CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF TOBACCO. IQl 



tobacco than most planters seem apprised of. Experience has fully- 

 demonstrated that ten leaves are suflScient for a plant, and this is 

 almost a universal practice among our best planters. The first 

 plants, if the crop has grown off unevenly, may be placed to tvrelve 

 leaves ; the nest topping may be ten, and as the sejison advances, 

 the number may be lessened, as the appearance of the crops and 

 season indicates. This will insure more uniformity in maturing of 

 the crop, saves much labor, and adds to the value of the crop, 

 making it more uniform in quality. At this stage of the crop the 

 care and attention of the planter is almost constantly required to 

 keep off the worms and other insects which prey upon it, and in 

 breaking off the suckers which soon appear upon the stalk at every 

 leaf. Ample employment may be afforded to every idler about the 

 premises. 



As the plant approaches maturity, it begins to thicken, and as- 

 sumes a stiff, slick and motley appearance, which the most unprac- 

 ticed eye will readily detect. Should the weather be favorable 

 (viz : dry), the first ripe plants may be permitted to remain stand- 

 ing until a sufficient quantity is matured to satisfy the planter in 

 making a regular cutting. If, however, the weather be unpropi- 

 tious, it is best to cut as fast as it matures, as it is subject to injury 

 under such circumstances if suflered to- remain too lona:. The bar- 

 vesting of the crop is an important period in its cultivation, and 

 neglect upon the part of the planter will bring loss in its future 

 value. In cutting the plant, a sharp knife is to be used, and the 

 stalk to be split about half its length, taking care not to break the 

 leaves or otherwise injure them, and the plant to be set with the- 

 butt of the stalk up, exposed to the sun. So soon as the plant is. 

 wilted enough to handle without breaking, they should be taken 

 up and laid in a heap of seven to nine in a place, being governed- 

 by their size, and hung as soon as possible to prevent being- 

 scorched by the sun. The after part of the day is best for cutting ; 

 there is less danger of getting the plant sunburnt. The sticks. 

 upon which the plants are hung are small pieces of timber four feet 

 long, and of suflScient size to support the plants. These are taken, 

 to the barn on a cart or wagon after receiving the plants, or may 

 be placed upon scaffolds in the fields, at the option of the planter. 

 If the weather is fair, it is best to sun it, as it aids the curing, and' 

 adds to the strength and elasticity of the leaf after it is cured. 

 Care should be taken not to place the sticks too close, if the 

 11 



