Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically analyzing the degradation of processed leaf tobacco are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor system for diverting a sample of leaf tobacco from an operating tobacco processing line, supplying the tobacco to a degradation analyzer and returning the tobacco to the processing line after the degradation analysis has been performed. The degradation analyzer comprises a weigh conveyor for receiving the tobacco sample, weighing it to insure it is within prescribed limits and delivering it to a vibratory screen separator where the tobacco is separated into a plurality of fractions of different-sized tobacco particles. The separated fractions are collected in weigh buckets, electronically weighed and discharged to the conveyor system for return to the tobacco processing line.