 
 «a 
 
 sa 
 
 d 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 P.ct. 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 
 
 3> 
 
 a 
 
 s 
 
 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 P.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 9372 
 
 {1) 8 kilometers 
 NW. of Aibon- 
 ito. 
 
 (2t 8 kilometers 
 
 Valley "La Plata," 
 soil, 0-10 inches. 
 
 5.97 
 
 3.24 
 
 6.02 
 
 4.20 
 
 12.64 
 
 10.04 
 
 31.72 
 
 31.98 
 
 9373 
 
 Valley "La Plata," 
 
 .3.75 
 
 6.68 
 
 7.28 
 
 2.72 
 
 4.94 
 
 7.20 
 
 37.28 
 
 3;j.70 
 
 
 NW. of Aibon- 
 ito. 
 (3) 3-4 kilome- 
 
 soil," 0-12 inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9374 
 
 Gravelly sandy 
 loam, 0-10 inches. 
 
 4.35 
 
 10.86 
 
 12.82 
 
 5.68 
 
 10. IS 
 
 7.90 
 
 25.82 
 
 26.88 
 
 
 tera SE. of 
 Cayey. 
 (4) 3-4 kilome- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9375 
 
 Brown stony loam. 
 
 2.37 
 
 6.06 
 
 10.24 
 
 4. ,50 
 
 7.80 
 
 9.88 
 
 31.84 
 
 29. .54 
 
 
 ters SE. of 
 
 10-20 inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9376 
 
 Cayey. 
 
 (5) 3-4 kilome- 
 ters SE. of 
 Cayey. 
 
 (6) 3-4 kilome- 
 
 Brown sandy soil, 
 0-12 inches. 
 
 1.33 
 
 .52 
 
 3.16 
 
 3.62 
 
 15.14 
 
 18.02 
 
 33.36 
 
 26.18 
 
 9377 
 
 Subsoil of 9.376, 12-20 
 
 .78 
 
 .84 
 
 i.'sn 
 
 4.32 
 
 15.22 
 
 17.80 
 
 32.38 
 
 25.14 
 
 
 ters SE. of 
 
 inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cayey. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9378 
 
 (7) 3 kilometers 
 SW. of C'idra. 
 
 Dark sandy loam, 
 0-12 inches. 
 
 1.85 
 
 1.72 
 
 4.70 
 
 3.60 
 
 11.18 
 
 8.94 
 
 38. .50 
 
 31.20 
 
 9379 
 
 (8) 3 kilometers 
 NE. of Come- 
 
 Dark sandy loam, 
 0-12 inches 
 
 2.53 
 
 4.98 
 
 9.10 
 
 5.20 
 
 11.46 
 
 8.36 
 
 32.96 
 
 27.66 
 
 9380 
 
 rio. 
 (9) 4 miles SE. of 
 Caguas. 
 
 Brown sandy loam, 
 0-10 inches. 
 
 1.44 
 
 5.30 
 
 8.26 
 
 5.23 
 
 11.10 
 
 11.32 
 
 32.40 
 
 25.80 
 
 9:«1 
 
 (101 4 miles SE. 
 of Caguas. 
 
 Subsoil of 0380, 10-20 
 inches. 
 
 L36 
 
 5.80 
 
 6.54 
 
 4.28 
 
 10.12 
 
 10.40 
 
 33.54 
 
 28.96 
 
 9382 
 
 (ll)Cagaas 
 
 Brown sandy loam, 
 
 0-10 inches. 
 Subsoil of 9383, 10-20 
 
 l.£9 
 
 6.22 
 
 14.98 
 
 9.50 
 
 21.92 
 
 17.50 
 
 15.36 
 
 U.M 
 
 9383 
 
 (12) Caguas 
 
 .82 
 
 2.42 
 
 5.96 
 
 3. .50 
 
 8.02 
 
 10.76 
 
 43.64 
 
 26.70 
 
 
 
 inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9384 
 
 (13) 2-3 kilome- 
 ters E. of 
 AguasBuenas. 
 
 Dark loam, 0-10 
 inches. 
 
 2.11 
 
 3.68 
 
 7.16 
 
 4.42 
 
 8.62 
 
 8.46 
 
 41.62 
 
 2,5.98 
 
 9385 
 
 (14) 2-3 kilome- 
 ters E. of 
 Aguas Buenas. 
 
 (1.5) 2-3 kilome- 
 
 Yellow loam, 10-20 
 inches. 
 
 1.07 
 
 1.80 
 
 4.90 
 
 4.24 
 
 10.28 
 
 9.80 
 
 43.24 
 
 2.5.74 
 
 9380 
 
 Yellow loam, 10-20 
 
 1.25 
 
 3.20 
 
 6.36 
 
 4.06 
 
 7.76 
 
 8.96 
 
 44.90 
 
 24.68 
 
 
 ters E. of 
 
 inches. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aguas Buenas. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9387 
 
 (I(i) 4-.") kilome- 
 ters E. of Are- 
 cibo. 
 
 Fine sand, 0-12 
 inches. 
 
 ..59 
 
 .04 
 
 ..50 
 
 4.32 
 
 53.32 
 
 22.94 
 
 11.72 
 
 6.98 
 
 9388 
 
 (17) Jayuya 
 
 Sandy loam, 0-10 
 inches. 
 
 3.19 
 
 3.16 
 
 5.;« 
 
 3.04 
 
 7.46 
 
 9.52 
 
 45.82 
 
 25.56 
 
 9389 
 
 (18) 1 kilometer 
 from Jayuya. 
 
 Sandy loam, 0-10 
 inches. 
 
 2.08 
 
 7.22 
 
 16.60 
 
 8.48 
 
 17.60 
 
 11.14 
 
 15.10 
 
 23.58 
 
17 
 
 An inspection of the samples at tlie time tliey were taken showed 
 that, as a rnle, the texture was too heavj-, as compared with the 
 standard of typical tobacco soils in the United States, for the produc- 
 tion of high-grade cigar tobacco and cigar wrappers. A study of the 
 above table brings out this fact even more strongly than did the mere 
 inspection. It will be seen that, with but two exceptions, the per- 
 centages of clay and silt are quite liigh. 
 
 Under the old regime of tobacco production in Porto Rico, the fact 
 that the tobaccos produced were as a rule rather coarse, dark in color, 
 and too heavy to meet the market demauds in the United States, is 
 attributable largely to the heavy texture of the soil. 
 
 The sample of soil from Caguas shows about half as much silt and 
 clay combined as those from most of the other districts, and it was 
 observed that in this district as a rule the tobacco is lighter in struc- 
 ture, texture, and color than in the other districts. This tobacco, 
 however, is inferior in flavor and aroma to that from Cayey and 
 Comerio, and it is therefore thought that the district might be largely 
 devoted to the production of a wrapper and binder leaf. By improved 
 methods of topping, harvesting, curing, and fermenting it is believed 
 that this could be accomi^lished in the Caguas district, even without 
 the use of shade. 
 
 The Arecibo soil, which contains a comparatively low percentage 
 of silt and clay, has a texture which would designate it as an excellent 
 tobacco soil, especially for the production of a wrapper leaf. As a 
 matter of fact, the tobacco from this district has no aroma, a poor 
 taste, and does not burn so well. This poor quality is probably 
 attributable to the fact that the district is located near the seacoast 
 and swept during the greater part of the time bj' the trade winds, 
 and also that the soil contains very little organic matter, which it 
 would be important to increase by the use of green manures. 
 
 The trade winds coming from across the ocean are laden with mois- 
 tui-e containing traces of chlorin, which in time possibly causes an 
 increase in the chlorin content of the soil. It is well known that the 
 presence of very small amounts of this element has a detrimental 
 effect on the burning qualities of the tobacco. 
 
 Experiments at Aibonito on soils that contained .31.98 and 3.*?. 70 
 per cent ot clay have shown that it is possible, through the shading 
 of the tobacco with cheese cloth and l)y the application of improved 
 methods of harvesting, curing, and fermenting, to produce tobacco 
 yielding a high percentage of excellent wrapper leaves, possessing 
 the qualities of fair combustibility, good elasticity, uniform color, etc. 
 
 It was noticed in the first experiments, however, that some of the 
 leaves of this tobacco were too thin and would not keep long in the 
 warehouse without more or less deterioration. The veins of the leaf 
 in this case were rather too heavy, especially' in those leaves with 
 
18 
 
 very thin body, and consequently were too prominent when wraipcd 
 in cigars. 
 
 It thus becomes very desirable to breed a special type of wrapper 
 leaf for shade growing and outside growing, and also a special type 
 of filler tobacco. Such types would undoubtedly greatlj- increase the 
 value of the Porto Rico tobacco crop. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS IN GROWING, CURING, AND FERMENTING 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 As a result of the above-described preliminary Jnvestigations it 
 was concluded that Porto Rico presents very favorable conditions 
 for the production of considerable high-grade tobacco, but that the 
 extension of such a business would necessarily be confined to suit- 
 able soil areas and favorable climatic environments. The investiga- 
 tions also show that for the most part the methods emploj'ed by the 
 planters are primitive, and that there is great need of their adopting 
 more up-to-date methods. It was decided, therefore, to undertake 
 experiments with growing, curing, and fermenting tobacco. 
 
 Owing to the limited funds available for this work it was necessarj'' 
 to arrange for cooperation with an interested tobacco grower. Such 
 an arrangement was entered into with a planter near Aguas Buenas, 
 the latter giving the use of land, labor, buildings, and material, in so 
 far as it did not interfere witli his regular business. The facilities 
 offered by the equipment of the ordinarj^ planters are, at the best, in 
 many ways unsatisfactorj' for experimental purposes, and becau.se 
 the funds available would not permit the necessary modification of 
 these conditions some of the experiments undertaken failed. A 
 report of such of the work as is of value follows: 
 
 SEED-BED EXPERIMENTS. 
 
 Several seed beds were made, each 3.5 feet wide by 18 feet long. 
 The earth was raised a few inches above the general level in bed 
 form, and the sides of the beds supported by old boards or poles. 
 One half of the beds was shaded by a iemovaV)Ie straw shade and 
 the other half remained without shade. The shade was supported 
 on poles about 4 feet above the beds. (PI. I, figs. 1 and 2.) . 
 
