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Cutting the Plant. — Figure 14 represents harvesting the 

 plant. 



Figure 14. 



There are two methods of harvesting, cutting down the 

 whole plant or gathering the leaves singly. The former is 

 the one that has been practiced for a long time by tobacco 

 planters; the latter, which is of recent origin, is regarded 

 by many as the most scientific method. 



Both these plans of gathering have their advantages, the 

 first is the easier, and permits of quicker handling. 



For cutting, a heavy knife is used, and the method is 

 similar to cutting sugar cane, the plant being held with the 

 left hand and cut close to the ground. 



The plants should be removed to a shady place to prevent 

 their becoming sunburnt. 



