The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-01-30
TOBACCO IN Til, PHILIPPINES.


Erred Gregory. c.. i. 1Sih MINI. Nols)
Toi,pcco is probably the best known
prodIt ~, from the Philippines
The Mania wrapper being known the
world Over. Ihreefour llS Of all tobacco
grown in the Philippines comes from the
provinces OF Isabella and Cogatm. on the
Island Of Iuzor. and the best grade leaf
also comes from these two provinces.
North and South Iocos. Al}ra and Union
provinces ALSO grow tobacco. The islands
Of Cetu, \cgros and panay also produce
ne tobacco, hut neither in quantity nor
quality does it approach Lalzon.
The tobacco lands in the provinces Of
isabella and OaEUsau. whore the best
grades are raised. are along the Cagauan
and other rivers IL these provinces. The
scat IS fairly heavy. liny and very rich
in dcoomp0sed vegetable matter The
rivers OF this district overflow their
sank> every rainy season and leave on
tit l3nds Z deposit of Dlud and vegetable
matter, often : to 10 inches deep ana
Of wonderful richness. There is not an
ounce OF fertilizer. either commercial or
halnyard, used Oh the tobacco planta-
tlUAS and many OF them have had the
same t3ep every year for 10 or 30 years.
The loWilnd; that are inundated ever!
year grow the finest tobacco. vet the
high lands also produce Il very fine leaf
although lighter. This land is planted
in October, the low lands in December
and January to avoid danger Of young
plants being flooded out.
i he native Tilil 10 cllJivates the land
IN the same way it has been done for a
century, everything being done by hand
and III the LATEST. slipshol way possible. |
he land IS ploUcd by water buffalo
dragging q crotchod tree branch through |
the soil 4 few times, is then palyerized |
and laid into seed beds. Seed is mixed !
with wood ashes and sOwn broadcast. |
1t gel:n;nates in eight days and at two
months the young plants are i or { inches |
high with five or SIX leaves, and ready |
for transpIauting They are set 3 feet |
apart, being protected from the suns
rays While young by piece of banana |
bark being stuck in the ground by their |
side. Tobacco worms are Il serious pest, |
'.E not nearly as bad in tne United |
States.
- he plant grows. the first five or six
leaves are pluckcd as they rest Oh the
@sllAl and are dirty and valueless.
Norklnen so from one plant to anther.
picking the r.pest leaves. distinguished
hy their dark cor If 4 leaf does not
respond easily to the slight pressure used
by the picker. it IS left on the plant as
not being ripe rs s01n as enough leaves
have been gathered TO fill a cart, they
are covered with banana leaves and
taEen to the curing 81. is. Here they are
strung on small bamboo poles. hung up
il the shed and carefully kept from ex-
lCsUre t. the sun and rain. When dry
ana CT the same color they are piled III
squares. n 10 or l. days the poles and
leaves are given their first turning. 1Ae
top poles going ca tie Bottom Of the new
pie and 50 on until al leaves are ey-
posed alike. They are turned tNilc more
tie next five or sX weeks. This process
i called sweating. and needs the atten
ton OF an expert. If the leaves are
turned too soon, fermentation has hot
and the proper color cannot
be obtained. II allowed TO stay too loLg
in the pile. the leaves sweat and lose
both strength and color. Tobacco curing
can only be learned by long practice and
clCee attention to details.
After curing. the leaves are graded re-
moved from the poles and tied i'll punches
If 10. These lunches are afterward tied
leo leaves il bunch and ready for
81 e
Equal rights OF love and sense makes I
no II, l