 Imported Ilabana, Connecticut Ilabana, Florida Sumatra, imported 
 Sumatra, and Porto Rico seed were sown, each in a separate bed, 
 half with shade and half without. The records show that the seeds 
 in the shaded portion of the beds came up from two to four days 
 earlier than those in the unshaded i)ortion. 
 
 After the plants were all well up the straw shades were removed 
 for a short time each day early in the morning and late iu the after- 
 noon. The time of exposure was graduallj' increased, and eventually 
 the plants were shaded only from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. A few days 
 befoi'e transplanting to the fields the shade was removed and the 
 jjlants exposed throughout the day in order to toughen them and 
 
Bui 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station, Dept, Agr. 
 
 Plate I. 
 
 
 o 
 
 CO 
 
 4^ 
 
 ■l 
 o 
 
 r 
 O 
 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 O D 
 
 ice 
 
 m m 
 
 O 
 
 O 
 
19 
 
 better enable iheui to stand the sun wlien transplanted. It was 
 observed that while the plants in the shaded portion of the beds 
 oame np earlier and looked healthier diirinir the first three weeks, 
 after that time those without shade looked the better and were 
 finallj' more vigorous and larger. 
 
 The advantage of the shade is in reducing evajjoration and thus 
 enabling tlie seeds to germinate quicker and more perfectly, and also 
 that it protects the beds from washing by heavy rains. It often hap- 
 pens, as it did in 1003, that manj' seed beds are entirely destroyed by 
 heavy rains, either by washing away the seeds before they germi- 
 nated or by washing out the plants when quite small. 
 
 Cloth shade was also tried, and seemed to serve Ijetter than the 
 straw (PI. I, figs. 3 and 4). The cloth shade was less den.se than 
 that of straw, and, while It alloweil most of the rain to pass through, 
 it served as a regulator bj' breaking the fall of the rain and thus 
 preventing washing. 
 
 It is believed that straw shading offers sufficient protection against 
 washing of the seed beds alone to justify its construction, and that 
 in i)ractice it would be well to dispense with it as soon as the plants 
 are well established and all danger from washing is past. 
 
 Another seed lied was divided into five plats and each covered with 
 a different colored cloth, the colors being white, green, blue, yellow, 
 and red. Experiments in France on lettuce and other plants, when 
 growing under different colored glass, have shown that plants develop 
 very difl'erently as a result of such treatment, and it was thought that 
 this experiment jnight indicate something of value in relation to the 
 growing of wrapper leaf under cloth. Unfortunately the seed used 
 on these plats was poor, being imported Cubaii seed, which seems to 
 be very unreliable if bought in the open market, and only a few 
 plants were secured, so that no data of any importance were obtained. 
 
 Soon after the tobacco jjlants in the seed beds had come up numer- 
 ous burrows were noticed, which indicated the presence of "ehangas." 
 These galleries or burrows were treated with a solution consisting of 
 1 part of kerosene to 14 parts of water. Openings were made in tlie 
 burrows at frequent intervals and a small amount of the solution put 
 in. This treatment was repeated two days later, after wliich no 
 plants were destroyed. 
 
 The plants also appeared to be suffering from some disease and 
 were therefore sprayed with a dilute solution of Bordeaux mixture. 
 This treatment seemed to be very beneficial, and after a few daj's no 
 more diseased plants appeared. Bordeaux mixture is especially valu- 
 able as a seed-bed spray because it is a remedy for many diseases that 
 occur on j'oung tobacco plants." When the plants turn yellow in 
 
 "A description of the flea beetle, tobacco worm, leaf miner, cutworm, and other 
 insects affecting tobacco, together with remedies for their extermination, is given 
 in Farmers' Bulletin No. 1'30. U. S. Department of Agriculture. See also, Porto 
 Rico Sta. Bui. 2 on the Changa or Mole Cricket. 
 
20 
 
 coloi' it indicates that the soil is too wet or that there is a lack of plant 
 food. In the fonner case better drainage should be iirovided. By 
 elevating the seed beds, as above described, there is no trouble from 
 excess of water. When there is a lack of plant food it is well to appl,y 
 an extract of barnyard manure or cotton-seed meal. This may be 
 applied as a spray, using care to not get the solution sufficiently con- 
 centrated to burn the plants. 
 
 TRANSPLANTING. 
 
 Experiments in methods of transplanting were made both outside 
 and under cover. A comparison was made outside between plants 
 partially shaded during the first ten days after planting and those 
 with no shade. For shading, mamey and mango leaves, both every- 
 where common in Porto Rico, were used. A leaf was placed 1 to 2 
 inches south of each tobacco plant, and bj' inserting the petiole in 
 the ground and inclining the top of the leaf toward the plant, this 
 shielded it from the direct rays of the sun during the hottest part of 
 the day. Five rows of 89 jilants each, or 445 plants, were protected 
 with .shade, and an equal number of rows and plants adjacent were 
 planted at the same time without shade. Of the protected plants 125 
 died and were replanted, and of tlie unprotected -300 died and were 
 replanted. At the time of harvesting the protected plants showed 
 much greater uniformity in growth than the unprotected ones. 
 
 In Deli, Sumatra, it is a common practice to shade the plants b.y the 
 use of small, thin, paddle-shaped boards, tlie small end being stuck 
 into the ground to keep them in projier position. Such small boards 
 will last for a long time and may be repeatedly used year after year. 
 By reducing the numbers of plants necessary to reset, the crop is made 
 more uniform, easier to harvest, and of greater value. It is believed, 
 therefore, that this simple method of shading the young plants is 
 practicable in Porto Rico, especially so if planting is to be done 
 during periods when drj' weather and sunshine prevail. 
 
 A trial was also made to ascertain the effect of mamey leaves as a 
 protection against cutworms and mole crickets. Of 300 plants 
 wrapped in mamey leaves 200 died and had to be replanted, and of the 
 same number unprotected 220 died. 'I'he mamey leaves were formed 
 into cylinders, with the edges slightly overlapping, and placed in the 
 ground with the roots and stem of the plants inside. Care should 
 be taken to place the le;if no deeper in the soil than is necessary to 
 prevent the crickets from burrowing beneath. While the mamey 
 leaves make successful barriers against the crickets they are prob- 
 ably somewhat detrimental to the early growth of the plants, because 
 they confine the upper roots of the plant; and also because water from 
 rains collects within the leaf and escapes very slowly, thus sometimes 
 injuring the plants. In both of the above experiments the planting 
 
Bui, 5, Porto Rico /Sgr, Expt. Station, Dept. Agr. 
 
 Plate II. 
 
 -n 
 
 
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 P 
 
 
 ^P 
 
 
 
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21 
 
 was done by iiiitivc workmei;i and in their usual manner. The plants 
 were from nnselected native seed and showed considerable variation 
 in size and vi<jor. It is due chiefly to these two factors (hat so large 
 a number of the plants in all cases failed to survive the process of 
 transplanting. 
 
 Under the cheese cloth another experiment was tried to ascertain 
 the effect of better planting. On one plat 1,700 plants wei-e care- 
 fully set out, the roots being placed straight in the holes, and moist 
 earth in all cases pressed firmly around them. The following day 
 eacli plant was watered. Another plat of 800 plants was planted in 
 the usual native way. The results of careful planting were very 
 marked, onl.y about 5 per cent of the plants being lost, while with 
 those planted in the usual manner the loss was much greater. The 
 natural conditions, however, were more favorable to those which were 
 carefully planted, so that a fair comparison could not be made. 
 
 There is no doubt that by a careful selection of seed from hardy 
 plants, and by using only that portion of it which has good vitality, 
 plants will be produced that will stand the process of transplanting 
 with much less loss, and that this loss can be still further reduced by 
 better methods of transplanting, such as shading the young plants 
 from the sun, protecting them from cutworms and mole crickets, and 
 by carefullj' placing the roots in the soil and watering when dry. By 
 avoiding as much as possible the replanting of the fields the crop is 
 made more uniform, easier to harvest, and more valuable. (PL II.) 
 
 VALUE OF SHADE FOR PRODUCING WRAPPERS. 
 
 It was planned to make a careful comparison of the cost of pro- 
 duction and value of shade-grown tobacco with that grown outside, 
 but under otherwise similar conditions. 
 
 Four-elevenths of an acre was planted under shade November 21, 
 1903, and at about the same date 2 acres were planted outside. Very 
 heavy rains occurred just after planting that outside, and a large 
 part of the first planting was washed out. The delay in replanting 
 and other uncontrollable factors interfered to such an extent with 
 the outside crop that it was not worth while to carry out the com- 
 parison. The shade-grown tobacco was carried through to the finish 
 and a careful i-ecord kept of it. Owing to delay in getting a curing 
 shed ready for this tobacco it was harvested in an overrij)e condition, 
 and for this reason many of the bottom leaves were lost. A short 
 time before the leaves began to ripen a disease appeared on them, 
 which gave rise to numerous whitish and brown spots. It spread 
 very rapidly, and at the time of harvesting nearlj- all leaves were 
 affected and manj' of them so badly damaged as to make them use- 
 less for wrappers. 
 
 Some of the diseased leaves were sent to the United States Depart- 
 
22 
 
 inent of Agriculture for examination, and tlie Pathologist reported as 
 follows : 
 
 The leaves all appear badly infected with fnngus Aseochytci nicotiance. To the 
 best of my information this fungns has not as yet been found within the limits of 
 the United States proper, and we have never heard of its previovrs occurrence in 
 Porto Rico. In past years several reports of its occurrence have been made from 
 various points in Italy. These reports, however, have been very meager, and we 
 know very little concerning its destructive nature and i^ractically nothing con- 
 cerning the methods of control. Judging from the specimens < if leaves submitted, 
 it would appear to be a rather serious disease, and great care should be taken to 
 prevent its spreading into other places. 
 
 It is quite possible that judicious fertilizing would increase the 
 vigor of the plants and render them less susceptible to the disease. 
 The use of a fertilizer containing a rather large percentage of potash, 
 and, if the soil is soggy, careful attention to drainage, might be bene- 
 ficial. Diseased leaves and all refuse from a diseased crop must be 
 burned. 
 
