58 FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IN FLORIDA

stage, the temperature will advance as the leaf dries. Then
in the final stage, drying the stem, which is done at 1700
to 180 F., an additional 10 to 12 per cent of the total moisture
is removed.
 It is impossible to state the total length of time required
to cure a barn of tobacco. The length of time may vary from
80 to 100 hours. The yellowing stage is probably the most
important, because if the temperature is advanced too high
and too quickly before the tobacco has yellowed a green color
will result and the leaf will remain green throughout the
curing process.
 Recent tests have shown that some scientific approach is
possible in curing tobacco. The effect of humidity and temp-
erature were quite evident in some controlled experiments.
Poor results were obtained where temperatures were too low
and where humidities were too high. The optimum range for
humidity-temperature balance is influenced by the ripeness
of the tobacco, fertility practices, moisture and weather con-
ditions at the time of harvest. A high temperature with a
low humidity will set a green color in tobacco. A high temp-
erature with a high humidity retards the rate of wilting and
increases the rate of browning. A relatively high humidity with
a medium temperature encourages the development of leaf

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Fig. 33: Showing cured leaf hanging in the barn