Up to the cutting, the methods here differ from those used in the East, only so far as climate and soil are different.
When the plant lies in the field Mr.Culp's peculiar process begins; and this I prefer to describe to you as nearly as I can in his own words.
He said that tobacco had long been grown in California even before the Americans came.

He had raised it as a crop for fifteen years; and before he perfected his new process, he was able usually to select the best of his crop for smoking-tobacco, and sold the remainder for sheep-wash.
One year two millions of pounds were raised in the State, and, as it was mostly sold for sheep-wash, it lasted several years, and discouraged the growers.

Tobacco always grew readily, but it was too rank and strong.

They used Eastern methods, topping and suckering, and as the plant had here a very long season to grow and mature, the leaf was thick and very strong.
The main features of the Culp process are, he said, to let the tobacco, when cut, wilt on the field; then take it at once to the tobacco-house and pile it down, letting it heat on the piles to 100 degrees for Havana.
It must, he thinks, come to 100 deg., but if it rises to 102 deg.

it is ruined.
Piling, therefore, requires great judgment.