 Some of the results obtained in the experiments are summarized as 
 follows : 
 
 Sesitlts of hari-esting 5,S()0 pkiiitK. or foxir-elei'enthx of an acre, of sluidp-rjroini 
 
 tobacco." 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 Weight of cured leaves S-W 
 
 Weight of fermented leaves - - 387 
 
 Loss in fermenting 43 
 
 Wrappers: 
 
 Dark -.-. 36 
 
 Medium - 44 
 
 Fine --. 42 
 
 Total - - --- 113_ 
 
 Small, medium and fine .-. --- 5 
 
 Partly spotted, medium and fine "-o 
 
 Resago. medium and fine - - - 57. 3 
 
 Quebrado - -•- 31 
 
 Total 101 
 
 Fillers: 
 
 Light - --- -- 43 
 
 Heavy - - 31 
 
 Total --- --- 74 
 
 Yield of four-elevenths of an acre - 2S7 
 
 Yield per acre - - - - 789 
 
 alt should be remembered that this was a diseased crop and not a fair example. 
 
23 
 
 VaJiic of till' croj) h// classes am} coat of i>riiduction. 
 
 26 pounds wrappers, dark, at SlOO per 100 poimds S'26.00 
 
 44 pounds wrappers, medium , at S2oO per 100 pounds _. _ 110. 00 
 
 42 pounds wrappers, fine, at .S2."iO per 100 pounds lO.j.UO 
 
 o pounds wrappers, small, at S35 jier 100 pounds- -. 1. 75 
 
 TA pounds wrappers, partly spotted, at ST.5 per 100 pounds 5. 63 
 
 oTA pounds wrappers, resago, medium and fine," at $60 per 100 pounds ... 34. 50 
 
 31 pounds wrappers. queVirado, mediiim and fine,* at §16 per 100 pounds. _ 5. 56 
 
 48 pounds filler, light, at .59 per 100 pounds 3. 87 
 
 31 pounds filler, heavy, at §12 per 100 pounds. 3.72 
 
 Total 296.03 
 
 Approximate cost of production '' 250. 00 
 
 Net profit 46.03 
 
 In tlie above statement 1hc vahie.s wore placed ou the various grades 
 by the phmter with wlioin cooperatiou was carried on and who is 
 also a manufacturer of cigars. 
 
 The statement shows that there was a shrinkage in weight of 13 per 
 cent during fermenting and that, iiotwitlistanding the very unfavor- 
 able conditions, there was a net profit of about $46 on the four- 
 elevenths of an acre of shade-grown tobacco, or $126 per acre. 
 
 The greater part of the so-called "resago" and " quebrado," as 
 well as part of the filler, would have been classed as good wrappers 
 if it liad not been damaged bj' disease. The large and numerous 
 spots on the leaves reduced their elasticitj' and made them easily torn, 
 so tliat the}- could not be used as wrappers. 
 
 Dui'ing tlie season of 1002-3 the writer planted a small area of 
 tobacco under shade in the vicinity of Jayuya. The plants were set 
 in rows 3 feet apart and 1 foot apart in the row, there being 2,200 
 plants on approximately two-thirteenths of an acre. After curing, 
 this tobacco was fermented in the warehouse of a tobacco companj' 
 at Aibonito, and was sorted and graded by the company in their 
 customary manner. Tlie results were as follows: 
 
 Yii'lil of ishaih'-groirii fohaco of different grudes. 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 Light red wrappers 25 
 
 Light green wrappers.. ...... 18 
 
 Medium red wrappers ... 26 
 
 Medium green wrappers . 65 
 
 Dark wrappers 30 
 
 Sumatra wrappers 7 
 
 Total 171 
 
 " Spotted leaves, part of which can be used for wrappers. 
 * Leaves most of which can be used for liinder and filler. 
 <^ Includes all expenses on the established tobacco farm. 
 
24 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 Tripa capa clara _ __. _ 14 
 
 Tripa capa negra 23 
 
 Total... ^ 
 
 Tripa 21 
 
 Yield of two-thirteenths of an acre 2'28 
 
 yielii jier acre ___ _. 1. 4S2 
 
 Samples of the light and medium wrappers were valued by fif^ar 
 factories in San Juan at §2.5(1 and 82, respectively, and one large fac- 
 tory offered SI. 50 a pound average. 
 
 As a result of these experiments and observations in regard to larger 
 areas that have been grown under shade in Porto Rico it may safely 
 be said that shading increases the yield, quality, and iiercentage of 
 wrappers sufficiently to make shading a profitable bitsiuess, provid- 
 ing it is pi'acticed only on soils suitable for growing wrappers and the 
 crop is given the best of care throughout its growth and further treat- 
 ment in curing and fermentation. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS "WITH FERTILIZERS. 
 
 It was planned to try the eiTect of fertilizers at both Aguas Buenas 
 and Aibonito, but uncontrollable circumstances prevented the work at 
 the first-named place. At Aibonito, however, seven /^-acre plats 
 were laid oiit and treated as follows: 
 
 Plan of fertilizer experiments. 
 
 Plat No. 1. — No fertilizers. 
 
 Plat No. 2. — 20 pounds sulphate of potash, 00 ponnds acid phosphate. 
 
 Plat No. .3. — 30 ponnds sulphate of potash, 20 pounds nitrate of soda. 
 
 Plat No. 4. — 60 ponnds acid pliosphate, 20 pounds nitrate of soda. 
 
 Plat No. 5. — 60 pounds acid phosphate, 20 pounds sulphate of potash, and 
 
 20 pounds nitrate of soda. 
 Plat No. (>. — 60 ponnds acid i)hosphate. 20 poimds sulphate of potash, 20 
 
 pounds nitrate of soda, and 200 pounds lime. 
 Plat No. 7. — No fertilizers. 
 
 The plats were all planted on the same day, and at a later date each 
 plat was i^hotographed for the purpose of recording the differences 
 in growth, which in some cases was very marked. Even the least 
 affected of the treated plats showed a small increase in growth over 
 the tintreated. By comparison, plats 2 and 4 were found to be equally 
 good, but much superior lo No. 1, which had no fertilizer. No. .3 was 
 much inferior to Nos. 2 and 4, but slightly better than No. 1. This 
 showed that the sulphate of potash and nitrate of soda com liined had 
 very little effect, and that acid phosphate when combined with either 
 of the others separately gave a marked effect. It seems, therefore, 
 that for growing tobacco on this soil acid phosphate as a manure is 
 
Bui. 5. Porto Rico Agr. Expt. Station, Dept. Agr. 
 
 Plate III. 
 
 
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Bui. 5, Porto Rico Agr. Expt Station, Dept. Agr. 
 
 Plate IV. 
 
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25 
 
 fai- more efficient than sulphate of potash and nitrate of soda com- 
 bined. This conclusion is further emphasized by comparing plats 3 
 and 5, the latter having acid phosphate in addition to the sulphate of 
 potash and nitrate of soda, which No. 3 has, and showing a very 
 marked increase in growth over No. 3. Since plat No. 5 is very little 
 better than Nos. 2 and 4, it further emphasizes the conclusion arrived 
 at by comparing Nos. 1 and 3 — i. e., that nitrate of soda and sulphate 
 of potash have had very little effect on the growth of tobacco on this 
 soil. Plat No. 6, to which 200 pounds of lime was added, showed no 
 improvement over No. 5, which was otherwise treated the same. 
 (PI. Ill, figs. 1 to -1; PI. IV, flgs. 1 and 2.) It was hoped that further 
 valuable results would be obtained by keeping each plant separate 
 through the harvesting, curing, and fermenting, thus obtaining the 
 effect of the different fertilizers upon the actual yield and quality 
 of tobacco. It was not possible, however, to carr}' out the last part 
 of the experiment. 
 
 So far as the experiment was carried it indicates that the apjjro- 
 priate fertilizer for tobacco on this field is one containing a large 
 amount of acid phosphate and smaller amounts of nitrogen and jjotash. 
 
 The experiment is an example of what any planter can easilj' try 
 for liimself, and as the question is put to the soil of his own estate 
 and the answer given in the effect upon the crop he is growing, the 
 result can not fail to be far more satisfactory than any chemical exam- 
 i nation that could be made. It should also be recognized that what 
 maj- give excellent results on one soil maj' fail altogether on another. 
 
 The writer had under observation another field, part of which wa.s 
 treated with cotton-seed meal at the rate of 2,000 pounds per acre, 
 and another part given a liberal dressing of compost containing horse 
 manure, vegetable matter, and tobacco stems. The compost was 
 applied about three weeks before planting and the cotton-seed meal 
 the day before planting. The plants given cotton-seed meal grew 
 more rapidly, especially during their early life. It is probable that 
 the ingredients of the cotton-seed meal were immediatelj- available, 
 and in case of the compost, which was not well decomposed, thej' 
 were not. 
 
 The application of fertilizers is a question which has received very 
 little consideration in Porto Rico, but it is an important one, espe- 
 cially in relation to toljacco growing. It may be pardonable, there- 
 fore, to quote bi-iefiy from other sources. 
 
 According to analj^ses reported by R. J. Davidson, of the Virginia 
 Agricultural Experiment Station, the entire plants of a tobacco crop 
 yielding 1,000 pounds of leaves per acre contain 00.85 pounds of nitro- 
 gen, 8.68 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 85.41 pounds of potash. 
 The leaves of such a crop contain 44 pounds of nitrogen, 5.89 pounds 
 of phosphoric acid, and 58.19 pounds of potash. The parts usually 
 
26 
 
 removed from tlie soil, the leaves and stalks, contain 58. ft pounds of 
 nitrogen, 7.72 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 77.8(5 pounds of potash." 
 
 This shows that the larger part of the fertilizing constituents is 
 found in the leaves and stalks, and emphasizes the exacting charac- 
 ter of the demands of the tohacco plant on the soil and the importance 
 of returning to the soil all of the stalks and roots. 
 
 In several places it was noticed that planters in preparing tobacco 
 ground for a future crop had thrown out of the held all of the roots 
 and stalks of the tobacco, a practice that would not have been per- 
 mitted had the planters appreciated their value. It was also noticed 
 that beans were harvested by cutting and removing the whole plants 
 from the field. As this crop belongs to the leguminous familj-, and 
 through the agency of the tubercles on its roots has the j)ower to utilize 
 free nitrogen from the air, thus becoming itself rich in this element, 
 the vines and all unused parts of the plants should be returned to the 
 soil. 
 
