q9 



are placed on a frame in the field and loaded on the wagon 

 for taking to the tobacco barn. 



XI. Modern Virginia Tobacco Barn. 



Figure 17. 



The process of curing now commences, and on the suc- 

 cess of this operation depends in a great measure the ulti- 

 mate value of the crop. Xo matter how tine the plants 

 may be, or how large the production, an error in curing is 

 sufficient to destroy, in a great degree, the work of the 

 season. The tobacco barn should be built with windows 

 and doors sufficient to insure a free current of air."* The 

 barn should be high enough to permit three rows of plants 

 being hung one above the other, say 16 to 18 feet from 

 floor to roof. 



There are several methods of curing, viz: Air curing,, 

 sun curng, firing with open tires, and curing by flues. 



Air curing is the process of curing the plant in shade or 

 barn, as seen in figure 18. 



