like substance containing a glutinous pith, and is of about the
same shade of color as the leaves. As the plant develops in size the
stalk hardens, and when fully grown is not easily broken.

[Illustration: Tobacco stalks.]

The size of the stalk corresponds with that of the leaves, and with
such varieties of the plant as Connecticut seed leaf, Virginia,
Kentucky, Ohio, St. Domingo, and some others; both will be found to be
larger than Spanish, Latakia, and Syrian tobacco, which have a much
smaller but harder stalk. It will readily be seen that the stalk must
be strong and firm in order to support the large palm-like leaves
which on some varieties grow to a length of nearly four feet with a
corresponding breadth. The stalk does not "cure down" as fast as the
leaves, which is thought now to be necessary in order to prevent
sweating, as well as to hasten the curing. Most of the varieties of
the plant have an erect, straight stalk, excepting Syrian tobacco,
which near the top describes more of a semi-circle, but not to that
extent of giving an idea of an entirely crooked plant. The stalk
gradually tapers from the base to the summit, and when deprived of its
leaves presents a smooth appearance not unlike that of a small tree or
shrub deprived of its twigs and leaves.

THE LEAVES.

The Plant bears from eight to twenty leaves according to the species
of the plant. They have various forms, ovate, lanceolate, and pointed.
Leaves of a lanceolate form are the largest, and the shape of those
found on most varieties of the American plant. The color of the leaves
when growing, as well as after curing and sweating, varies, and is
frequently caused by the condition of the soil. The color while
growing may be either a light or dark green, which changes to a
yellowish cast as the plant matures and ripens. The ground leaves are
of a lighter color and ripen earlier than the rest--sometimes turning
yellow, and during damp weather rotting and dropping from the stalk.
Some varieties of the plant, like Latakia, bear small but thick
leaves, which after cutting are very thin and fine in texture; while
others, like Connecticut seed leaf and Havana, bear leaves of a medium
thickness, which are also fine and silky after curing. But while the
color of the plant when growing is either a light or dark green, it
rapidly changes during curing, and especially after passing through
the sweat, changing to a light or dark cinnamon like Connecticut se