 Manure in the form of well decomposed compost is excellent for 
 tobacco and one which can easily be supplied in considerable quantity 
 in Porto Rico. Any i)lant debris, such as banana stalks, weeds, and 
 grass maj- be used, and should be supplemented as far as possible 
 bj' animal manures and animal debris. Horse manure is the most 
 valuable and cattle manure ranks next. It is said that goat and pig 
 manure gives the tobacco a bad taste, while sheej) manure jiroduces a 
 heavy leaf. These should therefore be avoided. It is important that 
 the compost be well decomposed; if not, its application may become 
 harmful. An application maj' consist of 5 to -0 tons per acre, accord- 
 ing to the recpiirements of the soil and the concentration of the 
 compost. 
 
 Green manures, i. e., the plowing under of leguminous crops, such 
 as cowpeas or velvet beans, ofteji give good results and increase the 
 thinness and elasticity of the tobacco leaves. 
 
 Guano, which occurs in many caves in Porto Rico, is also a valuable 
 manure. Its composition varies greatly, and the requisite amount to 
 use can only be determined by experiment. 
 
 Commercial fertilizers should be used with great care. The use of 
 potash improves the combustibility of tobacco, but it should be used 
 only in the form of a sulphate, carbonate, or nitrate. Muriate of pot- 
 ash should never be used, as the chlorin is considered very harmful. 
 Cotton-seed-hull ashes is also a most valuable soui-ce of potash. Phos- 
 phoric acid should not be used in excess, for, according to Nesslei-, 
 the more there is in the soil the more the plant takes up, and too 
 much aflfects the color of tlie ash. Acid phosphate and phosphatic 
 slag are used in preference to bone phosphate, on account of being 
 immediately available. Nitrogenous manures should be used with 
 moderation. Aceorduig to Schloesing, they increase the vigor of the 
 
 "Virginia Sta. Bills. 14 and 50. 
 
27 
 
 plant, but have a marked effect upon the nicotin, increasing it to an 
 extent that i.s injurious. In France tlie planters ai-e advised bj' the 
 tobacco service not to use nitrate of soda, as it seems to produce 
 tobacco without qualitj^ and causes fizzing. Cotton-seed meal has also 
 proved in Porto Rico to be a very good source of nitrogen for tobacco 
 raising, and its cost is rather moderate. Cotton-seed meal not only 
 contains nitrogen, but also a small amount of phosphoric acid and 
 potash. On heavy soils or those deficient in organic matter a small 
 application of lime often gives excellent results. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS IN CURING TOBACCO. 
 
 The curing experiments were conducted in three curing sheds: 
 
 First. A frame building, formerly constructed for a storehouse and 
 part of which was used in that capacity during the curing experi- 
 ment. As the large doors were frequently opened in order to enter 
 the building, it materially interfered with the attem2;)t to control the 
 condition for the curing of tobacco. The building was modified by 
 arranging small hinged doors on opposite sides just above the floor 
 and just below the roof. 
 
 Second. A shed was constructed of poles and canvas and covered 
 bj' a straw roof. The canvas was treated with linseed oil in order to 
 keep out the humidity and painted black so as to darken the interior. 
 The black surface, however, absorbed the sun's heat and readilj- trans- 
 mitted it to the air within, thus causing tlie temperature to become 
 too high. This effect was early noticed and rectified by putting a 
 white canvas over the black one, thus reflecting the sun's rays and 
 keeping the interior of the shed cooler. 
 
 Third. A large shed was constructed of board sides and a thatched 
 roof supported by a pole framework. Large hinged doors were made 
 in the sides for ventilation. 
 
 The daily temperature and relative Iiumidity was ascertained in 
 each shed from March 10 to April 2:5, with the results given in the 
 following table : 
 
 Temperature and relative humidity in three curing sheds, taken daily at 3 p. m. 
 
 
 Large 
 
 shed. 
 
 Cloth-covered shed. 
 
 Frame shed. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture. 
 
 Relative 
 humidity. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture. 
 
 Relative 
 humidity. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture, 
 
 Relative 
 humidity. 
 
 1904. 
 March 19 
 
 76.5 
 76.0 
 70. U 
 74.0 
 76,0 
 74.0 
 • 78. 
 74.0 
 78.0 
 74.0 
 79.5 
 82.0 
 72.0 
 
 Per cent. 
 74.0 
 76.0 
 90.0 
 82 
 82.0 
 80.0 
 71.0 
 86.0 
 75.0 
 86.0 
 64.0 
 .51.0 
 91.0 
 
 "• F. 
 80.0 
 79.0 
 71,5 
 76.0 
 76.0 
 74.5 
 78.0 
 74.0 
 78.0 
 73,5 
 80,5 
 83,5 
 71,0 
 
 Per cent. 
 61,0 
 60.0 
 SS.5 
 72.0 
 77.0- 
 78.0 
 65.5 
 82,0 
 69,0 
 88,5 
 61,0 
 82,0 
 90.0 
 
 ' F. 
 82.0 
 81.0 
 
 74.5 
 78.0 
 77.0 
 77.0 
 79.0 
 74.0 
 79.0 
 74.0 
 85.0 
 84.5 
 74.0 
 
 Per cent. 
 65.0 
 
 March 21 
 
 63.0 
 
 
 78 
 
 March 2H 
 
 79.0 
 
 March 24 
 
 8,3.0 
 
 March 25 
 
 March 26 
 
 77.0 
 69.0 
 
 March 28 
 
 84.0 
 
 March 29 
 
 71.0 
 
 March m 
 
 78.0 
 
 ApriU.. 
 
 Aprils 
 
 April 6... 
 
 62,5 
 
 .57,5 
 82,0 
 
28 
 
 Temperature and relative humidity in three curing sheds, etc. — Continued. 
 
 Date. 
 
 1904 
 
 April T 
 
 Aprils 
 
 April9 
 
 April 11 
 
 April 12 
 
 April IH 
 
 AprilU 
 
 April 1.5 
 
 April 10 
 
 April 1.S 
 
 Aprill9. 
 
 April 2U 
 
 April 21... 
 
 April 23 
 
 April 23 
 
 Avei-age. 
 
 Large 
 
 shed. 
 
 Cloth-covered shed. 
 
 Frame shed. 
 
 Tempera- 
 
 Relative 
 
 Tempera- 
 
 Relative 
 
 Tempera- 
 
 Relative 
 
 ture. 
 
 humidity. 
 
 ture. 
 
 humidity. 
 
 ture. 
 
 humidity. 
 
 'F. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 'F. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 "F. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 80.0 
 
 75.0 
 
 79.5 
 
 77.0 
 
 71.5 
 
 70.5 
 
 77. .5 
 
 77.0 
 
 76.0 
 
 78.0 
 
 79.0 
 
 71.0 
 
 80.0 
 
 72.0 
 
 80.0 
 
 68.0 
 
 82.0 
 
 65.0 
 
 82.0 
 
 58.0 
 
 80.5 
 
 64.0 
 
 8.5.0 
 
 56.5 
 
 76.0 
 
 70.0 
 
 76.0 
 
 66.0 
 
 78.0 
 
 79.0 
 
 75. .") 
 
 80.0 
 
 75.5 
 
 74.0 
 
 79.0 
 
 68.0 
 
 81.0 
 
 75.5 
 
 81.0 
 
 66.0 
 
 84.0 
 
 62.0 
 
 82.0 
 
 65.0 
 
 80.5 
 
 62.0 
 
 83.0 
 
 57.0 
 
 81. .5 
 
 6.3.0 
 
 80.5 
 
 64.0 
 
 82.0 
 
 58.0 
 
 80.0 
 
 68.0 
 
 80.5 
 
 06.0 
 
 81.0 
 
 63.0 
 
 79.0 
 
 73.0 
 
 79.5 
 
 69.5 
 
 81.0 
 
 68.5 
 
 80.0 
 
 70.0 
 
 82.0 
 
 ,56.5 
 
 83.0 
 
 72.5 
 
 78.5 
 
 63.5 
 
 80.0 
 
 62.0 
 
 81.0 
 
 56.0 
 
 79.0 
 
 71.0 
 
 81.5 
 
 61.0 
 
 82.5 
 
 60. 
 
 79.0 
 
 71.0 
 
 83.0 
 
 57.0 
 
 85.0 
 
 56.5 
 
 77.67 
 
 73.57 
 
 78.26 
 
 70.01 
 
 80.21 
 
 68.3 
 
 Briefly, the results show that in the frame building with a mean 
 temperature of SO. -2° F. and relative humidity of 158.3 percent, the 
 tobacco dried too quickly and the leaves when cured contained many 
 green spots. In the cloth shed prior to putting on the white outside 
 canvas the temperature was very much too high and the tobacco was 
 badly damaged. xVfter modification the mean temperature was 78.20° 
 and the relative humidity 70 per cent, and the conditions as shown by 
 the tobacco were more favorable than in the frame building. In the 
 large shed the mean temperature was 77.07" and the relative humidity 
 73.57 per cent. The tobacco in this shed was better cured than in 
 either of the others, and would indicate that the slightly lower tem- 
 perature and higher relative humidity were favorable to the best 
 results. 
 
 FERMENTATION. 
 
 The experimental crop of shade-grown tobacco was too small in 
 amount to make it possible to carry on a satisfactory fermenting 
 experiment with it. It was therefore combined with other tobacco 
 from the plantation and fermented. The writer gave personal super- 
 vision to the fermentation of all the tobacco of the plantation and 
 kept records of the temperature in the several fermenting piles, hav- 
 ing the piles torn down and relniilt whenever the temperature reached 
 an elevation which indicated the necessity of this operation. IJelow 
 is given the temperature records of one pile, the tobacco of which 
 was grown outside and contained a higli pei-centage of wrapper leaves. 
 The fermentation investigations were carried on in a stone building 
 of which two sides each had a window and a door that were not pro- 
 vided with means of being closed. These openings, through which 
 the wind frequently blew, made it impossible to properly control the 
 interior humiditj-, and in this connection it might be said that it is 
 always desirable to have the fermenting house so that it can be 
 
29 
 
 tightly closed, thereby controlling the humidity of the interior. In 
 case the humidity should become too low it can be increased by 
 admitting the damp night air. This, however, would rarely be 
 necessary in Porto Rico, because of the usual high humiditj- of the 
 air. In order to keep a desirable amount of humidity in the air it is 
 advisable to make occasional tests with the hygrometer, and if too 
 much or too little is found means can be taken to secure the proper 
 amount. 
 
 Record of temperature in fermenting pile of tobacco. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature. 
 
 Bein»i'ks. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 
 ' C. 
 
 
 
 °C. 
 
 
 Mar. ?4 
 
 28 
 
 About 2,000 pounds. 
 
 Apr. 18 
 
 44 
 
 
 Mar. 25 
 
 ? 
 
 
 Apr. 19 
 
 45 
 
 
 Mar. 26 
 
 19 
 
 Taken down and rebuilt: 
 
 Apr. 20 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 
 temperature too bigh. 
 
 Apr. 21 
 
 50 
 
 
 Mar. 27 
 
 35 
 
 
 Apr. 22 
 
 
 Taken down, rebuilt, and 
 
 Mar. 28 
 
 18 
 
 Taken down, spread out, 
 
 
 about 3,IUI pounds added. 
 
 
 
 and aired, after whicb it 
 
 
 
 thus making a pile of 
 
 
 
 was rebuilt and 1,000 
 
 
 
 about 9,000 pounds. 
 
 
 
 pounds of other tobacco 
 added. 
 
 Apr. 23 
 Apr. 24 
 
 
 
 
 
 29' 
 
 
 Mar. 29 
 
 
 
 Apr. 25 
 Apr. 26 
 Apr. 27 
 
 32 
 35 
 38 
 
 
 Mar. ;M 
 
 
 
 Mar. .31 
 
 28' 
 
 
 Apr. 1 
 
 30 
 
 
 Apr. 2K 
 
 42 
 
 
 Apr. 2 
 
 35 
 
 
 Apr. 29 
 
 43 
 
 
 Apr. 3 
 
 39 
 
 
 Apr. 30 
 
 45 
 
 
 Apr. i 
 
 « 
 
 
 May 1 
 
 47 
 
 
 Apr. 5 
 
 46 
 
 
 May 2 
 
 49 
 
 
 Apr. 6 
 
 48 
 
 
 May 3 
 
 50 
 
 
 Apr. 7 
 
 51 
 
 
 May 4 
 
 51 
 
 
 Apr. 8 
 
 48 
 
 Taken down, rebuilt, and a 
 
 May 5 
 
 51 
 
 Taken down and rebuilt. 
 
 
 
 similar pile added, tbus 
 
 May 7 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 
 making a pile of about 
 
 May 9 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 
 6,i«l(l pounds. 
 
 May 10 
 
 40 
 
 
 Apr. 9 
 
 37 
 
 
 May 11 
 
 42 
 
 
 Apr. 10 
 
 45 
 
 Taken down, rebuilt. 
 
 May 12 
 
 43 
 
 
 Apr. 11 
 Apr. 12 
 
 
 
 May 13 
 May 14 
 
 45 
 
 
 28' 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 Apr. 13 
 
 30 
 
 
 May 15 
 
 48 
 
 
 Apr. U 
 
 32 
 
 
 May 16 
 
 49 
 
 
 Apr. 15 
 
 36 
 
 
 May 17 
 
 49 
 
 Fermentation completed 
 
 Apr. 16 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 
 and sorting begun. 
 
 Apr. 17 
 
 42 
 
 
 
 
 
 SEED SELECTION. 
 
 An examination of the tobacco fields of Porto Rico and of the prod- 
 uct in the factories and warehouses shows a number of tobacco vari- 
 eties in the same field or in the same lot of tobacco, so that the crop 
 as a whole can not be spoken of as a distinctive type of Porto Ricau 
 tobacco. Among the several varieties noticed two very distinct ones 
 may be mentioned, one in which the veins of the leaf grew almost at 
 right angles to the midrib, and the other (called "lengua vaca") " in 
 which the veins made an acute angle with the midrib. These wide 
 variations, which give rise to what may be called different tj'pes or 
 varieties of tobacco, are no doubt lai'gelj' the result of defective 
 methods of seed selection, as pointed out in the report on preliminary 
 investigations. Indeed, the method of procuring tobacco seed is such 
 
 « Literally " cow tongue "; i. e., a narrow, pointed leaf. 
 
30 
 
 that rational seed selection is thought to be a most important prob- 
 lem for tobacco culture in Porto Rico. Only good seed should be 
 used. The best seed comes from the best plants, and these alone 
 should be chosen for seed production. 
 
 The heaviest tobacco seed is usually j)roduced by the largest cap- 
 sules. In a vitality test made by the United States Department of 
 Agriculture with heavy, medium, and light weight seeds from the 
 same tobacco plant, it was found that 95 to lOU per cent of the heavy 
 ones germinated, 50 to 85 per cent of the medium ones, and to 12 
 per cent of the light ones. It is important, therefore, to use only the 
 heavy seeds. 
 
 As a general rule it is a sign of degeneration when the plants in the 
 seed bed show a scanty growth and when diseases appear in the field, 
 resulting in a diminished yield. This degeneracj' is also evidenced 
 in the curing house bj' variegated colors and spotted leaves and bj' 
 the rigidity and contraction of the leaves. If these symptoms are 
 present a renewal of the seed, or at least a rigorous selection of the 
 propagating plants, is necessarj'. "Whenever a superior product is 
 obtained from the seed j)lanted everything possible should be done 
 to prevent hybridization and to secure the perpetuation of the vai'i- 
 ety. It is thus advised, whenever a large numlier of proper plants 
 for seed purposes are at hand, to get a large quantitj' of that seed 
 from the crop and to use this seed for following years as long as it 
 keeps its vitality, usually about ten j-ears. 
 
 The Connecticut State Agricultural Experiment Station found that 
 the leaf of both broad leaf and Connecticut Habana of favorite 
 strains generallj' show a tendency to become larger from successive 
 crops of seed; in fact, the leaves are frequently so large that thej' 
 cut to waste. The same has also been noticed in regard to Porto 
 Rico wrappers, and it is a common fault that after all the wrap- 
 pers possible have been cut from a leaf which cost the cigarmaker 
 ■2r> to 75 cents per pound, and even -SI to $3 per pound for shade- 
 grown, there is left loo much tobacco which can be used only for 
 scrap, valued at 3 to 6 cents per pound. This, then, is another 
 instance in favor of using from good seed as long as it will retain its 
 vitality, rather than use seed from each succeeding crop. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that selection should be made for differ- 
 ent purposes, and that a good wrapper leaf has A-ery different charac- 
 teristics than one recjuired for a filler. 
 
 In case of wrapper, a light-colored, thin, elastic, and somewhat 
 round leaf, with small veins, is desirable. The most desirable size is 
 18 to 20 inches long in the field, which gives leaves 16 to 18 inches 
 long after the shrinkage due to curing, fermenting, and seasoning. 
 The plants should also be early maturing, vigorous, free from dis- 
 ease, and possess a uniform type of leaf from top to bottom, the 
 leaves being close together on the stem. 
 
Bui. 5, Porto Rico Agr Enpt. Station, Dept. 
 
 Plate V. 
 
 liHBHi9il':'':i<:''.. , 
 
 LrfiT' \ s/^ 
 
 FiQ. 1 .—Type of Florida Sumatra Leaf. Fig. 3.— Type of Connecticut-Habana 
 
 Leaf. 
 
 Fig. 2.— Good Type of Leaf for 
 Wrappers. 
 
 Fig. 4.— Poor Type of Leaf for 
 Wrappers. 
 
31 
 
 Plants with the above qualities should not he topped, but left for 
 seed production. All suckers should be removed and only the crown 
 flower stalk left. It is also advisable to remove none of the leaves, 
 as experiments have shown that the greater the number of leaves 
 left on the seed plant the better tlie quality of seed. Great care 
 should be taken to prevent pollen from neighborin.t;: varieties being 
 carried to the selected plants, and consequent crossing of varieties. 
 In case of doubt in this regard it is best to reject the seed. The 
 results of careful seed selection will be very clearly shown on the 
 field the next j'ear. For types of leaves see Plate Y, figures 1 to 4. 
 
 The Plant Breeding Laboratory of the United States Department 
 of Agriculture has begun selecting and cross-breeding tobacco with 
 reference to improving the leaves, and eighteen selections and crosses 
 in duplicate were sent to the writer to be planted during the winter 
 of 1903-4. One set was planted at Aguas Buenas and the other at 
 Aibonito. At the last-named place the set was destroyed bj' the 
 "leaf miner," or " split worm," after the plants had been set in the 
 field, so no .seeds were secured. (PI. IV, fig. 4.) 
 
 At Aguas Buenas the plants did well. (PI. IV, fig. 3.) Of each 
 selection the best and most uniform plants were selected and 30 to 40 
 capsules only left on the main flower stalks. These were covered 
 with manihi paper bags to prevent crossing with other plants. Seeds 
 of these selections have been saved for further work along this line. 
 It may be said that as a i-esult of this selection the plants have shown 
 great improvement in uniformity of leaf, and the results are very 
 promising. Tiie most impoi'tant characteristics of the mother plants 
 were all transmitted in the seed, as was proved bj' a comparison of 
 each plant with the notes which had been carefully made of the 
 appearance of the mother plant. It is necessary for each tobacco 
 grower to make his own selections in the field, and upon deciding 
 which type or types of plants he wishes to perpetuate to bag such 
 selected plants after the flowering begins. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PORTO RICAN 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 The investigations carried on during the year are not in all respects 
 conclusive. It is recognized that further work is desirable, and it is 
 hoped that such may be continued in the near future. 
 
 In tobacco culture, as with any other branch of agriculture, it is 
 recognized that practice must conform to the conditions with which 
 the planter has to contend. However, there ai-e certain general prin- 
 ciples that are in all cases applicable. Endeavoring to keep within 
 the bounds of these, the following suggestions are made with refer- 
 ence to improving the methods of growing, curing, and fermenting 
 tobacco in Porto Rico. 
 
32 
 
 / 
 To be appreciated by the majority of smokers in the United States it 
 
 is necessary that tobacco should liave perfect combustil)ility (burning 
 power), an agreeable aroma for the filler, a small quantity of nicotin, 
 light color, and small veins for the wrapper. For the manufacturer, the 
 shape of the leaf, its structure, and elasticity are also of great impor- 
 tance. These qualities are generally not found in thick leaves. It is, 
 therefore, desirable to produce a tobacco which is not gummy, excepting 
 for roll or chewing purposes — i. e. , which does not contain a superfluous 
 amount of glutinous .juice, or, as it is termed in the local vernacular, 
 "miel" or honey. If gummy it has a disagreeable taste and less 
 cbmbustibilitj'. The smoke of the tobacco must not be acrid or bit- 
 ing, but should be mild and have an agreeable aroma. To ol)tain the 
 ahove-mentione<l qualities the planters generallj' sacrifice quantity to 
 quality. This of course can not be advantageously done in countries 
 where the climate does not allow the production of a leaf of very fine 
 aroma, but could be very well applied in Porto Rico, because it has 
 already been proven that Porto Rico has a favorable climate for the 
 production of very good tobacco of fine flavor and aroma. 
 
 CHOICE OF LAND. 
 
 Before engaging in the business of tobacco growing the planter 
 should ascertain whether he has suitable land for the purpose and, if so, 
 to what class of tobacco it is best adapted. It has already been pointed 
 out that the texture and structure of the soil has a marked influence 
 upon the character of tobacco produced. Soils light in texture — i. e., 
 having a relatively large amount of sand and small amount of clay — 
 are in general best suited to the production of wrapper tobacco, and 
 give leaves of medium size, fine texture, and good color. The filler 
 crop may be grown to better advantage on a heavier soil. The influ- 
 en.ce of the soil may be partly overcome by climatic conditions and 
 manipulation, and, as pointed out above, by the use of shade and 
 proper methods of handling a high percentage of good wrapper leaf 
 may be produced on a heavy soil. The character of the subsoil is 
 also important. A sandj' soil under low rainfall and without irriga- 
 tion should be underlaid at a depth of 1.5 to 2 feet by a somewhat 
 stiff subsoil, otherwise the plants will suffer from drought. On the 
 contrary, if the rainfall is abundant a very porous subsoil will give 
 best results, because of the drainage which it affords. 
 
 A striking example of the influence of the character of the subsoil 
 upon the (luality of tobacco may be found by comparing the subsoil 
 of the famous Vuelta Abajo district, in Cuba, with that of the hilly 
 districts of Remedios. In the first instance the subsoil is very sandy 
 and the tobacco has an extremely fine texture and superior aroma, 
 while in the latter case the subsoil is very heavy in texture, contains 
 much organic matter, and the tobacco is much coarser, darker, and 
 stronger. The following table gives the mechanical analyses of these 
 
33 
 
 two subsoils as made by the Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of 
 Agriculture: 
 
 Mechanical analyses of subsoils from tioo Cuban tobacco districts. 
 
 
 >> 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■c 
 
 
 
 
 
 "O 0) 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 ■o 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 Source of subsoil. 
 
 il 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 -3 
 > 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 fa 
 
 a 
 
 
 4^ 
 
 ® 
 fa 
 
 o 
 
 
 P.ct. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 P.ct. 
 
 P. ct 
 
 p. c*. 
 
 p. (■(. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 P. c/. 
 
 P. cf. 
 
 p.ct. 
 
 Vuelta Aba jo district 
 
 0.74 
 
 3.80 
 
 4.06 
 
 4.62 
 
 8.28 
 
 21. 6T 
 
 43.09 
 
 B.53 
 
 1.82 
 
 5.69 
 
 Hilly district of Remedies. . 
 
 5. IT 
 
 10.01 
 
 1.31 
 
 .36 
 
 .53 
 
 4.51 
 
 14.97 
 
 21.24 
 
 9.37 
 
 32.32 
 
 The influence of dew and rainfall upon the taste and aroma of 
 tobacco is very noticeable. The veiy fine cigarette tobacco produced 
 in Yenidje Karasou (Turkey), which sometimes brings $4 to $5 a 
 pound, is grown on a ratlier poor soil with stony subsoil. Of rainfall 
 and dew tliere is but little, and tlie plants being set out at a distance 
 of only 6 inches, or even less, and no irrigation being applied, the 
 leaves remain small and soft, but possess a superior flavor and aroma. 
 In other jjarts where the soil is loose and contains more moisture, the 
 roots spread and the plants grow very high. An ample rainfall pro- 
 duces large leaves, but the flavor and aroma are impaired by this rapid 
 growth, and the tobacco produced is light and nearly tasteless. The 
 same can be said of Sumatra tobacco, which, under the influence of 
 the tropical rainfall and very abundant moisture of the air, gyows 
 speedily, and being planted very closely and topped high, a cigar 
 made from Sumatra tobacco alone would possess neither aroma nor 
 taste. The value of Sumatra tobacco lies onl,v in its unsurpassed 
 value as wrapper material. 
 
 One of the first considerations should be to use care in choo.sing 
 lauds for tobacco growing, and, as has been seen, one class of land 
 should be chosen for growing wrapper tobacco, while another is better 
 suited foi- growing the filler, keeping alwaj's in mind that the treat- 
 ment given to wrapper and filler must also be quite different from the 
 beginning to the end. 
 
 SEED AND SEED BEDS. 
 
 The tobacco seed should be secured with reference to the kind of 
 tobacco the land is best suited to grow. The seed should have good 
 vitality, a condition which can be easily tested by placing 100 seeds 
 between two moist blotters and keeping them between two plates a 
 sufficient length of time to allow the seeds to germinate. 
 
 The time of preparing the seed beds will depend on when the plants 
 are to be set in the fields. The seed should be sown forty-five to 
 
34 
 
 sixtj' days earlier, as it requires that time for the young plants to attain 
 the proper size to be transplanted to the lields. For seed beds a fer- 
 tile soil of medium texture is desirable, and it should be worked into 
 the finest possible condition and freed fi'om all coarse organic matter. 
 The soil should be elevated into beds not move than :i4 feet in width 
 and as long as may be desired. The elevating of the soil prevents 
 rainwater falling on adjacent land from running onto the beds, and 
 the narrow width enables the workmen to reach from eillier side to 
 the middle of the beds to remove weeds without getting on the soil 
 
 and compacting it. To pre- 
 vent washing by rains remov- 
 able straw or cloth covers 
 should be used until the plants 
 become well established. 
 
 There is a tendency in Porto 
 Kico to select as ranch as pos- 
 sible slender seed plants from 
 the seed bed to be set out. 
 These slender young plants 
 (see fig. 1a), however, have a 
 much weaker root develop- 
 ment and do not overcome so 
 well the check of transplant- 
 ing or diseases. 
 
 The stocky plants with well- 
 developed root system (see fig. 
 1b) are believed to be more 
 vigorous, and therefore an at- 
 tempt should be made, as far 
 as practicable, to produce this 
 kind of young plants in the 
 seed bed. 
 
 Lack of light results in a de- 
 creased action of the chloro- 
 phyll and consequently weak- 
 ens the assimilation, thus re- 
 ducing the necessary organic building substances. 
 
 In Porto Rico the lack of light and air in the seed bed is largely 
 due to having the seed plants too close together, and therefore the 
 amount of seed sown on a certain surface is of the highest importance. 
 If it is observed that they are rather close together it is alwaj^s ad- 
 visable to thin them immediately, therebj' giving each plant sufficient 
 space for normal development. 
 
 Great care should also be taken to avoid injury to the roots when 
 the plants are removed from the seed bed. To facilitate the pulliug 
 
 \ 
 
 i 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 i 1 
 
 i 
 
 i^ 
 
 
 
 \A 
 
 
 ^ .^1 
 
 ■^ 
 
 s 
 
 ,* 
 
 1' 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 
 W' 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 4 
 
 
 Fkj. 1.- 
 
 -Tyiws of plants used in transplanting: 
 A. poor type: B, good type. 
 
35 
 
 of the jomig plants it is best first to sprinkle the beds with water. 
 It is desirable to have as much of the fine soil as will adhere to the 
 roots of the plants removed with them. 
 
 TIME OF TRANSPLANTING FOR WRAPPER AND FILLER. 
 
 In Porto Kico, which is situated between 17° 55' and 18° 32' north 
 latitude, the best season for planting tobacco seems to be in the win- 
 ter, which is also true of Cuba. The rainfall at that season is less 
 and the temperature several degrees cooler than in summer. In the 
 summer, under the infiuence of greater warmth and moisture, the 
 plants grow more rapidly, but the leaves do not acquire that desirable 
 aroma that^ they have when grown during the period in which less 
 humidity and plenty of sunshine prevails. When grown in the sum- 
 mer there is also more danger from loss by standing water in the 
 fields and diseases are more prevalent. It is very imi>ortaut to gauge 
 the time of planting so as to avoid excessive rainfall or extreme 
 drought during the growing season and also to have the harvesting 
 and curing period occur in comparatively dry weather. 
 
 Generally, the best time for transplanting the wrapper tobacco 
 seems to be about the end of October or beginning of Xovember. 
 This brings the harvest time about February 1, and gives that month 
 and March, which are on the average the driest of the .year, for the 
 curing. This also avoids serious damage bj' the flea-beetle, which is 
 most prevalent during the dry season. 
 
 The following table, which gives the mean monthly and annual 
 rainfall for various disti'icts, shows that on the average November is 
 a month of high rainfall, but during the following montlis of Decem- 
 ber, January, and Februarj' it rapidly decreases. If, therefore, level, 
 poorly drained land is to be used for the wrapper crop, there is dan- 
 ger of the tobacco being damaged and sometimes destroj'ed by wet 
 weather. In such cases it is advisable to defer the planting until 
 December. 
 
 Mean monthly and annual rainfall for various districts in Porto Rico. 
 
 Station. 
 
 a p 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Isabella 243 
 
 Utuado ' 427 
 
 Caguas ! 246 
 
 Cayey | 1,247 5 
 
 San Lorenzo 303 4 
 
 Yauco ...I 98,3and4 
 
 Tears. Ins. 1 7ns. 7ns. Ins. Ins. Ins. 7ns. 
 
 5 4.74 1.51 2.12 S.-'iS 7.75 6.11! 3.49 
 
 2 and 3 f 4. 62 .43 2.81.1: 5..5011.:S1 8.44 5.16 
 
 3and4'>B.()2 I.IH 3.11|(n.82i 5.49,10.41 fl.&3 
 
 4.11; 
 3.96 
 .3.37; 
 
 1.63) 2.29 
 
 1.38, 3.64 
 
 55|i'2.56 
 
 5.04 9.451 9.96 7.56 
 .5.34I 8. .38 17. 49 8.04 
 3.31| 5.28 7. .53 7.95 
 
 7ns. 7ns. 7ns, 
 6.41 4.52 5.68' 
 6.2911.4.'<ll..'i4 
 68. .36 .5.8710.63 
 
 8.92! 6.87 
 9.49i 9.07 
 3.611 5.r 
 
 6.63 
 8.39 
 4.67 
 
 7ns. 7?is. 
 8.74 6.37 
 11.07 4.93 
 1163.85 
 
 4.75 
 5.53 
 2.07 
 
 
 7ns. 
 
 63.02 
 
 Si. 65 
 
 77.68 
 
 74.53 
 
 87.82 
 
 50.75 
 
 "For two years only. 
 
 b For three years only. 
 
 For the filler crop it is advised to plant about the middle or close 
 of December, so that the princiijal growth will be made during the 
 
36 
 
 drier weather of February and March, as the resulting slower growth 
 develops a finer aroma. If two successive crops are to be obtained 
 in the same field it is advisable to transplant early in October, so 
 that harvesting can be done in January. The field is then plowed, 
 fertilized, and harrowed, so as to have the second planting done at 
 the end of January or beginning of February. In this case irrigation 
 would be necessary. This second planting is very frequently prac- 
 ticed in Cuba with very good results. 
 
 METHOD OF TBANSPLANTING. 
 
 The seed beds should be thoroughly wet before attempting to I'emove 
 the plants, in order that they may be removed with the least possible 
 injury to the roots. The j'oung plants should be covered with 
 plantain leaves or a wet cloth during their transit to the field, and in 
 the process of planting the roots should be exposed to the sun as 
 little as possible. A few minutes' exposure of the roots to a bright sun 
 is often sufficient to kill the plant. The plants should be placed in the 
 holes with the roots straight and moist soil pressed flrml,y around 
 them and hilled up to the leaves, the lower ones having been removed. 
 It is well, as far as possible, to do the planting on cloudy days or morn- 
 ings and evenings, thus avoiding the hot sun of the middle of the day, 
 which is responsible for the death of many plants when the work is 
 done at that time. The necessity of resetting many plants makes the 
 fields uneven and causes ineciuality in time of maturing. As a result, 
 half-ripe, ripe, and overripe leaves are cut at the same time. 
 
 CULTIVATION. 
 
 Careful and thorough cultivation sliould be given tlie tobacco fields 
 during the early growth of the plants. During dry weatlier the 
 surface of the soil should be frequently stiri'ed in order to destroy 
 capillarity, thereby reducing evaporation directly from the soil and 
 conserving soil moisture for the use of the plants. Any dry blanket 
 that can be placed between atmosphere and the damp soil will check 
 this evaporation. The most practical protection is a covering of finely 
 pulverized dry soil 2 or 3 inches deep. Surface cultivation not only 
 reduces the loss of water from the soil, but also prevents an accumu- 
 lation of the soluble plant food immediately at the surface and where 
 it is out of reach of the plant roots. Cultivation should not be too 
 deep, especially near the plants, as it destroys many of the small 
 roots, thus lessening the feeding power of the plant. It also facili- 
 tates the formation of nitrates. Cultivation should not be under- 
 taken when the soil is too wet, because stirring the soil when in such 
 a condition gives to it a bad physical condition. If wet weather is 
 continuous, all weeds should be removed with as little cultivation as 
 possible. During the process of cultivation the soil should gradually 
 
37 
 
 be worker! toward the plants, tliiis hilliug them tip and preventing 
 their being blown down hj- winds. 
 
 TOPPING. 
 
 For wrapper purposes it is advisable to top high. This is especially 
 true when abundant sunshine and favorable conditions prevail during 
 the growing season. If, however, the weather is cloudy and rainy, 
 the topping should be done somewhat lower and a smaller number of 
 leaves left on the plants. This is especially true in case of shade- 
 grown tobacco, as the shade has a tendencj- to still further increase 
 the humid conditions to which the fields are sub.jected. Weak plants 
 ought to be topped lower than strong, well-developed plants, which 
 will be able to mature a larger number of leaves. Too high topping 
 makes leaves deficient in elasticity ; too low topping, too heavy leaves. 
 Experience is necessary in order to top the plants just right, taking 
 into account weather conditions and type of plants and soil. 
 
 Suckers immediately appear after the topping, and these should be 
 removed at frequent intervals. Experience has taught that instead 
 of breaking off the suckers in the axil it is better to leave a small part 
 of the stem of the sucker, about 1 inch in length. By so doing less 
 suckers will reappear. The removal of the suckers throws the strength 
 of the plant into the leaves, but if there is a tendency, through having 
 topped the ijlants too low or through change in weather conditions, 
 for the leaves of the plant to l)econie too thick, this may be counter- 
 acted by leaving one or two suckers on the plaut. 
 
 HARVESTING. 
 
 Two methods of harvesting are in use. One consists iu removing 
 each leaf from the plant at the most favorable stage of ripeness and 
 the other is to cut the whole jilant when the largest number of leaves 
 are in a favorable stage of ripeness. The first method should always 
 be used for wrapper or high-grade tobacco, as it gives more favorable 
 results. Great care should be exercised to prime the leaves at the 
 most favorable stage of ripeness, taking first the bottom leaves, then 
 successively the middle and top leaves, with a few days between. 
 The pi'oper time to harvest is determined by the appearance of the 
 leaves, and an experienced eye is required to detect the minute 
 differences which mark the leaves when in the most favorable degree 
 of ripeness. 
 
 Overripe leaves become less combustible, are less elastic, give darker 
 colors, and contain more nicotin, all of which is undesirable. In 
 unripe leaves the colors are difficult to change in the curing process, 
 and often turn from green to black in the fermenting pile. After 
 priming the leaves should be transported to the curing shed in bas- 
 kets provided with burlap for covering the tops and sides, so as to 
 protect the leaves from dust and direct rays of the sun. 
 
38 
 
 With the cut system of harvesting it is advisable to cut the plants 
 when the middle leaves show maturitj' — foi' wraijper purposes early 
 in this stage and for filler a little later. The plants should be allowed 
 to lie on the ground for a few houi's 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 i^lants on them ai'e 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 
 ineans 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 attaclied may be transi^orted to the sheds sus- 
 pended on two long poles cari-ied liy two men or on a wagon prepared 
 for the puri)ose. 
 
 CUBING SHED. 
 
 For a good (Miring shed live points should be considered: 
 
 (1) Orientation or direction, (-2) situation, {'■}) 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 re<iuirements of 
 the farm, but, other things being equal, should be convenient to the 
 tobacco field, and should be as much as xjossible sheltered by other 
 buildings or trees on the side from whence the wind f omes. 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 may 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 
 
39 
 
 01' metal ones. It is most important that the shed should be so con- 
 structed that the temperature and humidity can be controlled. In 
 order to accomplish this it should be sufficiently tight to prevent air 
 currents when closed. The ventilators should be at frequent inter- 
 vals and sufficiently large to secure any desired amount of ventilation. 
 They should be so constructed that they open against the wind, can 
 be fastened to any sized opening, and can be quickly and tightly 
 closed. The interior framework should be so constructed with poles 
 and cross poles that the whole space can be utilized for hanging 
 tobacco. Strong wires may be tightly stretched and take the place 
 of the smallest poles. Poles sufficiently strong to support movable 
 planks on which the workmen stand should be placed at intervals 
 sufficiently close to enable all parts of the space to be easily reached. 
 The sticks on which the tobacco is strung may consist of ordinary 
 lath i by 1^ inches, by 4 feet long, with a saw notch in each end to 
 hold the cord, or they may consist of small native saplings of any 
 desired length. 
 
 Two kinds of aeration or ventilation are recognized — one slow and 
 continuous, the other rapid and periodic. The first is acquired by 
 opening the small ventilators at the bottom and top of si<le walls or 
 by opening the large ventilators only slightlj'. The rapid ventilation 
 is effected b.y opening the large ventilators as wide as possible, always 
 guarding against the direct entrance of wind or sunshine. Large ven- 
 tilators may consist of ordinary doors extending from the ground to 
 the eaves and hinged at the side, or the same form of door may lie 
 hinged at the top and open from the bottom. Another form consists 
 in having the side boards of the shed horizontal and have every other 
 one or every third one hinged at the upper edge. These may all be 
 opened to any desired width and a uniform ventilation of any desired 
 volume given to all parts of the shed, or the top and bottom one only 
 may be opened, giving a slow ventilation. 
 
 CORING. 
 
 The filling of a curing shed should be concluded as rapidly as pos- 
 sible and the shed closed for the curing process, so that the tobacco 
 in all parts will require as far as possible the same time and ventila- 
 tion. For this reason it is advisable to limit the size of curing sheds. 
 
 During the early period the curing should be effected bj' a slow 
 and continuous ventilation. After the colors are obtained the ven- 
 tilation may become rapid and periodic. During very hot days tlie 
 sheds should be kept closed and opened during the following night. 
 After excessively damp weather it is also well to give more rapid ven- 
 tilation on a dry day to drive away the excess of moisture and pre- 
 vent molding. If damp weather continues for several days it 
 becomes necessary to build fires in the sheds. Charcoal is preferable 
 to wood for this purpose, because it produces less smoke. Care must 
 
40 
 
 be taken that the tobacco does not turn black for lack of sufTicient 
 air, reduction instead of oxidation taking ijlaee. 
 
 The nature of the processes which take place in the cui-ing of 
 tobacco have not yet been fully worked out, but in a general way 
 there is a loss of water — about SO per cent of the green weight of the 
 leaves — and a modification of the chlorophyll and other compounds of 
 the leaf and the resulting change in color from green to yellow, then 
 to red and brown. 
 
 If the leaves are cui'ed in a current of hot air the water is quickly 
 lost and the color remains green, because sufficient time has not been 
 allowed for the biological processes which cause the color changes to 
 take place. If the leaves remain longer in the hot-air current they 
 may also lose their fermenting power. Even after restoration of the 
 excessive loss of water only a slight fermentation can be produced. 
 
 In order to facilitate the transformation of the matter in the leaves 
 a slow curing is necessarj'. If, however, the circulation of air is too 
 limited or stopped, reduction takes place and the leaves become 
 spotted and, if no ventilation is given, very soon turn entirely black 
 and lose their resistance and elasticity and finallj' become worthless." 
 
 Specific rules for the curing of tobacco can not be given, for much 
 depends on the weather conditions and the character of the crop and 
 shed. In a general way ventilation should be slow, with a constant 
 circulation of air around all of the leaves until the parenchyma 
 changes color. Rapid ventilation should be avoided during the earlj^ 
 stages of curing, except for short periods after very damp spells, which 
 may be i-esorted to in order to drive out the excess of moistui'e. High 
 temperature and excessive humidity must be avoided. 
 
 The time of curing usually ranges from twenty-five to thirtj'-five daj's. 
 The process should cease when suitable color is obtained, bearing in 
 mind that the colors are modified to a certain extent in the process of 
 fermenting. When the curing is completed it is well to close the venti- 
 lators during the day and open them wide at night, in order to bring 
 the tobacco into a moist condition before removing it from the poles. 
 None should be removed until the reduction of the midrib is complete. 
 If the curing has been .slow and tlie conditions favorable, the colors 
 at the time of removing from the poles should be fairly iiniform. It 
 is advisable, however, upon taking down the tobacco to immediately 
 put it into small piles, which favors uniform fermentation and also 
 further increases the iiniformity of color. In no case should tobacco 
 be allowed to remain in the curing shed very long after it has been 
 completely cured. 
 
 The curing of the whole plant is effected with nearly as good results 
 
 "The writer noticed in Porto Rico as well as in Cuba cigars of whii-ii the 
 wrapper was covered with black spots. It is thought that tliis was caused by 
 the lack of ventilation at certain periods while tobacco is in the shed. 
 
41 
 
 as regards coloi- as in case of the primed leaves. The chief difficulty 
 is that the top leaves, the less ripe, are covei-ed by the middle ones, 
 and these in turn by the bottom ones, so that the ripest leaves are the 
 ones which, ou account of their exposure, receive the greatest venti- 
 lation while the greenest ones receive the least. This differeuce is 
 probably partly overcome by the leaves being connected to the stalk 
 and through a possible movement of water from the greener to the 
 riper leaves. The advantage in case of the primed leaves is that those 
 of equal ripeness may be placed separate from those which may be 
 greener and, therefore, given a different ventilation. 
 
 The system of cutting and curing the whole plant, however, is the 
 cheaper, and is advised for crops that do not promise a considerable 
 percentage of wrapper leaves. When the cut plants are removed from 
 the poles they should not be placed in piles, but the leaves should at 
 once be removed and the top, middle, and bottom ones kept sepai-ate. 
 Further sorting of the leaves need not be made at this time, but they 
 should be made into hands and at once put into small piles. These 
 piles should be frequently inspected to see that the temperature does 
 not materially rise. If the leaves are too moist and begin to heat, tlie 
 piles are .separated and after a little exposure are made into piles 
 again. When this operation has been repeated several times several 
 small piles nuiy be put together. It is of course understood that 
 before this work is commenced the plants should be moistened by 
 leaving the ventilators open during the night preceding the opera- 
 tions, and in case of a dry day the work should cease before the 
 plants become too dry to handle. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS BEGABDING FERMENTATION. 
 
 In order that tobacco may properly ferment it is necessary that the 
 requisite amount of moisture and fei'uients be present in the leaves. 
 The process of fermentation develops color, gloss, elasticity, burn, 
 and aroma. It is most important that the leaves contain the proper 
 amount of moisture. If too dry the fermentation progresses very 
 slowly or not at all; if too wet it progresses verj' rapidly and there 
 is danger of molds and putrefaction. The operation requires very 
 careful watching by one wfio has had previous experience. 
 
 Under the old regime, when dark colors were used, fermentation 
 was allowed to progress very rapidly, the high temperatures produc- 
 ing the dark colors. It was then sufficient to carefully watch the 
 temperatures and to prevent only such high elevations as might Imru 
 the leaves. At the present time, with the demand chiefly for light 
 colors, it is necessary that fermentation progress slowly. This can be 
 accomplished by slightly less moisture in the leaves, and by repeatedly 
 tearing down and rebuilding the fermenting piles whenever the tem- 
 perature rises to 50° C. 
 
42 
 
 In order to ascertain the tempoM-atiire of the piles bamhoo, wooden, 
 or metal tubes are placed in the piles when thej' are built, one end 
 being at the center of the pile and the other reaching to the circuni- 
 ference. If the piles are large two or three of these tubes may be used, 
 one near the bottom, one near the middle, and another near the top. 
 Ordinarj' chemical thermometers are inserted into the tubes and 
 may be quickly removed and read at anj' time. The outer ends of 
 the tubes should be closed with corks or cotton to prevent cooling of 
 the interior. 
 
 . Before fermenting the tobacco should be roughly graded into wrap- 
 pers and fillers. The tobacco should then be tied into hands and 
 built into piles by laying the hands straight and even, witli ]>utts to 
 the outside. The size of the piles may vary according to the amount 
 of tobacco in hand. It is difficult, however, to successfully ferment 
 a small quantity, and the operation should not be undertaken with 
 amounts less than 1,0U(> pounds. A convenient size for the ferment- 
 ing piles is 5 to feet wide, 10 to 12 feet long, and -1 to 8 feet high. 
 In building the pile it is advisable to start the bottom with trash oi' 
 some noncommercial stuff, because the bottom usually ferments very 
 slowly. Excessive pressure should be avoided in the early stages, and 
 the hands be simply laid on the pile from the outside and gently pressed. 
 Piles built in this way settle considerably, so that after twenty-four 
 hours more tobacco may be put on if thought desirable. When com- 
 pleted it is advisable to cover the piles with burlap in order to pro- 
 tect them from drying out. As regards the further care of the piles 
 the following directions are taken from Farmers' Bulletin No. 60, 
 United States Department of Agriculture: 
 
 The bulk is watched very closely, and as the temperature rises it is torn down, 
 eafh hand of tobacco is taken up and shaken thoroughly to dry it a little, to cool it 
 slightly, and to open the leaves so that they will not stick togetlier. Before the 
 sweat is completed the Imlk is jtuUed down and built upeightor ten times, act'ord- 
 ing to the condition of the tobacco. It is impossible, even for an expert curer, to 
 give explicit directions as to when the bulk should be turned, as it depends entirely 
 upon the condition of the tobacco and the temperature it attains, and these must 
 be determined by the operator. 
 
 The temperature must rise gradually, and if it is found to be rising too rapidly 
 the bulk is torn down and a fresh one built up. Sometimes the bulk is not up over 
 twenty-four hours before it is torn down again and built up afresh. It the tobacco 
 is in high case, that is, quite moist, the bulks have to be turned over frequently in 
 order to prevent too rapid action and to shake out the leaves which woxild other- 
 wise stick together. If a bulk, as seldom happens, should dry out. it is turned over 
 and mixed with a bulk which is in high case. The tobacco should never be 
 sprinkled in this stage of the process to bring it into case. 
 
 The temperature of the pile is allowed to rise gradually until it occasionally 
 reaches ISO F. The firmentation is then at its highest. From this point the 
 temperature subsides until the fermentation is complete and the bulk attains the 
 normal temperature of the room. This maximum temperature must not be 
 reached too quickly, and it must be managed differently with the different tobaccos. 
 
43 
 
 The fermentation must be carefully controlled and not allowed to go too far with 
 the wrapper leaf. With the filler, the further it goes and the more intense the 
 action the stronger and finer will the tobacco be for its pxirpose. if the work is 
 judiciously done. As a matter of fact, it is not unusual to resweat the filler leaf 
 to bring out the strong, rich properties which it is desired to develop. As the 
 fermentation does not extend to the bottom of the pile, it is customary to put 8 or 
 10 inches of trash, which has already been sweated, on the bottom; and where 
 bins are used a layer of trash is also put around the sides. 
 
 The above maximum temperature of 180° F., which equals 82° C, 
 should be reduced to a temperature of about 50° to 55° C. for tobacco 
 in Porto Rico. 
 
 Bottom, middle, and top leaves should be fermented in separate 
 piles. 
 
 Bottom leaves require a lower maximum temperature than middle 
 and top leaves. When the top leaves are to be used for filler pur- 
 poses the maximum temperature may be increased from 5° to 10° C. 
 
 The moisture content of the tobacco may be easily ascertained by 
 taking a few representative hands from the pile, weighing them, then 
 drying them in a hot-air bath at 212° F. for about two hours, and 
 again weighing them. The loss in weight divided by the dry weight 
 equals the percentage of moisture in the leaves. 
 
 The optimum amount of moisture for fermenting either wrapper 
 or filler has not yet been determined for Porto Rico. In Florida cer- 
 tain experiments have shown that 23 to 24 per cent was favorable. 
 If the temperature rises 14° to 18° F. in the first day it indicates that 
 the tobacco is too moist and contains approximately 27 per cent. 
 With 20 per cent of moisture the temperature rises much slower, and 
 the slow rise in temperature indicates too small a percentage of mois- 
 ture. With only 20 per cent of moisture it was found difficult to han- 
 dle and ferment the tobacco. 
 
 The fermenting house should not be so high as the curing shed and 
 should have windows sufficient only for lighting the interior. Air 
 currents should be avoided and the floors should be dry. Floors of 
 wood are therefore preferable, and it is often desirable to use mats 
 beneath the fermenting piles. 
 
 The tobacco piles may be rectangular or elliptical in shape, and the 
 height of them will depend upon the quality of tlie tobacco. That of 
 superior quality should at first be fermented in piles about 2 feet in 
 height; medium quality in piles 3 to 4 feet in height, while large 
 piles of inferior quality and trash may be 6 feet or more in height. 
 The good and medium piles should be covered with burlaps or mats 
 to prevent loss of moisture from the outside and thereby facilitate a 
 more even temperature throughout the pile. By degrees, as the 
 tobacco becomes drier, larger piles are made by putting two or more 
 small piles together, in oi'der to obtain higher temj)eratures. In 
 rebuilding the piles care should be taken to avoid returning tobacco 
 
44 
 
 to the same j>osition in the new pile that it occupied in the former 
 one. It is necessary that all the hands be placed at least once in the 
 center of the pile. In making the successive piles larger and more 
 compact the maximum temperature is gradually increased from about 
 35° C. in the first i)iles to abovit 55° C. in the last ones. The increase 
 in temperature must be very gradual, otherwise the quality of the 
 tobacco is depreciated. In case of molds, which result from the 
 tobacco being too moist, it is necessary to thoroughly ventilate the 
 tobacco and brush the leaves. Where the sweating is done slowly to 
 keep the color light, it is well to allow the tobacco to stand some time 
 in the Inilk or bale to age. This aging is especially desirable with 
 filler leaf, so as to develop the aroma. 
 
 o 
 
 LB Mr '08 
 
/ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 QD01H55E51D